Walking with Christ

When Jesus was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”
– Luke 24:30-32

It was a long walk home. Two of Jesus’ disciples had been through a rough week. From the highs of his triumphal entry, to the lows of his arrest, beating, crucifixion and death, it was an emotional time. On top of all their grief, the added confusion of the empty tomb… it was just too much. They needed to get home. While walking, the “stranger” they met seemed to be somewhat familiar. For whatever reasons, they were kept from recognizing his resurrected body, until he blessed the bread and broke it at their meal. Jesus was there in their midst and they didn’t even recognize it!

When has Jesus been there in our midst and we don’t even recognize it? In his understanding of the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper, John Calvin struggled to explain HOW Christ is present in the bread and in the cup? He didn’t believe that those elements ceased being simply bread and wine/juice; but he also wanted to emphasize the fact that they were also somehow changed. The symbolism was palpable, if not transformed. Calvin’s solution was to state that it is a “divine mystery”, how Christ is fully present in the bread and the cup. Feels like an easy answer.

When a child asks about a complicated situation and we don’t really have time to explain all the details, or we want to keep a shroud of surprise, we might say, “It’s a mystery”. Perhaps there are simply parts of this life and faith that remain unanswered. I know I have lingering questions that won’t fully be revealed until I reach heaven. And yet, I continue to trust and walk with Christ. I continue to seek that relationship. I am spurred on by those moments when my heart feels “strangely warmed” through his presence. That is my hope and my desire for others. That is why I share my faith. I’m looking for glimpses of Jesus.

Question for the week: When have I experienced a revelation of Christ’s presence?

Holy God, give us eyes to see you. Give us hearts to love others as we love you. Give us courage to share you with those around us. Give us Jesus. Amen.