Tell me about your theology. How is your relationship with God? Do you ever struggle with faith? An additional question: do you believe that if God would do something big for you, like a miracle, that you would be able to believe in God more, be more faithful, or have stronger faith?
Many times people believe that if God would just do something for them that they specifically desire, then that specific thing would strengthen their faith. In other words, if you ask God to give you a specific answer to your prayer, like a miracle, then you believe that the answer to your prayer will provide you the faith you need.
Do you need a miracle or something like one? Actually, will a miracle or something like one help your faith?
Jesus and the Two Disciples Who Could Have Used a Miracle
As we discuss this issue, Jesus and the two disciples on the road to Emmaus become helpful to us. Remember the story?
On the Sunday after the crucifixion, the group of ladies returned to the tomb. As they returned, they found the body gone. While looking inside the tomb and considering what might have happened, two angels appeared to them and asked them why they sought the living among the dead. The angels explained that Jesus had previously told them He would rise again on the third day (Luke 24:7). In that moment, they remembered what happened and immediately ran to tell the disciples.
They disciples thought these ladies were crazy and did not believe them. So they ran to the tomb and confirmed it was just as the ladies said. The Gospel of Luke describes Peter’s reaction. He walked away believing but not being able to put the pieces together.
Now to the two disciples on the road to Emmaus. After they heard the women’s report from the tomb, saw the disbelief by the others in the group, and before hearing the report of the disciples who went back to the tomb, these two followers of Jesus left for home. Emmaus was a seven-mile journey. As they walked, they discussed the events of the weekend.
Jesus and Experiencing Miracles
While they walked, Jesus walked up to them. He chose to keep them from recognizing Him. Upon getting close, He asked them why they looked so downtrodden.
Cleopas, one of the two, responded, “Are You the only stranger in Jerusalem, and have You not known the things which happened there in these days?” (Luke 24:18). Jesus asked, “What things?”
Cleopas and his friend continued.
“The things concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a Prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered Him to be condemned to death, and crucified Him. But we were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel. Indeed, besides all this, today is the third day since these things happened. Yes, and certain women of our company, who arrived at the tomb early, astonished us. When they did not find His body, they came saying that they had also seen a vision of angels who said He was alive. And certain of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but Him they did not see.” (Luke 24:19-24)
Please pay special attention to Jesus’ response to them – both what He says and does.
Then He said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory?” And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself (Luke 24:25-27).
Jesus discussed their failure to believe and took them to Moses and all the Prophets to help them.
As the story continues, they arrive at Emmaus. Jesus continues to walk further, but they invite Him to stay and eat with them. Once the food is prepared, Jesus prays over the food and serves it to them. As He does, their eyes are opened and they recognize Him. Immediately He vanishes (Luke 24:28-32).
This is what they said:
“Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?” (Luke 24:32)
They immediately get up and quickly go back to Jerusalem to report what happened to the other disciples (Luke 24:33-35).
Do You Need a Miracle?
Why didn’t Jesus just let them see Him and recognize Him? Think how exciting it would have been for Jesus to walk up to them on the road, they look up and see Him, and BAM, there is the resurrected Jesus walking with them. They could have turned immediately and ran back to the disciples.
But, that is not what happened.
Instead, Jesus kept them from noticing Him. He kept their eyes from seeing initially. In other words, instead of letting them see a miracle as the Resurrected Jesus, He took them to the Scriptures.
Why? To answer this question, we need to refer to the story of Lazarus and the rich man that Jesus told in Luke 16:19-31. In this story, the rich man begged to be sent back to earth from his punishment in Hades to warn his brothers. Jesus explains God’s reply through the voice of Abraham:
“Abraham said to him, ‘They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.’ And he said, ‘No, father Abraham; but if one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ But he said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead.’”
Did you catch that? If one refuses to hear and believe the Scriptures, then a miracle will not persuade that person either.
Back to our question: do you need a miracle?
The answer is no. A miracle or some kind of major answer to your prayer may encourage you, no doubt. However, a miracle will not convince your heart to believe. If the resurrection cannot do it, then nothing else will either.
For these two disciples, Jesus did not show them the miracle in order for them to believe. Instead, He presented the truth of Scripture. The truth of Scripture burned in their hearts as they listened. They listened and believed. Jesus then showed Himself to them and confirmed what the Scriptures taught.
If you are struggling today in your faith, turn to the Bible. Do not look for the extraordinary or the miracle in order to believe. Look to the Scriptures, be encouraged through them, and believe. Then, as God answers your prayer, you will be encouraged by what He does.
Image Credit Sixteen Miles Out
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