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Talking About Jesus

Luke 24:17-24
He asked them, ‘What are you discussing together as you walk along?’ They stood still, their faces downcast. One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, ‘Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?’ ‘What things?’ he asked. ‘About Jesus of Nazareth,’ they replied. ‘He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see Jesus.’ (NIVUK)

One of the characteristics of God's people is that they talk about Him honourably. Malachi 3:16 says, "Then those who feared the Lord talked with each other, and the Lord listened and heard. A scroll of remembrance was written in his presence concerning those who feared the Lord and honoured his name."  The Lord loves to hear us talking about Him because it means He is precious to us.
 
The two people walking on the seven-mile journey from Jerusalem to Emmaus filled their time talking together about Jesus.  Then He joined them although they did not recognise who He was (Luke 24:13-16).  Jesus did not first reveal Himself but encouraged them to reveal what they believed about Him.  They certainly thought He was a wonderful godly prophet and miracle-worker, and had hoped He would be the One to rescue Israel from Roman occupation.  But the more they talked, the more they showed that they did not really know Him.  They did not understand that He was the Son of God, the Saviour of the world.  Even though He had said He would rise on that day, none of the disciples understood when He was speaking (Luke 18:31-34), nor did they remember His promise.  Neither could they make any sense of the women's account of the empty tomb.

They measured everything by their experience and so their confusion increased.  Without a divinely inspired view of Scripture, they were unable to see Jesus for who He is (2 Corinthians 3:15-16).  Confusion is never a good thing, especially when it comes to Jesus.  Although they had been with Him, they did not know Him because they had their own (wrong) idea of who He was and excluded all other information, even that which would be startlingly obvious in retrospect.  

Many of our friends and colleagues are in a similar situation today.  Like those who were so close to Jesus but did not know Him, the first step to discovering His identity, is to realise that their minds are confused about Him.  So, it is always good to encourage those you live and work with to talk about who they think Jesus is.  If they have a personal relationship with Him it will become clear; but if they are confused, the more they talk the more obvious will be their confusion - and obvious to them too.  That is the time to show them what the Bible reveals about Him.

 

Prayer 
Dear Lord. I am so glad that I know who Jesus is, and that He is very precious to me. Forgive me for either failing to talk about my relationship with Jesus to others, or for cloaking my faith in sentimental or mysterious language. I pray for my friends and colleagues who do not have a personal relationship with Him. Help me to let them talk about Jesus, even exposing their confusion about His true identity so that they will be willing to explore who the Bible declares Him to be. And help me to explain the gospel clearly. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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© Dr Paul Adams