Road Trips

I've always been a fan of long road trips. Despite the my son now asking "are we there yet?" or the repeated warnings of this being the last chance to the use the restroom for several hundred miles, road trips are great family fun. One thing that is especially nice about them is you that, at least when everyone is awake and not plugged into an MP3 player or watching a DVD, you get a chance to converse with those in the vehicle with you. The longer the trip, the more you get a chance for discussions. This was especially true in Biblical times, when you had to walk from place to place (and may be true again seeing what the price of gas is lately). Walking makes every trip a long trip, and not a single radio station was around back then to fill that time. One example of such a Biblical road trip took place on THE EASTER SUNDAY, on the road from Jerusalem to Emmaus and is recorded in Luke chapter 24 beginning with the 13th verse:

Now that same day [Easter Sunday] 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. [Luke 24:13-16]

OK. So here you have these two disciples walking along the road to Emmaus, not any of the original twelve mind you, just some ordinary followers of Jesus. The topic of conversation just happens to be the events of that first Easter weekend so long ago. These two are walking along, discussing and questioning each other about Jesus and what happened to Him, and suddenly, they are joined by Jesus the Messiah Himself! One thing we learn right away is that if you hold a Bible study meeting and only 1 student shows up...by all means have the Bible study cause 2 is more than enough!

He (Jesus) 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?" [Luke 24:17-18]

It never fails. you start a conversation with Christ and you have to explain EVERYTHING to the one person who already knows what is going on! Or is it that we just don't seem to trust that the Lord knows ALL the details that WE know! I mean, WE are the ones who were THERE!

"What things?" (Jesus) 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." [Luke 24: 19-21]

Just when we get our hopes up that Jesus is about to deliver US from OUR troubles, we seem to get let down. Jesus does not seem to deliver US according to OUR plan or OUR schedule! If he would just let us win that lottery, get that big raise, or make our enemies disappear, WE would be able to serve Him so much better!

"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." [Luke 24:22-24]

We've all been there. Stuck in the upper room while SOMEBODY ELSE has a great revelation or have stood by while that person who worked in accounting hit the multi-million dollar jackpot in the lottery and quit their job the next day. So...of course we go and check it out. We go and buy OUR tickets and...NOTHING!

He (Jesus) 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. [Luke 24: 25-27]

I admit it. On more than one occassion Jesus THE Christ has point blank called me foolish and slow of heart. In fact, it happens almost daily, whenever I try to fit Him into MY plan, rather than just follow His, I usually wind up with an "O Foolish One" to the back of my head.

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. [Luke 24: 28-31]

That wonderful moment! The Lord opens your eyes to His awesome plan and you marvel to yourself about just how brilliant and awesome God truly is and just how foolish you tend to be.

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. [Luke 24:32-35]

When Christ opens our eyes to His plan, we just have to share the story with others, no matter how tired we felt prior to that moment, suddenly we have new found vigor. After walking the full seven miles to Emmaus, and even stating "the day is almost over," these two found the energy to hurry back to Jerusalem to share their good news that very night. Christ took the sins of the world upon Himself on the cross, dying to pay OUR penalty and then rose from the dead on that wonderful Easter Sunday, and still found the time to join a couple of travelers on a long road trip. Don't think Jesus has time for you and your worries? "O foolish one!" Christ redeemed you on the cross, and will reveal His plan for you if you just stop and ask Him to. Not sure how? Hmmmm. How bout we go for a walk and ask some questions about this Jesus?