The Emmaus Road

The blessings, and gifts, of God are necessary in our lives. They are what reminds us of God’s protective rule over us, and proactive guidance for what we are accomplishing. We depend upon them for all we need, and sometimes want. But are God’s blessings, his interventions, just for what we want? Are they only gifted to those who have faith and ask for them? Or, are they for a purpose beyond just demonstrating our specialness in front of others?

In many of his parables, Jesus speaks to his disciples about the “Kingdom of God.” We might think Jesus is being symbolic or spiritual about what he describes, but it is much more literal than we care to admit. How often who we relegate God’s Kingdom, or God’s rule, to a mere suggestion in our lives? How often do we overlook how sovereign God is, and can be, in all our situations? Especially as we live in a world filled with deception and an inability to care for our most pressing needs?

We live in a world that is increasingly under tension, between various powers wishing to rule us and within ourselves. We constantly label things as “good” and “evil” based on preference and what we believe to be right. But the parables of Jesus teach us how to recognize the difference, and how to live within the tension for the sake of those needing God’s rule. The key word for Christians living today is “patience.”

People are motivated by all sorts of different things, which make it difficult to connect and correct the actions and ideas of others. The Church believes its job is to change the hearts and minds of people, and correct their actions- which is only partially correct. We must take our cue from Jesus, in how he appealed to and taught others. And the results he expected to come about through the giving of his wisdom.

Christians are very good with wanting to do all they can for God. They try so hard in doing everything they can with proclaiming the teachings of Jesus, and to resist the power of sin and evil in the world. But oftentimes ignore the command of Jesus to come and take his yoke upon us, and rest with him. What does “rest” look like in this instance, and what does this offer of Jesus do to aid us living for God in our everyday lives?

Why are Christians instructed to do good in the world as disciples? For money or success? Fame or celebrity? For power and an easy life? Or because God offers a greater purpose by which to live, and a greater confidence by which to live by? To know the kingdom of God is close at hand, and the presence of God in our world is undeniable.

The calling we get from God to deliver his Gospel to the world is an honor. But it is an honor which puts us at odds with the rest of the world, and even what we value. Being his ministers and ambassadors mean that our beliefs and values do not have a place anywhere, since our loyalty and allegiance is with a Savior not of this world. However, God does use every opportunity in life to allow us ability to speak for and represent him. Even if the circumstances and conditions are unfavorable, and even hated by us, it is the opportunity God trusts us with all the more to speak his prophetic voice.

Our society obsesses over the idea of work, and sometimes assigns value and worth to each person’s ability (or lack thereof). But Jesus speaks about what he expects his workers to accomplish, and what the Spirit enables them to accomplish. All efforts of Christ’s disciples contribute to the wider goal of harvesting for God in the world, and sometimes requires a keener eye on what is most important.

Faith is sometimes seen as a passive and non-committal response to the problems of the world. Reflecting a private belief that exists only in the heads of Christians. But faith is much more active and responsive to the world and the issues surrounding us, more than we care to admit. Faith allows us to step out in a trust, and in a stubbornness, which allows us to face the criticisms and objections of others. And to stand for what is truly important in our lives.

Trinity Sunday is a commemoration and celebration of the way God has chosen to communicate with humanity. It reminds us while God is one, the multiplicity of God speaks in a range that touches all of God's characteristics, aspects, and works. It is not about a doctrine, but about life, relationship, and what we are invited to be part of.