Luke 24:13-35 And he said to them, "O foolish men, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken!" (v.25) Why was it difficult for the disciples to recognize the risen Lord? Jesus' death scattered his disciples and shattered their hopes and dreams. They had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. They saw the cross as defeat and could not comprehend the empty tomb until the Lord Jesus appeared to them and gave them understanding. Do you recognize the Risen Lord in his word and in the breaking of the bread? Jesus chided the disciples on the road to Emmaus for their slowness of heart to believe what the Scriptures had said concerning the Messiah. They did not recognize the risen Jesus until he had broken bread with them. Do you recognize the Lord in his word and in the breaking of the bread? St. Augustine of Hippo (354-430 AD) reflects on the dimness of their perception: "They were so disturbed when they saw him hanging on the cross that they forgot his teaching, did not look for his resurrection, and failed to keep his promises in mind" (Sermon 235.1). "Their eyes were obstructed, that they should not recognize him until the breaking of the bread. And thus, in accordance with the state of their minds, which was still ignorant of the truth - that the Christ would die and rise again, their eyes were similarly hindered. It was not that the truth himself was misleading them, but rather that they were themselves unable to perceive the truth." (From The Harmony of the Gospels, 3.25.72) How often do we fail to recognize the Lord when he speaks to our hearts and opens his mind to us? The Risen Lord is ever ready to speak his word to us and to give us understanding of his ways. Lord Jesus Christ, open the eyes of my heart to recognize your presence with me and to understand the truth of your saving word. Nourish me with your life-giving word and with the bread of life. Amen. - READ: Luke 24:13-35 - Do you listen attentively to the Word of God and allow his word to change and transform you?

1 Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge. 2 I say to the LORD, "You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you." 5 The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot. 7 I bless the LORD who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me. 8 I keep the LORD always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. 9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my soul rejoices; my body also dwells secure. 10 For you do not give me up to Sheol, or let your godly one see the Pit. 11 You show me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy, in your right hand are pleasures for evermore.

"Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked. If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,” and you make the Most High your dwelling, no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. You will tread on the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent. “Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.” I hope you read that out loud! If not, GO BACK AND READ IT OUT LOUD! Demons HATE when we speak Psalm 91! Here's why! Psalm 91 is not just a song or a prayer, it is a very powerful prayer; a legal declaration of Heaven's protection! Every line destroys fear! Every word activates angels! Thus, Hell TREMBLES WITH FEAR when a believer speaks it with FAITH! So, I'll ask you again... did you read it OUT LOUD and declare war against the demons of Hell or did you just read it quietly to yourself?

Many people who die, do NOT go to a better place. Jesus Christ ... in fact, He said this, He said, "I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me!" NO ONE! Buddha: NO ONE! Muhammed: NO ONE! Hinduism: NO ONE! Mormonism: NO ONE! "I'm spiritual, but not religious!": NO ONE! JESUS: Anyone that comes to the Father CAN COME THROUGH HIM! ANYONE!!! Anyone claiming there are many paths to God is lying to you. There is ONE way to God. ONE way to Heaven. His name is JESUS, and He is the way, the truth, and the life.

If you are a Christian and you attend a church and you have an attitude of "I didn't feel welcomed", and "I didn't feel approached," or "nobody talked to me!" Guess what . . . . IT"S YOUR FAULT! You're a Christian! We are SUPPOSED to initiate! As Christians, we should never be the ones who are sort of isolated and taking up offense! We should be relational and pursuing others! And the stranger means, I don't know them and maybe they don't know my God But maybe my God put me in front of them so I could get to know them and they could get to know HIM!