a portrait

of

jesus

A PORTRAIT OF JESUS –

Revealing Himself

“…but we had hoped he would be the one to redeem Israel.” - Luke 24:21

Jesus had led the way to Jerusalem. His disciples were excited; their dreams were about to come true! They had witnessed the throngs who had hailed Jesus as king, as He sat on the back of a donkey entering Jerusalem in triumph. For months, His follower’s hearts had been burning with anticipation of the changes that He would bring to Israel. Surely, He would redeem them and save them from the Romans; they had waited their whole lives for this moment.

When they least expected it, everything went drastically wrong. Jesus was then arrested, taken away, beaten and sentenced to death. At the cross their hopes were dashed, their dreams all shattered. The one on whom they had rested all their hopes was dead and His body was placed in a sealed tomb, guarded by soldiers. Disillusionment, on a grand scale, replaced their excitement and expectations with despair. A few short days ago, their steps were filled with glorious excitement, now they dragged themselves along wearily, their hearts heavy, for they are mourning not only the loss of a friend, but also the loss of all their hopes for the future of their nation and themselves.

Three days later, a stranger, who walks alongside them in their grief, joins two of Jesus’ disciples. He listens to their stories, their disappointment and heartache. They tell him about the women at the tomb and wonder at Jesus’ missing body. They are bewildered, uncertain of what it all means. They had followed Jesus for more than three years while He was alive; they had witnessed His powerful preaching and His astounding miracles, but to follow a dead Jesus required a faith they did not possess. Suddenly, the silent stranger speaks and begins to unlock the mystery of their dead Rabbi. And beginning with Moses and going through the prophets, He opens to them the scriptures in a way they had never experienced. Their hearts burn in a way they had never burned before, they thirst for more. When they reach Emmaus, they invite the stranger to join them for a meal. Then, Jesus, taking the bread, blesses and breaks it. Instantly they know who this stranger is! This is their Messiah! Jesus IS alive! They waste no time, and though it is nightfall, they rush back to Jerusalem to share the exciting news that Jesus is the Messiah and He lives! Yes, Jesus walked alongside two grieving disciples and suddenly their lives are transformed in an unimaginable way! He will do the same for you and for me!

D. Mathewson