The Road With Jesus

We need eyes to see!

I realize this is a pretty “duh” statement to make this morning.

We do not always see well.

There many reasons for this I believe. Just like with our physical eyes there are many causes to not being able to see well. Some simple and some complex.

We do not see because we are not challenged.

When we live in an echo chamber of our own ideas we fail to see clearly. Our current culture it is easy to find those who agree with us, regardless of how true it is. I must be actively trying to read and listen to different perspectives otherwise I to will only hear what I want to hear.

Grief, pain, unmet expectations cloud our vision.

This has been a recurring theme I speak about from the past couple weeks, and somewhat intentionally. We will all experience these moments and to some extent can be “prepared” for them, which may be helpful.

Mental health effects our vision.

We must, as the church, continue to break down the walls of the stigma surrounding mental health care. There are many times when because of our mental health issues: anxiety, depression, trauma, past abuse, current addiction, we fail to see as clear as we could. Praying alone is not always sufficient to change this, you must seek professional help; just as you would a doctor.

We can be blinded by unbelief.

Paul makes this clear in 2 Corinthians 4.4

2 Corinthians 4:4 NIV

The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

We as Christ followers can be spiritually blinded.

I think this is important for us to realize.

Jesus steps into our blurriness.

The travellers were not left to their “blindness” and despair. We do not, nor can we, fully know all there is to know about Christ before we “accept” him.

Jesus will guide us.

We see this as he patiently and willingly walks with the disciples on the road.

Jesus waits, at times, for the invitation.

The text suggests that Jesus may have been waiting for them to want to spend more time with him. Jesus will never force himself upon you, he does not abuse his power that way, but he always longs to spend time with you.

Jesus reveals himself.

What are we to make of the revealing? How did all the sudden they realize? What made the difference? We do not have all those answers, nor does it sometimes matter. Yet, the truth for today I think is clear; Jesus will reveal himself if we ask. But how?

Jesus reveals himself in the Scriptures.

We cannot know Jesus a part from the Word of God, the Bible, the Scriptures. This is why we must fully rest on it. His disciples knew this to be true but we must also admit it isn’t in just reading “this book” to gain knowledge or for information that matters most. It is the person behind.

Study Gateway link. If you are part of our faithlife group you also have access to Faithlife TV which can help you understand Scripture.

Jesus reveals himself in experiences & traditions/rituals.

Being baptist we can agree with the first part but I do think we must realize the traditions and rituals of church can be very powerful.

We must pray for open eyes.

We can do both the above but if we do not pray for eyes to see we will miss it.