January 24th, 25: Journeying through Disappointments with Jesus on the Road to Emmaus

One Year Bible Podcast: Join Hunter and Heather Barnes on 'The Daily Radio Bible' for a daily 20-minute spiritual journey. Engage with scripture readings, heartfelt devotionals, and collective prayers that draw you into the heart of God's love. Embark on this year-long voyage through the Bible, and let each day's passage uplift and inspire you.

TODAY'S EPISODE:

Welcome back, dear listeners, to another enriching episode of the Daily Radio Bible. Today is January 24th, 2025, and as always, your hosts Hunter and Heather are here to guide you through an inspiring journey into God's Word. In today's episode, we delve into the transformative power of scripture, focusing on the tenth and eleventh chapters of Exodus. We witness the relentlessness of Pharaoh's hardened heart amidst God's powerful plagues upon Egypt, highlighting God's sovereignty and the distinct destiny of the Israelites.

Then we transition to Luke's Gospel, where we walk alongside the disciples on the road to Emmaus. Their deep despair is turned to joy as the risen Christ opens their eyes to the truth of the scriptures and rekindles their hope. Hunter shares a touching reflection on how Jesus accompanies us, even in our moments of brokenness and disappointment, gradually revealing His presence and love.

Join us as we seek to have our hearts and minds opened to the life-changing love of Jesus through prayer and reflection. Let this episode be a reminder that, no matter where our journey takes us, we are never alone. So, let's dive into the Word and be reminded of God's unwavering love and presence.

TODAY'S DEVOTION:

Jesus meets these 2 men on the way to a little town outside of Jerusalem. It's a 7 mile walk, and the town is called Emmaus. Their hearts are dejected, their hopes and aspirations dashed, they're broken. Having followed Jesus through his ministry, they had hoped that he was the Messiah. They had seen many of his miraculous signs, and they were overcome by his amazing teaching and thought, this could be it. This might be the man. Yet, 3 days prior, they had seen that man that they had pinned all their hopes on crucified. Now, the story that they hoped for had come to an end, or so they thought.

But it's here at this moment, when their hearts are at their darkest and their hopes are most broken, that Jesus shows up. He's veiled to them, but eventually, he's going to unveil himself and show them who he really is. At this point, veiled Jesus reminds them of some things they should have known, things they should have seen. Luke writes this in verse 25 and 26. Then Jesus said to them, you foolish people, You find it so hard to believe all that the prophets wrote in the scriptures. Wasn't it clearly predicted that the Messiah would have to suffer all these things before He entered His glory? And then he, the stranger on the road, begins to take them through the writings of Moses and the prophets, and he explains from the scriptures what they should have been able to see. There are things that we should be able to see that Jesus can reveal to us. Luke says he took them through the scriptures concerning himself.

He explains who the Messiah is. He's offering them a way, a way of seeing. Seeing things that they should have been able to see. Things about God. Things about themselves. Things about love. He is showing them that he is the way, That we begin to regain our sight. To see what is true about ourselves, about God, about the world, about what is true.

We're all on a journey. These 2 are on a journey to Emmaus, and they're trying to talk their way clear on this profound disappointment in their life. They're disappointed with what they believe to be true. They're disappointed that God didn't somehow change the circumstances, that Jesus didn't meet their expectations. They're disappointed with the world and the way it is. They're disappointed with themselves, no doubt. They had hoped for something, and they thought that hope had let them down. Maybe you are on your own journey to Emmaus.

Or maybe you know what that's like. Maybe you are disappointed. Disappointed that God didn't come through the way you thought he would, that things haven't worked out. Maybe you're disappointed with yourself. Maybe you had hopes that didn't plan out. But maybe today, we can pay close attention and see the way that Jesus is inviting us to see. Maybe today, we can pay close attention to the presence of God with us. He might be unrecognizable at first, but maybe we can pay special attention and listen to him.

If we do, he will often open up the scriptures to help us to see things that we should have seen all along. Maybe he will reveal himself in the breaking of bread, and you'll see that he has been with you through it all. Even the disappointments, the hopes unrealized. Maybe if we keep listening and walking, we'll discover his way of seeing. Seeing the world. Seeing ourselves. Seeing our neighbors. Seeing all things through love.

That's the prayer that I have for my own soul. That's the prayer that I have for my family, for my wife, and my daughters, and my son. And that's the prayer that I have for you. May it be so.

TODAY'S PRAYERS:

Lord God Almighty and everlasting father you have brought us in safety to this new day preserve us with your Mighty power that we might not fall into sin or be overcome by adversity. And in all we do, direct us to the fulfilling of your purpose through Jesus Christ Our Lord amen.

Oh God you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth and sent your blessed son to preach peace to those who are far and those who are near. Grant that people everywhere may seek after you, and find you. Bring the nations into your fold, pour out your Spirit on all flesh, and hasten the coming of your kingdom through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

And now Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred let me sow love. Where there is injury, pardon. Where there is doubt, faith. Where there is despair, hope. Where there is darkness, light. And where there is sadness, Joy. Oh Lord grant that I might not seek to be consoled as to console. To be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love. For it is in the giving that we receive, in the pardoning that we are pardoned, it is in the dying that we are born unto eternal life. Amen

And now as our Lord has taught us we are bold to pray...

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven, give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our tresspasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not unto temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the Kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

Loving God, we give you thanks for restoring us in your image. And nourishing us with spiritual food, now send us forth as forgiven people, healed and renewed, that we may proclaim your love to the world, and continue in the risen life of Christ. Amen.

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January 24th, 25: Journeying through Disappointments with Jesus on the Road to Emmaus

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