I just got home from a road trip. My sister and I flew to Arizona to spend the weekend with our mother and then drive back to Colorado with her. I will admit the “dry heat” of Arizona was certainly a welcome change from the winter/spring/winter confusion that is Colorado weather. But what struck me was the journey home. Different people have different “road trip” rules. Some like to pack everything with them only stopping for gas, destination is the only focus. Some know where they are going but will stop for gas/restroom/road food snacks, a little less strict, but still must plan accordingly. Some are more of a mindful drive, knowing their destination, but more aware of their journey.
Considering the time of year we are in the church calendar; two different scenarios came to my mind. One was the days that Christ was walking to the Cross, this week, between Palm Sunday and Resurrection Sunday, and a gospel story titled, “On The Road to Emmaus.”
First Christ’s Walk to the Cross
We know from the scripture what His last days consisted of these things (by no means a complete list):
He rode into Jerusalem as a king!
Addressed the lack of spiritual fruitfulness of a nation!
Turned tables of man-made religion upside down - reclaiming the temple as His Father’s House!
Taught on the Kingdom!
Manifested the kingdom by healing the sick!
Was tested and challenged by the religious leaders to which he offered this response “Woe To You.”
He was anointed by Mary!
Celebrated the Passover!
Washed feet!
Predicted the disciple’s behavior in the coming hours!
Prayed for the disciples’ coming days, when the Helper (Holy Spirit) would come!
Agonized in the Garden!
Submitted to Judas Kiss!
Was arrested, mocked, beaten, accused, taunted, insulted, scorned, scourged and crucified!
Conquered hell, death and the grave and rolled the stone away!
As quickly as I typed that list, and as quickly as you read it kind of diminishes the importance of each holy step. Nothing, and I mean NOTHING that Jesus did was accidental or without eternal purpose. No part of his life, ministry, death, victory and ascension should be overlooked or dismissed. Jesus traveled his path with Heavenly intention, never just trying to get from point “A” to point “B,” and his destination was set from the beginning of time: The Right Hand of the Father – The Eternal King!
The Road To Emmaus
Luke records a road trip (Luke 24:13-35) of two disciples on the morning after the Sabbath and the traumatic events of the far from normal Passover feast. The topic of discussion was the violence of the betrayal and crucifixion of Christ, their shattered expectations and the rumors of Angels and Resurrection. When Christ joins their walk, and their conversation it says, “their eyes were kept from recognizing him.” When Christ asks what they are talking about, it brings them to a dead stop and with great sorrow they recount the previous day’s events. To which Luke records His response…
And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory.” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. (vs. 25-27)
Being called foolish and slow doesn’t sound like a very encouraging comment from Jesus, but it is not a criticism of their mental acuity, but a commentary on their spiritual intelligence and awareness. Their “heart” (the seat of their physical, spiritual and mental life) was completely captured by their derailed expectations of who Jesus was supposed to be, the fear of the violence they had witnessed, the downright shock of the events, not to mention being overwhelmed by the rumor mill. To keep with the “Road Trip” theme, the destination that they had in their sights, was no longer there. Now they were just trying to get out of town.
The perfect sacrifice established the New Covenant by the Blood of Christ, so none of us will have to literally walk His path, but we can learn many lessons from it. As disciples in Christ’s Kingdom, we will have to walk in obedience – teach others – manifest the Kingdom we carry – confront darkness – be betrayed – pray in agony – die to ourselves and allow The Helper to resurrect us into our New Creation Identity.
How do we do that? Those lessons come from our Emmaus travelers…
It says they recognized him when they sat down at the table with them, and he broke the bread (Vs. 30), It also says that they recognized their hearts burning within them as he opened the scriptures to them (Vs. 32). The very Christ that explained the scriptures to those two on the road is willing to walk with you through each step of your journey. He will kindle your heart to hear His voice and teach you to walk with Him.
The disciples, upon revelation of who they had been talking to immediately ran back to Jerusalem to find the others and tell them they had seen Him. No longer were their perceptions dulled by the hurt, confusion and fear, but they had reset their destination to Kingdom purposes. The same is true for us today, because of our walk with Christ our destination is set, eternity with Him.
Whatever path you’re on today, take note of your awareness of Holy Spirit in your midst. If you don’t believe me, just ask Him to reveal Himself to you…He is the Spirit of the Resurrected Christ and is with us Every day, Every step, Every stop. And every once and awhile, may your road food consist of a little bread, and a little juice (or wine) to cause you to remember the Path Christ walked was because God So Loved the World…and that includes you!
Because He Lives!
Kammy