Title: Light Our Eyes...
2006·04·15
easter morning sorrow
On the morning of the Lord's resurrection, His disciples were still in sorrow and despair. Some of the two disciples (one of them was Clopas) were now giving up on everything and returning home. But the resurrected Lord came to them and accompanied them. How precious is the grace that the Lord quietly comes to us when we are struggling with sorrow and despair.
Although the Lord came to them and was with them, the two disciples did not recognize the Lord. Verse 16 says, “Our eyes were blinded.” When the Lord asked what they were talking about, the two stood still with a sad light. They were in deep sorrow. And I asked, wondering. “You mean you don’t know what happened in Jerusalem in the last few days?” And the details of the Lord's death on the cross were explained in detail. Their words were full of sorrow and disappointment. They were mourning the loss of their beloved Lord.
what happened in Jerusalem
Here's what they said happened in Jerusalem: Jesus of Nazareth was a prophet mighty in word and deed before all the people. However, the chief priests and rulers handed him over to death and nailed him to a cross. We expected him to be the one who would somehow save Israel from their enemies. But that expectation is now gone. Today is the third day since He died on the cross, and it is the day that He was raised to reveal Himself in glory. But we haven't seen any signs of that yet. Some women say they went to the tomb at dawn and did not see a body but saw an angel appearing who said that he was alive. Who would believe such nonsense of women? It is said that none of us went to the tomb and confirmed what the women were saying, but did not see Jesus. Therefore, we can only assume that he is not risen.
foolish and slow to believe
When the Lord heard them, he sighed and rebuked them. “O you fools and slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken” Yes! It was because of their unbelief that they had fallen into so much sorrow and despair. They did not believe what Jesus said that He would suffer and die and then rise again. The words of the women who went to the tomb at dawn were enough to make them know that the Lord had risen, but they refused to listen. Even though Peter and John came to confirm, they still did not believe in the resurrection. And he was struggling in sorrow. It was really pathetic and frustrating.
But isn't this what we are today? Where there is no faith, there will always be anxiety, disappointment, and fear. We cannot overcome our frustration and fear unless we believe that the risen Lord is with us today and sustains us with His powerful arms. If we do not enjoy the joy that the risen Lord gives us, we will never cease to mourn and groan. All of these are the results of unbelief.
Lord who explained
The Jews of Jesus' day were making a crucial error in understanding the Old Testament. They only saw the glory and victory of the Messiah, not that it began with suffering. This wrong view of the Messiah had a fatal impact on the disciples as well. So when the Lord suffered and died, they came to think that it was over. Despite what the Lord had foretold, they did not break their preconceived notions. So they were still wandering in sorrow and despair, ignoring even the news of the Lord's resurrection.
The Lord lamented and rebuked them for their unbelief and ignorance, and began to explain them with the words of the Old Testament. The Lord has shown how the whole Bible refers to Himself in many ways as He explains what is written about Himself in all the Scriptures. Perhaps, starting with Genesis 3:15, he explained the words of Isaiah 53 throughout.
when you break the cake
While talking like that, they finally arrived at their destination. Now they are separated from the Lord. They regretted being separated, so they urged them to go in and stay together. And they had a meal together. As usual, the Lord took bread, blessed it, broke it, and gave it to us. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized the Lord (verse 31). And when they recognized the Lord, the Lord departed from them. Oh, that the Lord has come to us from the Resurrection! How surprised and delighted they must have been.
And they recalled what had just happened. And they said to each other. “Were not our hearts burning within us as He spoke to us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” (verse 32) “Yes, so was my heart!” “Yeah, so did my heart!” "It's the first time in my life that I've been so deeply impressed."
return to Jerusalem
Now everything has changed for those who followed the Lord. They now have a fresh start. Hope and life have been revived. The cross of despair has now become the cross of glory. Later, Peter testified: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his great mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (1 Peter 1:3).
Light our eyes today
Although the Lord has risen and is with us today, how often do we sigh and sigh without seeing Him? How often are we disappointed and afraid? How cold are our hearts? I hope the Lord will warm our hearts when we break the bread today. May the resurrected Lord Himself come to open our eyes, hold our hearts, and grant us grace beyond words.