DAY 127

OPENNED EYES

2 Kings 1, 2& 3 and Luke 24:1 – 35

Today another set of powerful stories to engage.

Seeing them clearly, with “open eyes” you might say, is always a challenge.

The first thing I want us to see is Elijah. Consider, when Jesus was transfigured on the mountain, who did the disciples see with Him? The answer is Moses and Elijah. We have read much about Moses, and you may not realize it, but we have been reading about Elijah. Sometimes with all the “kings stuff” going on it is easy to not appreciate how great a prophet Elijah was – the reading today certainly reveals this fact. Elijah is the second person in the Bible to not die; rather he is taken up into heaven, in a fiery chariot no less! [As a reminder, one other person, Enoch (Genesis 5:24) did not die and was taken up.]

The second item is the Resurrection. Seeing this clearly is a challenge. It certainly was for the disciples.  We read Luke’s account today. If you have attended Easter Day in church you are probably familiar with this story. You no doubt have had someone point out to you the woman were the first find the empty tomb – Mary Magdalene is sometimes called the “apostle to the apostles.” The word “apostle” means messenger and so she was the “messenger to the messengers.” They of course do not believe her. Indeed many people seem to not be able to recognize Him in these post-Resurrection encounters. I normally try and remind myself how hard it is for many today to accept that Jesus is Risen!

The third situation I hope to point you towards is the story of the people on the road to Emmaus. It is a wonderful engaging story. People walking with Jesus and not knowing it, all the while full of news about what has taken place – the Resurrection. Jesus is “all ears” as He listens and then explains. After a little prodding, Jesus stays for dinner. There is an interesting play on words – “they ate…and their eyes were opened.” Where have you read that before? Does it sound familiar? If I said Genesis 3 would that trigger your memory? In the Garden, Adam and Eve ate the fruit and their eyes were opened.

They were opened; opened to pain, sorrow, and even death; they not only saw it, they lived it. The story would not only be told over and over, it would be experienced. And that is Luke’s point. That night at the breaking of the bread their eyes were opened; opened to the reality that pain, sorrow, and yes even death, had been defeated. They immediately ran to tell the others and we have not only been retelling, but I pray reliving, the story over and over.