The Savior that is Always with Us

That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. And he said to them, “What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?” And they stood still, looking sad. Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” And he said to them, “What things?” And they said to him, “Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened. Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning, and when they did not find his body, they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.” And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself (Luke 24:13-27).

Two disciples were leaving Jerusalem for Emmaus in the evening of that tumultuous Sunday. The Spirit inspired Luke to let us in on their conversation. They were discussing the events of the day so loudly that their conversation could be heard by passersby. They were disappointed and frustrated because their hoped-for Redeemer of Israel had been crucified. The depth of their disappointment had disabled their ability to believe the report of the women that said Jesus was alive. Worse, overwhelming discouragement crippled and made them “slow of heart” and blinded them to the very presence of Christ Himself, with them there on the road. But the fact that Christ was the topic of their conversation revealed an unconquered longing that still lingered in their hearts. “Jesus himself drew near and went with them” and the Spirit of truth gives us a glimpse of the Savior that is Always with Us.

Christ is present in our brotherhood. The perfect plan for making everything right had gone terribly wrong at the crucifixion of Christ in Jerusalem. For at least two disciples, there was no reason to hang around. They left town, but they left together. Perhaps it was because misery loves company, or maybe because there was safety for nighttime travel in pairs. God has made us to need and be connected with each other, especially in the trials of this temporal life… “Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10).

Christ is present in our backsliding. They temporarily lost sight of Christ’s promises, but together, these two disciples shared their grief, focused their conversation, and Jesus showed up! Let’s follow their example and the Spirit’s exhortation to encourage one another… “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near” (Hebrews 10:24-25).

Christ is present in our Bible. His first action during this impromptu meeting with the two disciples was to redirect their focus to the sure promises of the Scriptures because they testify about Him... “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me” (John 5:39). When we obey this exhortation to fellowship together around God’s Word, we experience the fulfillment of one of Christ’s most precious promises… “For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them” (Matthew 18:20).

As we grow up into Christ, in our fellowship together around His Word, we are encouraged by…

The Savior that is Always with Us.