A Walk to Remember
“They said to each other, 'Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?'” — Luke 24:32
It is officially starting to turn into my favorite time of the year in Mississippi. I LOVE the fall and winter months! As a kid born in Alaska, I have this innate need for the weather to be in the 50s and 60s to enjoy a fun evening walk. Personally, I’m not a fan of burning to a crisp while simultaneously melting on short walks in the neighborhood. However, if we can go for a walk, need a hoodie or jacket, and have a hot cup of coffee for the journey, I can easily pretend we’re in New York City, strolling through Central Park as we navigate the little curves in the road.
To be honest, though, it’s not so much the weather that makes for a good walk; it’s the conversations that happen along the way. Good company can make even the most mundane walk remarkable!
This is where we find ourselves in our devotion today. In Luke 24, we see the opening scene of Jesus’ resurrection. The disciples are broken and discouraged but are greeted with the news that Jesus has risen from the dead! I’m sure you can imagine the waves of thoughts, feelings, and emotions they experienced. Jesus had just been brutally beaten to the point of death; He was unrecognizable. After releasing His spirit, you could almost feel hope leaving with Him. The Savior was gone… but now He is back?!
Jesus appears on a road to the town of Emmaus, a journey of seven miles from Jerusalem. There, He drew near and walked with two men, but their eyes were kept from recognizing Him (v. 16). The conversation they had revolved around the recent events surrounding Jesus. Imagine talking to Jesus about the things that happened to Him without realizing you were talking to Him. The conversation was raw, vulnerable, and honest. I wonder if it would have been different if they had known it was Jesus they were speaking with. Would they have been as open about their feelings, frustrations, and disappointments?
Jesus gave them space to speak openly and then shifted the conversation to offer them hope. He began to share and interpret the Scriptures concerning Himself and all the events that led up to His crucifixion. He answered their doubt with the Word of God.
As the two men settled down for the evening, Jesus acted as if He were going to continue walking. The men strongly urged Him to stay because it was getting late, so He did! At the moment Jesus broke the bread and blessed the food, their eyes were opened, and they finally recognized that it was Jesus with them all along. It was then that He vanished from their sight, and they said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened up to us the Scriptures?”
The men immediately got up and ran back to Jerusalem to tell all that they had seen and heard. It truly was a walk to remember.
Have you ever had a walk with Jesus where you were completely honest and vulnerable about your life and the challenges you’re facing? I know it can be really hard for me. Who am I to talk to Jesus that way? Yet, Jesus shows us clearly that He desires for us to be authentic with Him. And like the men on the road to Emmaus, He doesn’t just leave us there; He desires to speak His Word over our lives to encourage us and give us hope.
Maybe today you need to go on a walk with Jesus. Create the space needed to share and vent about everything you’re going through, and then give Him space to speak into your life and situation. Your walk may not be outside in the Mississippi heat; it might be at your desk or in your truck while listening to worship music and opening your Bible. No matter where you find yourself, my prayer for you today is simply that you, too, will have a walk to remember!
Jesus, I pray for my friends today. Encourage them. Comfort them. Be with them. As they share their lives with You, may their hearts burn within them as You speak Your Word over them. Let them know, without question, that You are with them and for them. Thank You, Jesus, that You don’t require us to “have it all together.” We can come to You just as we are, with confidence, knowing that You will walk the road with us. Thank You for the love You have shown us by giving everything for us— including Your very life. It is in Your name we pray, Amen!
