Dearly Beloved in Christ,

As they leave Jerusalem on that first day of the week, the day of the Resurrection, dejected and downcast, the Emmaus-bound disciples have all the necessary information about the good news, about the Gospel, but it has not moved from head knowledge to heart faith. 

Jesus comes alongside them, although they do not recognize him, and asks them to recount to him the events they have been discussing.  And this they do - these are the events concerning Jesus of Nazareth (Luke 24:19-24):

• a prophet, mighty in deed and word
• handed over to be crucified by the chief priests and the people
• thought to be Israel's redeemer
• now the 3rd day
• the women testified that they had been told by angels that he was alive
• a couple of the disciples had indeed found the tomb empty but had not seen him

After upbraiding them for being "slow of heart to believe" he reinterprets the story they have told in light of the Scriptures beginning at Genesis 1 and continuing through the Prophets.  The hope-less story that the Emmaus-bound disciples had told is retold by Jesus in the light of the fullness of God's hope-filled story.  And although they would later reflect that their hearts burned within them as he opened up the Scriptures to them it is not until he blesses and breaks the bread with them that he is fully recognized.  In that moment head knowledge turns to heart faith, a hope-less story is recognized as the ultimate story of hope.

Be assured, wherever you are on the journey, the Lord has come alongside you.  Even though he knows the "events" of your life, he wants you to recount them to him.  Spend time with him in prayer, unburden yourself on him, spend time in his Word and you will see the events of your life reinterpreted in the light of His-story.  Then come to his table, he promises you this - he will meet you there, and he will feed you with his very life.
   

In His Peace, Grace, and Love,
Rev'd Sarah+