A teaching by Rev. Barbara Williams, President of the Ministry of the Watchman International
Week of April 25-29, 2022
MONDAY
Now behold, two of them were traveling that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was seven miles from Jerusalem. And they talked together of all these things which had happened. So it was, while they conversed and reasoned, that Jesus Himself drew near and went with them.
Luke 24:13-15
These disciples have picked up a stranger as they are walking on the road to Emmaus. It was customary for people to meet at a crossroads and engage in conversation in order to choose traveling companions. Of course you were looking to find someone who was an agreeable traveling companion.
When Jesus said, “Agree with your adversary quickly, while you are on the way with him (Matthew 5:25),” He was referring to the custom of not making enemies if you were traveling. You would need a friend. You never wanted to travel alone.
So these two travellers have found a stranger with whom to share the journey. They are in agreement when the journey begins.
If you are in need of healing, there is good news! Proverbs 4:20-22 SAYS:
My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.
So there is life and health in God’s word. Since God’s word is medicine, we must take it like we would a prescription. I suggest three times a day, like you would your food. Remember, healing is the children’s bread. Consider this your “dose” for today. Remember, read, and meditate three times a day the following:
Rx: Psalm 103:1-3 ~ Bless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases.
“Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
2 Timothy 2:15
If you’ve never studied the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, we invite you to join us as we read through the Bible in a year. Read and meditate on these chapters this week:
April 25: Numbers 2, Psalms 36, Ecclesiastes 12, Philemon 1
April 26: Numbers 3, Psalms 37, Song of Solomon 1, Hebrews 1
April 27: Numbers 4, Psalms 38, Song of Solomon 2,Hebrews 2
April 28: Numbers 5, Psalms 39, Song of Solomon 3, Hebrews 3
April 29: Numbers 6, Psalms 40-41, Song of Solomon 4, Hebrews 4
April 30: Numbers 7, Psalms 42-43, Song of Solomon 5, Hebrews 5
May 1: Numbers 8, Psalms 44, Song of Solomon 6, Hebrews 6
TUESDAY
So it was, while they conversed and reasoned, that Jesus Himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were restrained, so that they did not know Him.
And He said to them, “What kind of conversation is this that you have with one another as you walk and are sad?”
Then the one whose name was Cleopas answered and said to Him, “Are You the only stranger in Jerusalem, and have You not known the things which happened there in these days?”
And He said to them, “What things?”
So they said to Him, “The things concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a Prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered Him to be condemned to death, and crucified Him. But we were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel. Indeed, besides all this, today is the third day since these things happened. Yes, and certain women of our company, who arrived at the tomb early, astonished us. When they did not find His body, they came saying that they had also seen a vision of angels who said He was alive. And certain of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but Him they did not see.”
Then He said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory?” And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.
Luke 24:15-27
The conversation takes a different turn as two of them express their sadness at the death of Jesus. Jesus begins to rebuke them. He calls them fools and slow to believe. These two need a lot of convincing. So, Jesus begins with Moses and the prophets and tells all the prophecies that were given concerning Himself.
This is a gutsy move. You never disagree with a traveling companion, neither do you anger or upset him. As usual, Jesus sets a precedent. He is more interested in truth than companionship.
WEDNESDAY
Then He said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory?”
And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.
Then they drew near to the village where they were going, and He indicated that He would have gone farther. But they constrained Him, saying, “Abide with us, for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent.” And He went in to stay with them.
Luke 24:25-29
Jesus does another strange thing… After He expounds scripture to them He begins to depart. What will they do with Jesus?
They are forced to make the decision that we must all make after God has revealed truth to us. Are we going to accept or reject the truth that has been delivered to us?
They decide to embrace the truth that has been delivered to them. They constrain Jesus to walk farther with them. They invite Him to a friendship table, even though they have pretty much been insulted by Him. Is He an enemy or friend at this point?
Jesus is always the friend of humanity. Even when He is exposing our fears, doubts, ignorance and sin, He is our friend. We can trust in His word.
This is why they constrain Him to abide with them. His word brings life to them again, just as it did when He walked the earth prior to His crucifixion. They invite Him to dinner. They receive Him as a friend.
THURSDAY
Then they drew near to the village where they were going, and He indicated that He would have gone farther. But they constrained Him, saying, “Abide with us, for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent.” And He went in to stay with them.
Now it came to pass, as He sat at the table with them, that He took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they knew Him; and He vanished from their sight.
Luke 24:28-31
Those of you who have accepted Christ have accepted friendship with Him. He has revealed Himself to you.
As Jesus sat at meat with them, He blessed the bread, broke it, and gave to them to eat. He is the bread of life. As He did this, the disciples’ eyes were opened, and the Jesus that they had known as flesh and blood, was now revealed to them as the risen Savior and Lord.
This is the purpose of preaching the gospel. It is done to open the eyes of those blinded by sin, the flesh, disappointment, sadness and discouragement. These two heard the words of Jesus as He walked on the road to Emmaus, and continued with Him. They found Him, embraced all that He was, and received a revelation of Him as the Living God.
FRIDAY
Now it came to pass, as He sat at the table with them, that He took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they knew Him; and He vanished from their sight.
Luke 24:30-31
Now that you’ve found God, what are you going to do with Him?
If you’ve never been born again, just reading this teaching has enlightened the eyes of your understanding. Those of you who have received Christ also need to decide what you are going to do with Him.
Are you going to invite Him in further? Are you going to walk with Him? Are you going to be as He is in the world? Are you going to serve Him? Worship Him? Seek to be used by Him? How much of Jesus are you going to invite into your heart?
You can make the choice today to go all the way and then beg the Lord to go further with you.
Let Him open your eyes to a higher way of living.