Day 60 · Year 1 · The Story of Scripture
Their eyes were opened
Sometimes Jesus is closer to you than you can see.
Today's passage
Luke 24:30-32
30While He was reclining at the table with them, He took bread, spoke a blessing and broke it, and gave it to them.
31Then their eyes were opened and they recognized Jesus—and He disappeared from their sight.
32They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us as He spoke with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”
Berean Standard Bible · public domain
Reflection
Two heartbroken disciples walk away from Jerusalem assuming the story is over. The risen Christ joins them on the road, and they do not recognize him. He opens the Scriptures to them; their hearts burn. He breaks bread; their eyes open. He is present long before they see it. If you have been walking a road of disappointment lately, it is not unbiblical to wonder where Jesus is. It is also worth saying: he has often been closer than you knew. Watch for the moment your heart burns.
From the great tradition · paraphrased
J. I. Packer · Modern · 20th c. · England/Canada
J. I. Packer taught that knowing God personally is the whole point of theology — that the Christ who burned in those disciples' hearts is the same Christ who still meets people through his Word and his Supper.
Paraphrase only. Scripture, not any teacher, is the authority.
Think it through
- What were the disciples doing when they finally recognized Jesus?
- What did they realize about the walk in retrospect?
- Where might Jesus have been closer than you realized in this past season?
A prayer to pray
Ask the risen Christ to open your eyes to where he has been with you on the road — and to keep your heart burning at his Word.