Reading: Luke 22-24
Nugget: “That Thing”
He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds?”Luke 24:38
After the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the two were walking on their way to Emmaus and discussing current events. At this point, Jesus had been arrested, flogged, falsely accused, and crucified. But today, the 3rd day after His crucifixion, as they walked and talked, Jesus came up and joined them. The Bible says they did not recognize Him. In Luke 24:17-18 it says,
“‘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?” Then in Luke 24:19-21 it continues,
“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.”
I love the interaction these two men were having with Jesus. They were so distraught at the events that took place.
Jesus, in His goodness, came up and began to walk and talk with them. He already knew what they were thinking and what was troubling them. He questioned them with, “what things?”
And this interaction reminded me of how God comes alongside each of us. He knows what troubles us. Things that shake us and make us doubt His goodness or even His existence.
He knows our deepest thoughts where we say, “God doesn’t see me...He doesn’t care.”
Sweet friend, He does care. He cared enough for these two men who were distraught with sadness and began doubting that Jesus was indeed the Messiah, to come alongside them in their distress.
He not only listened but He also spoke truth into the conversation.
Luke 24:25
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?’
They had heard His teachings and trusted Him while they could see Him in their lives, but now He was gone and all the things they knew to be true went right out the window as they allowed doubt to take root. So my nugget or thought is this: You may be in a season or a “new normal” that makes you doubt if God really loves you. You have walked with him and talked with him and know He is the Christ, but some ”thing” has caused doubt to take hold. I’m not saying it’s wrong to doubt or question, but we have to fight to renew our mind so that we continually keep our thoughts right. We cannot allow the enemy to come in and wreak havoc on our emotions, because then we will be slaves to it. It will control what we think and what we say and how we feel. But it’s not right! We have to keep reading the Word and saying to ourselves that God IS good...even in this. He has a plan and I WILL trust His hand. I will choose to be at peace and allow Him to have His way. Because, as I’ve said before, It’s not about me, but what God wants to do through and in me that matters. Thankfully, just like with these men, Jesus already knew “that thing” they were doubting, but He came closer still, right beside them, listening and speaking straight into what troubled them. So I encourage you today, to turn closer to Him, not away, and take Him at His word. He will meet you there. He will walk with you and talk with you. If you are His child, He can restore the joy that the enemy has tried to steal. Don’t let him take what God has so freely given. Bittersweet?....absolutely
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