Tuesday, April 23, 2019

Tuesday Sermon: Take a Step


Take a step.

On the road to Emmaus, we see two men walking , when they are joined by a stranger.  Their concern was that with Jesus dead, their hope that He would be the one who redeemed Israel was also defeated.  Now they weren't certain what to do.

Take a step.

In Acts, Peter and John were on their way to the temple when they came across a man lame from birth.  Through the power given them by Christ, and invoking the power of Christ, Peter commanded the man to stand up and walk.

Take a step.

Our Psalm today tells us:  "Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually.  Remember the wonderful works he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he has uttered." 

Take a step.

Christ said to the men on the road, "'Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?'  Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures."  We've been told from time immemorial that these things would happen, that all things are possible through God's strength and presence.  We have to trust in the works and words that God has said, repeatedly. 

Take a step.

God knows so much more, and He knows the future perfectly, so we have to step out in obedience first. Faith is taking that first step of obedience.  Martin Luther King, Jr. said, "Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase."  We tell our children to do certain things before they fully understand, right? They don't yet know that greater harm will come to them if they don't do as they're told, at least not yet. It’s only after they grow older that they finally see the wisdom in why we asked them to do it.

The Road to Emmaus was a physical road in the Bible, but how many times do we forget to look and find the face of Christ walking with us? With each step, God asks that we remember we're not alone. He is always with us – in the faces of His children, in the tasks of helping our neighbors, in the love for our families – in the lame man at the Beautiful Gate.  How often as we serve do we remember to thank God for His presence, His guidance, His gifts that allow us to help those in need? How often do we truly set aside the busy-ness of our lives and acknowledge the Holy Spirit pervading every act, every person, every situation that we often perceive as a problem or hindrance?

Find your own Road to Emmaus and remember to not just hear, but to listen – for all that you need is already there.  And all that you can accomplish is within your grasp, as you take that step in faith, and walk with Christ.

Take one step.  It will lead to another, and another.  Take a step in faith.

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