20th August 2024
Rolled away
There was a barrier between the women and their goal to reach the Lord. They had faithfully kept the Sabbath, and they were dedicated in love. They now moved forward as they prepared to honour and say goodbye to Jesus in his death, but there was a veil of tears that covered their heart, and they soon remembered that a large stone had barred their way. What were they going to do?
The disciples had wanted to believe that Jesus had come to save their nation and them individually, but his death barred the way. They had gathered as one in disbelief of the events that had happened to them; had happened to Jesus, and they locked the door in fear of what may lay ahead. Their lack of faith barred the way to reality. Jesus had done what he had come to do. He tried to prepare them for the coming events. It was their lack of faith in him that locked the door.
Walking back to their home in Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35) two disciples were shattered in disbelief of what had happened the previous days. They had given up so much to follow Jesus, and now everything had come to a sudden end; they felt lost, cut off, barred from what they thought was the truth. Locking the door by walking away, they barred the way to belief. Their faith, like all the others, had been tested and failed. As they walked on, they were joined by another who opened their eyes to the scriptures about the Messiah. Jesus himself entered in, he brought proof, comfort, and encouragement. Jesus tells Thomas to touch what is real, he said see for yourself. Jesus removed the barriers, the stone blocking the way, the shattered dreams; Jesus removed the barriers in their lives.
We are pointed to the fact that salvation is a gift of faith, a gift of Jesus. Along the way, we will encounter difficulties, because we are in a fallen world. God will give us the strength and the abilities to finish what he has given us to do. It is this faith that sends us out to preach about the salvation of God to the world; to talk about his goodness, mercy, and love.
After Jesus had spoken to the disciples and strengthened their faith; removing the barriers, they went out to do as he said, to preach to the world the gospel message of Jesus Christ. We are a product of the faith given to us by Jesus, a result of the courage of the disciples who preached the word of God to the world. What are our barriers? I had to ask myself what are mine: age, fear, isolation, or education? Even if our barriers are snakes, poison, demons or sickness, the Lord will remove the barriers keeping us from being productive, from teaching, or reaching others in this world. Jesus makes a way, where there seems to be no way.
Prayer
Precious God, you are all we need in this world, you give us strength when weak, encouragement for each day. We thank you for giving us such abundant and gracious love. Please help us by continuing to remove the barriers that come between us, you, and the work you would have us do. May your name be lifted up high, and may all come to know you and your love. In Jesus’s name, Amen.
Study by Anne Gillam
About the writer:
Anne Gillam is a retired Pastor in Grace Communion International, Klamath Falls, Oregon, USA.
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