Meditation for the Week of April 27, 2020

 …beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, Jesus explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.’—Luke 24:27b
 
I commend the entire New Testament history of the two disciples’ walk along the Road to Emmaus to each of you. Find this history in Luke 24:13-35. This is one of my favorite histories in the New Testament.
 
Now, there is so much going on in this account, as there is in all Scripture, but let’s focus on one point: understanding the Good News about Jesus in Scripture!
 
See the two disciples walking from Jerusalem to Emmaus. They are discussing what happened to Jesus in Jerusalem: Jesus’ rigged trial, His flogging and brutal beating before crucifixion, His death on The Cross, His burial, and, the puzzling account of the women, Peter and John regarding Jesus’ Empty Tomb. This is when Jesus joins them, but they do not recognize Jesus, and Jesus asks, ‘What are you discussing?’ As if Jesus did not know!
 
After the disciples tell Jesus what they have seen and heard, Jesus said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken!  Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?”’ Jesus rebukes these two but Jesus does not leave them hanging. After Jesus rebukes them, Jesus teaches them, ‘‘…beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, Jesus explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.’
 
When you read this account, you see that the disciples are sad, their faces are downcast. This makes me think of so many people right now. Are you sad? Is your face downcast? Do you feel like things are not going your way?
 
Take heart, dear brothers and sisters! Let not your faces be downcast! Do not be sad! You are blessed with The Holy Spirit. Jesus is with you, always, just as He promised (Matt. 28:20). You are not alone!
 
Just as Jesus walked with the disciples to Emmaus, Jesus walks with you through The Holy Spirit. Jesus talks with you, through His Words in Scripture. Your hearts burn with the love, mercy, grace and peace of God because of the Good News of Jesus’ perfect life, Jesus’ final, all atoning sacrificial death on The Cross and Jesus’ glorious resurrection from death to eternal life on the third day!
 
No matter your situation today or tomorrow or any day. COVID-19, loneliness, financial problems, or any other pain, know that God the Father has adopted you into His family through His One and Only Son, Jesus! You know this Good News because The Holy Spirit opens your hearts and minds to this Good News through all of Scripture, beginning with Moses, the Prophets, the Psalms and the New Testament!
 
All of God’s Promises have been answered, for YOU, in Jesus! Thank you, God! Thank you, Jesus! Thank you, Holy Spirit! Amen!
 
Almighty God, through your only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, you overcame death and opened to us the magnitude of everlasting life. We humbly pray that we may live before you in righteousness and purity forever; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen.