Please read our focus Scripture before beginning: Luke 24:13-35.
Do you know what I love?
A human interest story. One that’s compelling and provocative and full of cutting edge drama. It will grab me every time, whether headlined on the cable news’ networks or on an internet website or splashed across the front page of the local newspaper. I’m a person who loves a catchy headline and one who will almost invariably lean in for a closer look.
Do you know what I love even more than a great human interest story?
A human interest story that is relayed to me by a live witness—a carrier of the truth as it was personally seen and, sometimes, lived out first hand. There is always an element of deeply rooted passion portrayed through an eyewitness account, allowing me a portion of an “in the moment” kind of understanding that cannot be gleaned through second-hand testimony.
I ran across one of these stories the other day. By the time I had finished reading, my heart was pounding and my tears were pouring. I clearly was in the moment as I read, understanding that I had been allowed a walk upon a small portion of sacred ground that belonged to someone I’ve never met, but someone who allowed me a window’s peek into her soul.
I love that, don’t you? Isn’t it a great privilege when we can walk away from a moment, realizing that we are better off because of the pilgrimage?
I think it’s a profound gift of God to be allowed such moments. And while there are always plenty of human interest stories to catch my attention, there are but a few that seed something further in me…something deeper and lasting, reminding me of my fond attachment to the human spirit that houses the eternal Spirit of the living God. When this happens…
I am changed for the better.
Life changed for the better for two people who took to an Emmaus road some 2000 years ago in search of some clarity. Some answers. Some thread of truth woven into the story they had just witnessed. They found the Truth. They didn’t recognize him, but they walked the better part of seven miles with him as they listened to his version of the truth.
He chided them for their lack of remembrance and asked them to recall a few prophetic things that had been said about him; things taught to them in their youth by the teachers of the Law and things taught to them in their maturity by this One who now walked alongside them in anonymity. Things about…
A serpent’s belly crawl and the heel splitting crush that would be exacted upon his head (Genesis 3:15).
A scepter that would not depart from Judah and about a donkey and a vine and robe dipped in the blood of grapes (Genesis 49:10-12).
A throne and a forever kingdom, floggings and an enduring love that would outlast the scorn of a whip and the disdain of a people (2 Samuel 7:12-14).
A virgin birth and a son named Immanuel (Isaiah 7:14).
A Wonderful Counselor, a Mighty God, an Everlasting Father, a Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6-7).
A precious cornerstone laid in Zion (Isaiah 28:16).
A tender shoot lacking beauty and majesty and summarily despised and rejected by men (Isaiah 53:2-5).
A new, inward covenant of grace to replace the old, outward law (Jeremiah 31:31-34).
A Bethlehem birth (Micah 5:2).
A Palm Sunday’s arrival (Zechariah 9:9).
A betrayal lined with thirty pieces of silver (Zechariah 11:12).
A criminal’s death (Isaiah 53:12).
A third day resurrection (Matthew 12:40; Mark 8:31; John 2:19).
A few things like that; partial and incomplete, but things I believe to be included in their conversation that day on that occasioned walk from utter desperation to renewed hope. Can you feel their pulse quicken even as you read? Can you feel yours?
You should, and here’s why.
These aren’t just idle words, my friends. These are you life (Deuteronomy 32:47). This is your history, spoken to you by an Eyewitness who was there. By One who partook of each and every occasion because “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning” (John 1:1-2).
He was in the “then” as it was happening. He is in the “now” as we are reading and recalling the faith of generations past. His Word is alive and active and accomplishing his work in us, even when we remain unaware of its effectual power. His Spirit lives in us, testifying to the truth of all that has happened, and He is reliable because of his abiding presence in all of history.
He spoke the first Word of creation’s sentence, and he will punctuate it with his blessed and eternal Amen when he so chooses. And because He Is, his story levels as the most compelling human interest story that will ever be read. We don’t have to take someone else’s word in the matter. We can simply take his. Right now. In this very moment, as we walk to the table of grace to share in fellowship with our Lord.
A table set with the Word of God is a table set for deep and lasting communion with the Creator of our hearts.
I don’t know about you, but my heart is burning within for the truth of who my God is. He is compelling. He is provocative. He is cutting edge, and he is definitely worth my leaning in for a closer look. And whenever I’m allowed a soul’s peek into the sacred understanding of my Father’s heart, I am always and eternally…
changed for the better. Thus I pray…
Keep me to your Word, Father, and stretch my mind and my heart for a deeper embrace of your truth. Teach me my spiritual history by reminding me of all that’s been said about you through Moses and the prophets and the glorious revelation of the New Testament’s scripting. Thank you for your abiding Holy Spirit who enables me to understand you more and who puts voice to the witness of the story that has become my everlasting portion and my sure and final forever. You are the greatest “read” of my life. Amen.
Copyright © September 2008 – Elaine Olsen. All rights reserved.
PS: For those of you who would like to read the “compelling story” that I spoke about above, please visit LauraLee at her blog LauraLee’s Lifesong and her post, “Remember Glory.” She is a fabulous writer, and this story is an incredible read. Shalom.
Oh that His Spirit would enable me to understand more of Him. That is my prayer always! Thank you also for sharing LauraLee’s story. What a blessing…what a reality check.
In his Graces~Pamela
Oh that present or foresight sight were always 20/20! So often I have recognized the Lord’s presence or providence long after His touch; sometimes as long as months or years.
I long for that moment-by-moment recognition. He truly gives my life story both plot and poignancy.
Be blessed, today and always!
Kathleen
Oh, Elaine! I just love the way you open my eyes to new ways of looking at familiar scriptures. As I have said before, the road to Emmaus is one of my all time faves. But I have never thought of it as a human interest story! But I’m like you, I drive my husband crazy when we’re watching the big game on tv and I ask questions about the lives of the players. I just love when those commentators share stories about them! I will never read these verses the same way now. Thank you, my friend!
Elaine, I have just come back from reading LauraLee’s story and posting a comment. THANK YOU for directing us there. Do you know what I love? I love your heart. This is not the first time you’ve directed your readers elsewhere. You are always looking for ways to bless others. Your humility is beautiful. Sending you a big hug!
Your post here is a treasure too! It is always a privilege to visit here and walk away from the moment realizing I am better off because of this pilgrimage. Time is never wasted sitting at His feet here. My life is changed.
His Word is alive and active in You. Thank you for sharing your journey,
Joy
You are a fabulouse writer! Your blog today touched me and again was one I needed to read! Thank you! Thank you for all the work you put into it as well:)
Elaine, You have brought me to tears. My mother’s story still completely blows me away, and my prayer has always been that many people would be blessed by it. I’m kind of out of pocket with the hurricane right now, and we have some friends from the Houston area at our house, but let me assure you, I am moved by your response and many others as well. Thank you so much for continuing to minister to me, dear lady, and to so many others as well. You’re a blessing.
I love speculating what exactly Jesus said to those two men. Thank you for giving me a new look at this story, and at our Lord. I pray with you for that incredible insight into His holy Word. Blessings to you, dear friend.
Oh, yes, Elaine! I read Laura Lee’s tribute to her mother through tear-brimmed eyes.
And praise God that His Word is not idle but living and active! (And, cutting edge!) 🙂
PS: Tag; you’re it! Check out http://purewells.blogspot.com/2008/09/tagged-eight-random-facts-about-me.html for details. 🙂
Seek his face, his word, and be changed for the better…
changed for the better…
it will carry me the rest of today…thanks, Elaine!!
Thanks for sharing the link, I’m going now to check it out. You are a blessing!
Your words, Elaine, as always, are beautiful.
You know that I am a very visual learner, and your words reminded me of a touching scene in the movie Dead Poet’s Society. Here is the link to it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ppqb0t_B0KY
God bless you friend!
Amy:)
Thank you for your heart in these posts.
I don’t often stick around blogs that seem to offer “a word” all the time.It seems like after awhile they are trying to draw readership instead of just putting out there what God is teaching them.
But…I am still here. That means there is depth and that draws me.
I pray God continues to hide you behind the cross. That is a phase that the pastor at the church we are attending uses when he prays before he preaches. I think it is something we can all pray for each other.
Love ya sister