Easter Op[portunities

I pray with all my heart that this Easter will be a time of great blessing in your life and that many more will come to know the risen Saviour.

I wonder whether you have noticed that there are two key moments in the account of the journey on the Emmaus Road (Luke 24:13-35).  The two travellers had obviously left their journey until the afternoon.  It might have taken them three or four hours and they needed to get there before nightfall  Dusk would have come around 6.00pm.  Luke tells us that Cleopas and his companion are deep in conversation as they are walking.  It is clear that they are confused, disturbed and distressed.  Their expectation concerning Jesus seem to now be shattered.  

It is here that the first of the two key moments takes place:"Jesus himself came up and walked along with them" (Luke 24: 15).  I love that Luke puts it that way: "Jesus himself...."  We cannot be sure exactly who Cleopas was and we certainly do not know who his companion was.  We could say that in the ranks of disciples they are not particularly significant.  But it is Jesus himself who is to brighten their day and change their lives.  He could have sent an angel but he came himself.  At that moment they are unable to recognise him; he was just a stranger on the road.  There is no suggestion of their inviting him to join them.  Jesus has taken the initiative.  But as he enters into their situation they could have ignored him.  What would they have missed had they done so!

The second key moment takes place a few hours later.  In the intervening time Jesus has been referring to passages throughout the Hebrew Scriptures.  I wonder which Messianic prophecies he quoted and in what order.  How they must have wondered at the knowledge of this stranger.  How their hearts burned within them as truth dawned on their darkness scattering the shadows of doubt.  It all began to make sense.  But now they have reached a fork in the road.  They are turning towards the village but he looks as if he is going on another way.  Once again there is a moment of opportunity.  They could simply have thanked him and bade him goodbye.

Luke uses an interesting phrase translated from the NT Greek as "strongly urged".  They do their best to persuade him to spend more time with them.  Was it for his benefit or theirs?  I suspect while they expressed concern for the stranger continuing as darkness was about to fall, they had another motive.  They wanted more of his company.  Note that this time the initiative is with them.  They have to act.  They have to be willing to make him their honoured guest.  And by doing so they had the most fantastic experience.  Can you imagine their emotions in that moment of recognition that this was none other than Jesus risen from the dead.  No wonder they immediately retraced their steps to Jerusalem.  Do you think they left everything on the table?  I think they probably did.  There was an exciting motivation to share the good news with others and it could not wait until morning.  Darkness dangers, difficulties - nothing would impeded their mission.

How does this account relate to our own experience?  Can you recognise a moment of realisation that Jesus had drawn close to you?  You might not be able to identify the exact moment but you know he has been helping you realise the truth of his Word.  But what about that second crisis?  Has there been a deep desire to know more of his presence?  Have you made him your honoured guest, putting him before yourself?  If you have then you too will know the blessings that follow.

I pray that we will all know such a sense of his presence that our hearts burn within us and our feet run to share good news with others.

The Rural Mission Webinar
I would like to encourage you to switch on your computer and turn up the sound next Saturday 11th April at 9.00am (BST) (8.00 GMT) when I will be talking about developing sustainable bespoke strategies in mission that suit and fit whatever our church and location are like..  Bespoke strategies develop from an understanding of who we are as a local church, what we have as resources, and where we are located.  We will explore the biblical principles and the rationale for developing your own unique programmes. The webinar lasts no more than 40 minutes.  Whether you are a church leader or an ordinary member, whether lay or ordained you should find this well worth while attending.

Please register to attend as soon as possible.  Click this link to get the process started.  If you have tried to register in the past and have not received the confirmation message please register again.  You will be asked to supply your name and email address (for my benefit) and you will be supplied with information as to how to log on next Saturday.  Once you join the webinar you can either just sit back, watch and listen or you can interact if you wish.  All will be explained at the beginning. These on-line seminars are a great way to share information without the usual geographical limitations.  Please pray for this event.

From the Diary
Easter Sunday 5th April - Easter Family Service at Yelvertoft Congregational Church, Northants.
Tuesday 7th to Friday 10th Doreen and I will be attending a Leaders' Conference at Hothorpe Hall, Leics.
Tuesday 7th - the regular visit to Gartree Prison, Leics.
Wednesday 8th - Monica Cook starts radiotherapy for her brain tumour.  Please support her with your prayers.
Saturday 11th - 9.00 The Rural Mission Webinar.  In the early evening I have a meeting to attend before driving to Kent.
Sunday 12th - Dunks Green Evangelical Free Church, Kent (an Action for Christ project)
Over the next three days I will continue in East Sussex helping to close down the Action for Christ Office at Bodiam, visiting Monica and carrying out a number of other duties.
Wednesday 15th - Rural Evangelism Network Committee via video link.
Friday 17th - a rural mission consultation for an Anglican benefice in Worcestershire.
Saturday 168h - 'Get Messy' (Messy Church), Yelvertoft.

Some friends will know John Bradley, a former trustee of Sunrise Ministries and a great colleague in ministry.  John is also battling cancer and i commend him and his family to your prayers.  John almost always responds to these Praise & Prayer News and sent me a great story based on last week's theme.  Thank you John.

Thank you for your prayers and support and for the various Easter Greetings received.  Journey with Jesus and discover great blessing.

Barry