Encounter

8 October 2022

Luke 24:19–27 ‘But we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive.’ (vv21–23)

The despondent disciples had the reports that Jesus was alive, not only from the women, but also confirmed by those who rushed off to check this unusual report. However, knowledge is of little use if we don’t know what to do with it. We can be told the resurrection story, yet still never find our way into friendship with God.

This demands a decision; these two had decided this report could not be true. It lay beyond their experience leaving them unable to perceive something this astonishing might have happened. It’s a reminder to us all to remain curious in our faith at all times.

The gospel stories are already written; words on a page handed down in a variety of forms. Many have found great comfort in them. Yet, mental assent to God’s truth will never lead to an encounter with Him. It’s like becoming a world-renowned expert on the theory of friendship, yet having no friends to talk about it with.

The Christian life is a building site, and there’s much to be deconstructed to ensure that any new building is fit for purpose and will endure all weathers. If we mix the wrong elements in the hope that we might establish something that lasts, we shall be disappointed, for only God can supply the appropriate building materials. Once revelation influenced their knowledge, they were enabled to encounter Christ. Starting out in the wrong direction, they suddenly found God and swiftly retraced their steps back to Jerusalem.