Luke 24:13–17 As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from recognising him.’ (vv15–16)
Pilgrimage means a journey towards a significant destination and involves an intention, a decision, and a setting out. Here two disciples, confused and despondent, walk home to Emmaus. A stranger joins them, essential to every pilgrimage.
This third pilgrim is the principle force for movement; from where I am to where I need to be. Motives are always questionable, but our heart, as with these disciples, is focused on understanding more of God.
Motives are less important than movement in search of God. We’d do well to resist questioning, even judging, the motives of others and take time to pray that they will truly encounter God in their search for hope.
Walking, they receive a fresh perspective and now discern the risen Christ in the breaking of bread.
Pilgrimage is always to travel from what I know towards what I have yet to learn. It demands that I disturb my body, mind and spirit to search for fresh revelation to move me from habitual patterns of thought and action.
Jesus opens the entire Scripture, being present in both person and Word. We too often fail to recognise God’s presence through not reading Scripture.
Walking they receive a fresh perspective and now discern the risen Christ in the breaking of bread. Their welcome hospitality created the space for their growth which empowered them to reframe their current experience and context.
Familiarity can, like Bilbo Baggins, trap us in the Shire country, when all the while God is inviting us on an adventure that will reframe our understanding and self-awareness. We can only discover who we are through the rigours of pilgrimage.
SCRIPTURE TO CONSIDER:
Ps. 119:105–112; Mic. 6:3–8; Luke 24:13–35; 2 Cor. 5:1–10.
AN ACTION TO TAKE:
Are you stuck in the Shire? You may know where you are, but the movement of
God’s Spirit calls you on a journey to gain a fresh perspective on both your experience and context.
A PRAYER TO MAKE:
‘Lord, as I take time to journey with You, may my heart burn within me
as I discover more of Your reality in the Scriptures. Amen.’
Photo by Armin Rimoldi on Pexels
