November 29, 2004

THE SELF-REVEALING LORD

"And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself" (Luke 24:27, NKJV).

Late on the afternoon of Christ's resurrection, two disappointed disciples are en route to Emmaus. The natural conversation, as they walked, was about the gloomy happenings of the past weekend. Soon they were joined by an apparent stranger. Weary and confused, they failed to recognize His identity. They were further astonished that He appeared uninformed about the weekend happenings.

As they walked and talked, the Stranger gradually revealed Himself to them. He began His self-identification with an exposition of the prophecies. The two-hour journey to Emmaus gave Him ample time to begin "at Moses and all the Prophets" and to explain the things concerning Himself (Luke 24:27, NKJV). The rest of the Emmaus story is an intriguing self-revelation of the apparent Stranger. Christ's lucid exposition of the Scriptures was soon succeeded by His characteristic style of breaking bread and blessing it (see Luke 24:30). The extended hands in prayer soon exposed the nail prints in His hands (see verse 35). At last the happy moment dawned for the two disciples; "Their eyes were opened, and they knew Him" (verse 31).

Happiness, hope, and a new sense of purpose seized the disciples; they could now share with their colleagues the good news that "the Lord is risen indeed!" (verse 34). This can be our experience, too, when we allow the word of God to burn into our hearts. "Christ expounded in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself... Upon these their faith must be established. Christ performed no miracle to convince them, but it was His first work to explain the Scriptures. They had looked upon His death as the destruction of all their hopes. Now He showed from the prophets that this was the very strongest evidence for their faith."--The Desire of Ages, pp. 796, 799.

My Prayer Today: Lord, may my heart also burn within me as I search the Scriptures for a fuller revelation of Jesus Christ. Amen.