November 4 | Luke 24:25-27

pmann79
Nov 4
2 min read

DAILY READING

REFLECTION

The Latest News and the Ancient of Days

By Pam Mann

The two men hiking out of Jerusalem were already in amazement over the reports of Jesus being raised from the dead that morning. What did it all mean? Only days prior, the authorities had arrested Jesus and then executed him like a criminal! They still couldn’t comprehend the horror of that and now today women reported seeing angels at the tomb. Even Peter and John confirmed that Jesus’ body was not there in the grave. Whatever could it all mean?

Then this random guy joins them on the road toward Emmaus. How could he be so clueless about all

that has shaken Jerusalem these past few days? Well. He’s not just some guy, though they don’t recognize him for hours. How they must have soaked in every word as “beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.”

Here is Jesus, the risen Christ, walking and talking with them on the road. Then he’s sitting with them after the long hike. As he breaks bread to eat, at last, their eyes are opened. Here with them is Jesus, the resurrected living hope of all humanity. Then he vanishes from their sight.

They sit there stunned.

Then they jump to their feet and race back to Jerusalem. Who cares how late in the day it is? Jesus is alive! He is the living fulfillment of the ancient prophecies. People need to know!

Perhaps what Jesus explained that day to these two men is what we read in the letter to the Hebrews. Surely the entire group of disciples on hearing the recounting of what Jesus said on the road to Emmaus had their eyes opened. They didn’t have long to ponder it before Jesus appears to the gathered group. What a day! What a Savior. What a God who veils eyes and opens eyes... who uses whatever powerholders at hand to accomplish His eternal purposes. He is the Ancient of Days, and he is the very present burning in our hearts. Death could not hold him because he is the source of all life. The writers of the ancient prophecies longed to see what Jesus, the risen Lamb of God and the great High Priest, has made available to us each moment of our days!

PRAYER

Jesus, thank you for walking and talking with us on today’s road. Save us from foolishness and slowness to believe. Open our eyes. Let us breathe in Your presence. You are our living Hope.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

PAM MANN

I first joined UALC when my husband (then my fiancé) and I were college students involved in youth ministry. God has used UALC to nurture our family’s faith, even in our years outside the U.S. I’ve participated in UALC ministries with kids, art, prayer, exercise, ESL, and Bible teaching. I do all the fun church things.