Friday, April 6, 2012

Jesus at the Center

As Easter approaches, I have been reflecting on one of my favorite post-resurrection stories: The Road to Emmaus.
The basic story is that Jesus meets his two of his disciples incognito. They are traveling on a road and he walks with them, asking them questions about this Jesus character they are grieving. After they muddle out some confused thoughts about Jesus' suffering and about some possible post-death sightings of him, Jesus takes the reins.
"How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?" And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. (Luke 24:25-27)
Jesus did not come along as a major player in God's story. Jesus owns the stage as the star of the show, beginning to end. Jesus demonstrates this by explaining to the disciples what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. He does this not simply by quoting a couple of overt passages in Isaiah, but by walking through Moses (the Pentateuch) and the Prophets.
Later on, when Jesus appears to all of his disciples, he says, "This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms." (Luke 24:44)
The whole Bible is about Jesus. All of it. Genesis to Revelation. Colossians and Hebrews both picture the Old Testament as the shadow that Jesus cast before his dramatic appearance. Now he has come and taken center stage in a new way.
This Easter, we have the opportunity to celebrate the one who was so deeply anticipated. As we anticipate his return, we invite him to take center stage in our stories.
It seems only appropriate to do this. After all, he already owns center stage in God's story.

1 comment:

  1. Looks like the Holy Spirit will use this for His Kingdom. I have added this to my favorites.
    Brother in Christ
    Darell

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