January 20, 2015 OPENED EYES
Luke 24:31: “And their eyes were opened and they recognized Him; and He vanished from their sight.”
Following the crucifixion of Jesus, two of the disciples were walking to Emmaus, a village approximately seven miles from Jerusalem, and they were discussing the crucifixion of Jesus and all the events that had taken place. These two disciples had been with Jesus and had heard His teachings, and had witnessed the miracles He performed. These two disciples were perplexed and full of sadness because the one that they believed in had been crucified. But then, in the midst of their sadness, someone approached them and began walking with them and was asking what their conversation was about. The two disciples were shocked that this person did not know about the crucifixion of Jesus so they proceeded to tell him what had taken place. According to verse 21, these disciples were hoping and believing that Jesus was the one who would at last redeem the nation of Israel from the rule of the Romans. These disciples had heard that some of the women among their group had found that the tomb where Jesus was buried was empty. Amazingly, this person, that had joined them (they did not know it was Jesus) began to explain all the things concerning Himself in scripture. The two invited this traveler who had joined them to stay with them since it was now night. As they sat down to eat, the guest broke the bread and gave it to them; their eyes were open and they realized that it was Jesus! The disciples knew a lot, but their eyes needed to be opened. We can read the scriptures, we can listen to sermons and we can participate in the worship service, but we also need our “eyes opened” if we are to see Jesus. It is possible for our traditions, our routines, our preferences and our own understanding to cause us not to see Jesus for who He is. We are quick to say we “believe” everything that Jesus said and did. To “believe” means to buy in to, or to act on whatever I say I believe. Just as with these two disciples, we may not recognize Jesus for who He truly is. It is basic, but we do need to ask the Holy Spirit to open our eyes as we read and study scripture. We should read the scriptures with an open mind, willing for our preconceived thoughts to be changed or altered by what the Holy Spirit is revealing. The Bible is not just another book; it is the actual, recorded word of God! Hebrews 4:12 describes the word this way: “For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” We must “handle with care” the word of God, we must hear its message and we must let it be the foundation for all of life.
Once the disciples’ eyes were opened and they recognized Jesus, everything changed drastically and immediately; sadness and gloom disappeared and they were totally energized. It is interesting to note that they returned to Jerusalem that very hour-at night time no less and without flashlights! Just as with these disciples, we too will see sadness and gloom disappear and we will have new energy when our eyes or opened and we see Jesus for all that He is, and we hear what He says. Jesus is alive and well and He is speaking to us today-we only need to have ears to hear. Jesus was crucified for us, BUT God raised Him from the grave and He lives again-for us! Psalms 119:105: “Thy word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path.” Ephesians 1:18-19a: “I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened so that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe.
Blessings,
Buddy
Luke 24:31: “And their eyes were opened and they recognized Him; and He vanished from their sight.”
Following the crucifixion of Jesus, two of the disciples were walking to Emmaus, a village approximately seven miles from Jerusalem, and they were discussing the crucifixion of Jesus and all the events that had taken place. These two disciples had been with Jesus and had heard His teachings, and had witnessed the miracles He performed. These two disciples were perplexed and full of sadness because the one that they believed in had been crucified. But then, in the midst of their sadness, someone approached them and began walking with them and was asking what their conversation was about. The two disciples were shocked that this person did not know about the crucifixion of Jesus so they proceeded to tell him what had taken place. According to verse 21, these disciples were hoping and believing that Jesus was the one who would at last redeem the nation of Israel from the rule of the Romans. These disciples had heard that some of the women among their group had found that the tomb where Jesus was buried was empty. Amazingly, this person, that had joined them (they did not know it was Jesus) began to explain all the things concerning Himself in scripture. The two invited this traveler who had joined them to stay with them since it was now night. As they sat down to eat, the guest broke the bread and gave it to them; their eyes were open and they realized that it was Jesus! The disciples knew a lot, but their eyes needed to be opened. We can read the scriptures, we can listen to sermons and we can participate in the worship service, but we also need our “eyes opened” if we are to see Jesus. It is possible for our traditions, our routines, our preferences and our own understanding to cause us not to see Jesus for who He is. We are quick to say we “believe” everything that Jesus said and did. To “believe” means to buy in to, or to act on whatever I say I believe. Just as with these two disciples, we may not recognize Jesus for who He truly is. It is basic, but we do need to ask the Holy Spirit to open our eyes as we read and study scripture. We should read the scriptures with an open mind, willing for our preconceived thoughts to be changed or altered by what the Holy Spirit is revealing. The Bible is not just another book; it is the actual, recorded word of God! Hebrews 4:12 describes the word this way: “For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” We must “handle with care” the word of God, we must hear its message and we must let it be the foundation for all of life.
Once the disciples’ eyes were opened and they recognized Jesus, everything changed drastically and immediately; sadness and gloom disappeared and they were totally energized. It is interesting to note that they returned to Jerusalem that very hour-at night time no less and without flashlights! Just as with these disciples, we too will see sadness and gloom disappear and we will have new energy when our eyes or opened and we see Jesus for all that He is, and we hear what He says. Jesus is alive and well and He is speaking to us today-we only need to have ears to hear. Jesus was crucified for us, BUT God raised Him from the grave and He lives again-for us! Psalms 119:105: “Thy word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path.” Ephesians 1:18-19a: “I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened so that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe.
Blessings,
Buddy
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