The Encounter

Two men meet a stranger, as they walk the Emmaus Road

Not knowing who he was, he had taken their heavy load…

‘Do you not know what’s happened in the city here today…

They’ve killed the Christ and taken our hope away…’

How foolish you are, that you have not believed, for all these things are spoken of by Moses and the prophets…in the scrolls of old…all that was written, and all that was told

Has been fulfilled! Open your eyes, and hear the story, all has been done for Him to enter His glory…

The two come to their village and Jesus is about to go on.

‘Oh stay with us, for evening is coming, and the day is gone…’

Dining at their table, Jesus takes the bread, giving thanks he breaks it, nothing more is said… ‘Suddenly our eyes are opened, we see Jesus, then he disappears…Oh how our hearts burned within us, when first he appeared…

Walking to Emmaus, our heads were bowed low…our hope was gone, and scattered, like leaves on empty roads, blow…

And now to Jerusalem, we will go…

After seeing Jesus, giving thanks and breaking bread…

And listening to all that he said…

Our eyes were opened…

Jesus Is Alive! He is not dead!!!’

You know, Jesus, is walking along the road with you today too. You may not recognize him, just as these, two, didn’t. But he’s there. He helps you when you least expect it. He knows all your fears. He knows your questions and your doubts. He calls gently to your heart in the stillness of the night. When you are most vulnerable, don’t turn him away. Open your eyes and your heart to the words of Jesus…and let your heart burn within you when he answers…He doesn’t want to hurt you. He wants you to know he loves you. Even in your heartache. Even when you feel like no one understands or cares. Even when you have done things you are ashamed of. Jesus still cares. And if you will let him, he will open your eyes so you can see him, eat with him, talk with him and walk with him. Your lonely road to Emmaus will become a detour to Jerusalem where he will lead you to others who are following him. He will give you joy and peace in every circumstance of your life if you will only see Him. He is offering you the bread of life. He says, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? Look at my hands and my feet. It is I, myself.” Jesus is real. He went to heaven but he sent the promise of the Holy Spirit to be in us and to help us and comfort us. Be happy don’t be sad. He will give you all that you need if you’ll let him. God bless you. We celebrate Easter this Sunday. It is a time of great JOY because Jesus did not stay in a tomb, he rose and lives in heaven and prays for us always. He wants you to know that you are not alone he’s on the road with you. He’s got cha…open your eyes and see Him! He wants to bless you today!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill March 26, 2018

Luke 24:13-53 New International Version (NIV)

On the Road to Emmaus

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 the only one visiting Jerusalem who does 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 they did not see Jesus.”

He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Messiah 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 continued on 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.

Jesus Appears to the Disciples

While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”

They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.”

When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate it in their presence.

He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.”

Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”

The Ascension of Jesus

When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.