Tag: Luke 24:28-35

One Half Hope-filled Sheep or One Half Gloom and Doom Filled Sheep? Does Your Cup of Faith, Hope, and Love Look Half Full or Half Empty? Luke 24:28-35

Luke 24:28-35 Lexham English Bible

28 And they drew near to the village where they were going, and he acted as though he was going farther. 29 And they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, because it is getting toward evening, and by this time the day is far spent.” And he went in to stay with them. 30 And it happened that when he reclined at the table with them, he took the bread and[a] gave thanks, and after[b]  breaking it,[c] he gave it[d] to them.  31 And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him, and he became invisible to them. 32 And they said to one another, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he was speaking with us on the road, while he was explaining the scriptures to us?” 33 And they got up that same hour and[e] returned to Jerusalem and found the eleven and those with them assembled, 34 saying, “The Lord has really been raised, and has appeared to Simon!” 35 And they began describing[f] what happened[g] on the road, and how he was recognized by them in the breaking of the bread.

Word of God for the Children of God

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

During trying times, you may feel that your positive energies are dwindling—sometimes your cup may seem more empty than full.

When your cup feels diminished, or near empty, how do you refill it?

This devotion offers two strategies:

(1) Hope—a God sized pitcher you can pour from to help refill your cup; and (2) Reclaiming sacred time and space in your life to renew, reinvigorate yourself.

Begin with hope.

According to research, hope is one of the 24 character strengths common to humankind, offering meaning and helping us connect to the world around us.

Hope is composed of strategies—tools you can learn about and use in your day-to-day life.

During difficult, uncertain, or overwhelming times, hope strategies can help you notice that behind the shadows, there is light.

Recently, I wanted to get rid of a tripping hazard. I searched for the flat-head screwdriver and thought somehow my wife or I may have just misplaced it.

Then I spotted a corner of the elusive screwdriver’s black and yellow handle, hanging where it always is, but obscured by a baseball cap and other stuff.

I searched more carefully and saw the screwdriver had actually been there the whole time, but I hadn’t noticed it. If we stopped to consider looking a bit more carefully through all of the clutter our own lives, we can discover greater hope.

Ultimately, experiencing our cup as ether half full or half empty involves tactics we know, by praying and past experiences, we can choose a strategy. It is within our power to rally hope and call it forth—even during the most trying of times.

In The Book of Hope (2021), anthropologist Jane Goodall wrote,

“When we face adversity, it is hope that gives us the confidence to rally our indomitable spirit to overcome it.”

Put another way, when we can discern, envision, in the light of our mind or heart, a pathway to a future prayerfully better than the present, this is hope.

Romans 15:1-6 English Standard Version

The Example of Christ

15 We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. 2 Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. 3 For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.” 4 For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. 5 May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, 6 that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

During difficult times, hope on some far horizon may invite seeking a middle ground, where both current truths and desire for a better future can co-exist.

Biblical study’s of hope consistently shows hope in God and optimism can benefit our emotional and physical well-being, positive relationships, and effectiveness in ministries and missions.

Aiming for faith, hope and love are always first and best choices we can make and actions we can take, even during those most unrelenting and trying times.

https://www.coachtrainingedu.com/blog/what-is-hope-theory/

Hope theory posits we can all generate the capacities, pathways, and resolve to reach toward our goals.

These behavior choices can shift hope from wishful thinking to tangible action with intentional goal-oriented motivation and steps.

Here are the three components:

(1) having a goal;

(2) agency, or the motivation and determination that your goal can be achieved; and

(3) pathways, a plan and actions for reaching your goal.

Refill your own cup by reclaiming time to reinvigorate yourself.

If one of your goals is to seriously take some time for yourself, just how can you carve out some minutes each day that are just exclusive for your own self care?

What can you say no to, so that you can say yes to you?

For the purposes of this discussion, let’s say saying yes to ourselves is simply good, sound, self-care.

To reclaim time and space for yourself, you may try to experiment with carving out precious moments that help you create space once, twice a day or longer as circumstances arise to “drive or walk or run to the horizon” reset and restore.

Luke 24:30-35 Amplified Bible

30 And it happened that as He reclined at the table with them, He took the bread and blessed it, and breaking it, He began giving it to them. 31 Then their eyes were [suddenly] opened [by God] and they [clearly] recognized Him; and He vanished from their sight. 32 They said to one another, “Were not our hearts burning within us while He was talking with us on the road and opening the Scriptures to us?” 33  They got up that very hour and went back to Jerusalem, and found the eleven [apostles] gathered together and those who were with them, 34 saying, “The Lord has really risen and has appeared to Simon [Peter]!” 35 They began describing in detail what had happened on the road, and how Jesus was recognized by them when He broke the bread.

Buoyed by a renewed understanding of Jesus’ mission and their calling to tell others, all of the disciples found renewed hope.

They shared stories among themselves of other encounters with the risen Lord, and their joy and confidence grew. Hope was the very thing these sheep needed, and Jesus provided it in abundance (see also vv. 36-49).

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2024%3A36-49&version=AMP

Hope is powerful.

It sustained the disciples well into the future.

It comforted them when Jesus returned to heaven (Luke 24:50-53).

And with the coming of the Holy Spirit, it propelled them into new places and new ministries and new missions, fortified them when they faced persecution.

Psalm 23 AKJV

A Psalm of David.

1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:
he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3 He restoreth my soul:
he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil: for thou art with me;
thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies:
thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life:
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

“Some people see the glass half full. Others see it half empty. I see a glass that’s twice as big as it needs to be.” – George Carlin

“The optimist says the cup is half full, the pessimist says the cup is half empty, the child of God says, “My cup runneth over.”” Psalm 23:5

These sheep could declare with the writer of Psalm 23 that they lacked nothing.

Jesus provided all that was needed to anchor and build their faith.

They regained confidence that they belonged to him and to each other.

They had renewed knowledge that God faithfully keeps working in the world.

They also had a renewed sense of calling to be on mission with God as they continued working and waiting in hope for Jesus’ return.

We can declare the same. The shepherd continues to form our faith. And like the early disciples who shared their testimonies of their encounters with the living Jesus, we are invited to give witness to our own encounters with Jesus today.

Now, with whom will you, above and beyond, abundantly share overwhelming stories, miraculous truths, about the Lord’s overflowing work in your life?

In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit …

Praying …

Psalm 84 Complete Jewish Bible

(0) For the leader. On the gittit. A psalm of the sons of Korach:

2 (1) How deeply loved are your dwelling-places,
Adonai-Tzva’ot!
3 (2) My soul yearns, yes, faints with longing
for the courtyards of Adonai;
my heart and body cry for joy
to the living God.

4 (3) As the sparrow finds herself a home
and the swallow her nest, where she lays her young,
[so my resting-place is] by your altars,
Adonai-Tzva’ot, my king and my God.

5 (4) How happy are those who live in your house;
they never cease to praise you! (Selah)
6 (5) How happy the man whose strength is in you,
in whose heart are [pilgrim] highways.

7 (6) Passing through the [dry] Baka Valley,
they make it a place of springs,
and the early rain clothes it with blessings.
8 (7) They go from strength to strength
and appear before God in Tziyon.

9 (8) Adonai, God of armies, hear my prayer;
listen, God of Ya‘akov. (Selah)
10 (9) God, see our shield [the king];
look at the face of your anointed.
11 (10) Better a day in your courtyards
than a thousand [days elsewhere].
Better just standing at the door of my God’s house
than living in the tents of the wicked.

12 (11) For Adonai, God, is a sun and a shield;
Adonai bestows favor and honor;
he will not withhold anything good
from those whose lives are pure.

13 (12) Adonai-Tzva’ot,
how happy is anyone who trusts in you!

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

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God’s Gift of Grace For Every Failure. John 21:15-19

John 21:15-19 New American Standard Bible

The Love Question

15 Now when they had finished breakfast, Jesus *said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you [a]love Me more than these?” He *said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I [b]love You.” He *said to him, “Tend My lambs.” 16 He *said to him again, a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you [c]love Me?” He *said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I [d]love You.” He *said to him, “Shepherd My sheep.” 17 He *said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you [e]love Me?” Peter was [f]hurt because He said to him the third time, “Do you [g]love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I [h]love You.” Jesus *said to him, “Tend My sheep.

Our Times Are in His Hand

18 Truly, truly I tell you, when you were younger, you used to put on your belt and walk wherever you wanted; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands and someone else will put your belt on you, and bring you where you do not want to go.” 19 Now He said this, indicating by what kind of death he would glorify God. And when He had said this, He *said to him, “Follow Me!”

The Word of God for the Children of God.

Adeste Fideles! Laeti Triumphantes! Venite Adoremus! Dominum.

Gloria! In Excelsis Deo! Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Amen.

The Gift of Failure

“You’ve got to crack a few eggs to make an omelet. Sometimes you’re the eggs; a baker’s dozen, But dang it, I’ll be the finest of all omelets one day. 

Failure is a fact.

Repeated Failure is a fact.

Recovery from repeated failures – not so much a fact but a condition for living.

We could sugar coat it and dress it up as something out of my control but that won’t tell the whole story.

We fail and we repeatedly fail.

Sometimes privately, but most times our failures are cannon fodder for the public eye, a place for others to publicly point their fingers and opinions in our general directions – at every opportunity I remember I am embarrassed about it and the thought of repeatedly coming back empty handed makes me nauseous.

Failure is an inevitable part of life that everyone experiences at some point.

It is a natural occurrence that shapes our character develops our resilience, and teaches us valuable lessons that can eventually, by God’s Grace, lead to success.

Many people see failure as the end of their journey, but in reality, it is just the beginning of a new one.

Failure is an opportunity to learn, grow, and become better.

By embracing failure, we open ourselves to new experiences, perspectives, and opportunities that would otherwise be unavailable.

Failure is not a measure of our worth as a person.

We are not defined by our failures but by how we respond to them.

The fear of failure can prevent people from pursuing their dreams, trying new things, and taking risks, risking humiliation and public defeat and reputations.

But it’s important to remember that failure is necessary for success.

Even When We Do Everything Right, We Can Still And Do Fail

Despite our very best efforts and intentions, we may still experience repeated failures of various and diverse degrees and measures and resultant setbacks.

This can be a brutal reality, the more times we fail, the harder we fail, and the harder we fall but we must understand success is not always within our control.

Many believe success results only from remembering what our parents taught us, their discipline, hard work, determination, and making the right decisions.

While these qualities are essential, they do not guarantee success.

No matter how well-prepared or competent we are, sometimes things don’t work out as planned.

Whether due to internal or external factors, wrong timing, or bad luck, bad calls by the umpires, failure can occur even when we have done everything “right.”

By learning that failure does not define us, by embracing this perspective and focusing on the process rather than the outcome, we can develop a healthier relationship with failure and be more “God” resilient in the face of setbacks.

Doing so can increase our chances of success, success being not letting failure win, and experience greater fulfillment in our personal and professional lives.

Peter’s Very Public “Catastrophic” Failure in the Courtyard

Luke 22:61-62 New American Standard Bible

61 And then the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had told him, “Before a rooster crows today, you will deny Me three times.” 62 And he went out and wept bitterly.

These verses are right after Peter has denied that he knew him the third time, and thus fulfilled the prophesy earlier in the evening.  

The Peter that we see here is a very different Peter than we see Peter become later in the scriptures.  

This Luke 22:61-62 Peter’s world is shattered, and what he has trusted in for so long seems to be lost.  

He did so many things, he said so many strong, brave, bold and courageous things because he trusted in Jesus as the Christ, but now that seems to be gone, he’s in a severe state of spiritual crisis–not sure what to do, or how to stop it.  

God’s Gift of Grace For Every Failure

Luke 24:28-35 English Standard Version

28 So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He acted as if he were going farther, 29 but they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent.” So he went in to stay with them. 30 When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. 31 And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight. 32 They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?” 33 And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, 34  saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” 35 Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.

The New Testament mentions twice that the risen Christ appeared to Peter: once in this passage from Luke 24 :34 and again in 1 Corinthians 15:5.

Why would the poster boy for failure Peter, of all people, receive such special treatment from the writers of the New Testament Canon?

After all, not long before this event on the Road to Emmaus, Peter had quite severely failed himself, his friends, his family, his Master in His darkest hour.

Just before Jesus was arrested, He told Peter that a trial lay ahead:

“Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail.” Peter responded, rather audaciously, “Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death.”

But Jesus knew Peter’s heart: “I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow this day, until you deny three times that you know me” (Luke 22:31-34).

As it turned out, Peter heart and soul were not as ready to face prison and death as he had boasted, blustered and falsely allowed himself, everyone else around him within ear shot, to have imagined – quite a public display of false bravado.

We all know now, as did Jesus that very day, that Peter would, did indeed go on to very publicly and very loudly deny his Lord three times in the courtyard.

And afterward, when Peter recalled what Jesus had predicted and realized what he had done, he was suddenly reduced to tears (Matthew 26:75; Luke 22:62).

So why does the New Testament emphasize that the risen Lord Jesus appeared specifically to the afore named Peter – why are our eyes, ears and souls here?

Certainly not because Peter deserved it more than anybody else.

But it’s fair to wonder if Jesus appeared to Peter because in these make or break moments, the resurrected Jesus knew Peter needed it more than anybody else.

Peter knew that he had blown it completely—and yet while Peter had denied Jesus, Jesus didn’t deny Peter.

What mercy, what goodness, what kindness, what grace, what compassion, what forgiveness, what Grace that Jesus still chose to go to the cross for His flawed disciple and then specially chose to make a special appearance to him!

We have stumbled. We have been deniers, deserters, swaggerer’s.

We know that we do not deserve for God to specifically, especially, come to us.

And yet as we go to God’s word and as we open our lives to its truth, it’s almost as though Jesus comes, sits right down beside us, and says, “I’m here. I LOVE you, I want to speak to you. I want to assure and reassure you. I want to forgive you. I want you to be able to forgive yourself and I want to send you out in My power.”

John 21:15-19 English Standard Version

Jesus and Peter

15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John,  do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 16 He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. 18 Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” 19 (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.”

Peter knew he had failed Jesus.

No one had to tell him twice.

But the resurrected Jesus used that catastrophic failure to help Peter grow.

How can Jesus use failure for our spiritual growth?

Failure in whatever measure or degree is never fatal in the eyes of Jesus.

God’s Gift of Failure teaches us that we have an answer – we need a Savior.

God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit are the only answer!

From the inconceivable depths of his failure, Peter suddenly, repeatedly and quietly heard the word “love” from the lips of the resurrected Jesus again.

Jesus was not testing him but reaffirming His unconventional, everlasting love for Peter by gently and repeatedly asking him to reaffirm his own love for Jesus.

Peter also learned the answer to the most important question on his mind – that Jesus had cast him aside, not forsaken him, and had not given up on him.

Jesus came directly to him and called him to lead again.

Jesus offered Peter an opportunity to lead by dying to himself.

Jesus even predicted that in his death Peter would glorify God.

Peter had wandered, so Jesus had to get him back on track.

As Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, He calls all of the shots in our lives.

Failure of whatever degree and measure mankind can generate, can bring us back to the Lord, who finds us and gives us another opportunity to follow him.

From behind our own eyes, behind our own thoughts and application of justice, from behind our own reluctance to forgive as Jesus did, Peter didn’t deserve one ounce of the compassion he received from Jesus—and honestly, neither do we.

Our failures show us time and time again that we are immeasurably far from being .0000000000000000000000000000000001% worthy of God’s grace.

But in His mercy, He is pleased to give it anyway—and then give some more.

He is just that kind of Best Forever Friend. (Proverbs 17:17, 18:24, 27:17)

He is just that kind of God. (Isaiah 53:5)

He is just that kind of Savior. (Romans 5:7-10)

And you and me, like Peter, get to be His beloved disciple.

Acts 10:34-43 English Standard Version

Gentiles Hear the Good News

34 So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, 35 but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. 36 As for the word that he sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace through Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all), 37 you yourselves know what happened throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism that John proclaimed: 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. 39 And we are witnesses of all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree, 40 but God raised him on the third day and made him to appear, 41 not to all the people but to us who had been chosen by God as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42 And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead. 43 To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”

Later though, after Christ has been resurrected and returned, Peter transforms, and instead of just being an advocate, believer in, and supporter of Christ’s teachings, he starts becoming more like him… taking on his characteristics.  

To be clear, I’m not trying to knock Peter at all.  

He was an amazing man, and stronger than I will likely ever be.

I think his story is highly instructive and valuable because it shows us so much growth, and it is a transition that I think maybe we all have to make in our lives.

We have to move beyond just praising God and believing that God can do anything, to believing that WE

“can do all things through Christ which strengthens” us (Philippians 4:13).  

That’s a tough transition.  

Although we have a lot of pride to believe we know which way things should go, having confidence and a steadfast and immovable faith in ourselves is different than, and mostly opposite to, our pride–especially when we have to be humble enough to kick failure to the curb, to listen to God’s plan instead of our own plan.

Peter learned God was always going to be there for him even when he wasn’t always going to be physically present.  

He learned that he could be powerful and lead and help and work to feed God’s sheep, even without his Lord and mentor beside him.  

He still worshipped and praised God, but now he worked and loved and spread the gospel further, not just as a follower, but as a leader of others.  

Today, let’s try working on that same transition.  

Let’s realize how powerful we can be, echelons beyond our failures, as we work to forgive ourselves, love and have mercy upon ourselves, to do the Lord’s will.  

Let’s stop ourselves every now and then from knocking ourselves to the ground, talk to God, discern what He wants to do for us, by us, to help us feed his sheep.  

Let’s not deny our beliefs out of fear of failure or shame.  

Let’s not deny ourselves access to the Gift of God’s Grace and His Favor.

Let’s stand up for God, and share our hope and blessings with others.

Let’s walk for awhile, sit for a while longer with the resurrected Jesus.

Listen to His Words. (Hebrews 4:12)

Digest His Words. (Psalm 34:8)

Receive the Gift of the Holy Spirit that we may recall the works of the Lord!

In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,

Let us Pray,

Psalm 34 The Message

34 I bless God every chance I get;
my lungs expand with his praise.

2 I live and breathe God;
if things aren’t going well, hear this and be happy:

3 Join me in spreading the news;
together let’s get the word out.

4 God met me more than halfway,
he freed me from my anxious fears.

5 Look at him; give him your warmest smile.
Never hide your feelings from him.

6 When I was desperate, I called out,
and God got me out of a tight spot.

7 God’s angel sets up a circle
of protection around us while we pray.

8 Open your mouth and taste, open your eyes and see—
    how good God is.
Blessed are you who run to him.

9 Worship God if you want the best;
worship opens doors to all his goodness.

10 Young lions on the prowl get hungry,
but God-seekers are full of God.

11 Come, children, listen closely;
I’ll give you a lesson in God worship.

12 Who out there has a lust for life?
Can’t wait each day to come upon beauty?

13 Guard your tongue from profanity,
and no more lying through your teeth.

14 Turn your back on sin; do something good.
Embrace peace—don’t let it get away!

15 God keeps an eye on his friends,
his ears pick up every moan and groan.

16 God won’t put up with rebels;
he’ll cull them from the pack.

17 Is anyone crying for help? God is listening,
ready to rescue you.

18 If your heart is broken, you’ll find God right there;
if you’re kicked in the gut, he’ll help you catch your breath.

19 Disciples so often get into trouble;
still, God is there every time.

20 He’s your bodyguard, shielding every bone;
not even a finger gets broken.

21 The wicked commit slow suicide;
they waste their lives hating the good.

22 God pays for each slave’s freedom;
no one who runs to him loses out.

Lord, forgive me when I fail, and help me to learn that even my failure can be used for your glory. Keep me focused on you, and help me to serve you faithfully. In Jesus,

Adeste Fideles! Laeti Triumphantes! Venite Adoremus! Dominum.

Gloria! In Excelsis Deo! Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Amen.

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5 Ways to Truly Engage, Enjoy Christ. Luke 24:28-35

Luke 24:28-35 Amplified Bible

28 Then they approached the village where they were going, and He acted as if He were going farther. 29 But they urged Him [not to go on], saying, “Stay with us, because it is almost evening, and the day has just about ended.” So He went inside to stay with them. 30 And it happened that as He reclined at the table with them, He took the bread and blessed it, and breaking it, He began giving it to them. 31 Then their eyes were [suddenly] opened [by God] and they [clearly] recognized Him; and He vanished from their sight. 32 They said to one another, “Were not our hearts burning within us while He was talking with us on the road and opening the Scriptures to us?” 33 They got up that very hour and went back to Jerusalem, and found the eleven [apostles] gathered together and those who were with them, 34  saying, “The Lord has really risen and has appeared to Simon [Peter]!” 35  They began describing in detail what had happened on the road, and how Jesus was recognized by them when He broke the bread.

The Word of God for the Children of God.

Adeste Fidelis! Venite Adoremus! Dominum.

Gloria! In Excelsis Deo! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Amen.

The disciples had been with Jesus for three years.

They had sat at his feet and seen him as their Teacher.

They had followed his instructions as their Lord and Master.

Jesus was also their Friend, and they loved sharing their hearts with him.

Jesus was their Messiah, and they enjoyed being with Him, in His presence.

But, as Henri Nouwen puts it, “His body and blood and their body and blood had not yet become one.”

Now, after his resurrection, Jesus broke bread with two of his followers, and this brought their relationship to a whole new level.

Jesus revealed Himself through the Scriptures, showed them the way by going before them and opening up a whole new realm as he is explaining his mission, Father God’s redemption plan for sinners, as told throughout Holy Scriptures.

As Jesus gave them the bread, they recognized him.

They realized that their Lord, Master, Teacher, and Friend was with them again.

He was alive!

He was with them!

They carried on an engaging conversation with Him for several miles.

When evening had come, they stopped and rested with Him and ate with Him.

He broke bread and shared the bread with them – and their EYES were OPENED!

The revelation: “The Lord Jesus had risen from the dead!”

This revelation brought them to their feet.

They returned (ran back as fast as they could) to Jerusalem to tell their story, and they found the other disciples saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen …!”

The reality of Christ’s resurrection brings the community of faith together to celebrate and enjoy the One who NOW walks with us, NOW lives within us!

Joyful, joyful, we adore thee,
God of glory, Lord of love;
hearts unfold like flowers before thee,
opening to the sun above.
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness;
drive the dark of doubt away.
Giver of immortal gladness,
fill us with the light of day!

Luke 24:28-35 The Message

28-31 They came to the edge of the village where they were headed. He acted as if he were going on but they pressed him: “Stay and have supper with us. It’s nearly evening; the day is done.” So he went in with them. And here is what happened: He sat down at the table with them. Taking the bread, he blessed and broke and gave it to them. At that moment, open-eyed, wide-eyed, they recognized him. And then he disappeared.

32 Back and forth they talked. “Didn’t we feel on fire as he conversed with us on the road, as he opened up the Scriptures for us?”

A Ghost Doesn’t Have Muscle and Bone

33-34 They didn’t waste a minute. They were up and on their way back to Jerusalem. They found the Eleven and their friends gathered together, talking away: “It’s really happened! The Master has been raised up—Simon saw him!”

35 Then the two went over everything that happened on the road and how they recognized him when he broke the bread.

Now, I want to ask you some very important and rather personal questions:

Why did Jesus walk all those miles with those two folks on the Emmaus Road?

Why did Jesus first choose to come close to those two raging skeptics?

Why did Jesus choose to come to your skeptical self and reveal Himself to you?

Why did Jesus first choose to reveal himself to those two raging skeptics?

Why did Jesus choose to reveal Himself to your skeptical self through Scripture?

In that most unexpected of moments, what did you feel when your eyes opened?

Why do you believe Jesus chose to “open your all too skeptical eyes?”

Why did Jesus save you?

Some might think it’s to take us to heaven or to bless us. (Psalm 23:5-6)

While these things are part of it, they are not the main reason.

The main reason Jesus revealed Himself to you, opened your eyes to His life and saved you is so He could be in a BFF intimately personal relationship with you.

I know that may seem mightily overwhelming when you think of who Jesus is and where you were, who you are and where and who we are, but it is 100% true.

For the joy which was before Him, and is now before you, since Jesus saved you for relationship, how can you make the most of it and truly enjoy Jesus Christ? 

5 Ways You Can Enjoy Christ

1. Engage His Presence

Enjoying Christ means being able to enjoy his presence.

The best way to enter his presence is through worship. 

Psalm 22:3 says God inhabits the praises of his people.

This verse means God sits among the people who praise him.

When you worship, you get God’s attention, and he draws near to you.

The one thing God desires more than anything else is to be close to you. He desires this because He wants, deeply desires for you to enjoy his presence. 

There are so many Scriptures that invite us into his presence and the beauty of his presence is everything we need is there.

You will find joy, peace, comfort, freedom, and the ability to leave every worry and care behind you.

If you really want to enjoy Christ, then you must spend time in his presence.

Spending quality time in his presence does not always mean you always have to open your mouth and say something.

Sometimes sitting quietly, in His sanctuary, in private before him and allowing his Spirit to minister unto, you is exactly what you need. (2 Samuel 7:18-29)

You cannot enjoy Christ without being in his presence, so make quality time for it – take every advantage of it and God in Christ promises you will not regret it.  

2. Engage His Promises

Part of building your relationship with Jesus is studying and praying, getting to know what he says, reveals in His Holy Scriptures, and promises He has made.

Sometimes we like to focus on the promises of blessing, but what is greater than those are his promises to be with you.

If it comes down to making a choice between having the One who blesses or the blessing, His wisdom says choosing the One who blesses wins out every time.

One way to really enjoy Christ is to think of the many promises he has made to walk with you through life.

“…And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:20).

“So do not fear, for I am with you: do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10).

When You’re Between a Rock and a Hard Place

43 1-4 But now, God’s Message,
    the God who made you in the first place, Jacob,
    the One who got you started, Israel:
“Don’t be afraid, I’ve redeemed you.
    I’ve called your name. You’re mine.
When you’re in over your head, I’ll be there with you.
    When you’re in rough waters, you will not go down.
When you’re between a rock and a hard place,
    it won’t be a dead end—
Because I am God, your personal God,
    The Holy of Israel, your Savior.
I paid a huge price for you:
    all of Egypt, with rich Cush and Seba thrown in!
That’s how much you mean to me!
    That’s how much I love you!
I’d sell off the whole world to get you back,
    trade the creation just for you. (Isaiah 43:1-4 Message)

“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged” (Deuteronomy 31:8).

“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39).

I know God has promised to provide and bless and those things are wonderful.

But knowing he will be with you is the greatest of all the promises because if he is with you and for you, then who can be against you (Romans 8:31)?

The comfort, the place of Shalom, knowing there is nothing in this life that can ever separate you from His love sets a foundation for you to love, enjoy Jesus. 

3. Engage and Value His Purpose

If you want to enjoy your relationship with Christ, then you need to value the things he values.

His purpose for your life and your purpose for your life must align.

If these two things don’t agree, then you will never enjoy Christ.

Part of his purpose for you is to walk in obedience and avoid sin.

There was a 30 year period of time in my life where I allowed sin to rule, which was clearly never in alignment with even .001% of Jesus’s purpose for my life.

I can assure you those were the most miserable times in my life. 

I have discovered the best place to be in life is walking in the center of his will.

When you innately know you are doing what God has called you to do, there is a definite place satisfaction and a decisive source of enjoyment that comes that is utterly, fully and completely unmatched by anything, anyone else on this earth.

This has nothing to do with how big or small your family is, how much money you o an do not make or how successful, how big a failure you are in your career.

Those things are not germane nor are they the foundation of enjoying Christ.

When you walk and talk with Jesus, listen to His Words with intent to align your life with His life, His purpose, there is no greater joy you will ever experience!

4. Engage His People

You cannot enjoy your life with Christ if you do not engage with and enjoy his people.

A friend I know who is married and has one kid recently told me this story.

He and his wife were invited to share a family dinner with another couple.

They could find no one to watch their son and asked if they could bring them.

They were told they were welcome, but we don’t really want kids in our house.

That dinner never happened. 

A friendship was damaged …

You cannot say you love Jesus if you don’t love the ones he calls his own.

It is simply not possible.

Here is how the Bible puts it.

“Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen” (1 John 4:20).

Make a friend, Be a friend, Bring a friend to Christ ….

If you are going to enjoy Christ, then you must learn to enjoy his people.

So often we focus on the faults and failures, failings and imperfections we see in others, and most of the time they are quickly obvious and easy to spot, mention.

I know mine are.

But guess what?

So are yours.

We are all imperfect people who are reflections of a perfect Christ.

Sometimes we get it wrong and mess this up, but as the expression goes, you do not throw the baby out with the bath water.

If you want to enjoy Christ, you cannot separate that from enjoying his people.

By the way, you better get used to His people because you are going to spend eternity with them, so you might as well enjoy them now.

5. Engage His Position

The last thing you need to enjoy Christ is to engage the position he must have in your life.

He must be Lord of all.

The truth of walking and talking with Jesus is either He is Lord of absolutely everything, or He is Lord of absolutely nothing.

There is no in between.

People that never make Jesus Lord of their life never experience the full joy of walking with Jesus.

When Jesus is Lord, and he sits at the center of your life, then life takes on a whole new perspective.

You will face many of the same challenges, but you will do so with Jesus at the helm of your life.

Knowing this alone can free you from anxiety because if He is at the wheel, you will arrive safely wherever He wants you to go. 

Build Your Relationship

Enjoying Christ is all about the relationship you and I share with Him, and if you and I miss this, then you and I miss it all.

The fact is you and I have someone we can be completely transparent with, who knows everything thing about us good and bad, yet still desires to fellowship.

This is truly amazing.

I encourage you to lean muchly into your Koinonia relationship with Jesus.

Be intentional about spending time with Him, make him the center of your life.

If you do, you will discover your walk with him will get sweeter and sweeter every day.

I will leave you with the words from a song by the Heritage Singers.

“I just keep falling in love with Him
Over and over, and over, and over, again
I keep falling in love with Him,

Over and over, and over and over again
He gets sweeter and sweeter as the days go by,

Oh, what a love between my Lord and I
I keep falling in love with Him
Over and over, and over, and over, again.”

In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,

Let us Pray,

Psalm 100 The Message

100 1-2 On your feet now—applaud God!
    Bring a gift of laughter,
    sing yourselves into his presence.

3 Know this: God is God, and God, God.
    He made us; we didn’t make him.
    We’re his people, his well-tended sheep.

4 Enter with the password: “Thank you!”
    Make yourselves at home, talking praise.
    Thank him. Worship him.

5 For God is sheer beauty,
    all-generous in love,
    loyal always and ever.

Adeste Fidelis! Venite Adoremus! Dominum.

Gloria! In Excelsis Deo! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Amen.

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