What Are You Discussing

 DEVOTION

THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO LUKE

WHAT ARE YOU DISCUSSING

Luke 24:13-32

13 Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. 14 They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. 15 As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; 16 but they were kept from recognizing him. 17 He asked them, "What are you discussing together as you walk along?" They stood still, their faces downcast. 18 One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, "Are you only a visitor to Jerusalem and do not know the things that have happened there in these days?" 19 "What things?" he asked. "About Jesus of Nazareth," they replied. "He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. 20 The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; 21 but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. 22 In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning 23 but didn't find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. 24 Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see." 25 He said to them, "How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?"  27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. 28 As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus acted as if he were going farther. 29 But they urged him strongly, "Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over." So he went in to stay with them. 30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. 32 They asked each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?"

NIV

This is a long narrative, but how can we break it up for it needs the complete story to make sense. The first thing we should consider is Jesus wanting to know what they were discussing as they walked along. We believe he already knew, but was inserting himself into their conversation for the express purpose of giving them hope in the resurrection. This gives us the idea that Jesus wants to be in our conversations as we walk through life. How could we not discuss the things of the scriptures? How could we spend all our time discussing the mundane things of this world, when there are eternal matters at stake? Maybe it is alright to have a conversation about the temporary matters within this world, such as the weather, sports, politics, the economy, or any of the many other material things if we are having this conversation with someone who has yet to accept Jesus, in hope of finding a common ground where we can introduce them to Jesus we know and love, and the truth of the gospel. However, we have a difficult time understanding why we believers would spend so much time discussing those same topics among ourselves when we have so much more to learn about our Lord as he walks along the road of life with us. We would think that if we do invest too much time in the world with little to no time invested in the things of God, we might become slow of heart, and maybe even foolish. Sure, we must do the day-to-day living, and even have leisure time to enjoy certain things we have and do, plus the daily activities of working and providing for our lives. Yes, of course, we can enjoy the wonderful company and love of our spouse, whom God directed into our lives. However, what is the main focus of our lives? It is not Jesus? Should not we believers desire to talk about Jesus with each other? Should we not want to know more and more about the scriptures, how they play out in our lives, and what is going to happen, as we look forward to the day of our resurrection and living in eternal glory? How can we do that if we only talk about sports, the economy, the politicians, or the weather? No, No, we must always be about our Father’s business, always be about the eternal matters of the kingdom of God, at least within our hearts and minds, and if we are then we cannot help but discuss what is in our hearts and minds with each other, because Jesus wants to know what we are discussing.