Samuel D. High
sdhigh@aristotle.net
-----Original Message-----
From: "Apostle Tom" <pressingon@hotmail.com>
Sent: Sat, 14 Apr 2007 19:54:23 -0500
To: pressingon@hotmail.com
Subject: Morning Manna (Apr. 15); BP: Lk. 24:13-32; RBTTY: Lk.13:1-22; I Sam. 27-29
April 15 “Melancholy Musings”
“And, it came to pass that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus
Himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were holden that they
should not know Him. And, He said unto them, ‘What manner of communications
are these, that you have one to another, as you walk and are sad’?”
Luke 24:15-17
Faithless despair has a way of blinding us to His presence and faith’s
delights.
Emmaus was only 7-7 ½ miles away from Jerusalem, quite possibly in a
southwesterly direction. From Dr. Luke’s description in v.29, we can tell
that it was late afternoon and the sun was setting on the horizon.
No doubt its fading rays and the gathering dusk reflected their inner
fading faith and the increasing darkness of despair. The last three days
had been quite traumatic for them. The One they’d “trusted to redeem
Israel” (v.21)—i.e., the promised earthly Messiah—was dead. Stone-cold
dead. In the tomb dead.
The Jews believed that it was possible for a person to be resurrected
from the dead within the first three days, but after that there was no hope.
That’s why Jesus’ resurrection of Lazarus was so astounding to them (Jn.
11:17). And, since the end of the third day was near at hand (6:00 p.m.),
they’d given up all hopes that their Master would be resurrected.
But soon their “blinded eyes” would give way to “burning hearts”
(v.32). Their melancholy musings would be transformed into “resurrection
rejoicings.” Instead of staying at home in deep depression, they’d be
racing to Jerusalem with shouts of “The Lord is risen indeed!” (v.34).
Hallelujah!!
Oh, dear Pilgrim, how often we resemble those two forlorn followers of
Jesus. Aren’t there times we get down in the dumps. . .acting like some
homeless street-dweller or abandoned orphan. . .recounting with great
sadness “what might have been” and “now never will be”?
Assuredly we do.
But, it need not be that way, weary one—especially when we realize the
Risen Lord is right there, walking with us every step of the way! Glory!!
No doubt, Jesus quietly hid His hands from their view when they asked
Him if He was a stranger in Jerusalem, not knowing what had transpired
(v.18). We can only imagine if there was a twinkle or tears in his eyes
when He replied, “What things?” (v.19a). Most likely, there were tears—even
as there were that day at Lazarus’ tomb when He’d already told them Who He
was/is, but still they were unbelieving and blind (Jn. 11:35).
Just as Elijah went from the heights of Mt. Carmel to the depths of the
juniper tree (I Kings 18:20-19:4), so can we be praising God one minute and
pouting or pining the next. God help us! Much better if we remember Jesus’
Presence with us each moment of the day and each step of the way. Only then
will our “hearts burn within us” (v.32).
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