Samuel D. High
sdhigh@aristotle.net
-----Original Message-----
From: "Apostle Tom" <pressingon@hotmail.com>
Sent: Wed, 18 Apr 2007 14:27:01 -0500
To: pressingon@hotmail.com
Subject: Morning Manna (Apr. 19); BP: Lk. 24:13-32; RBTTY: Lk. 15:1-10; II Sam. 6-8
April 19 “Our Disappearing Christ”
“And it came to pass as he sat at meat with them, He took the bread and
blessed it and broke it and came to them. And their eyes were opened and
they knew Him—and He vanished out of their sight.”
Luke 24:30-31
It’s during those times we don’t see Him that we must seek Him.
Oh how sweet are those spiritual mountaintops we sometimes find
ourselves on. The Spirit-anointed ecstasy is indescribable. The fellowship
is sweet. The yearning to stay there is great. But, we know—like the
disciples on the Mount of Transfiguration (Mk. 9:1-9)—we must come down,
back to the valleys and too-often monotonous routines of life.
Up until the moment of today’s Manna the two disciples hadn’t
recognized their new Companion as their Savior and Lord (vv.16-29). For
whatever reason, their eyes didn’t notice the One talking to them had fresh
wounds in his hands and feet; neither did they recognize those piercing eyes
and authoritative voice as those of their Master.
Oh how great the power of unbelief!
However, as He began reminding them of the Old Testament Messianic
prophecies and how their Lord had fulfilled them every one, their “hearts
began to burn within them” (v.32). Like a spiritual jigsaw puzzle, the
pieces began to fall into place—helping them to catch a glimpse of “the Big
Picture.”
Even so, it wasn’t until “He took the bread, blessed it, broke and
distributed it” that they recognized it. Was it the way He broke the bread
that awakened them to His presence? Was it the way He prayed God’s
blessings upon their meal? Or, could it be that the dim light shined on His
freshly-wounded, causing them to gasp in astonishment when they suddenly
realized it was Him?
Interesting speculation, isn’t it?
Yet, that isn’t any greater than the fact that just as soon as they
recognized it was Him, He was gone. . .vanished. . .nowhere to be found.
Did He dematerialize? Did He suddenly turn invisible and “pass through the
midst of them” even as He’d done that day when the crowd wanted to stone Him
(Lk. 4:28-30)?
No one knows; however, we do know His sudden departure didn’t prevent
them from running to Jerusalem with the Good News that He was alive
(vv.33-35). Should we be surprised that He used that moment to reappear to
them (v.36)? No, not at all—for our Lord delights in, as C.S. Lewis said,
“Surprising us with joy.” Hallelujah!!
Yes, dear Pilgrim, there are times when Christ seems so close to us
that we could reach out and touch Him. How wonderful are these times! But,
there are times—more times than not—when He feels so far away and doubt
begins to enter in. It’s during those times we must remember to live by
faith, not feelings or sight. He’s always there. . .our Unseen Friend. .
.our “Very Present Help in trouble” (Ps. 46:10). Truly, in Christ, “Absence
makes the heart grow fonder—and hungrier and thirstier—for Him.”
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