Written by Sabrina Nino de Campos, Portuguese Team Lead for Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Tennessee
It's been a little over 2 years now since I feel like my vision has been blurred by pain and confusion. It may be that, just like me, you've also had an experience that transformed your vision. Maybe something related to your job, maybe to your family, or maybe you are not going through anything like that at the moment, but it happened to you in the past or it will happen in the future. There are changes in life that transform our vision of the world.
When my biggest fear came true and my mom had a medical emergency that left her with severe brain lesions, I felt like I didn't know what to do or what to expect. My eyes turned dark and God became a strange being, Someone I could no longer recognize.
During that period (and constantly since) I held on to the passage about the two people on the road to Emmaus. It says:
That same day two of them were going to a town called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. They were talking about everything that had happened. It happened that, while they were talking and arguing, Jesus himself approached and began to walk with them; but they did not recognize him, for their eyes were veiled. (Luke 24:13-16, NIV)
This passage doesn’t tell us exactly why they didn’t recognize Jesus, but I imagine the disappointment and pain they felt at seeing the One in whom they had placed so much hope die on the cross had something to do with this temporary blindness.
Can you think of a time in your life when you have also been blind?
In Luke 24:17-24, the two people explain to Jesus everything that has happened about the Christ and His death, and Jesus answers them in verses 25-27. He explains all the things that had to happen and everything that referred to Him in the Scriptures. He takes them by the hand just like children and helps them reach conclusions that they should already know, but do not know—that they should see, but don't see.
Many times, during stressful situations in which I feel lost, I can hear the voice of Jesus also telling me: “Didn't I have to suffer so that I could enter His glory? And was I not by your side during all your life and since the beginning of time? Have I not walked by your side?”
Doesn't your heart burn too when you listen to His sweet voice? (v. 32)
We have been through many difficult situations in recent years; COVID has affected more than just our health. And many times, it feels like we have come out of a fog in 2020 right into another in 2021. We don't know what to expect and we can't see anything. But I encourage you to think that Jesus speaks to you and walks by your side, just as I know He has walked by my side, and just like He walked by His disciples on that road.
Do you feel your heart burning within you?
Just like He did with the two people on their way to Emmaus, Jesus invites you to reflect on the journey that He’s shared with you. To celebrate, break the bread and bless it (v. 30) in the forthcoming year and in many others to come. May our eyes can be opened so we can see clearly (v. 31), that our vision now and forever is Jesus! Let’s keep our eyes on Him, to Whom all our goals belong.