Let’s Have a Conversation About Jesus

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Scripture:


Luke 24:13   Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, 14 and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. 15 While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, 16 but their eyes were kept from recognizing him. 


Observation:


The two individuals in this scene may have been members of the seventy who had been sent out. They were making their way to Emmaus, and something happened on that journey. It all began as they were “talking with each other about all these things that had happened.” The word for this conversation used here is the Greek word, “homilein” and only Luke uses it, both in his gospel and in the Acts. We get our English word “homiletics” from this term. Neale tells us, “ For the first time in the Gospel story we have disciples who are not just astonished, confused, and disbelieving. Now they are thinking individuals who engage in intelligent conversation about the meaning of Jesus’ life” (Neale, NBBC) This, according to Neale, becomes the “new paradigm of disciples. Disciples discuss and ruminate.” They are trying to make sense of the crucifixion and the resurrection — trying to discover the truth. 


Application:


There is so much conversation these days, but often, it seems to be about politics, or the things that are wrong in the world! What if we were to spend more time in conversation about Jesus? Just friends, walking down the road, talking about and trying to make sense about what it means to follow Jesus in this world. Ruminating over the challenges of the day, we converse, and challenge one another along the discipleship journey. 


This scene also made me think about preaching. Preaching classes are often called “homiletics” classes — but sermons are not necessarily framed around a “conversation.” If you look up the both words (sermon & homily), you will discover they are used interchangeably, but usually are referred to as an oration or speech given around a religious subject. I’m just wondering what would happen if we thought about preaching as a conversation about Jesus. The conversation was framed around the questions that these two had, and they tried to answer their own questions, until Jesus showed up. When he appeared, he brought clarity to their conversation. When the Holy Spirit shows up in our preaching, there is clarity to our understanding about Christ. 


Let’s try to have a conversation about Jesus today with someone. Just maybe, it would make a huge difference in our lives and theirs. 


Prayer:


Lord, thank you for your patience with me as I seek to know you more. I need to know you and your truth. Amen. 

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