“Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him … Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and
opened the Scriptures to us?”
(Luke 24:13-35)
Do you ever wonder why the two on the road to Emmaus were not able to recognize Jesus when he first came upon them as they were walking? What happened from the time when they first met on the road to the time that their eyes were opened?
It says, “And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself." It was Bible Study. They were learning more about this “Jesus of Nazareth” – how he was powerful in his word and deed before God and all the people. Do you agree that you love a person deeply once you get to know that one better? St. Augustine says, “no one loves what he is totally ignorant of." It is in knowing that we begin to love, and in loving, we are able to see God. Through God’s grace, their eyes were opened and through his wisdom, they connected the dots.
Are you moving through life – blind to the Light – deaf to the Word? Do you find yourself going through the motions – “talking about that walk” – but not yet “walking that talk”? Do you hear yourself saying, “I’m going to get to it” – whatever “it” is? Maybe it’s Bible Study, taking a course to deepen your spirituality, saying yes to joining or starting a ministry in your community, or committing to regular, focused, prayer time. Reflect on what “it” is for you, and decide when you are going to start that walk. Is it time to go deeper? How are your eyes being opened?
“Faith is to believe what you do not yet see; the reward for this faith is to see what you believe.” Saint Augustine
Author: Jennifer D. Tilghman