The Gospel of Luke

This devotional is written by Kat Karamani-Taylor. Kat is married to Mark.

28 As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. 29 But they urged him strongly, "Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over." So he went in to stay with them.

30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. 32 They asked each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?"

33 They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together 34 and saying, "It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon." 35 Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.

Their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight (v31)

I think that sometimes it can take familiarity to make you recognise something. If you haven't seen a friend in a year or two but then they do their signature wave or give you their trademark smile you're more likely to remember who they are and what they meant to you. Jesus did the thing that would evoke their memories most and once he knew they had seen him risen and whole, he disappears because he has done what he came to do. Sometimes we will experience Jesus as so present and other times he can feel distant but he is always there, sometimes though, he has revealed what he needs to in that moment.

They got up and returned at once (v33)

I think that this sentence is so important. When we encounter God we should be leaping from our places and running to share the good news and the incredible things that he has done. They left mid MEAL. And remember that it was LATE? Both of those things would probably make me want to stay in and just share the news the next day or send a message to someone who might be encouraged by it. But they got up at once and I think that it is this energy and enthusiasm that we need to start adopting into our lives.

Pray.

Lord, I pray that you would remind me of your presence and that I could experience that fire in my life again. I pray that I can always recognise you and rejoice, sharing your good news with anyone and everyone. Thank you for never giving up on us and thank you for the relationship that I have with you which is so unique and completely personalised. Amen.