Open My Eyes (#229 of 365+)

“When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight.
They asked each other, ‘Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?’” (Luke 24:30-32)

The Roman soldiers must have really beaten the face of Jesus. The two disciples didn’t recognize the stranger on their long journey to Emmaus. This was not uncommon. Mary Magdalene, the first person to see the Lord after the resurrection, thought he was a gardener until she heard him say her name (John 20:14).

Something about the way Jesus broke the bread opened those disciples’ eyes. Joni believes it was because they finally saw the nail scars in his hands. She said if we want someone to know Jesus is Lord—if we want their spiritual eyes to be opened—we need to point them to the cross.

To the empty cross…. and an empty tomb.

To the testimonies of eyewitnesses to the resurrection that were recorded in scripture and other historical documents.

To the countless numbers of Christians and their children throughout the centuries who were tortured to death because of their beliefs.

And our own personal testimony that Jesus Christ is Lord.

All the evidence that Jesus is alive.

“The cross… is the power of God” (1 Corinthians 1:18)

Lord Jesus, because you live I live, too. Thank you for bearing the guilt of my sin and going to the grave in obedience to the Father. I’ll never fully comprehend what you endured on my behalf. May I find opportunities to share the message of the cross with others. Open their eyes and help them to see that you are indeed the Lord of Life. Amen.