Word@Work Luke358 - Luke 24:30-32
Published: Tue, 05/17/11
Word@Work from BeaconLight
JESUS IS THE HOST
Luke 24:30-32 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognised him, and he disappeared from their sight. They asked each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?" (NIV)
Inviting someone to your home, the expectation is that you are the host and your friend is the guest. These are two different roles, one to give with generosity and one to receive with thanks.
Two disciples had walked back from Jerusalem in Jesus' company (although they did not realise it was Jesus). On the road, He explained the Scriptures prophesying the life and death of the Messiah, and that He had to rise from the dead. What He said made sense to them and they wanted Him to stay the night at their home. However, halfway through the meal Jesus changed role - from being the guest to being the host. He took the bread and broke it ... just as He had at the Last Supper. At that moment they recognised who He was. And as soon as they knew who they had been with and welcomed into their home ... He simply disappeared. But the memory of the conversation stayed with them, as did the shared personal reaction to hearing His explanation of the cross and resurrection. They described it like a 'burning in their heart'.
The truth has an extraordinary ability to evoke a strong personal reaction; either positively as we agree with it, negatively as we try to deny it, or it burns its way into our conscience. Truth refuses to go away when we try to ignore it (which is one of the ways we know it is true!). When people want to hear what the Bible has to say about Jesus and themselves, ignoring it is not a long term option. In the same way that the household in Emmaus was only satisfied when they realised that Jesus was speaking to them, those who are concerned about truth will only be fulfilled when they welcome the Saviour. When that happens, they find that He is not a passive guest, or helper or even advisor. When Jesus comes into a person's life, He will take command as the wisdom, righteousness, sanctification and redemption that every human heart needs (1 Corinthians 1:30). Those who fear Him being in command will not welcome Him, but those who long to be right with God will not be able to escape His grace. So, let Him take His rightful place in your life; and encourage your friends to welcome Him also.
Prayer: Dear Lord. Thank You for not just giving me a list of rules to follow, but a heart designed to seek truth. Thank You that Jesus is the Truth, and that to welcome Him is to give permission for truth to have authority in my life. I am glad of every reminder of His grace to me, especially when I meet with other believers to break bread. I am glad that Your Holy Spirit alerts my conscience to Your truth. Please help me to let You take the place of commander of my life, so that I may learn to be Your guest ... even in my own home and at work. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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You can read the verses around this Bible passage from the Internet Bible: - in English, and many other languages
Inviting someone to your home, the expectation is that you are the host and your friend is the guest. These are two different roles, one to give with generosity and one to receive with thanks.
Two disciples had walked back from Jerusalem in Jesus' company (although they did not realise it was Jesus). On the road, He explained the Scriptures prophesying the life and death of the Messiah, and that He had to rise from the dead. What He said made sense to them and they wanted Him to stay the night at their home. However, halfway through the meal Jesus changed role - from being the guest to being the host. He took the bread and broke it ... just as He had at the Last Supper. At that moment they recognised who He was. And as soon as they knew who they had been with and welcomed into their home ... He simply disappeared. But the memory of the conversation stayed with them, as did the shared personal reaction to hearing His explanation of the cross and resurrection. They described it like a 'burning in their heart'.
The truth has an extraordinary ability to evoke a strong personal reaction; either positively as we agree with it, negatively as we try to deny it, or it burns its way into our conscience. Truth refuses to go away when we try to ignore it (which is one of the ways we know it is true!). When people want to hear what the Bible has to say about Jesus and themselves, ignoring it is not a long term option. In the same way that the household in Emmaus was only satisfied when they realised that Jesus was speaking to them, those who are concerned about truth will only be fulfilled when they welcome the Saviour. When that happens, they find that He is not a passive guest, or helper or even advisor. When Jesus comes into a person's life, He will take command as the wisdom, righteousness, sanctification and redemption that every human heart needs (1 Corinthians 1:30). Those who fear Him being in command will not welcome Him, but those who long to be right with God will not be able to escape His grace. So, let Him take His rightful place in your life; and encourage your friends to welcome Him also.
Prayer: Dear Lord. Thank You for not just giving me a list of rules to follow, but a heart designed to seek truth. Thank You that Jesus is the Truth, and that to welcome Him is to give permission for truth to have authority in my life. I am glad of every reminder of His grace to me, especially when I meet with other believers to break bread. I am glad that Your Holy Spirit alerts my conscience to Your truth. Please help me to let You take the place of commander of my life, so that I may learn to be Your guest ... even in my own home and at work. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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