a glimpse of the risen Jesus
I’m a friend of Cleopas, Jesus. At least I would have been had I lived in Jerusalem. The day of your resurrection I walk with him and another friend a few miles down the road to Jericho. I’m perplexed at the news. Alive! The women say he is alive! Who do they take me for? I’m no fool. I saw him hanging on the cross on Friday. I saw the ripped skin, the thorns deep in his head. I saw the guard thrust the spear into his side. Alive? Ha. It’s all too perplexing to me.
Then a man joined us on the road. We had much to talk about and were more than happy to fill him in on the events of the day. He must have been living in a hole somewhere. I do that a lot, Lord–talk a lot, speculate about the nature of God, make up theories about God’s intent, wonder about the possibilities of God. I’m never bashful about sharing my opinions. True, usually, they are just that–opinions. They have no foundation. I reason out of the mind but am clueless when it comes to spiritual matters. It all seems Greek to me (or maybe I should say, it all seems Chinese to me).
The man along the road, however, didn’t seem nearly as worked up as we were. He had that calm assurance about him I wish I had. He spoke with a wisdom that seemed to be clearly in touch with spiritual reality. He talked about God’s plan, about the purpose of Jesus. I wish, Lord, I understood that plan. I wish I could see the world from the eyes of God, to catch a glimpse of spiritual matters that seem to elude me.
All too late, Jesus, we realized our fellow traveler was you. It came as a flash of insight when you broke the bread. You allowed me that glimpse of understanding that I crave. You helped me see truth. Jesus is alive. Jesus did rise from the dead. Intellectually (which is how I try to understand God), resurrection not possible. But I’ve come to understand that spiritual truth comes only from God; it comes only in moments of grace when you open my eyes to a different reality than I live every day.
Grant me more glimpses of the risen Jesus. Teach me truths only you possess. Amen.
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