Luke 24:36-53

The disciples are deep in excitement over the news that the resurrected Jesus has been appearing to people, yet when He actually shows up among them, they are “startled and frightened.” Jesus has to assure them of His resurrection body by allowing them to touch Him and by eating food. Jesus finds their lack of understanding troubling. He feels as though the disciples ought to already understand from the Scriptures what has happened. Still he patiently explains what has taken place and what the future role of the disciples will be.

It’s easy to have preconceived notions about who Jesus is. Even those closest to Him can form misconceptions about His nature, power, plan, etc. The most common tendency is probably to put Jesus in a box, instead of letting Him be the incomparable, incomprehensible God that He is. Luke’s message is that Jesus shatters our categories of what is possible, what is appropriate, what is God’s ultimate purpose here.

I too am guilty of limiting Christ. Having grown up in the church, I sometimes feel like I have a pretty good grasp on who Jesus is, how He works and my role in the plan. Pretty soon, I don’t need Jesus anymore. It’s at those moments that I need to be “started and amazed” by how much bigger my God and His plan are than what I have figure. Open my eyes, God, to see the real Jesus.

Luke 24:13-35

The two men on the road to Emmaus have completely given up hope. Their explanation to Jesus of recent events is all past tense: “[Jesus] was a prophet … they crucified him … we had hoped that he was the one.” They report the disappearance of the body and the appearance of angels, but there is not even a trace of hope in their voice. It’s over, and it’s time to walk the seven miles home. Jesus doesn’t coddle them in their despair. He calls them on it. He calls them out for being foolish and slow. Is this the meek and mild Jesus?! But He doesn’t leave them in their ignorance; He begins to shine the light of truth for them.

Scripture is loaded with truth. Often our eyes are blinded to its truths or its message by preconceived notions about what it has to say. It is easy to jump past the interpretive process and begin to think about the application and implications a particular interpretation might have. If the application seems too far-fetched or too difficult, we disregard that as a possible interpretation. Jesus calls that foolish. The Scriptures need to be allowed to have their say.

I need to allow the Holy Spirit to say what He wants to say to me through the Bible. Sometimes, I need to set aside the interpretive lens I am using and read the Bible for what it says, regardless of how that interpretation might mess with my reality. I will try to read the Word with a greater openness to letting it say what it wants to say, instead of forcing it into a mold that fits my prejudices and preconceived notions.