“Jesus himself drew near and went with them.” Luke 24:53
These two guys had been on whirlwind, and nothing went as they expected it to go. Their beloved teacher Jesus was brutally and unjustly murdered by their church leaders and their hated oppressors. Now these two men were petrified those same leaders were going to come after them because of the relationship with Jesus. And now it was three days later and it seemed nothing had changed. This isn’t what they pictured and it sure wasn’t what they wanted. Where was the Jewish revolution? Why was Caesar still in power? And Jesus was dead??!! He had seemed so believable. But now they were sad – truly devastated . Everything seemed to be a lie, and Jesus had seemed so sincere.
So, Jesus found them – even as they doubted Him – as they talked back and forth trying to make sense of it all. And how did Jesus approach them? Did he yell at them for doubting and chastise them? No. Did he shame them and say how disappointed He is. No. Did He give the silent treatment and withhold affection. No. Jesus does the most shocking thing of all.
“Jesus himself drew near and went with them.” Luke 24:53. What?? Wait a minute. He did what? And then He does even more. He asks them for their thoughts on what happened. And then He listens for a response. Jesus spent His limited hours after his Resurrection walking and listening to these two men. Jesus asks them to explain to Him all that has happened. What was it like for them to explain everything to a guy who acted like He had been asleep for the last three years? It had to be a bit cathartic to explain it from the beginning to someone who seemed to have no outside experience or opinion. They would have probably said the facts with a little bit of their impressions and personal experiences and feelings. And Jesus simply walked with them and listened.
Don’t you wonder why? Why would He take the time to listen? Was it to show them how much He loved them by just being with them? Was it because they loved Him and prayed earnestly to have answers. Was it because one day I would need the encouragement it offered to be reminded that Jesus is with me too in my struggles and when life gets hard.
Because really, how often does Jesus draw near and go with me? Always. 🙂
These men were hurting, scared, and confused. Think back to a time when you felt like that. What types of things were going through your mind? Were you looking for a way out to end the suffering you were feeling? Were you leaving town to get away? These two guys were. But as they left the scene of their turmoil, God went with them — literally. As these guys ran, they talked to each other over all the events that set them on the run. And then this guy shows up and asks them to repeat to him all the things that have just happened. Their first reaction was to be still and sad, and then they told him – everything.
Isn’t that just like us beloved, afraid to share the very things that God already knows? Just like He invited the two guys to share, He invites us. You, me, and all people. Will you accept His invitation and tell Him what happened and your feelings to the only One who cares perfectly and completely.
And then Jesus let them see who He really was. Why do you think He waited for the big reveal? How come He let them tell their story, a story He lived and knew better that they did?
What did Jesus do next? Did He chastise them? Correct the parts of the story they got wrong? Interrupt them. No, none of these things. He listened to it all!!!! This is the real Jesus – nothing on His agenda after raising from the dead except for listening to these two guys pour out their hearts.
Why? Because He loved them, He met them in their pain by showing that love through listening and then gently reminding them who He really was, the Savior of the whole world risen from the dead.
Wow! A Savior Who sacrifices His life and then still takes the time to listen and remind you that His words are all true.