Last spring, I noticed wasps flying around my porch, specifically above my bay window, but really paid no attention to them. Just a couple of days later, I realized these wasps built a Mall of America-size hang out underneath my siding above that bay window. I could see the wasps, I could see them flying around my house, but I never recognized what they were doing until I heard their buzzing while inside my house and then saw their nest.
“Now that same day (of the resurrection) two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from recognizing him…..
“As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them. 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 recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight.” — Luke 24:13-16, 28-31
The same day as the resurrection, two people were walking to Emmaus trying to process what had happened and a third person joins them apparently clueless about the big news of the day– that Jesus died and had risen. As they share the Jesus story with this man, I find it fascinating that they didn’t recognize who they were talking to– that it was Jesus himself walking with them. They had no idea. How is that possible?? Something happened at the dinner table later that evening and I think it was all in the snap.
While eating dinner, Jesus had bread in his hands, prayed over it, and when he broke the bread to serve the others, that snap –the sound of the tearing of bread– opened their eyes to whom was in their presence. It was Jesus! I think it was then that they saw his hands and scars for the first time and recognized him. The breaking of the bread, symbolizing his body, and the nail holes, due the weight of their sin, were clear to them for the first time.
So often I am blinded by my sin to what He has done for me. So often I don’t recognize the daily grace given to me nor him working in my life that I too walk not realizing He is with me. How about you? This resurrection Sunday, may you see the scars of victory and recognize the snap of forgiveness in your life.
Reflect |
How has the snap made a difference in your life?