Since Pastor Ray preached about the two travelers on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-32) on Easter, I keep coming back to this story. It’s one of the few New Testament vignettes that I had never paid much attention to before. But there is something striking about how much these two travelers’ situation is reflected in our lives.

Jesus had been crucified, their hopes and dreams crushed,  and their hearts were heavy. As they walked and discussed the events of what happened, Jesus came alongside them and walked with them. After engaging them with where they were at, he began explaining to them why he had to die for their sins. All the while, they did not recognize him. Once Jesus had left, they recognized him and said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road…?”

More than relating to the disappointment and shattered hopes, I find that my life—and many Christian’s lives—reflect the roadside stroll with Jesus. We go through life wanting to see God made real to us and those around us, yet don’t recognize that he is walking with us and teaching us right now.

“But how do we always remember that?” There is no magical answer or formula. Seek the Lord, pray, read the Bible. Daily. Get up early, before the busyness of life gets a hold of you, and spend time reading the Bible and talking with God. Ask him to help you be continually aware of his presence with you. Encourage others and be encouraged by others. These are just a few suggestions.

What are you doing or will do to help you recognize and remember that Jesus is walking with you always?

I’ve always been interested in the twelve apostles. I would love to hear from Jesus why he choose just twelve and why each of them individually. While reading the story of Jesus selecting his disciples (Mark 3:13-18), I found myself thinking about three of the disciples: James (son of Alphaeus), Thaddaeus (or Judas son of James), and Simon the Zealot.

The most extraordinary thing about these three is that we know almost nothing about them. They are practically only there in name. Thaddaeus asked Jesus one question and the other guys seem to have only been present in the gospels. When the early Christian church started, there seems to be no reference to their roles or significant things that they did. These three guys seem to be nothing special at all.

However, they were called. Like Paul says in 1 Timothy 1:12, “he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service.” The Lord considered these guys faithful and knew that they would follow him and obey him.

I often find myself looking for God to use me in big ways, the sort of things that people will see and know it was God. In doing such, I lose focus on simply following Jesus and obeying him in the little, average ways. That needs to be my focus: following and obeying Jesus. Not looking for big ways and things that I can do for him, but simply living a daily life in obedience.

Maybe nothing will ever be written about me, but I’ll know that I heard from the Lord and faithfully followed after him. And that’s enough for me.

I’ve read the story of Levi’s calling (Mark 2:13-17) many times before. Often, when discussing this passage, it’s often talked about as an example for how the church should be: we should care more for investing in those who don’t know Jesus than the church folk.

That’s a great sentiment, but I wonder if we are only getting half of the story. Jesus ate and spent time with those who would be considered unclean and sinners. He didn’t separate himself from those who weren’t holy. And he didn’t ask his followers to cut themselves off from others.

This could probably apply more to us as individual Christians then to the church. I see a lot of this attitude of pulling away from all things and people that aren’t Chrisitians like us. Most of the time it’s in the name of being more holy (which we are called to be, by the way).

I even see that in myself to a certain degree. I work at church. Almost all of the relationships in my life are with other Christians. And I’m rather comfortable with that, unfortunately. Yet, I know something is missing in maintaining that kind of life.

It’s the most clear to me when I have the opportunity to reconnect with an old high school friend over coffee and talk about life. Even though I may not be sharing about Jesus directly, I feel so much more alive, like I’m doing exactly what I was created for. I know my faith was intended to be something more than just living with other Christians.

This is more a personal reflection than a devotional, but that’s ok. Read Mark 2:13-17 and ponder the passage for yourself.

Today, I was reminded of the Shane & Shane song Yearn. A line of the song reads:

I want to yearn for you. I want to burn with a passion over you.

That’s totally been my prayer. I often find myself not really yearning for God, but really wishing I did. And that’s a frustrating place to be. I start asking myself why I don’t and trying to figure out things I need to do to want to know Jesus more.

But the truth of the matter is that I’ve bought into a lie.

When we come to know Jesus as our Savior, He says that the old is gone and the new has come. We are new creations in Christ. We are set free from sin and death. The key word is “are.” If God says we are, that means that we are. Period.

The truth that I’m reminded of tonight is that we need to stop settling for statements like “I just don’t yearn or desire God.” The Lord has declared us his children and that we are free from sin and death and being bound by the things of this world. So, we need to start speaking it as if it were. Even when I don’t feel like I want God enough, I will declare that I yearn for him and that I am living for him. I speak the truth that God has already declared.

I am a man of God. I am a person of prayer. I do yearn for God. I am good enough. I am free.

During the Truth Project this morning we talked about history. At face value, today seemed like one of the more boring subjects that the TP have addressed. However, I think this may have had some of the most practical applications of them all. And that’s what this is about.

Remember. Throughout the Bible, God is constantly calling Israel to remember. That always had been one of their struggles. Right after God delivered them from their exile in Egypt, they started forgetting what he had done. During the time of the judges and kings, you see countless accounts of the prophets to remember what God had done and what he’d called his children to. Whenever they would forget, the Israelites would start turning to the things of the world.

I think we do the same thing. Daily. I know I do. I forget what God has done in my life and who I am according to him. I believe lies. I’m not good enough. I don’t know enough. I don’t have enough time. I can’t… I don’t… I’m not… These are lies that we all face.

Remember. Remembering is the answer. Remembering what God has done in the larger picture and in our lives personally. And remembering who he says we are.

I’d challenge you to take some time right now, and reflect on what God has done in your life and who you are in his eyes.

What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, “Son, go and work today in the vineyard.”

“I will not,” he answered, but later he changed his mind and went. Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, “I will, sir,” but he did not go. Which of the two did what his father wanted?

Matthew 21:28-31

Wow! This is a good question, but not a hard one. The one who actually did what the father wanted, not just told him what he  wanted to hear. Sometimes I find myself telling God what I think he wants to hear when I pray. He doesn’t want my words. He wants my heart. He wants me to come before him honestly and tell Him what’s bugging me, my frustrations. He wants me to share my joys, hopes and dreams.

What areas have you been just giving God what you think he wants instead of your heart?

“Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.”
Matthew 10:37-39

Wow. This is pretty intense. I feel super convicted. Often, I find myself practically loving other things more than Jesus. Not that I would say I love those things more, but my actions show it. Lord, help me love you more than anything else, even myself!

Are there things that you love more or put before Jesus?