Journeying with Resurrected Jesus in Power

On the day Pentecost was being fulfilled, all the disciples were gathered in one place. Suddenly they heard the sound of a violent blast of wind rushing into the house from out of the heavenly realm. The roar of the wind was so overpowering it was all anyone could bear! Then all at once a pillar of fire appeared before their eyes. It separated into tongues of fire that engulfed each one of them. They were all filled and equipped with the Holy Spirit and were inspired to speak in tongues -- empowered by the Spirit to speak in languages they had never learned!

Acts 2:1-4 (TPT)

What a journey this has been! Jesus walked with the disciples on the road to Emmaus in such a unique way. After weeks of traveling with them, I'm convinced we have witnessed Jesus' response to a first century deconstruction of faith. I don't think I'm being dramatic. Wikipedia's definition of faith deconstruction is "A Christian phenomenon where people unpack, rethink and examine their belief systems. This may lead to dropping one's faith all together or may result in a stronger faith." While Wikipedia isn't the most reliable source, I think this definition describes the turmoil of the Emmaus Road disciples. 

At some point it dawned on me that this journey detailed in Luke 24 is likely a picture of what was happening in the hearts and lives of many of Jesus' followers after His death. These two disciples weren't the only ones examining and rethinking their faith, but their deconstruction (and Jesus' response to it) is the one we got to witness. In the end, the only thing that really needed a deconstruction was human expectation of who God was and how He would rescue. In life and in death, Jesus contradicted every assumption and hope for how God's chosen people would be saved. 

In his book, Leaving and Finding Jesus, Jason Clark said, "When Jesus hid in the Wayfaring Stranger on the Emmaus Road, it was so His friend's ideology, theology, eschatology, and all other ologies wouldn't get in the way of the heart-burning relational experience of God with us, God within us."

Wow! It seems the human condition is one that continuously gets in the way of its own good. "Heart-burning" relationship with God through Jesus is what we were made for. On the eternal timeline, God was preparing to send the fire of His Presence to burn within individuals. First, though, He provided this space for Jesus to encourage two disciples in their debilitating deconstruction. He didn't squelch it. He never reprimanded it, He certainly didn't leave them alone in it. He simply led them to name the faulty beliefs so that what was inside moved outside leaving room for Truth to take over. 

I've said all of that to create space for this little question.... 

I wonder how many of Jesus' followers showed up to Pentecost like the two on the Road to Emmaus; still thinking, "we had hoped that he was the one who would redeem and rescue Israel? (Luke 24:21)

Pentecost was one of the main feasts for Jewish people. It was held on the fiftieth day after Passover Sabbath, also known as the Feast of Harvest. The people that showed up for the Acts 2 Pentecost were coming to fulfill duty and tradition, and I've had to wonder if this was their attempt to go back to the path they'd always known. Had they all hoped Jesus would have been their Rescuer, but since He wasn't, they went back to waiting the way they'd always waited, with feasts, celebrations, and traditions?

I included The Passion Translation, because I love the commentary this version provided. In the Old Testament, a pillar of fire led God's people of Israel out of the bondage of Egypt and into His promise of freedom and land. This would have been a story retold for centuries. Jewish people knew it well. In Acts 2, the pillar of fire returned only this time its purpose was to lead God's people out of the bondage of Law and into the freedom of relationship through His Spirit. 

Now, though, this story isn't just for Israel. It is for all people. It is for me, and it is for you! The pillar of fire separated into tongues of fire and engulfed each person. This was new and different, y'all. 

You will praise the name of the LORD your God, who has dealt wondrously with you. My people will never again be put to shame. You will know that I am present in Israel and that I am the LORD your God, and there is no other. My people will never again be put to shame. After this I will pour out my Spirit on all humanity; then your sons and your daughters will prophesy, your old men will have dreams, and your young men will see visions. I will even pour out my Spirit on the male and female slaves in those days. I will display wonders in the heavens and on the earth. (Joel 2:26-30)

God was doing a new thing, but He'd told them He'd do it through the prophet Joel! They just hadn't expected it would happen in this way. Still, the power of God fell. And, it was for every, single one. 

Pentecost reminds us that God has invited all to His table, His family, through the finished work of Jesus Christ. What had been known only to His chosen people, Israel, has been made available to all through the power of His Spirit living and dwelling in us. 

Our journey with the resurrected Jesus has brought us to this point where we realize the journey doesn't actually end. Fear and confusion, sadness and disappointment, unmet expectation will persist on this earth, but He is with us through His Spirit. We may continue to see dimly at times, but His Spirit reminds us that we are not alone. Powerful, right? 

So, journey on in the power Christ's life, death, and resurrection provided. 

... In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:37-39)

Journeying with the Resurrected Jesus with Vision

 They came near the village where they were going, and he gave the impression that he was going farther. But they urged him, "Stay with us, because it's almost evening, and now the day is almost over." So he went in to stay with them. It was as he reclined at the table with them that he took the break, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him, but he disappeared from their sight. They said to each other, "Weren't our hearts burning within us while he was talking with us on the road and explaining the Scriptures to us?" That very hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem. They found the Eleven and those with them gathered together, who said, "The Lord has truly been raised and has appeared to Simon!" Then they began to describe what had happened on the road and how he was made known to them in the breaking of the bread. 

Luke 24:28-35

Every time I read this story, I notice something else in the wording. There are little nuggets of surprise in all of the details. Today, I have been struck by the reality that these two disciples had an awakening with the true, living, resurrected Jesus. This moment is where their lives changed forever. What they saw at the table could not be unseen, and I want moments like this in my own life. 

But, what really happened there? 

How did these disciples suddenly recognize Jesus when they'd been walking with Him in disappointment, confusion, and fear for miles? 

Why did they suddenly make a connection at the table? 

I want to know the answers to these questions so badly. I do! I want to answer them with certainty, and then make the connections to my own life so that I never miss the resurrected Jesus in my own circumstances. That is an impossibility. 

We can study this awakening, though. We can look at the details we know and uncover clues to the vision Jesus' disciples were suddenly granted. 

The obvious clue I see is that Jesus began to do what they'd seen Him do many times in His ministry. The Passion Translation says, Joining them at the table, he took bread and blessed it and broke it, then gave it to them. (verse 30)

I wish I had an actual count of how many times those words are written through the Gospels. This is what Jesus did! He provided. He blessed. And, He served. When the disciples from the road to Emmaus saw Jesus doing something they'd seen Him do before, they recognized Him. 

That recognition removed the veil from their eyes immediately. Then, they were able to look back at their journey on the road with clarity and vision. They knew they'd suspected something different about Him. Their "hearts were burning" as He spoke. But, they'd missed the reality of His presence, because Jesus wasn't doing anything they expected and nothing they recognized. Until He did.... 

I wonder what would have happened on the road if the disciples had trusted the fire they felt inside of them. If their hearts were burning as Jesus shared scripture, I wonder what they were doing with that fire. I am so curious to know what they were telling themselves that caused them to ignore what was being ignited in their spirit. 

Whatever it was, it hindered real vision.  

Still, I love the kindness and patience of our God. There was no rush to an awakening. Jesus joined the disciples on their journey. He didn't push. He didn't belittle them or disqualify them because of their lack of understanding. He was simply with them. 

Emmanuel, God with us. That is our Jesus!

I think most days I walk my own Emmaus Road journey. I trust Jesus is walking with me even though I experience sadness, confusion, and even fear. Unfortunately, there are times I don't recognize Him or what He is doing. He doesn't push. He doesn't rush me into understanding. He reminds me of Truths in Scripture. He stays with me and never leaves me. Then, as I sit in His presence, He shows me the reality of who He is. Revelation. He reminds me of what He accomplished through the cross. Awakening. He does this in a variety of ways over and over and over again. 

It's beautiful! Well, first it's as uncomfortable as it seems to have been for these disciples. Then, it's beautiful. 

I was listening to a podcast this week and the speaker said, "If I could ask for only one gift from God for the rest of my life it would be revelation." I have spent so much time thinking about these words. Without revelation (vision), we can't rightly understand God's Word, our experiences, or His direction through Holy Spirit. It seems sadness, confusion, and fear might always precede this kind of revelation and awakening. Can we hold on to our faith in the discomfort knowing a deeper understanding is on its way? 

God revealed Himself through Jesus Christ, and I want to experience new revelations of who He is until the day I step into eternity and finally see Him clearly. I will see with certainty then. For now, I want to sit in His presence asking to see with curiosity, with expectation, and with trust. I'm sure the vision and awakening will follow. 

Whatever the revelation-light exposes, it will also correct, and everything that reveals truth is light to the soul. This is why this Scripture says, "Wake up, you sleeper! Rise up from your coffin and the Anointed One will shine his light into you!" 

Ephesians 5:14 (TPT)

Journeying with Resurrected Jesus in Fear

 Moreover, some women from our group astounded us. They arrived early at the tomb, and when they didn't find his body, they came and reported they had seen a vision of angels who said he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they didn't see him.  Luke 24:22-24

These verses were included in last week's post. However, I pulled them out to look again. I imagine these women were full of fear as they stood near the tomb to find Jesus was missing but angels were present. In my life, fear has proven worthy of its own week of study. As much as I hate to admit it, fear has informed many of my decisions, perspectives, and general well-being. 

In his book, Voices of the Heart, Chip Dodd explained that there are 7 human emotions/feelings. These feelings are gifts because they help us live fully alive in a broken world. Each feeling offers us a benefit if we'll receive it. In other words, if we will pay attention to our feelings and ask God to show us what we can learn from them, our life will be enhanced. However, if we ignore them, our lives will be impaired.

The gift of fear is wisdom and faith. Giving fear its rightful space in our lives offers protection to us. It will teach us to plan and prepare with God. A healthy fear takes us right to Creator God. We get to express our fear, offer it back to Him, and release all control of outcomes. In that space, fear loses its power over us. On the other hand, when we don't listen to and pay attention to our fear with God, it's no longer a gift. The impairment of fear is anxiety. In an anxious state, we tend to seek our own control of outcomes. I have some first-hand experience here, and it's a tough way to live. 

In nearly every place in scripture where angels arrive, the beginning of their message is, "Don't be afraid." It occurs to me that the only reason this message would be repeated so often is because the appearance of angels was in fact scary. I don't think it is a stretch to assume the women were scared when they arrived early at the tomb to care for the body of Jesus but found He was gone and angels were there instead. 

Today, I don't want to belabor any point, because the message seems pretty clear. Even when we are intent on following Jesus, life is going to offer fear-filled experiences. I have no doubt God could have made a way for the first followers to learn of Jesus' resurrection that didn't involve surprise, unexpected, scary visitors. But, He didn't. These disciples had to experience fear, and we will too. 

I'm writing this post in the early moments of Mother's Day. I have faced no other role that offers me as many opportunities to let fear turn to anxiety than my role as a mother. Genuine love switches to anxiety and control in my heart fast. As it turns out, though, children (of any age) don't really feel loved when they detect they're being controlled. OK, BUT.... often they show up with friends, or circumstances, or words, or plans that look just as scary to me as the angels in Jesus' empty tomb must have looked to the women who arrived on resurrection Sunday. As their mom, I feel like freaking out is an appropriate response. Out of care for these people I love so much, certainly God would want me to manipulate and control so that the scary friends, circumstances, words, and plans go away. FAR away! Surely my job as their mother requires me to hold on for dear life until everyone cooperates with the safer arrangements I can make. 

Or, these fear-filled moments are invitations to open up my grip, offer the fear to God, and rest in His care. He knows the outcomes and I do not. All I can really know in the present is that He is here with me. He is with the people I love. And, His ways are better than my ways. When I sit with open hands, my heart might still experience fear. Trusting God in that fear grows a faith that leads to wisdom. 

We've taken a slight break from the Emmaus Road in order to return to the tomb where fear may have had a chance to grow into anxiety. We've taken another look in order to offer a healthier way to manage fear. 

I wonder if there's a situation in your life right now that deserves another look. Maybe this post offers an invitation to return to a previous event that was a bit scary. Could you look at it in a new way? Is God inviting you to open your grip, offer it to Him, and let go your need for safe and manageable outcomes? 

Life is an adventure! The best adventures include a little fear. What looks scary to you today? Maybe it's the thing sent to announce Jesus' presence. Like the angels, it may present in a way that creates fear. But, He is not dead. He is alive! Therefore, what causes us fear can be handled by Him. Our solution to the giant fears is to simply let go. 

I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed.

Psalm 34:4-5 

Journeying with Resurrected Jesus in Confusion

 "Moreover, some women from our group astounded us. They arrived early at the tomb, and when they didn't find his body, they came and reported that they had seen a vision of angels who said he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they didn't see him." He said to them, "How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Wasn't it necessary for the Messiah to suffer these things and enter into his glory?" Then beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted for them the things concerning himself in all the Scriptures. They came near the village where they were going, and he gave the impression that he was going farther.  Luke 24:22-28

There is no other way for me to begin this post without telling you how much I really enjoy knowing what is going on. I like it! It's comfortable. It makes me feel safe. 

The obvious flip side of that statement is that I very much do not enjoy not knowing what is going on. I tend to be uncomfortable with questions and uncertainty. It feels unsettling. 

Right after the disciples on the road to Emmaus shared their disappointment with Jesus they went on to communicate confusion. Not only had Jesus died three days earlier shattering all of their hopes that He would save them from oppression, they'd been told He was missing from the grave. The women who shared this news didn't seem to know where He was, but they did say angels were present and said Jesus was alive. 

In this particular moment, it feels like that last piece of news would have created more questions than answers. 

When I consider the seasons of my life heavily marked with confusion, I remember them as times of living with so many questions, uncertainty of all kinds, a pile-up of unknowns. This seems like what was going on with the disciples on the road. Doesn't it read like they are listing one disappointment after another until finally this mystery of His whereabouts? They were overwhelmed with confusing information and trying to figure it all out as they walked.

For the first time, Jesus answered with acknowledgement of the disciples' foolishness. He confronted them with their lack of belief or slowness to believe. Then, it seems He pieced together the full story of the Gospel from the very beginning. He included all of the pieces that pointed to Himself in Scripture and rightly interpreted for them. They still did not get it!

And now, I'm confused! How did they not understand as Jesus put this story together for them? What could have been the problem? Why didn't they see and fully understand?

I can only guess here, but I believe it was impossible for them to see the Truth without the physical understanding of the presence of Jesus. He was the missing puzzle piece that made the rest of the image unclear. You and I can't understand their confusion, because we know the rest of the story. They weren't there yet. Without the last puzzle piece sliding into position, these two disciples were overwhelmed with the kind of uncertainty that affected their faith. They were trying so hard to understand what couldn't be understood. Yet!

Lately, I've been convicted that my deep desire to have all the answers, every piece of every puzzle, right now is idolatry. I'm so addicted to certainty and trying so hard to figure everything out, but in this human body I have to live with a lot of mystery. With my whole heart, I believe Jesus did raise from the dead. He lives! That reality brings me peace. However, there are still a lot of puzzle pieces missing from my personal story. 

How do we live fully alive in the middle of mystery and uncertainty? I believe we must stop trying to figure out the details of what we don't know, and we focus on what we know. 

We know we have a powerful God who created us and loves us. 

We know He has a plan for our flourishing.

We know there will be trouble and difficulty in this world.

We know that Jesus overcame all of it, and one day we will live with Him in complete victory. 

We know that God is with us through the power of the Holy Spirit, so we will face nothing alone. 

Could that be enough? 

When I put puzzles together, I start with the edges, completing the outside square or rectangle before moving inside to all of the rough patches and scenes. When one spot gets too frustrating, I move to another spot. All of the work is done inside the frame. The outer edge is always secure while I work out the messes in the middle. 

Our frame, foundation, is certain and secure. When we run up against a confusing situation, ones we can't figure out, I believe it's imperative to return to the things that we know to be true, right, and sure. Our faith is in a trustworthy God, so we can rest (even in mystery) with Him. 

There is a divine mystery - a secret surprise that has been concealed from the world for generations, but now it's being revealed, unfolds and manifested for every holy believer to experience. Living within you is theChrist who floods you with the expectation of glory! The mystery of Christ, embedded within us, becomes a heavenly treasure chest of hope filled with the riches of glory for his people, and God wants everyone to know it!  

Colossians 1:26-27 (TPT)