DT – 4/15: Luke 24:25-35 – The Road to Emmaus, Episode 2

Why were the disciples “slow of heart to believe” the Scriptures? I’m not sure exactly why the disciples were “slow of heart to believe.”  Perhaps all along they weren’t paying attention to Jesus’ words, and what really interested them was what Jesus could deliver.  In other words, they may have enjoyed the community that Jesus created and they may have been looking forward to the establishment of a new physical kingdom.  And so when Jesus spoke, they weren’t really paying attention.  Had they paid attention, they may have been able to piece his words to together and recognize that Messiah had to be crucified and raised on the third day.  Or they may have been slow to believe because of a worldview problem.  They may have believed in God and his words, especially the moral teachings and perhaps even an afterlife.  But they may have dismissed the idea of being raised after three days as something that God wouldn’t do because it just never happened. 

What are some attitudes I hold on to in my heart which the Scriptures repeatedly contradict, but which I am slow to let go of?  After reading the Return of the Prodgal Son for the second time, I realized once again that I’m so much like the elder son who thinks in terms of fairness, instead of relational love.  He is angry with his father for killing the fattened calf because his wayward, irresponsible brother returned.  Fairness requires that the Father reserve some harsh words: “I told you so,” or “You are no son of mine.”  But relational love rejoices at the fact that the younger son has returned.  And so how can we not celebrate?  What makes this story so poignant is what also makes the parable of the 11^th hour poignant—and difficult for me to swallow.  To me I think of fairness, and I think it’s so unfair that the 11^th hour worker is treated the same as the 1^st hour worker.  But the issue is not fairness, but the generosity of the landowner.  So what I need to reconcile in my heart is that I have a heavenly father who is generous and who operates by relational love.  And so there will be celebrations for returned prodigals and equilibration of workers so that the last is the same as the first.  And praise the Lord for it, for am I not the returned prodigal? Am I not the 11^th hour worker?  The sad thing is that I operate by pride and over years of service, I become the elder son and the 1^st hour worker and think that I deserve something more.  And when I don’t get it I cry foul.  This attitude is something that I would throw in the ocean, to be lost forever, in a heart beat.  But sinful attitudes do not work that way.  Over the years they the roots have grown and have grafted themselves to my heart.  It’s difficult to remove: I’ve tried and failed many times.  I look to God for strength to operate according to his values and not my own.  And I look to heaven where one day this sin will be removed forever.

What made their hearts burn?  What made their hearts burn was the revelation of scripture, as Jesus pieced it together for them.  It’s a story of man’s lostness and God’s zealous efforts to redeem lost man.  It is God’s plan declared and God’s plan fulfilled.

What made these two disciples get up and return at once to Jerusalem?They had seen Jesus.  And they had to tell others about it, especially the other disciples.  Such good news is too wonderful to leave it undeclared and unshared. 

The disciples had no option but to hasten back to Jerusalem and share with others how they encountered Jesus.  How does the Gospel have this kind of effect on a person’s life, turning him from the path that he is on and compelling him to share the good news with others?  How true is this of my life? The gospel message is the explanation for life.  Once it is understood and accepted, there is nothing else to live for.  The world no longer becomes our home, but a place that we’re just passing through.  And as we pass through, God transforms us and prepares us for heaven.  And along the way, we have the joy of telling others about it.  It doesn’t make sense to lay up our treasures on this earth because we can’t take it with us anyway.  This is true in my life from the first day I understood the gospel and accepted it.  I couldn’t help but tell others about the gospel.  I told my friends and my sisters.  Whenever I meet people my greatest concern is whether or not they have received the gospel.  I also understand that life is not about awards, accolades, accomplishments.

Tags: Road to Emmaus

~ by williamkang on April 15, 2009.