back to Families and Faith articles
Michael & Kit MacLachlan offer a reflection on family life and the biblical account of the encounter with Jesus on the road to Emmaus
T he disciples on the Emmaus road lived a lifetime of experience in a journey of a few hours, from the depths of fear and bewilderment to the awesome recognition that Jesus was risen and present with them.
One of the exciting things about walking with God, is the constant awareness that there is something around the next corner that might be unexpected, but will always be an adventure with him, and the awareness that we may not understand at the time why we are where we are, but in God's plan, we are travelling where he wants us to go, and he is already preparing the way for our next step, and our next destination.
The disciples in this story began experiencing the difficult bit - the living through the trouble and doubt, and not able to see where it was all going. As Jesus joins them, he shows them how God's view is that of eternity, and he leads them through the scriptures, right up to the present, showing them how everything fitted together, and still they remained puzzled. It is relatively easy in our lives to look back and see how God has brought us to where we are, and sometimes very difficult to see where he is leading us. We want to be one step ahead - but then where is faith?
As the disciples near their destination, we are told that Jesus made as if to go on, but they invited him in - “Abide with us, for it is toward evening, and he day is far spent.” (thus inspiring the famous hymn Abide with me). So Jesus entered, and they shared a meal together, and they recognised him. Eating together is a practice which is sadly in decline in our current generation - to our loss. For it is a time when we come together and discuss the trivia in our lives, the tasks of the day, the hopes and fears that we are experiencing, and generally relax together. To talk over a meal is a leisurely activity which draws us closer to one another. As Jesus entered the disciples' home, they began to relax and to see him as they knew him, a friend, but now also as their risen Lord. Jesus comes to us in this same way, by invitation, and it is at the heart of our family life that we truly meet with him and know him for who he is.
God has chosen to use the family as the picture of his relationship with the church “For this reason, Paul says in Ephesians, “ I kneel before the Father from whom his whole family in heaven and earth derives its name.” The name of God is a shorthand for his character, and families are invited to live in the model of love and co-operation we see in the Trinity. Different personalities in one substance with a common agenda and purpose achieving their ends through united action, discounting the cost for the sake of love. Thus Paul can go on to say, I pray that out of his glorious riches, God may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge -- - that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. To grasp the love of Christ and to know it is to experience it for oneself and to live towards others as that love dictates. That is the kind of family God requires and examples.
“ And their hearts burned within them as he talked to them.” When we pray together, seek God's will together, and worship together we are drawn closer to one another as well as to God himself. Our life together is affirmed in his presence, and our homes will become a blessing to others who enter as we invite Jesus into our home life.
© 2005 Newsline