How Christ reveals Himself to us.
7th September 2014
Sermon
There are a lot of things I like to do. I like shopping for my family. I buy presents for my wife even when she is away and I may not see her for months. To me this gives me satisfaction. I then talk about it with my children on the chat and tell them not to tell their mother. But very often they will gossip and tell their mother. They do so because it will be good news and they would want to let her know that I am thinking about her.
The stories we have just read today are similar in nature. They both depict a saviour person. Joseph saved his people from starvation. The stories depict a lasting relationship after revelation. Joseph was hidden from his brothers. Christ was hidden from his disciples. Joseph asked to be given time with these Israelites and he reveals himself. He could have revenged. The brothers never at any time thought that their brother would be what he was. He was sent by God to save Israel in time of hunger. Christ was sent by God to save sinners.
What becomes news? What do you talk about?
Very often news is based on events that are out of the blue. People will begin to gossip and make evaluations about the events they will have heard or witnessed. In most cases those event people will have heard take centre stage in their lives. They will talk as if they were present when that happened. They will talk convincingly about issues they will have heard.
It is interesting that Luke does not try to describe the resurrection or explain it. Rather his account focuses on what eye witnesses see. How they react. How they begin to grasp the momentous event that is indescribable.
In this rather long passage, Luke narrates the story of the walk from Jerusalem to the nearby town of Emmaus, culminating in the appearance of Jesus himself. As you read and study this passage, look to what Jesus is seeking to drive home to his disciples, here represented by his two travelling companions.
Cleopas and the other disciple are walking and deeply engaged in a discussion about events that had taken place that week. It was news that needed further discussion and analysis. As they talked with each other Jesus himself came up and walked along with them but they did not recognise him. They were kept from recognising Jesus. Jesus who to them was a stranger joined in the discussion. He looked surprised on the discussion. What are you discussing about?. It is not surprising that the disciples get stunned by the question. It could only have been a stranger who would have come to this area that day who would not know what had happened. They stood still their faces down cast Cleopas asked him Are you only a visitor to Jerusalem? How come you do not know these things?
The disciples where talking good about Christ and so Christ came closer to them but they would not recognise him then. If they were talking bad about Christ, He would not have walked to come close to them and walk with them and even join in the discussion. On the other hand Christ might have wanted to get more information by probing about the events they were talking about.
The disciples who had been with Christ for 3 years of his ministry did not understand and did not believe that he was to suffer death and rise on the third day. These disciples were telling stories they did not witness. The resurrection. They did not go to the tomb but relied upon what they had been told. Jesus quizzed them about the prophecies.
Current news become current talk and it is expected that people in the area would be aware of the events.
If people talked good about you do you come closer to them and probe to get more information if they cannot identify you. Do you walk away from them? There was no doubt in their minds that Jesus was crucified and rose from the dead. They did not need scientific proof that Christ rose from the dead. They were more worried that their messiah had not accomplished what they thought he had come to do. They had all along viewed Christ as a political saviour. He was to deliver Israel from the Roman rule. Yes they had been with Jesus for three years while he ministered and preached. Their faith was still questionable.
The resurrection teaches us a lot of things. Jesus went through a lot of problems but resurrection shows that he overcame the problems that he faced. He is now walking with his followers.
Why did Jesus have to die was the question at the centre of the discussion. The death of Jesus shows that the world cannot defeat us. The world will metaphorically crucify you especially if you are kind, considerate, well intentioned and loving. Jesus’ world had Romans and Pharisees. Our World has characters just as authoritarian and as corrupt. People who often stand up for justice are tone apart. If you stand up for what is right at your job, you become an enemy of the authorities. Honesty is the best policy but it does not always get you promoted. Advocating for the disadvantaged is not always easy. Jesus defeated death and the powers that be. The disciples did not expect Jesus to die this kind of death. His death could have been accepted if he had died in war. Again he reminds them of the prophecies. Jesus continues to hide his identity as they talk and walk the journey.
Realising Jesus’ presence:
Jesus can be present in our lives in different forms. I have witnessed the presence of Christ in my life inn various situations. In 2001 when I was studying for my BA Honours in Music Education at the University of Natal in South Africa, Jesus was present on a Friday I was being evicted from residence because my government had not sent my fees through. I knew nobody apart from the five students in my class who I had just met for two weeks. I can remember to this day praying in the early morning and crying. I opened my eyes and only saw a monkey close to my window. The monkey is not significant but it brought me hope in that these creatures are looked after by the mighty creator. I remember saying in my prayer ‘ Lord I need this degree and I need somewhere to live’ In class I told my classmates of my plight and Zandie said to me you can come with me to my parents at the end of the day. I realised Christ’s presence in my life as Accommodation problem was solved for me instantly. Zandie’s parents did not know me but gave me shelter.
In this story, the disciples did not bother to ask for the person’s identity but invited the stranger to dine with them and spend a night with them. Would you have done this? Behold Christ is walking to catch up with you. The same Christ on Emmaus road is present today and is walking to catch up with you to discuss today’s events. How do you recognise the presence of Christ? The disciples only recognized Christ when he broke bread. You might recognise the presence of Christ in your life in a different situation to others. You do not have to wait for Holy Communion to realise Christ is with you. He may also disappear once he has made himself known to you. This should then be news for other people.
In June 2003, students at the teachers’ college I was lecturing were to attend national games. Teams were to travel to Harare from Masvingo on the same bus. They included football, netball, basket ball, volleyball and tennis. One student who was also to go for the games told his friend that he was not going on that bus because it smelt death. Indeed he did not go on that bus. After the games on a Sunday night, the bus was involved in a fatal accident which claimed 37 Student’s lives. Christ revealed himself to the student who refused to go on the bus. Christ comes to you in different forms and situations.
Christ makes himself known to his people in his ordinances. This sometimes happens through his spirit. His Spirit may visit them while at work or in their busy schedules. It is good for Christ’s people to be together in common conversation, and common business. Christ’s time for making himself known to his people is when they are at loss. He knows the temporary wants of his people. This is shown at the breaking of bread. That eaten bread may not be forgotten. He prayed before breaking the bread. The meticulous method of breaking the bread was revelation that the disciples had all along been walking with Christ Himself. This becomes a happy turn of events.
How Do you Identify the presence of Christ In your Life?
Some people may also wonder why Christ does not respond to their prayers on a daily basis. They want to see Christ join them. They forget that the Christ they are eager to see will only come forward and join them on the journey if they discuss the good news and preach the Good news. If you cast your net to the right side, the Lord will be identifiable to you. If you confess with your heart that Christ died and rose, he will break bread in your house today and you shall be one of the chosen to see the glory of the Lord.
When one door closes the other opens. You need to be discussing good things at work at home when travelling and Christ will come closer to you. Your eyes will be opened and you will realise Christ is present every day.
The disciples’ eyes were opened at breaking of bread. Then Jesus disappeared from them. They still did not believe. We have situations of doubt in all our lives. We pray for Christ’s interventions but still do no believe that he reins our lives.
If you want to see Christ in your life, you need to give him space. He will not come physically to break bread and open your eyes but he will be with you everywhere. You need only to look for clues in your life. He may make him known to you in your career, at work as you travel and in your bringing up children.
Walk and talk about Christ and you will be blessed all your life.
Rabson Ziso
The stories we have just read today are similar in nature. They both depict a saviour person. Joseph saved his people from starvation. The stories depict a lasting relationship after revelation. Joseph was hidden from his brothers. Christ was hidden from his disciples. Joseph asked to be given time with these Israelites and he reveals himself. He could have revenged. The brothers never at any time thought that their brother would be what he was. He was sent by God to save Israel in time of hunger. Christ was sent by God to save sinners.
What becomes news? What do you talk about?
Very often news is based on events that are out of the blue. People will begin to gossip and make evaluations about the events they will have heard or witnessed. In most cases those event people will have heard take centre stage in their lives. They will talk as if they were present when that happened. They will talk convincingly about issues they will have heard.
It is interesting that Luke does not try to describe the resurrection or explain it. Rather his account focuses on what eye witnesses see. How they react. How they begin to grasp the momentous event that is indescribable.
In this rather long passage, Luke narrates the story of the walk from Jerusalem to the nearby town of Emmaus, culminating in the appearance of Jesus himself. As you read and study this passage, look to what Jesus is seeking to drive home to his disciples, here represented by his two travelling companions.
Cleopas and the other disciple are walking and deeply engaged in a discussion about events that had taken place that week. It was news that needed further discussion and analysis. As they talked with each other Jesus himself came up and walked along with them but they did not recognise him. They were kept from recognising Jesus. Jesus who to them was a stranger joined in the discussion. He looked surprised on the discussion. What are you discussing about?. It is not surprising that the disciples get stunned by the question. It could only have been a stranger who would have come to this area that day who would not know what had happened. They stood still their faces down cast Cleopas asked him Are you only a visitor to Jerusalem? How come you do not know these things?
The disciples where talking good about Christ and so Christ came closer to them but they would not recognise him then. If they were talking bad about Christ, He would not have walked to come close to them and walk with them and even join in the discussion. On the other hand Christ might have wanted to get more information by probing about the events they were talking about.
The disciples who had been with Christ for 3 years of his ministry did not understand and did not believe that he was to suffer death and rise on the third day. These disciples were telling stories they did not witness. The resurrection. They did not go to the tomb but relied upon what they had been told. Jesus quizzed them about the prophecies.
Current news become current talk and it is expected that people in the area would be aware of the events.
If people talked good about you do you come closer to them and probe to get more information if they cannot identify you. Do you walk away from them? There was no doubt in their minds that Jesus was crucified and rose from the dead. They did not need scientific proof that Christ rose from the dead. They were more worried that their messiah had not accomplished what they thought he had come to do. They had all along viewed Christ as a political saviour. He was to deliver Israel from the Roman rule. Yes they had been with Jesus for three years while he ministered and preached. Their faith was still questionable.
The resurrection teaches us a lot of things. Jesus went through a lot of problems but resurrection shows that he overcame the problems that he faced. He is now walking with his followers.
Why did Jesus have to die was the question at the centre of the discussion. The death of Jesus shows that the world cannot defeat us. The world will metaphorically crucify you especially if you are kind, considerate, well intentioned and loving. Jesus’ world had Romans and Pharisees. Our World has characters just as authoritarian and as corrupt. People who often stand up for justice are tone apart. If you stand up for what is right at your job, you become an enemy of the authorities. Honesty is the best policy but it does not always get you promoted. Advocating for the disadvantaged is not always easy. Jesus defeated death and the powers that be. The disciples did not expect Jesus to die this kind of death. His death could have been accepted if he had died in war. Again he reminds them of the prophecies. Jesus continues to hide his identity as they talk and walk the journey.
Realising Jesus’ presence:
Jesus can be present in our lives in different forms. I have witnessed the presence of Christ in my life inn various situations. In 2001 when I was studying for my BA Honours in Music Education at the University of Natal in South Africa, Jesus was present on a Friday I was being evicted from residence because my government had not sent my fees through. I knew nobody apart from the five students in my class who I had just met for two weeks. I can remember to this day praying in the early morning and crying. I opened my eyes and only saw a monkey close to my window. The monkey is not significant but it brought me hope in that these creatures are looked after by the mighty creator. I remember saying in my prayer ‘ Lord I need this degree and I need somewhere to live’ In class I told my classmates of my plight and Zandie said to me you can come with me to my parents at the end of the day. I realised Christ’s presence in my life as Accommodation problem was solved for me instantly. Zandie’s parents did not know me but gave me shelter.
In this story, the disciples did not bother to ask for the person’s identity but invited the stranger to dine with them and spend a night with them. Would you have done this? Behold Christ is walking to catch up with you. The same Christ on Emmaus road is present today and is walking to catch up with you to discuss today’s events. How do you recognise the presence of Christ? The disciples only recognized Christ when he broke bread. You might recognise the presence of Christ in your life in a different situation to others. You do not have to wait for Holy Communion to realise Christ is with you. He may also disappear once he has made himself known to you. This should then be news for other people.
In June 2003, students at the teachers’ college I was lecturing were to attend national games. Teams were to travel to Harare from Masvingo on the same bus. They included football, netball, basket ball, volleyball and tennis. One student who was also to go for the games told his friend that he was not going on that bus because it smelt death. Indeed he did not go on that bus. After the games on a Sunday night, the bus was involved in a fatal accident which claimed 37 Student’s lives. Christ revealed himself to the student who refused to go on the bus. Christ comes to you in different forms and situations.
Christ makes himself known to his people in his ordinances. This sometimes happens through his spirit. His Spirit may visit them while at work or in their busy schedules. It is good for Christ’s people to be together in common conversation, and common business. Christ’s time for making himself known to his people is when they are at loss. He knows the temporary wants of his people. This is shown at the breaking of bread. That eaten bread may not be forgotten. He prayed before breaking the bread. The meticulous method of breaking the bread was revelation that the disciples had all along been walking with Christ Himself. This becomes a happy turn of events.
How Do you Identify the presence of Christ In your Life?
Some people may also wonder why Christ does not respond to their prayers on a daily basis. They want to see Christ join them. They forget that the Christ they are eager to see will only come forward and join them on the journey if they discuss the good news and preach the Good news. If you cast your net to the right side, the Lord will be identifiable to you. If you confess with your heart that Christ died and rose, he will break bread in your house today and you shall be one of the chosen to see the glory of the Lord.
When one door closes the other opens. You need to be discussing good things at work at home when travelling and Christ will come closer to you. Your eyes will be opened and you will realise Christ is present every day.
The disciples’ eyes were opened at breaking of bread. Then Jesus disappeared from them. They still did not believe. We have situations of doubt in all our lives. We pray for Christ’s interventions but still do no believe that he reins our lives.
If you want to see Christ in your life, you need to give him space. He will not come physically to break bread and open your eyes but he will be with you everywhere. You need only to look for clues in your life. He may make him known to you in your career, at work as you travel and in your bringing up children.
Walk and talk about Christ and you will be blessed all your life.
Rabson Ziso
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