When those going the wrong way met Jesus…Encounters with Jesus

The good news for all of us is that Jesus came and still comes to set us back on track when we are going the wrong way.

Jesus set two of His followers back on the right course when he met them on a journey.

In Luke 24 starting at verse 13, we read the story of two followers of Jesus, who were travelling from Jerusalem on the road to Emmaus.

Both men had been in Jerusalem when Jesus was crucified and witnessed the horrific events that took place. They were discussing everything that had happened with Jesus’ death and also the incredible news told them just that morning by the women….Jesus’ tomb was empty.

They were both confused, sad and didn’t know what to believe. Things had not turned out as they expected.

So they had left Jerusalem and the other believers – we are not told why- and were travelling to Emmaus – 7 miles away – going in the wrong direction.

Jesus took the time to go and meet them on the road and explain the truth to them – Jesus spoke about the scriptures and explained the truth about the Messiah as prophesied in the Old Testament.

These men both knew Jesus but they didn’t immediately recognise Jesus on the road but something compelled them not to let this “stranger” go on but to hear more from Him.

Jesus eventually reveals himself to them when they all sit down to eat and break bread together. It is in this time of intimacy and fellowship when they realise it is Jesus.

Immediately once they recognise Jesus it all makes sense – they get up and head back to Jerusalem – even though it is late at night to tell the rest of the disciples the good news – Jesus is alive – He has been resurrected.

I love this story and this encounter with Jesus- Jesus shows His love and compassion as the good shepherd for these two followers.

Jesus actively seeks them out because they are headed in the wrong direction but they just don’t realise it. They need to be back in Jerusalem. They need to go back to where they headed out from.

The story ends with these men doing a “U” turn and heading back to Jerusalem. Back to the right place Jesus wanted them to be.

This story made me think – What would have happened if those two followers had not returned to Jerusalem?

Not only did they firstly encourage and immediately witness about Jesus’ resurrection to the other disciples when they returned and shared their testimony.

I think though that they would have missed out on receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit which Jesus had promised His followers. They needed the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

It is not recorded in scripture, but I do believe those two men were part of those 120 who were recorded as gathered in the upper room in the Acts of the Apostles and received the infilling and power of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus did not want these men to miss out on the fullness of what He had promised and it’s the same for you and I today.

Jesus does not want us to miss out on the fullness of what He died and rose from death to give us – life in all its abundance.

Today, I believe that Jesus wants to cause an intervention in some lives to get us back on track whether we are already followers of Jesus or not.

We hear of “interventions” being made in secular terms – someone might be in a desperate situation and there has to be an “intervention” by friends or authorities to get them to stop and change – to get them to realise truth.

Jesus does the same and the New Testament is full of stories of Jesus intervening in people’s lives and totally changing them and their circumstances. Our Encounters with Jesus series has been told with that in mind.

The good news of Jesus is that salvation -believing in Jesus and accepting Him into our lives – the biggest course corrector to lead us back into fellowship with God – is available to everyone.

Repenting means doing a “U” turn – a “turn around” – turning away from our former sinful and self-centered lives – and following Jesus as a disciple.

It is not too late to make that decision to get off the wide path that Jesus says leads to destruction and instead choose to take the narrow path which Jesus guides us to and puts our feet on – the path of salvation and to eternal life with God.

Restoration in all its fullness.

Do you need a course correction today my friend?

Bless you for reading. I hope you have enjoyed our series of Encounters with Jesus. Thank you to all those who have contributed and made it possible.