For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his. —Romans 6:5
Sometimes you can be in the presence of something but not really see it.
Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. —Luke 24:13-14
As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from recognizing him. —Luke 24:15-16
He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?” They stood still, their faces downcast. One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you only a visitor to Jerusalem and do not know the things that have happened there in these days?” —Luke 24:17-18
“What things?” he asked. “About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place —Luke 24:19-21
In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.” —Luke 24:22-24
So he went in to stay with them. When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him… —Luke 24:29-31a
…and he disappeared from their sight. 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?” —Luke 24:31b-32
It is not used in the past tense—God has come, nor in the future tense—God will come, but in the present tense—‘God comes.’ This is a continuous present, an ever-continuous action: it happened, it is happening now and it will happen again. At every moment, ‘God comes.’ It is a theological verb that proclaims one of God’s essential and qualifying features: that He is the “God-who-comes. —Carlo Carretto, “The God Who Comes”
Familiarity with God’s ways enables us more and more to recognize certain patterns, certain coincidences, certain little details as signs of His artistry. —Simon Tugwell
Prayer heightens our awareness, it sharpens our ability to feel the ‘finger of God.’ From such familiarity we are then able to anticipate the subtlety of God in all of life. —William Barry
WHAT JESUS CHOSE TO DO ON RESURRECTION DAY TELLS US THAT THERE IS NOTHING GOD WANTS MORE THAN TO SHOW UP IN OUR LIVES AND WALK WITH US - RIGHT WHERE WE ARE.
Will you open your heart to Jesus today?
Do you sense God reaching out to you - right now, right where you are? He wants to draw close to you and help you to see what He’s doing in your life. Maybe you haven’t been able to recognize that God was with you, but now you realize that he has been, and it’s all been building to this moment. And you’re beginning to see. And your eyes are opening up to the Spirit of God. Your ears are beginning to hear his voice. How do you respond to something like that?
It’s simple! Here’s how to respond this morning: Tell God that you recognize him speaking to you, and you’re going to open your heart to him. He will forgive your sins and begin to tranform your life! A spiritual light will switch on, and you will begin to see that Jesus has been right there with you the whole time.
For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his. —Romans 6:5
To open your heart to Jesus today, pray this simple prayer:
Heavenly Father, I can see it. You sent Your Son to die for me, so I could live for You. Forgive me of my sins. Make me brand new. Fill me with Your Spirit, so I can follow You. My life is not my own. It now belongs to You. I have been purchased by the blood Jesus shed. Take all of my life and use it for You glory. Thank You for new life. Now, you have mine. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.