Mid-Week Musings
April 10, 2024
Suggested Reading: Luke 24:13-35
Dear NBRC Family & Friends,
The above suggested reading from the Bible might sound familiar to you. Not only because you might already know the story, but also because it’s the same story referred to in last week’s “Mid-Week Musings” (April 3).
As Cleopas and his traveling companion made their way to Emmaus, they talked about things that had recently happened in Jerusalem. Jesus, the one they hoped would liberate Israel from subjection to Roman captors, had been sentenced to death and crucified. Some women had found the tomb in which His body had been placed empty. A vision of angels told the women Jesus was alive.
As Cleopas and his companion traveled and talked with each other, Jesus joined them and walked with them. He asked them about what they were discussing. Jesus listened as Cleopas shared about what had recently transpired in Jerusalem.
Jesus certainly knew what the two travelers were talking about, yet He didn’t begin His conversation with them by immediately telling them about Himself. Before Jesus began “with Moses and all the Prophets” and explained to the two travelers “what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself” (v. 27), Jesus expressed interest in them and engaged them in conversation. And He did so in a very casual and non-threatening way.
The way Jesus began His conversation with the two travelers before sharing about Himself is a good model for us to consider following when sharing with others about Jesus. Depending on how the Holy Spirit leads, before we share with what the Bible teaches about Jesus and the gift of salvation He offers, it might be helpful for us to simply come alongside the person/s with whom we hope to share about Jesus and express interest in them in casual and non-threatening ways. Before we tell others that Jesus wants to be their friend, it might be helpful if we become their friends first.
Pastor Ron
Prayer suggestion: Thank Jesus for His interest in your life and ask Him to help you show interest in the lives of others.
(On Sunday morning, April 14, 2024, we’ll begin a new series of sermons titled Encounters with the Risen Jesus. The first encounter we’ll consider is the one between Jesus and Mary Magdalene. The Scripture lesson will be from John 20:11-18.)