Following on to our last admonition, there is an additional question that’s critical to overcome the three identified stumbling blocks to a victorious walk of faith; these being prioritized focus on divine assignment, ignorance and unbelief. This is the question of how much time do you have or are you willing to commit to intimacy to the great teacher?
Then beginning with Moses and [throughout] all the Prophets, He went on explaining and interpreting to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning and referring to Himself. Then they drew near the village to which they were going, and He acted as if He would go further. But they urged and insisted, saying to Him, Remain with us, for it is toward evening, and the day is now far spent. So He went in to stay with them. And it occurred that as He reclined at table with them, He took [a loaf of] bread and praised [God] and gave thanks and asked a blessing, and then broke it and was giving it to them When their eyes were [instantly] opened and they [clearly] recognized Him, and He vanished (departed invisibly). And they said to one another, Were not our hearts greatly moved and burning within us while He was talking with us on the road and as He opened and explained to us [the sense of] the Scriptures? Luke 24:27-32 (AMPC)
Undistracted they were taught, and with circumcised hearts they understood and their hunger for the word made them want more passage of time notwithstanding. Dearly beloved, it cannot be different for us. He brought them to the place of the covenant, near the Cross as Fanny Crosby’s song here expressed:
1 Jesus, keep me near the cross, There a precious fountain; Free to all, a healing stream, Flows from Calv’ry’s mountain. Refrain:
In the cross, in the cross Be my glory ever, Till my ransomed soul shall find Rest beyond the river.
2 Near the cross, a trembling soul, Love and mercy found me; There the Bright and Morning Star Shed His beams around me. [Refrain]
3 Near the cross! O lamb of God, Bring its scenes before me; Help me walk from day to day With its shadow o’er me. [Refrain]
4 Near the cross! I’ll watch and wait, Hoping, trusting ever; Till I reach the golden strand, Just beyond the river. [Refrain]
There they came alive with renewed strength for the long journey back to Jerusalem to speak and affirm with courage to their confused and wearied fellow disciples! You can make others see the light in the light you shine. In these times will you commit to doing this, to be an encouragement to your weary fellow travellers in this journey of faith? Selah
In a recent issue of the devotional, we touched on the need for focus on God’s appointed purposes, guarding against the distraction of our personal priorities and religious biases. Our text today, though, long opens up two more stumbling blocks to a disciple’s walk of faith. Rich in content for an exegesis, we will summarise the two key points.
And behold, that very day two of [the disciples] were going to a village called Emmaus, [which is] about seven miles from Jerusalem. And they were talking with each other about all these things that had occurred. And while they were conversing and discussing together, Jesus Himself caught up with them and was already accompanying them. But their eyes were held, so that they did not recognize Him.
And He said to them, What is this discussion that you are exchanging (throwing back and forth) between yourselves as you walk along? And they stood still, looking sad and downcast. Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered Him, Do you alone dwell as a stranger in Jerusalem and not know the things that have occurred there in these days? And He said to them, What [kind of] things?
And they said to Him, About Jesus of Nazareth, Who was a Prophet mighty in work and word before God and all the people—And how our chief priests and rulers gave Him up to be sentenced to death, and crucified Him. But we were hoping that it was He Who would redeem and set Israel free. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things occurred. And moreover, some women of our company astounded us and drove us out of our senses. They were at the tomb early [in the morning]
But did not find His body; and they returned saying that they had [even] seen a vision of angels, who said that He was alive! So some of those [who were] with us went to the tomb and they found it just as the women had said, but Him they did not see.
And [Jesus] said to them, O foolish ones [sluggish in mind, dull of perception] and slow of heart to believe (adhere to and trust in and rely on) everything that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary and essentially fitting that the Christ (the Messiah) should suffer all these things before entering into His glory (His majesty and splendor)? Then beginning with Moses and [throughout] all the Prophets, He went on explaining and interpreting to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning and referring to Himself.
Then they drew near the village to which they were going, and He acted as if He would go further. But they urged and insisted, saying to Him, Remain with us, for it is toward evening, and the day is now far spent. So He went in to stay with them. And it occurred that as He reclined at table with them, He took [a loaf of] bread and praised [God] and gave thanks and asked a blessing, and then broke it and was giving it to them when their eyes were [instantly] opened and they [clearly] recognized Him, and He vanished (departed invisibly).
And they said to one another, Were not our hearts greatly moved and burning within us while He was talking with us on the road and as He opened and explained to us [the sense of] the Scriptures? And rising up that very hour, they went back to Jerusalem, where they found the Eleven [apostles] gathered together and those who were with them, Who said, The Lord really has risen and has appeared to Simon (Peter)! Then they [themselves] related [in full] what had happened on the road, and how He was known and recognized by them in the breaking of bread.
Now while they were talking about this, Jesus Himself took His stand among them and said to them, Peace (freedom from all the distresses that are experienced as the result of sin) be to you! But they were so startled and terrified that they thought they saw a spirit. And He said to them, Why are you disturbed and troubled, and why do such doubts and questionings arise in your hearts? See My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself! Feel and handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones, as you see that I have. And when He had said this, He showed them His hands and His feet. And while [since] they still could not believe it for sheer joy and marveled, He said to them, Have you anything here to eat? They gave Him a piece of broiled fish, And He took [it] and ate [it] before them.
Then He said to them, This is what I told you while I was still with you: everything which is written concerning Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled. Then He [thoroughly] opened up their minds to understand the Scriptures, And said to them, Thus it is written that the Christ (the Messiah) should suffer and on the third day rise from (among) the dead, And that repentance [with a view to and as the condition of] forgiveness of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And behold, I will send forth upon you what My Father has promised; but remain in the city [Jerusalem] until you are clothed with power from on high. Luke 24:13-49 (AMPC)
Let’s draw attention to vs. 14-17, a phrase that we see again and again with the disciples in distress, dismay, sorrow or confusion.
And they said to her, Woman, why are you sobbing? She told them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him. On saying this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing [there], but she did not know (recognize) that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, Woman, why are you crying [so]? For Whom are you looking? Supposing that it was the gardener, she replied, Sir, if you carried Him away from here, tell me where you have put Him and I will take Him away. John 20:13-15 (AMPC)
Simon Peter said to them, I am going fishing! They said to him, And we are coming with you! So they went out and got into the boat, and throughout that night they caught nothing. Morning was already breaking when Jesus came to the beach and stood there. However, the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. John 21:3-4 (AMPC)
Whenever we (disciples) are in such a state, in the natural, we are unable to recognise the presence of the Lord! Worse still is the inability to connect the circumstance to God’s pre-warnings and His mitigating promises. Here the disciples actually fell prey to the prophecy of Isaiah 6:9-10 (AMPC)— And He said, Go and tell this people, Hear and hear continually, but understand not; and see and see continually, but do not apprehend with your mind. Make the heart of this people fat; and make their ears heavy and shut their eyes, lest they see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their hearts and turn again and be healed.
The call to each of us is one of re-examination.
Are we ignorant of the prophetic declarations regarding the times we are living in? or,
If we are not ignorant, are we unbelieving of the promises He gave to make us whole in these times?
Please think on these things as they apply to your walk in these seasons of instability and insecurity, when the powers of this world and its rulers are more and more ineffective in protecting the citizenry. In your walk of faith where are you on the scale of ignorance of what has been written concerning the times; and if you are not ignorant, where are you on the scale of believing the anti-dote promises of the Almighty God? Selah.
Pharaoh drowned the sons born to Israelites into the river—Then Pharaoh charged all his people, saying, Every son born [to the Hebrews] you shall cast into the river [Nile], but every daughter you shall allow to live (Exod. 1:22 (AMPC)
God drowned the entire Egyptian army in the Red Sea—Moses stretched forth his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to its strength and normal flow when the morning appeared; and the Egyptians fled into it [being met by it]; and the Lord overthrew the Egyptians and shook them off into the midst of the sea. The waters returned and covered the chariots, the horsemen, and all the host of Pharaoh that pursued them; not even one of them remained (Exodus 14:27-28 (AMPC)
the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, one man, was shed in crucifixion just outside the city of Jerusalem—And many of the Jews read this title, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and it was written in Hebrew, in Latin, [and] in Greek (John 19:20 AMPC)
so will the blood of the army outside the city—And [the grapes in] the winepress were trodden outside the city, and blood poured from the winepress, [reaching] as high as horses’ bridles, for a distance of 1,600 stadia (about 200 miles) -Revelation 14:20 (AMPC)
Such is the scale of vengeance of the Lord God upon those who despise Him, rejecting His costly sacrifice for their redemption. This imagery depicted in the illustrations is formed into words in Hebrews 2:3 (AMPC)—How shall we escape [appropriate retribution] if we neglect and refuse to pay attention to such a great salvation [as is now offered to us, letting it drift past us forever]? For it was declared at first by the Lord [Himself]; and it was confirmed to us and proved to be real and genuine by those who personally heard [Him speak].
The Lord had declared the same in John 3:18, 36 (AMPC)—He who believes in Him [who clings to, trusts in, relies on Him] is not judged [he who trusts in Him never comes up for judgment; for him there is no rejection, no condemnation–he incurs no damnation]; but he who does not believe (cleave to, rely on, trust in Him) is judged already [he has already been convicted and has already received his sentence] because he has not believed in and trusted in the name of the only begotten Son of God. [He is condemned for refusing to let his trust rest in Christ’s name.]… And he who believes in (has faith in, clings to, relies on) the Son has (now possesses) eternal life. But whoever disobeys (is unbelieving toward, refuses to trust in, disregards, is not subject to) the Son will never see (experience) life, but [instead] the wrath of God abides on him. [God’s displeasure remains on him; His indignation hangs over him continually.]
Such is the gravity of what is at stake, as well as the responsibility of those who have believed, to remain clinging to Him and relying on Him. Selah.
Apostle Paul writing to the Romans said, For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. But then what benefit (return) did you get from the things of which you are now ashamed? [None] for the end of those things is death. But now since you have been set free from sin and have become the slaves of God, you have your present reward in holiness and its end is eternal life (Romans 6:20-22 (AMPC).
From slave of sin to slave of God, what brought about this transition? Who paid the price to remove the scarlet stain upon the soul of man? The eternal God, our Holy Heavenly Father declared a truce as was spoken by the mouth of Isaiah in Isaiah 1:18 (AMPC):
Come now, and let us reason together, says the Lord. Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be like wool.
Apostle Paul further highlights the truce in 2 Corinthians 5:15-19 (AMPC):
And He died for all, so that all those who live might live no longer to and for themselves, but to and for Him Who died and was raised again for their sake. Consequently, from now on we estimate and regard no one from a [purely] human point of view [in terms of natural standards of value]. [No] even though we once did estimate Christ from a human viewpoint and as a man, yet now [we have such knowledge of Him that] we know Him no longer [in terms of the flesh]. Therefore if any person is [ingrafted] in Christ (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old [previous moral and spiritual condition] has passed away. Behold, the fresh and new has come! But all things are from God, Who through Jesus Christ reconciled us to Himself [received us into favor, brought us into harmony with Himself] and gave to us the ministry of reconciliation [that by word and deed we might aim to bring others into harmony with Him]. It was God [personally present] in Christ, reconciling and restoring the world to favor with Himself, not counting up and holding against [men] their trespasses [but cancelling them], and committing to us the message of reconciliation (of the restoration to favor).
Christ came to be the offering for every man’s sin—Romans 8:3b (AMPC)—Sending His own Son in the guise of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, [God] condemned sin in the flesh [subdued, overcame, deprived it of its power over all who accept that sacrifice].
It is the love and the care of our heavenly Father that made Him provide in Jesus Christ the atonement for your sin, mine and every human being. The Alton Howard Singers captured it well in their song:
He paid a debt He did not owe, I owed a debt I could not pay, I needed someone to wash my sins away; and now I sing a brand new song, Amazing grace all day long, Christ Jesus paid a debt that I could never pay.
He paid a debt at Calvary, He cleansed my soul and set me free, I’m glad that Jesus did all my sins erase. I now can sing a brand new song, Amazing grace all day long, Christ Jesus paid a debt that I could never pay.
One day He’s coming back for me, to live with Him eternally, won’t it be glory to see Him on that day! I then will sing a brand new song, Amazing grace all day long Christ Jesus paid a debt that I could never pay.
You now understand why the Lord Jesus said in John 8:24 (AMPC)—That is why I told you that you will die in (under the curse of) your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He [Whom I claim to be–if you do not adhere to, trust in, and rely on Me], you will die in your sins.
On that cross, the Lord Jesus accepted and bore the wrenching horror of separation from the Father (Mark 15:34), so that the believing man will not be separated from our Heavenly Father throughout eternity. Accepting the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ is the only option to a life of HOPE, FREEDOM and PEACE and not to be separated from our Father and CREATOR for eternity. This is the gospel of grace that we preach. Have you believed, adhered to, trusted in and daily relying on Him? Selah.
The challenges of the times, particularly in the developing world is driving many to undesirable ends; from a sense of societal rejection, to flight to kinder climes and in the absence of that, to depression and in extreme cases to suicide attempts! In the midst of all this the Creator of mankind has His hands stretched out offering hope to an unperceiving people. Our text records the discussion the Lord had with the religious leaders of His days, who were so pre-occupied with maintaining their societal eminence, that they missed the essence of His message.
Jesus said these things in the treasury while He was teaching in the temple [court]; but no one ventured to arrest Him, because His hour had not yet come. Therefore He said again to them, I am going away, and you will be looking for Me, and you will die in (under the curse of) your sin. Where I am going, it is not possible for you to come. At this the Jews began to ask among themselves, Will He kill Himself? Is that why He says, Where I am going, it is not possible for you to come? He said to them, You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world (of this earthly order); I am not of this world. That is why I told you that you will die in (under the curse of) your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He [Whom I claim to be–if you do not adhere to, trust in, and rely on Me], you will die in your sins. John 8:20-24 (AMPC)
The Lord made bold statements with such uncommon certainty of mankind’s end that other religions prevaricate on, because they consider man’s end a function of his performance or efforts! Fallen man is of an earthly order, slaves of sin and Satan, the dark ruler and author of sin! It is self-deceit to believe that mankind can get to the home above and be with the Holy Heavenly Father and King who cannot look upon the squalor of sin. There has to be atonement to remove the scarlet stain that marked the soul of humankind.
If there is any lesson learnt from the sacrifices and worship procedure outlined for Israel in the Torah, it is how costly every sacrifice is; a pointer to the cost of redemption from sin. The very details outlined in the book of Leviticus were intended for us to understand the holiness of God, man’s sinfulness and the consequences of disobedience, and in every sacrifice a reflection of the cost of sin. The Psalmist looking forward captured it so well in Psalms 49:6-9 (AMPC)—
Even of those who trust in and lean on their wealth and boast of the abundance of their riches? None of them can by any means redeem [either himself or] his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him–For the ransom of a life is too costly, and [the price one can pay] can never suffice–So that he should live on forever and never see the pit (the grave) and corruption.
So what chance does a man have, that he thinks wealth, flight or suicide will be the solution to an acceptable end, either in this world or above! The solution is clearly not in the purview of man that is still under the curse of sin as clearly outlined in our text above and repeated here—That is why I told you that you will die in (under the curse of) your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He [Whom I claim to be–if you do not adhere to, trust in, and rely on Me], you will die in your sins.
Citizenship carries both rights and responsibilities. Whenever anyone turns away from sin and puts his trust in Christ for righteousness certain rights and privileges follow. Ephesians 2:5-6 (AMPC) speaks thus—
Even when we were dead (slain) by [our own] shortcomings and trespasses, He made us alive together in fellowship and in union with Christ; [He gave us the very life of Christ Himself, the same new life with which He quickened Him, for] it is by grace (His favor and mercy which you did not deserve) that you are saved (delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ’s salvation). And He raised us up together with Him and made us sit down together [giving us joint seating with Him] in the heavenly sphere [by virtue of our being] in Christ Jesus (the Messiah, the Anointed One).
Being part of the heavenly realm comes with the responsibilities too as declared in Colossians 3:1-3 (AMPC)—If then you have been raised with Christ [to a new life, thus sharing His resurrection from the dead], aim at and seek the [rich, eternal treasures] that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. And set your minds and keep them set on what is above (the higher things), not on the things that are on the earth. For [as far as this world is concerned] you have died, and your [new, real] life is hidden with Christ in God.
Philippians 3:18-20 (AMPC) expands this further with precision—For there are many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, who walk (live) as enemies of the cross of Christ (the Anointed One). They are doomed and their fate is eternal misery (perdition); their god is their stomach (their appetites, their sensuality) and they glory in their shame, siding with earthly things and being of their party. But we are citizens of the state (commonwealth, homeland) which is in heaven, and from it also we earnestly and patiently await [the coming of] the Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah) [as] Savior
—expanding with such clarity those who refuse the responsibility of citizenship, as the Passion Translation puts verses 17-20—
My beloved friends, imitate my walk with God and follow all those who walk according to the way of life we modeled before you. For there are many who live by different standards. As I’ve warned you many times (I weep as I write these words), they are enemies of the cross of the Anointed One and doom awaits them. Their god has possessed them and made them mute. Their boast is in their shameful lifestyles and their minds are in the dirt. But we are a colony of heaven on earth as we cling tightly to our life-giver, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our humble bodies and transfigure us into the identical likeness of his glorified body. And using his matchless power, he continually subdues everything to himself.
Why claim you are a citizen when your walk actually shows you to be an enemy? No, Apostle Paul was neither dramatic nor rude; he simply expanded on the parable in Luke 19:12-14 which was spoken to the unbelieving Israel and her leadership. The message conveyed remains true for the believer whose heart is set upon the world and walks as the world dictates. So dearly beloved. are you a citizen of this heavenly realm? Selah.