Luke 24:22-34
Find a place and time free of distractions for the next 7-10 minutes. Take a moment to settle into your surroundings and then begin to recognize your breath. As you breathe in, call on the name of Jesus and become aware of his presence with you. As you breathe out, open your mind and heart to receive whatever Jesus has for you today.
Remember that two of Jesus’ disciples are traveling to Emmaus when a stranger joins them. Read Luke 24:22-34 stopping to take note of anything that stands out.
The community of Jesus isn’t a hierarchy. It is a group of people centered around Jesus in which the least is valued as much as the ones chosen to represent the twelve tribes of Israel. Unlike the first century religious authorities or the ruling pagan government, in Jesus’ community leaders are servants. So it is not surprising that when Jesus rises from the dead, he first appears to the most marginalized people in the community (the women disciples) and then to a couple of largely anonymous disciples from the group.
These ordinary disciples now have the privilege of listening to Jesus as he opens their minds to a larger narrative and shows them how the familiar old Scriptures lay out the story they have just witnessed. They don’t, of course, know that this uncannily wise person is Jesus, but they recognize the truth of what he is telling them.
The two disciples on the road to Emmaus had Jesus speaking to them externally, while every follower of Jesus since the day of Pentecost has the Spirit of Jesus, the Holy Spirit, dwelling within them. Take some time to meditate on the words of Jesus below:
“When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future. He will bring me glory by telling you whatever he receives from me. All that belongs to the Father is mine; this is why I said, ‘The Spirit will tell you whatever he receives from me.’” – John 16:13-15
How do you feel, or what do you think about this? Share honestly with Jesus now.
Read Luke 24:22-34 again.
Something deep within these disciples stirs and ignites as Jesus speaks, and having walked with him for a while, they cannot imagine being without him. They are so moved that they beg him to stay with them and he gladly obliges. And because they desire his presence, Jesus takes one of the most basic human necessities – a meal – and transforms it into a holy moment full of joy and surprise.
It was in the breaking of the bread that Jesus was revealed to these disciples, and it is in the broken bread and poured out wine of Communion that we recognize his presence corporately. But if we are open and watching, Jesus can take the most ordinary activities of our lives and turn them into holy moments full of the revelation of his presence. We may just be ordinary disciples, but Jesus is with us always by his Spirit - guiding us into all truth and shaping us into the people God create us to be.
Get still for a while and allow longing for Jesus to stir within you. Then listen to him.
What is Jesus saying to you today?
What will you do about that?
Subscribe here to receive these guided meditations free by email Monday-Friday each week. If you find these meditations helpful, please forward them to a couple of friends.
The Everyday Jesus Follower’s Guide ebook can help you learn how to recognize God's voice, how to read and understand the Bible, how to develop deep spiritual friendships, and how to become the person you were meant to be. Use it alone, with a friend or in a small group.
