EYES OPENED
03rd Jan 2018
Bewilderment, disappointment, pain, sorrow, hopelessness characterised two disciples of Jesus walking away from Jerusalem to their home in Emmaus. A little time later they are described in very different words - hearts burning, full of hope, sure that Jesus is alive.
The factor that caused this massive change in attitude is recorded in Luke 24:31, “Their eyes were opened” and they recognised Jesus. Jesus alone can give comfort, wisdom and everything you need to live life. He won’t force Himself on you, but the moment you acknowledge you need Him, He will make Himself visible to you, and your whole perspective will be changed.
I remember a conversation with a man that knew God was offering him a new life with Jesus, but he held back from receiving for two main reasons, shame and independence. He felt ashamed that he had lived his life for so long without God, and questioned whether God would accept him. The other was facing an end to independent living, and the challenge of acknowledging a greater authority in his life.
The need for inner peace led him to humble himself and receive. His eyes were opened and joy filled him in such a measurable way that many who saw the change in his countenance asked him what had happened to him!
God loves to meet with individuals, but also with nations. Israel has lost its identity, and had become as helpless as the two on the Emmaus road. Oppressed and knocked about for hundreds of years by world powers, and ineffective and unrecognisable as God’s special people. Into this situation God sent Zechariah to bring a word of hope. (Zechariah 10:2-7) He told them that God still had purpose for them and would revive their spirits, they would again become courageous and vigorous, because God was with them.
I’ll put muscle in the people of Judah;
I’ll save the people of Joseph.
I know their pain and will make them good as new.
They’ll get a fresh start, as if nothing had ever happened.
And why? Because I am their very own God,
I’ll do what needs to be done for them. (Zechariah 10:6-7 in The Message)
Receive a new vision of Jesus today, walk into 2018 knowing that God has plans for you that cannot be thwarted, and He will give you hope because of His presence. Ask for a new vision of the magnitude of the possibility when God is for you and Jesus is with you.
by Joyce Sibthorpe
