The purpose for Jesus’ coming to earth had been accomplished!
He showed the love of the Father to the world. He preached, did miracles, countered evil, healed the brokenhearted and broke the power of sin. It was finished.
The sinless, perfect Lamb had been sacrificed for the sins of the world and now there was only one more thing to do.
The rest is His-story.
“15 Jesus came near and started walking along beside them. 16 But they did not know who he was. 17 Jesus asked them, “What were you talking about as you walked along? The two of them stood there looking sad and gloomy. 18 Then the one named Cleopas asked Jesus, “Are you the only person from Jerusalem who didn’t know what was happening there these last few days?”” Luke 24:15-17 CEV
Two men walking the road to home had been discussing the events that had taken place in Jerusalem and Jesus came near. He walked and talked with them for about seven miles the Bible says.
“22 Some women in our group surprised us. They had gone to the tomb early in the morning, 23 but did not find the body of Jesus. They came back, saying they had seen a vision of angels who told them that he is alive. 24 Some men from our group went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said. But they didn’t see Jesus either.” vs.22-24
They were in a quandary. What had happened to Jesus? If He was alive, where was He?
“…30 After Jesus sat down to eat, he took some bread. He blessed it and broke it. Then he gave it to them. 31 At once they knew who he was, but he disappeared. 32 They said to each other, “When he talked with us along the road and explained the Scriptures to us, didn’t it warm our hearts?” 33 So they got up and returned to Jerusalem. The two disciples found the eleven apostles and the others gathered together. 34 And they learned from the group that the Lord was really alive and had appeared to Peter.” vs. 30-34
They had probably been there when Jesus multiplied the boy’s lunch of loaves and fishes. There was something familiar about His ways and when He broke the bread and blessed it, they knew it was Him!
I am always taken back by the way Jesus personalizes Himself when He ministers to people. He brings the divine presence of God into the routine of daily life. When He first met Peter, James and John on the shores of the Sea of Galilee He helped them catch a boat-sinking load of fish and called them to be “fishers” of men. In His first miracle He provided wine for a wedding. Now, at the tomb He simply said Mary’s name and then He prayed over some bread and broke it. But each time His actions revealed the power of God.
He still comes in simple ways to touch and change our lives.
“46 He told them: The Scriptures say that the Messiah must suffer, then three days later he will rise from death. 47 They also say that all people of every nation must be told in my name to turn to God, in order to be forgiven. So beginning in Jerusalem, 48 you must tell everything that has happened.” Luke 24:46-48 CEV
His-Story must be told and He’s asking us to tell it!