new church life: march/april 2015
remained) of the good and truth they had from the Lord’s ministry among
them.
Their conversation is expressed by a Greek word that really means
reasoning, or even disputing. Clearly they were trying to work out in their
minds what had happened, and how they could come to terms with it. And
isn’t this exactly what we do when we are faced with some tragic turn of events?
Maybe a friend or family member dies or gets terribly sick; maybe we suffer
some awful tragedy ourselves, or begin to doubt our own faith in the Lord:
and we are inclined to turn away from our historical convictions, descending
from our spiritual ideals into external, natural concerns, and reasoning, even
arguing, about the Lord and His providence.
But if the reasoning is at least hopeful, genuinely seeking answers and not
just being cynical, an amazing thing can happen: Jesus Himself can draw near
us and join the conversation.
The name, Jesus, specifically represents the Divine love, and it stands for
the saving power of that love in our lives. We may not “get it”; j indeed, we
may have no idea how this love is working in our lives, but if our seeking for
answers is genuine it will appear to us and comfort us and begin to inform us
in a way that truth alone cannot do. But clarity does not come in a moment.
There is a process involved, represented by the walking, the talking, the Lord’s
explanations, and finally real perception based on moving personal experience.
Note the Lord’s question (v. 17): “What kind of conversation is this that you
have with one another as you walk and are sad?” And the disciples’ question
in reply: “Are You the only stranger in Jerusalem, and have You not known the
things which happened there...?”
Throughout the Word we read about the Lord asking people questions
when it is very clear that He already knows the answers. Think of Him in the
Genesis story asking Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” Or in Canaan asking
Abraham why Sarah laughed. Or in the Gospels asking “Who touched Me?”
Or, “What do you want?” Or, “Have you not known Me, Philip?”
Of course He already knows the answers, but He asks to make us think,
and often to give us the opportunity to repent and change our ways. Our
doctrines tell us that even in heaven when something definite is learned, it is
often followed by something that raises questions or causes doubt so that the
person learning it will not be compelled by external means to believe it, but
can think about it and consider it and compel himself to believe it or not.
But the disciples’ question was prophetic, for He had been a stranger in
Jerusalem! Or rather, Jerusalem had become a stranger to Him. Yes, they had
the Word; they knew the great truths of religion; but they had “made the Word
of no effect through their traditions.” The truth had been completely separated
from the good of charity, so when Goodness Itself came to them in person
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