May 23: Revealed

 

Have you ever had a lightbulb moment? Lightbulb moments are those “aha” moments when something finally makes sense, when a solution is finally realized, or when an idea is suddenly given. While we are beneficiaries and are inspired by others' lightbulb moments, it is nothing like the lightbulb moment that comes when one realizes that he/she has encountered Jesus Christ! We see an example of this in the two men who had an encounter with the resurrected Christ on the road to a little town called Emmaus. 

Luke tells us that women who had gone to the tomb to prepare Jesus’ body with burial spices found an empty tomb and received an amazing message to share with the apostles – Jesus was alive! After the women delivered the message to the apostles regarding Jesus’ resurrection, Peter (and John) ran to the tomb to see for himself and left amazed at what had happened. (Matthew 24:12)

But not everyone who heard the resurrection announcement could grasp what had taken place. We are introduced to two followers of Jesus who had left after the resurrection announcement and were traveling from Jerusalem to Emmaus, about a seven mile walk of about three to four hours over uneven terrain.  While they were with the larger group when Mary and the other women reported the empty tomb, they were not members of the Eleven surviving apostles. 

Luke helps us understand how the events of the past days had affected these two men in Luke 24:13-17: Now that same day two of them were on their way to a village called Emmaus, which was about seven miles from Jerusalem.  14 Together they were discussing everything that had taken place. 15 And while they were discussing and arguing, Jesus Himself came near and began to walk along with them. 16 But they were prevented from recognizing Him.  17 Then He asked them, “What is this dispute that you’re having with each other as you are walking?” And they stopped walking and looked discouraged.

They were discouraged and confused by the events of the past days, as we would probably be as well.  As always, Jesus stepped in at just the right time to bring clarity to all they had experienced. The lessons they would learn on this road to Emmaus would lead to their “lightbulb moment” with Jesus, changing their lives forever. This should remind us of how Jesus helps us when we are discouraged, confused, or distraught over things that might be challenging or shattering our faith.

Lessons for When you are Discouraged, Confused, or Distraught

We should RECALL all we have seen and heard - Luke 24:18-24

One can only imagine the discouragement these two disciples felt as they walked from Jerusalem to Emmaus. After joining them as they walked toward Emmaus, Jesus led them to RECALL all the incredible things they had seen and heard while being with Him. This would lay a foundation for what was to come next in Jesus’ dialogue with these two men. 

Recalling what we have seen and heard about Jesus is vital to remaining strong in our faith.  However, we shouldn’t just RECALL what we have seen and heard, but we should also REMEMBER what we have learned about Jesus.

We should REMEMBER what we have learned about Jesus from God's Word - Luke 24:25-27

Jesus took His companions on a tour of Scripture, beginning with Moses and all the Prophets. They had heard these passages in the synagogue, but the texts needed to be interpreted for them. From Genesis through Malachi, the story of the Messiah is laid out, culminating in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.

We, too, need to REMEMBER that all Truth is contained in God’s Word and, in the proper time, God will call it to our memory if we have studied it. We can’t remember what we haven’t learned. The lessons these two followers had learned from God’s Word would bring them to the lightbulb moment for their faith.

We should RECOGNIZE that Jesus is always with us - Luke 24:28-31

Jesus ignited a hunger in their hearts to hear more, so they asked Him to stay with them through the night at the camp. Little did they know they were in the presence of their Savior! Then, at the meal, Jesus took bread, asked God’s blessing, broke it, and gave it to them. Just like that, the lightbulb came on for the two companions! Their eyes were opened, and they recognized Jesus.  The Scriptures don’t tell us why or even how Jesus left so quickly. What we do know is how this encounter with Jesus changed the lives of these two men. 

Being in the presence of Jesus should lead to a RESPONSE - Luke 24:32-35

These two disciples were left to discuss how their hearts were stirred as Jesus had talked with them and had opened the Scriptures to them. Jesus’ presence had changed their mood from despair to hearts feeling strangely warm. Their hope had been confirmed; their doubts dispelled. Here is how they responded to Jesus' presence:

1. The burning fire of the presence of Jesus had been reignited in their hearts.
2. They returned to Jerusalem – the very place that seemed to be the end of a cause and a dangerous place for followers of Christ.
3. The found other believers to encourage.
4. They told their resurrection story!

When we are going down our own “road to Emmaus,” struggling with what is taking place in this world or maybe even questioning whether Jesus is really who He says He is, we need Jesus to come alongside of us. We need to ask Him to help us RECALL all we have seen and heard in the past. We need to REMEMBER what we have learned in God’s Word. We need to RECOGNIZE that He is with us – He never leaves us nor forsakes us (Hebrews 13:5). 

These actions will renew our faith and reignite the fire we once had for Him. We will long once again to be with others who believe. Our encounter with the risen Christ will be a story we will desire to tell others.

The downloadable teaching helps provide more details for this study along with some tools you can use in guiding a group Bible study. Be sure to use this as a supplement to your study of the Explore the Bible Study resources provided by LifeWay.

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