In Luke 2:41-52, Joseph and Mary lose Jesus. They find him three days later in the temple area. They obviously didn’t have a rendezvous point they could go to in case they were separated. The young Jesus assumes that the temple would be the obvious place to rendezvous. Where else would he be? Nevermind that.
How in the world could they lose the Son of God?
Actually, it’s easier than you might think. It happens all the time–to people, to families, to churches. We head off in a direction, thinking he’s there with us, only to look up and realize he’s nowhere in sight.
Fast forward to Luke 24:13-35. Once again, Jesus is missing. Once again, it’s two people just outside of Jerusalem who don’t know where he is. He’s been missing for three days. Coincidence? I think not.
Eventually, the two disciples on the road to Emmaus recognize the risen Jesus in their midst. It happens when he breaks the bread. They also realize that when we was explaining the Scriptures their hearts were burning within them.
Let me suggest that the Emmaus story gives us a rendezvous point to which we can go if we lose Jesus. That rendezvous point is the table where the bread is broken. It’s the gathering where the Scriptures are opened and explained.
We find the Jesus we have lost in the Word and at the Table.
I need to keep going there every week, because it’s easy for me to lose sight of him.
Telling Stories, Asking Questions, Learning Lessons
Very, very well said, Wade. I’m going to share this with my congregation… and try to remember to give you the credit!
Me too!
I’d bet it’ll be easier for Patrick than for Donna to share it with their respective congregations ….
John Mark Hicks has a few well-chosen and related words to add on the topic of the table ministry of Christ at his recent post New Wineskins – New Way of Living.
Wade,
What a wonderful image of calling the community of Christ to His table, the table He shares, and communes with us. Hard to loose our focus when He is right there! 😉
Great observation, Wade. I join those who will be sharing this insight with others … maybe as it informs communion, or small groups.
Well actually I was “me tooing” Wade’s last sentence. I just can’t convince those pesky elders to let me share from the pulpit yet!