City Life Starter

Written by Efe Abbe

The Word

²⁸ So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He acted as if he were going farther, ²⁹ but they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent.” So he went in to stay with them. ³⁰ When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. ³¹ And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight. ³² 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?” ³³ And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, ³⁴ saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” ³⁵ Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.

Luke 24:28-35 ESV

²⁰ Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.

Revelation 3:20 ESV

Reflection

Have you ever wondered what might have not been if these two disciples hadn’t invited Jesus into their home and to have dinner with them?

This was still Resurrection Sunday and the Lord Jesus had risen! But even after hearing the report of His resurrection, these two disciples were despondent because Jesus didn’t turn out to be the Messiah they wanted Him to be. After Jesus lovingly and firmly comes along to correct their misunderstanding of the Scriptures and of Himself (Luke 24:13-26), He does something strange. Luke records that the Lord “acted as if He were going farther.” We don’t know why the Lord did this but this prompted them to invite Him into their home and the Lord’s response to their invitation is beautiful — He went in and stayed with them. There were no doubt tasks that had to be performed while Jesus was in their home before dinner like, customary hand washing and even the dinner preparations, but it was only when they sat to eat and after Jesus broke bread with them, that their eyes were opened to see Him.

Application

To truly know the Lord is to see Him as Scriptures reveal Him by spending time with Him. Reading God’s word to be with Him as Father, Savior, Friend, and Teacher (vs. reading about Him) is like having the best meal for our souls. God’s will is for us to see and know Him with our hearts in the Truth of who He really is but He will not impose close connection on us. He freely gives the gift of knowing Him to all who are willing to welcome Him, even as He draws us into closeness with Himself.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank You for wanting to be with me. Thank You for wanting me to truly see and know You. I humble my heart to welcome You and receive Your gift of closeness to You, amen.