The walk to Emmaus

[backtothefuture]

Hi all,
I have been thinking about the passage in Luke where some of the disciples walked 7 miles from Jerusalem to the village of Emmaus.
They talked and then Jesus joined and walked with them but they did not recognize him.
All this time they had walked and talked with Christ and they still didn't get who it was they were speaking with.
Was it the spiritual insight they were missing?
I was just thinking about my life, and how I over the years, walked with Christ and talked with Christ and yet until I came into fulfillment really didn't recognize Christ. So I can kind of see how until your eyes are opened you are blind in a way.
I was also wondering, what is it that is keeping the Church from seeing the kingdom today? When I think about my story, I am not even sure anymore how I got here, but I did:biggrinbounce:
I mean, physically we have big church buildings, church programs, all kinds of Christian, books, music, etc. And yet, most still don't have the spiritual insight to see the kingdom right now. Why?
Blessings,
Nancy

[Paige]

Nancy,

IMO, what keeps the church from seeing the Kingdom is the preconceived ideas that are carried around about it. A common thought is that there is "no sin" in the Kingdom. Folks define that then as physical human perfection. So, if I see what looks like and has been defined as sin to me, then that must be a sign that the Kingdom isn't here.

Maybe more education is needed on what it means when scripture tells us Christ has put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself, and how that then applies to us today?

Paige

[backtothefuture]

Paige,
Did Jesus ever say there would be no sin in the Kingdom of God? I do get confused on this issue.
Coming from a long history of Fundamentalism, its hard not to define certain things as sin. I am trying harder not to do so much of that.
But what interests me more, is why so many eyes are not seeing the truth. Did God have this plan and in the end, not many got it anyway? The disciples themselves walked with Jesus and still at times did not recognize him for who he is. So does that still hold true today do you think?
Nancy

[davo]

Isn't it amazing, that though their hearts were veiled in grief, yet Jesus walked with them – and not only till later did they "recognise" not only Jesus, but the inner comfort he brought, yet at the time were oblivious to it. I wouldn't mind betting that for many "seekers" out there, there is this strange forebodence, not realising that it is Jesus walking with them.

[Amie]

Nancy,

What a beautiful allegory. I know people who have inquired about the "Kingdom Now" view and scoffed "How could people be walking in it and never see it, that's ridiculous." and here you, like me, see it happening every day and remember doing it yourself (myself too).

What kept me from seeing the Kingdom was shame. I would turn my eyes up to the sky, but I had become so ashamed that I would not turn my head and look up for years. I felt so small that it seemed like I would be swallowed by the largeness of the heavens. Crazy huh? And yet not crazy.

I didn't feel good enough because I failed at things that I felt were extremely important. I felt like the sacrificial animal that was supposed to be presented at the temple, but was found with blemish. I was unworthy.

Also, many I know think things that are human nature are "evil". Though we definately cause one another harm, wiping out "evil" doesn't mean wiping out humanity - or that inside you which is human (By the way, what inside you is not? haha).

That's like what Paige said (sin being defined as physical imperfection)...

Consider hating that which is human, yet being human. Consider hating that which human beings tend to do, and being human.

Folks react in a number of ways to that.

I used to keep myself (and those who were 'lucky' enough to be in my life then) in a separate category all together. For example, I was sure that people who had never heard of God were "going to heaven". I never considered that they might be just as screwed up as I was - or even that what I considered "screwed up" was just plain human.

Great thread!

Amie

[backtothefuture]

Paige, I agree that people look around and say things are sin and there for the kingdom can't be here. That took me a look time to figure out. Just getting there lately. For example my husband will say, if the kingdom is here why is this world such a mess. People are still waiting for a perfect place here.

Davo, I read what you wrote about the veil covering the grief and I burst into tears:eek: I felt like you were explaining my life. It didn't make me feel badly, just a hallmark moment. For so long I wondered as I sat in pain and suffering where God was. Its only now as my grief has lifted that I can see truly all those places were God walked with me. I couldn't see him at the time, but he was here. I sang one song on my guitar for 2 years and that was open the eyes of my heart Lord. I believe that as I sang, it was happening.

Amie, I can relate to so much of what you say. I have felt such shame in my life. Then as I started healing, I felt shame for how I had played a part in pain towards others. But as Gods grace came in, I started coming up more each day. It amazes me to figure out how I am where I am. Like I said before, I walked with God and talked with God since a little girl, but only just recently (especially since coming here:clap2: ) Have I been able to see God.
I can't even explain how this feels. All I know is that I see things differently now. Maybe the disciples after their walk and revelation felt like we do, when that light bulb moment goes off. Today for the first time in probably 20 years, I thought of that verse, The Joy of the Lord is my Strength. Its only though came about now for me with the revelation of Fulfillment.
We used to sing 30 years ago, It only takes a spark to get a fire going. Maybe thats how it will be as the truth gets out more and more that it is finished, fulfilled and we are free.
Blessings,
Nancy:biggrinbounce:

[davo]

We used to sing 30 years ago, It only takes a spark to get a fire going.:wow2: did that bring back some memories.

I must say Nancy it is an honour to be part of your journey :) .

[kevinbeck]

Meister Eckhart wrote, "The eye with which I see God is the eye with which God sees me."

We gotta use all of our eyes.

Blessings,
Kevin