How Slow of Heart?

Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from recognizing him. He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?” They stood still, their faces downcast. One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you only a visitor to Jerusalem and do not know the things that have happened there in these days?” “What things?” he asked. “About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.” He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. (Luke 24:13–27, NIV 1984).

My Musings – I don’t read a lot of fiction, but when I do I like the ones that keep you guessing until the very end. Dropping plenty of bread crumbs along the way that there was ample opportunity to figure out the ending beforehand. Then when you think you have it all figured out, you find that you had it all wrong. When it all comes together, it’s like, “how could I not have seen that?”

Many in Jesus’ time thought they had it all figured out. What it would be like when the Messiah came. As they spread those palm branches out before Him, they thought they had Jesus all figured out. Merely a week later, many of these same people were crying “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!” They were not too happy abut the plot twist.

But to these two on the road, and later to His disciples, as Jesus explained it all and pointed out the Scriptures, it all fell into place. Once their eyes were fully opened, the ending was much better than they could have ever dreamed or imagined. The truth was there all along, they just were not able to see it until it unfolded.

I often think it is the same with Jesus’ second coming. Oh, we know the ending. He is coming back. All the bread crumbs leading up to it are there. And we are so certain we see where they are leading. But as the events actually unfold, will our eyes be fully opened as we exclaim, “of course, why didn’t I see it?” If that is the case, I am confident that it will be more glorious than we’ve dreamed or imagined.

My Advice – His first coming is in the past. Yet there are so many who still have not been able to connect the dots. Their eyes are still blind. How His second coming unfolds means very little if you have not figured out His first coming. Get that right and you are ready for the second coming no matter how it transpires. He will either send for you (death) or come for you (His return). Either way, you need to be ready. Are you?