Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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EMMAUS — A WALK TOGETHER WITH CHRIST
Luke 24:13-35
As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from recognizing him. (Luke 24:15-16)
Luke's narrative of the journey to Emmaus by the two followers of Jesus is a unique and beautiful compilation of the post resurrection appearances of Jesus. Emmaus is not only a geographical place but also a place which was perceived as a place which gives some kind of relief from an immediate tragedy, a place for a temporal escape, a runaway place, and a place to where you can withdraw yourself. This journey begins from a despair of shattered dreams or career, from a despair of broken expectations and from a despair of loss and defeat. Here we understand Jesus' engagement with the people who are in despair and trouble.
Journeying with the desperate: The disciples who travelled to Emmaus were on the journey of desperation. They were arguing about what happened in Jerusalem something that they could not comprehend. They were travelling with a sad face, the sadness of bereavement, the sadness caused by perplexity and a sadness of a shattered career. Jesus was always with the people who are in desperate conditions. Jesus is portraying himself as the best model of a friend. He is a God who comes to us at the right time and at the right place when we need him.
Walking (near) with the other: Jesus himself approached and began to give company to them. Being alone in a crowd is a common phenomenon in today's world. No one is attached or committed to anyone. We do not have somebody to walk with us today or to walk near us but many people are around us. When we are in confusion and trouble we need somebody to walk with us, or somebody who can understand the reality and console and comfort us. That is what our relationship with God actually means, a person to be trusted, a person to whom we can open up our minds, a person who can be depended on in all situations of our lives.
Abiding — God's model of relationship: Evangelist Luke is trying to create a new model of relationship in which the other is also becoming a part of the divine model of relationship. Normally we create our own boundaries for our relationship, but Jesus is the one who do not have any boundaries ,in His relationships and Jesus expects us also to follow this model. Abiding is accepting the other as they are. Abiding is knowing and loving the other. In this relationship abiding is a spontaneous and a voluntary response.
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, thank you for loving and abiding with us. Help us to continue this marvelous relationship. Amen.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
A closer walk with God is the best exercise for our faith.

Christian Education Forum, Diocese of NAE of the Mar Thoma Church

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