Walking With Christ

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Walking With Christ

“Now, that same day two of the disciples were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. They were talking with each other about everything that had happened.  As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them;  but they were kept from recognizing him” (Luke 24:13-35).

A little girl once asked this question of her father, “How is it that God can do so many things at one time?” Had you known my daughter Talitha back then, you would agree that this was a question typical of her keen, inquisitive mind in her quest to know God and understand what God ‘could’ or ‘could not’ do as she grew in the knowledge of God. She, like all of us who yearn to understand the ‘whys’ of life, stammered for the right words to express in human speech the depths, riches, and mercies of our loving Father. The birth, death, resurrection, and ministry of our Lord pricks our finite minds like strings on a golden harp; stretching our spirit-induced soul to know more of Him. For it is in Him, in Christ, the consoler and helper of the sheep, that we find rest for our often tired souls, and strength for what lies ahead. I shared with my daughter that God is the supreme multi-tasker – even more than mom and dad (she thought mom could do anything). That Christ actually excels in helping those who love Him and can do so for everyone at the same time, and that He has both divine power and divine goodness. Our Father is both omnipotent and omnibenevolent – He has power to change circumstances and work miracles. His divine aim is to move His people to higher levels of enjoyment. I shared with her that omnipotence is the state of having all power, the ability to do anything that conforms to His nature. A big smile formed on her face and she said, “Does that mean God won’t create a purple rabbit?”  (She loved purple and rabbits, so why not?) Keeping her on focus, I did my best as all dads to explain the inexplicable. She did seem to grasp that as His children we have hope for everlasting happiness as we walk with Him day-by-day. As my little girl sat on my lap, wide-eyed, trying to grasp these truths, she and I both agreed that while these facts about God are important and that a God so vast can never be fully known – those who want to walk with Him will be deeply humbled in the process. We both agreed and said a little prayer that God will help her every day to know more about Him. In the end she agreed that God was good, and that she wanted to walk with Him for the rest of her life. And just like my little girl (who is all grown up now and serving the Lord) we find that as we ‘walk with Jesus’ – as He writes the story line of our life – we find a Lamb, loving, forgiving, kind, and consoling throughout our journey.

This same Jesus many years ago ‘walked’ with other men (and little boys and girls), but also sinners, tax collectors, harlots and fishermen. He and his rag-tagged band of followers ate fish sandwiches together on the sea side as seagulls soared overhead and waves crashed along the beach whispering the majesty of their Creator. We follow in their footsteps, though on a far distant shore, yet, like them, we walk with Christ. We sit at His feet in our personal synagogue hanging on His every word. We often find ourselves in the wilderness seeking solace for our journey through new insights into the One who was and will always be – eternally – God.

Never stop walking with Christ, dear friend, no matter where He leads. In His fantastical vision of name-less creatures, of trumpets, angels, and saints dressed in white casting their golden crowns at the feet of Jesus, John the Revelator walked with Christ. He heard and experienced what my daughter Talitha yearned to know – how can God take care of the world, yet at the same time, love and hold me in my time of need? Like the fishermen before us, we get into our little boats and raise anchor for parts unknown, hoping and trusting that Jesus is not asleep. Some today believe He is asleep, but no, the Lord’s Christ is very much alive, and He longs to walk with us, guiding us towards a sanctuary of peace, joy, and fulfillment.

You see, dear friend, to fully understand the Gospel (and Jesus), we must ‘walk-out’ the Gospel each and every day. The Gospel, the truth about God and Jesus, has the power to break the fetters and bondage that life and the enemy have brought us. God through Jesus removes the darkness, the stain of our sins: He wipes away the tears and declares, “Behold all things have become new!”  The Gospel is not just about Christ living, dying, and being resurrected. It is the only message of hope for a world held by death, suffering, and sin, a world of addictions and pain. This message declares our all-loving Creator can take care of the cosmos AND His children, and walk with us day-by-day, guiding us into victory, healing and joy. As we walk with Him, He is ever leading us out of this tired and empty world, into His world, one filled with grace and love. Maybe you’ve tried walking with Jesus and still have a hard time trying to recognize Him. Ask Him to open up your eyes and heart to find the freedom He holds in the palms of His hands. Today – keep walking and trusting – He will reveal Himself to you. Cast your care upon Him and allow the Lord to pick up the broken pieces of your life. He will make you whole. Who knows, maybe you too will be invited for fish sandwiches someday near the seashore of your life with Christ; the One who can do all things for those that can believe (Phil 4:13).

Our Beacon of Hope
by Alan Bullock

I did not see Him die on the tree
Or touch His nail-scarred hands.
Nor see the leper healed of his disease,
Or walk with Him on Galilee’s sand.

Yet, I believe that He is Lord
Though I didn’t see the empty tomb;
Or stand by Him at Golgotha’s ford,
But I sense His presence in my room.

For I see His face in every flower,
And His blood in every rose.
He is my light in my darkest hour,
A beacon of hope that ever glows.

But as I journey through the day
I know I will never walk alone
And he’ll be there to welcome me,
When it’s time to take that final walk –
To heaven’s golden throne.