On resurrection Sunday, two people are walking from Jerusalem to the village of Emmaus, a few miles away. They have had a traumatic and emotional weekend and along with other followers of Jesus they are caught up in a mixture of fear and grief. And now a story is circulating: Jesus has been seen.

Luke 24:15 records that as they walked ‘Jesus himself came up and walked along with them’.

Jesus’ way with people

This is Jesus’ way. As you read the Gospel accounts, it becomes clear that Jesus ministered in a very relational way. As he looked to see where the Father was working, he allowed people to come up to him, or he sought them out and invited them to journey with him.

In John 1:14, the apostle Paul records a pivotal scripture that describes the life and ministry of Jesus Christ:

‘The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.’

Jesus became one of us, and he lived among us. He lived out his relationship with the Father in such a way that we could see it, because it was lived within our environment and context, and surely this is the model we are called to follow.

The two disciples were to have an encounter with Jesus in the scriptures, that caused their hearts to burn and their eyes to see their risen Lord, and impelled them to share this with others.

A simple question

One of the great privileges of my Christian journey is to spend the first part of each day alone with my Saviour, to open my Bible, read a few verses and invite him to meet with me there. As we talk together, my heart receives the daily warmth it needs to go into the day. I also love encouraging others to do the same and have shown many people how to get started and make this a regular habit.

I have a question that I love to ask when I meet with people. It is very simple, but also profound:

‘What has Jesus been saying to you from the Bible recently?’

As they begin to share about their encounter, I watch their faces – they light up, as the Spirit lights a spark into flame, and my life is enriched.

Everyday answers

Here are a few examples from the past few days that I hope will encourage you, as they have me.

Last week I had a video call with a friend who is now the pastor of a thriving church. We would meet regularly before I moved away, so it was great to see him doing so well. One comment encouraged me, as he described how leading a growing church made it more important than ever that he got that precious time each morning alone with Jesus before doing ‘the day job’. The church is in good hands because the leader has his foundations on the Rock.

A Yorkshire farmer in his mid-70s, who attends our church, gets up at three in the morning every day and milks 450 cows for another farmer. Last Sunday we sat together and I asked him my usual question. His face lit up as he began to share with me the walk he is currently taking through the book of Genesis and how he is being challenged to be faithful to God when he speaks.

The town we now live in is one of the poorest in the country, and our church reflects our community. We love it because we love the people and because it challenges us constantly to move out of our comfort zone.

If I were ever to write my own version of Hebrews 11, then three ladies I know would certainly be in there. They are great friends, who have come to faith in Jesus in the past few years, and have seen their lives transformed. Each one has had a difficult path to follow and circumstances have often given them a raw deal, yet the atmosphere that surrounds them contains laughter and thankfulness to Jesus, as he helps them raise families on their own.

During the week, when they get together, they are using a Bible reading plan I gave each one. It is slow going because reading is not something they are used to, but they keep going. About a month ago, they each asked me for a copy of Time Out With God and asked me if I would keep a check on how they get on. This is a huge privilege and loads of fun. Recently one told me that she is doing her best, but when she gets to the meditation part, she closes her eyes and falls asleep. When I told her that I have often done that myself, the comment was greeted with a shout of joy mixed with some scepticism. My suggestion to try to do it standing up did not go down well either. The months ahead will be ‘interesting’ as they each find the path to walk with Jesus that is the best one for them.

These three heroes of mine have more right than most to make excuses not to spend time with Jesus each day, yet they don’t.

So let me ask you: What has Jesus been saying to you as you have met with him recently?

May it be heart-warming stuff.