“While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, but their eyes were kept from recognizing him.” – Luke 24:16
There once a popular question found on signs and T-shirts – “WWJD?”. What Would Jesus Do? Today we turn this around to the Holy Spirit, not asking “WWJD” in this or that but instead, “Holy Spirit, show me what to do as Jesus would.”
I have always felt that saying to be a little bit odd: because Jesus was always doing the unexpected and completely surprising people by not following the normal protocol.
We see this in Luke’s Gospel. Jesus does the unexpected a few times. Just hours after the resurrection some of the first people He comes to are the disciples pining afraid in the locked room, instead, He surprises the two disciples on the road to Emmaus. He asks them to share what has been happening in Jerusalem. In reply He doesn’t show them the wounds on His hands and feet, instead, Jesus starts a Bible study. He teaches them about Scripture and the necessity of Christ’s suffering so as to enter into glory. Finally, much later, He amazes and surprises them through the breaking of the bread. When they finally recognize Him, He disappears.
Continuously surprising them, continuously doing the unexpected, continuously a real adventure: that is life with Christ.
Time and time again we read of saints and others who experienced the unexpected but trusted in God’s plan: Joseph did not expect to find Mary pregnant but obeyed God and raised Jesus with her. Mary faced the unexpected when she was asked to be the mother of the son of God but trusted Him and gave her fiat. Countless saints have been called to live the unexpected. They answered the call and God was always with them along the way.
In my own life, I am also touched by the unexpected from God. He’s always surprising me and showing me His hand in my life.
When my heart was shattered in the funeral home, He came as Comforter. it’s not surprising that God is Comforter, Psalms take of this many times. The surprise, as least for me, is that He came to Comfort me when I was in multi year sin and betrayals of God.
He has come so many times in so many ways through my life. Many time He was hidden from my sight like these two disciples. Fully present and active, yet I didn’t recognize Him. Other times He has made Himself fully present to me. In any time, my heart swelled with joy and peace at the recognition.
“Were not our hearts burning within us” – Luke 24:32
Take an inventory of your life, just a glance back looking for times when you were ‘on the road’ – maybe hiding or running. Did Jesus come along side (hint: He did). What did Jesus do? Then, start looking around you today. Look for ‘strangers’ coming alongside. Recognized when Jesus comes up alongside and starts showing something greater to you.
When you see and hear the voice of the Holy Spirit, you no longer ask, “what would Jesus do?” You know.