Before concluding my series about "Roads of the Bible", I need to look at one more angle. So far this week we have thought about road blocks and detours that may require us to change our course, keeping our peripheral vision going by paying attention wo what is alongside the road, slow moving vehicles in our path that may be carrying very important cargo and noticing modes of transport different from ours, i.e.the donkey that was carrying Jesus. There are other signifcant roads to ponder such as the Road to Damascus where Saul became Paul, or the road that led to the Jordan river and would have ended had the priests not had enough faith to keep going even to the point of getting their sandals wet before the river parted to reveal God's road under the water. But I think the road I would like to look at this morning is the Emmaus road in Luke chapter 24:
"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. 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. 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?" "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. 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." He said to them, "How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?" And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus acted as if he were going farther. But they urged him strongly, "Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over." 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, 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?"
I entered the entire passage here because although we live in a day and age where it is not safe to pick up strangers along the road, there are those who will travel with us along the road for a time and impart very important data into our lives. Allowing someone to ride along with us on our journey could change our lives forever. It is my prayer that my heart will burn within me continuously and that I will recognize that God goes with me along my road. Now that is awesome heartburn that Rolaids won't touch.
Showing posts with label roads. Show all posts
Showing posts with label roads. Show all posts
Friday, May 15, 2009
Thursday, May 14, 2009
More than geography
In Matthew chapter 21 we find another significant road. It is the road between Bethphage and Jerusalem. Jesus traveled that road one day in a triumphant procession. We read the Palm Sunday account and find that His vehicle was a donkey. It would do us good today to ponder who may have traveled on the road we are on. It is also important to understand that the mode of transport, whether it is a car, bicycle, donkey, or on foot each offer a different perspective of the trip. I enjoy traveling on roads that I know were traveled by by ancestors. The road serves not only as a link from one location to another but also a link to prior generations. I remember walking on the streets of Rome and pondering the signifcance that the Apostle Paul may have walked that same spot. When we are on the road, there is much more than simple geography going on.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Make a hole !
1 Samuel 6:12 "Then the cows went straight up toward Beth Shemesh, keeping on the road and lowing all the way; they did not turn to the right or to the left. The rulers of the Philistines followed them as far as the border of Beth Shemesh."
So far this week I have blogged about road blocks and significance on the side of the road and today I want to visit the subject of signifcant things on the road with us. How easily we are frustrated by something moving slowly on the road. We tend to be in a hurry and it is almost like we expect everyone else to either move at our pace or get out of the way. I remember my early days in the army as a senior officer would come down the hall, someone would yell, "Make a hole !" and we would all get out of the center and clear the path for the "important" person to maintain his pace. In the case of this Bible account, the cows in the road were pulling a cart with a very important cargo. The ark of the covenant was headed to its correct place. Never in history past, or present have cows been asked to carry such important cargo.
As you encounter others on "your" road today, be aware that they might just be on the most important task of their lives and the cargo they deliver could be the most important thing in your life.
So far this week I have blogged about road blocks and significance on the side of the road and today I want to visit the subject of signifcant things on the road with us. How easily we are frustrated by something moving slowly on the road. We tend to be in a hurry and it is almost like we expect everyone else to either move at our pace or get out of the way. I remember my early days in the army as a senior officer would come down the hall, someone would yell, "Make a hole !" and we would all get out of the center and clear the path for the "important" person to maintain his pace. In the case of this Bible account, the cows in the road were pulling a cart with a very important cargo. The ark of the covenant was headed to its correct place. Never in history past, or present have cows been asked to carry such important cargo.
As you encounter others on "your" road today, be aware that they might just be on the most important task of their lives and the cargo they deliver could be the most important thing in your life.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Peripheral awareness
My blog topic this week is "Roads". Yesterday I wrote about blocked roads and the changes in plans that come with life and today I want to focus on what is happening alongside of the road. Many communities exist beside the road. One such community in the Bible is the town of Shiloh, on the east side of the road that goes from Bethel to Shechem. Both of these towns have huge significance. However, if we are only forward focused, we might pass by Shiloh and miss a great festival of the Lord. The significance of Shiloh is the presence of the Temple and the Ark of the Covenant that was there for many years. It was the Center of God's presence. What a tragedy it would be if we, in our desire for "destination", missed the "journey" which was God's point all along.
"But look, there is the annual festival of the Lord in Shiloh, to the north of Bethel, and east of the road that goes from Bethel to Shechem, and to the south of Lebonah." - Judges 21:19
God has provided us peripheral vision so that we are aware of what is going on alongside of the road.
"But look, there is the annual festival of the Lord in Shiloh, to the north of Bethel, and east of the road that goes from Bethel to Shechem, and to the south of Lebonah." - Judges 21:19
God has provided us peripheral vision so that we are aware of what is going on alongside of the road.
Monday, May 11, 2009
Road Block
My theme this week in the blogs is "Roads of the Bible". There are lessons to be learned on the roads of life. The weary nation of Israel was needing to pass through the nation of Edom in Numbers chapter 20.
Numbers 20:17-21 Please let us pass through your country. We will not go through any field or vineyard, or drink water from any well. We will travel along the king's highway and not turn to the right or to the left until we have passed through your territory." 18 But Edom answered: "You may not pass through here; if you try, we will march out and attack you with the sword." 19 The Israelites replied: "We will go along the main road, and if we or our livestock drink any of your water, we will pay for it. We only want to pass through on foot-- nothing else." 20 Again they answered: "You may not pass through." Then Edom came out against them with a large and powerful army. 21 Since Edom refused to let them go through their territory, Israel turned away from them.
Life can become really difficult when we encounter road blocks. Tresspassing on roads that do not belong to us is dangerous. We take roads for granted . We expect that they will be maintained and we complain when there is "Road construction" slowing us down. But when we are denied access to the good road, forcing us to go around another way, we have to deal with it.
Our options are limited:
We can sneak through, which is a dangerous option that requires breaking the law.
We can negotiate safe passage through some kind of agreement.
or
We can simply go around another way.
Life today will present us with road blocks. Many times, God has an alternate route from the norm for us because He wants us to encounter something or someone either with a need or a provision. Refusal on our part to change our plan could mean missing a divine appointment.
The straight road to heaven through the cross of Jesus Christ is open. It can only be used by the vehicle of faith, And in the case of heaven, there is no other way around.
Numbers 20:17-21 Please let us pass through your country. We will not go through any field or vineyard, or drink water from any well. We will travel along the king's highway and not turn to the right or to the left until we have passed through your territory." 18 But Edom answered: "You may not pass through here; if you try, we will march out and attack you with the sword." 19 The Israelites replied: "We will go along the main road, and if we or our livestock drink any of your water, we will pay for it. We only want to pass through on foot-- nothing else." 20 Again they answered: "You may not pass through." Then Edom came out against them with a large and powerful army. 21 Since Edom refused to let them go through their territory, Israel turned away from them.
Life can become really difficult when we encounter road blocks. Tresspassing on roads that do not belong to us is dangerous. We take roads for granted . We expect that they will be maintained and we complain when there is "Road construction" slowing us down. But when we are denied access to the good road, forcing us to go around another way, we have to deal with it.
Our options are limited:
We can sneak through, which is a dangerous option that requires breaking the law.
We can negotiate safe passage through some kind of agreement.
or
We can simply go around another way.
Life today will present us with road blocks. Many times, God has an alternate route from the norm for us because He wants us to encounter something or someone either with a need or a provision. Refusal on our part to change our plan could mean missing a divine appointment.
The straight road to heaven through the cross of Jesus Christ is open. It can only be used by the vehicle of faith, And in the case of heaven, there is no other way around.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
