Enter Into Rest
Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?
We all have hopes and expectations; for ourselves, our families, and our nation. Without even reading the headlines or listening to the news we encounter endless contradictions to our best hopes for each day. So, my Friend, of course it saddens you when what you see happening for you, or around you, falls short of your good expectations?
One Sunday morning, Cleopas and his friend were walking from Jerusalem to Emmaus. They were deliberating all that had happened that day, trying to make some sense of it. An unrecognized man came alongside them and asked about their sad conversation. The man seemed so unaware. Cleopas was amazed, and began explaining what things had happened the previous week concerning Jesus. He called Jesus a prophet who did powerful miracles, and a mighty teacher in the eyes of God and all the people, and how he had hoped Jesus was the Messiah who would come to rescue Israel. He continued his perplexing tale, telling of some women from their group discovering the empty tomb, and how some of the disciples confirmed that Jesus body was gone.
Now this unrecognized stranger was actually Jesus after His resurrection, but they could not see that. Jesus began to say to them, “Oh you foolish men! Why are you so slow of heart to believe all that the prophets wrote in the Scriptures? Wasn’t it clearly predicted that the Messiah would have to suffer all these things before entering his glory?” And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.
It comes down to this; the right way to understand our world is found in the Scriptures. You might wonder about Cleopas; surely he and his friend knew the Scriptures. But when Jesus opened their eyes that day, what they heard made their hearts burn within them. God promises you a life of hope, peace of mind, and assurance, no matter what goes on around you. In Scripture it’s called God’s rest. And here is what the letter to the Hebrews says about it; God’s promise of entering his rest still stands, so we ought to tremble with fear that some might fail to experience it. For this good news—that God has prepared this rest—has been announced to us just as it was to them (in the Scriptures). But the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it. For only we who believe can enter his rest.
Friend, read the Scriptures; but when you read, add your faith. Believe, and you will enter God’s rest.
Read: Luke 24:13-35; Hebrews 4:1-7
Listen: Be Still and Know