Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

 

An Invitation to the Lord's Hospitality

Bible Reading:   Luke 24:13-35

Key Verse:  30

When he was at table with them  he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them.

DEVOTION

*Luke 24: 13-35* An Invitation to the Lord’s Hospitality Today’s gospel is about changing the path of two disciples going to Emmaus. It is an event of brokenness and restoration. The journey of Cleopas and companion from Jerusalem to Emmaus and back to Jerusalem is a journey that we often makes or repeats. We have a Jerusalem and an Emmaus within us. Both are the reality of our lives. Have we ever felt the need to escape from Jerusalem, which is our real life? Or do we feel that life is too complicated for us to handle? Have you ever felt like the world was turned upside down? Have expectations been dashed and disappointed? It is Easter morning, and the two disciples are leaving Jerusalem. Who can blame them? Jerusalem is a place of pain, sorrow, and loss. It is a place of death, hopelessness and despair. This is the place where their lives are ruined. They talk about everything that happened on their way. The problems were so complex that they could not understand them. They talked about Jesus’ imprisonment, persecution , crucifixion, and death. They lost hope in Jesus. They heard rumors that he was alive, but it all sounded like a “mystery” (Luke 24:11). They were disappointed and sad. There was nothing to stop them in Jerusalem. Their lives were shattered. I don’t know why they chose Emmaus. When we want to escape, any place feels better than where we are. Emmaus is our escape from the reality of life. It was not the brokenness that drove them to Emmaus, but the hunger of imperfect knowledge . It Was a hunger to be restored. Spiritual hunger is more than physical hunger. The reason they are urging Jesus to “stay with us” is because they are hungry for faith. The hunger to know more from the one who revealed the essence of everything that happened with them. The guest they invite to their table has become their host. And he took bread, and blessed, and brake it, and gave to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. Jesus not only gave them bread, but also restored them to the table. Their lives were reunited through the breaking of bread. Every fellowship of Lord’s table reminds us of the great and indefinable restoration . There are times when we are all unimaginably broken. However, crushing experience is not an end in itself, but a way of restoration to a new life, a new vision, a new acceptance and a new experience. He shares his body, life, love, mercy, strength, forgiveness, and hope through this fellowship. Here he lighted the lamp again which was turned off. That same hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem. Jerusalem is not only the place of death, but also the place of life. It is not only a place of sorrow, but also a place of joy. That is not only a place of brokenness , but also a place to be restored. The city has not changed, the situation has not changed, but they have changed. We leave Jerusalem to return to Jerusalem: There is a return to face our deaths, losses and broken lives. In doing so, we find that life awaits us. Do we get the strength to return to our Jerusalem in every Qurbana, we partake ?

PRAYER

Lord, our Heavenly Father, give us the understanding of your everlasting presence in our lives .We come to you with our doubts ,our burdens and longing hearts. Just as you opened  the eyes of the disciples in the breaking of the bread  open our eyes to recognize you and get blessed. Amen.

 

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

When Christ breaks the bread our eyes are opened . His invitation is not just to the table  but to a transformed life in His presence.


Rev. Thomas P. Koshy (Maramon)
Thiruvankulam Immanuel Mar Thoma Church.