Our Emmaus Journey

By Patty Westerfield

...it is only when we are looking for Jesus in our midst that we are truly open to experiencing the power and the help only he can bring. Like our travelers to Emmaus, we too will be able to exclaim, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road?”

I've never considered myself to be a very adventurous person. I never felt the need to go wandering where I've never been, or set off to explore exotic and different lands. I'm happy to stay close to home and view the outside world from the comfort of my living room with the remote in my hand.

But whether we recognize it or not, each of us is on an exciting and life changing journey. Many years ago, two travelers on their way to Emmaus discovered this first hand. It was three days after the person they had placed all their future hopes and dreams in had been killed. They were beyond consolation. And, to add insult to injury, they heard his body was no longer in the tomb.

Being unable to sit still they embarked on a journey together and encountered a traveler along the way. It was Jesus, but as Luke tells us, “something prevented them from recognizing him” (Luke 24:15). And you know what? You and I, in our journey, often do the same thing. Just like our travelers, when we are focused on our own disappointments and problems we, too, can fail to recognize the presence of God in our lives. He will come up right beside us in the form of a friend or stranger, offering help and consolation, but we neglect to open our hearts and recognize him.

And, like our travelers, we often head in the wrong direction. Instead of staying close to the community and fellowship they experienced in Jerusalem, they headed the other way. But the good news for us today, just like it was for them so many years ago, is that no matter where we go God continues to pursue us—passionately and patiently.

Why in the world would he do this? Well, one of the reasons is because God is determined to do his work in us. Not only are we to grow in grace to become more like Christ, but he hopes we will get to the place where we are willing to be used by him for whatever he wants us to do.

That's the incredible Emmaus Journey in store for each of us. We may not realize it, but we are already equipped for this journey. First, God has placed his indwelling Spirit in us. We are not alone. What confidence that should inspire in each of us! Just imagine—the Creator of the Universe is with us, and guiding us, each step of the way.

And, as Paul tells us in Philippians, he has promised to do interior, spiritual work in us (Phil 1:6). All that is required of us is that we commit our way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this. This means we are not to let anything take our eyes off our goal of knowing Christ. We are to lay aside things that are harmful and give up the things that distract us from being effective Christians.

Finally, Christ has been born in us, and through us. As we grow closer to Christ, others will see him in us and feel his presence in their lives as well. They too will recognize the journey they are on and want to acknowledge it as well.

You see, it is only when we are looking for Jesus in our midst that we are truly open to experiencing the power and the help only he can bring. Like our travelers to Emmaus, we too will be able to exclaim, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road?”

So, as Easter approaches I pray that each of us will recognize this journey we are on and open our hearts and minds to the One who guides and leads us every step of the way.