We are all sojourners in this world. I’d like to share some of my insights from my journey on the road. We will begin here and relate to their experiences with our own. If you don’t mind.

Luke 24:13-27 English Standard Version

On the Road to Emmaus

13 That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, 14 and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened. 15 While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. 16 But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. 17 And he said to them, “What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?” And they stood still, looking sad. 18 Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” 19 And he said to them, “What things?” And they said to him, “Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, 20 and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. 21 But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened. 22 Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning, 23 and when they did not find his body, they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. 24 Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.” 25 And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.

Read full chapter  This link will take you to the full story.

For the moment we place ourselves in the persons of the two men walking together. Without going into too much detail allow me to point out the obvious first. Two walking together with a common destination in mind.

Amos 3:3

“Do two walk together, unless they have agreed to meet?

Right or wrong the two are in agreement. Walking in agreement with your travel companion does nothing to identify if the road they are on is the right road, only that they agree to walk together.

Over the next few days we will visit portions of these verses from my point of view and my experiences only. That does not make me right or wrong, only experienced.

1 Peter 4:12-16 English Standard Version

Suffering as a Christian

12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. 16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name.

We search the world for those who are in pain and are suffering. There is no lack of it. The gospel is an offer of escape from one life to gain a better life. We hi-lite the healing, comfort, mercy and grace and avoid mentioning pain and suffering. They already know about that.

Those in pain are reluctant to swap one kind of pain for another, especially one that is unknown.

The one connection we have with the lost is our own pain and suffering. We are relatable only to the extent that our suffering is the same as theirs. Gaining access to their pain is a matter of trust. Gaining the trust of strangers is extremely difficult. A measure of discomfort is to be expected. 

Listen again to Peter’s words, “as though something strange were happening to you”. How we respond to those situations will be either by our old nature or our new nature. Once again we copy Peter’s words. “You are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.”

We are blessed but in those moments when the needy seek relief they need to know we understand from a place of common pain. They won’t relate to our place of blessing. They need to believe our pain. Our test at that moment is to walk into fire willingly and experience the pain again for them, to know our testimony is real.

If they can believe our pain was real, perhaps they will believe our escape plan.