Journey with Christ Part One

The Damascus Road (Acts 9:1-9),
Gaza Road (Acts 8:26-39),
Emmaus Road (Luke 24:13-35)
Usually when I travel my wife says we never go back the same way we came. She is right, I like taking different routes. If I see a road I wonder where it leads, as a driver I always want to know if there is a shorter route, or some different scenery. I picked three different road experiences from the Bible and studied the traveler, the purpose of the trip and the encounter along the road. I would like to share them with you, so lace up your shoes, grab your walking stick you can even bring the dog along, and let’s take a walk along the Emmaus road, the Gaza road and the Damascus road.
Our first trip is on the Emmaus road found in Luke 24:13-35. Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from recognizing him. He asked them, "What are you discussing together as you walk along?" They stood still, their faces downcast. One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, "Are you only a visitor to Jerusalem and do not know the things that have happened there in these days?" "What things?" he asked. "About Jesus of Nazareth," they replied. "He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning but didn't find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see." He said to them, "How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?" And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus acted as if he were going farther. But they urged him strongly, "Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over." So he went in to stay with them. When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. They asked each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?" They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together and saying, "It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon." Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.
We meet two men along the way who are talking about the loss of their spiritual leader the one they thought to be the Messiah. Tradition identifies one of these men, Cleopas, as the brother of Joseph. So not only was he talking about the loss of their leader, but also the loss of a nephew. When they meet this stranger on the road they are blinded by their confusion and despair. Jesus was the last person they were looking for on the road. In our despair, when we don’t always understand what is going on around us, we tend to seek earthly consul, or talk amongst ourselves trying to find answers. What we should be looking for is Jesus, for He is traveling along with us.
As Jesus began to question as to the source of their despair, they wondered what cave he had been hiding in. As they began to spill their guts as to the cause of their despair, Jesus listened and let them finish before rebuking them for their lack of faith. They were on their way home full of despair, hoping for the Messiah and they now found themselves with a dead and missing prophet, leaving them with more questions than when they had begun their journey with Christ. Jesus took them right to the word of God, reminding them that Christ had to suffer these things and then enter glory. As they continued along the road Jesus walked with them and continued to encourage them with all that the prophets and Moses had to say about the Messiah. Often when we are in despair all we need is to be reminded of what we already know. Having studied the word we often forget it when times are hard and we are in a state of panic. There are other times that the only thing that can bring us out of our despair is an encounter with the risen Lord, as these men were about to experience. Let us journey on with them.
As they neared the town to which they were traveling Jesus acted as though He was going to go on ahead. But Cleopas and his friend wanted to hear more so invited Jesus to go with them and spend the night. There are a lot of times in our lives that Jesus tests us to see if we will invite Him to go a little further with us. When we go to visit a sick friend Jesus wants to see if we will invite Him to go with us. As we struggle with our finances, Jesus waits to see if we will ask Him to figure it out with us. As we go to work and witness for Christ, Jesus wants to see if we invite Him on the ride to work, throughout our day, in our meetings, and in our lives.
As they sat at the table Jesus went from the role of guest to the role of host as He took the bread, blessed and broke it, and served it to them. At this point they were able to see past their despair to see who was with them all along. As we go through times of despair we tend to focus upon the problem instead of the problem solver. But as we invite Jesus into our despair, are encouraged by the words He speaks to us, and are served by Him our hope is renewed, our faith is replenished, and we travel a different road.
Prayer: Lord, help to see Jesus has we journey through life, that we might invite Him into our despair, and be renewed, and served by Him. Also help us to take the good news of Jesus to a world that is hurting and in need of a healer. Amen

Next time we will journey with Philip on the road to Gaza.