Easter Corporate Fast

 

Of the greatest desires of God and concurrently among the greatest desires of man — whether acknowledged or not —  is the discovery of God Himself. From the revelation of Himself in the heavens (Psalms 19:1), in His Creation (Romans 1:20) and then the ultimate manifestation of Himself in Jesus (John 14:6-11), God has and continues to make Himself both known and available to those who would recognize Him. Yet even in human form, his closest disciples continually missed the fullness of who He really was, God incarnate. In spite of the teaching and the miracles, it was finally an empty tomb and a resurrected Christ whereby they finally believed. As we come to this remembrance, let us consider how we might not miss Him from examples of those who have gone before us. 

 

Wednesday 

Luke 24:13-25

 

Luke gives an account of Jesus joining two of his disciples on the road to Emmaus. For whatever reason, the disciples did not recognize Jesus nor did Jesus give testimony as to who He was. He was deliberately vague about His identity. It was not until later in the day in the moment when bread was broken that revelation came as to who He was. And then He disappeared. How often is Jesus in the midst of our daily fellowship, even as He “opens the Scriptures to us” and we miss Him? May this time of consecration, as we fast and pray, make us ever aware of Christ not only with us but that “our hearts would burn within us” in His abiding presence. 

 

 

Matthew 16:13-19

 

Of the very folks who should have recognized the Messiah would have been the Jews who studied the Scriptures concerning Him. They were watching for His appearance on the basis of their understanding from that study. According to both the Hebrew Bible and Jewish oral tradition, a Messiah is a king, a warrior, a political figure or a revolutionary whose mission is divine and specific to the Jews. Jesus even inquired, “who do people say that I am?” Everyone got it wrong, except Peter. And it was but one distinction whereby Peter got it right. Revelation. It is still revelation from heaven, not our needs, wants, expectations or inquiry that will continue to reveal Jesus. This ongoing revelation is needed for those of us who know Him and desire to know Him better. This revelation from heaven is needed for those yet coming into the knowledge of Him (2 Corinthians 4:4-6). May God transcend our understanding and continue to make Himself known to us through the means of revelation. 

 

 

John 20:14-16

 

Mary is at the tomb, as are two angels. She has dialogue with them but is uninterested and unimpressed with their presence as she has only one matter at hand, “where is He?” Also present is the resurrected Jesus. She did not recognize Him, at least not at first. It was not until He spoke her name, “Mary”, that the sound of that voice connected to the Person of her affection and longing. She did not comprehend what she saw but she knew that voice. It is that voice, especially in the midst of our pain, that not only penetrates but permeates the environment and is indistinguishable from all others. The voice of the Shepherd (John 10:3-6,16,27) is the voice of safety, intimacy and love. He called us by name unto Himself. He continues to do so. May we not miss His voice as He daily continues to fellowship with us.