Apr 3 - Joshua 1:8

 

This book of the law

shall not depart out of

your mouth; you shall

meditate on it day and night,

so that you may be careful

to act in accordance with

all that is written in it.

For then you shall make

your way prosperous, and

then you shall be successful.

Joshua 1:8

 

If I could choose to transport into any moment in history – especially any moment in Bible history – I would have liked to be there on the Road to Emmaus.

 

The Scene: It was Easter Sunday afternoon. The disciples factually know that Jesus was crucified. He died and was buried. Their hearts were broken. Now there’s a rumor – unconfirmed, too astonishing to be true – that maybe, maybe, he’s risen. It’s a strange mix of emotions as they walk along. Deep sadness. A sense of betrayal – they thought Jesus was going to be the conquering king, not a dead man. Gnawing confusion. A crazy hope that you dare not believe.

 

Suddenly, up comes a stranger. “What are you talking about?” “Are you the only one in Jerusalem that hasn’t heard.” They’re focusing on the crucifixion. Then the strange (who they don’t recognize yet as Jesus) essentially calls them slow of mind and heart. And then he proceeds to warm their hearts with the most remarkable story in history!

 

Jesus starts to connect the dots. Beginning with Genesis, he retells the entire Old Testament, laying out every place where God foretold the life, death, resurrection, sacrifice, and redemption that would come through the Messiah.

 

As I teacher … I wish I could have been there. In fact, as I go along in ministry, I keep finding out new connections that I hadn’t known.

 

When those disciples finally recognized that this was the resurrected Jesus (and when he suddenly disappeared), they asked in amazement, “Were not our hearts burning within us?!”

 

That’s “the book of the law” (… and the prophets … and the Gospels) that we are supposed to “meditate on … day and night.” It’s all there. It’s all been revealed. But if you want your heart to be warmed, your life to be inspired, and “your way [to be] prosperous,” the thrill is meditating on God’s word and uncovering all the blessings and wonders that God has in store.

 

In Christ’s Love,

a guy who wants

to be on that road

listening to Jesus