Dear Fellow Alumni,
May I share some musings from the Holy Week and Easter that has just passed. An old song I first learnt while a student at SBC in the early 1970s, and a recent reading from Lectio 365, impacted me deeply.
I walked today where Jesus walked,
In days of long ago.
I wandered down each path He knew,
With reverent steps and slow.
Those little streets they have not changed,
A sweet peace fills the air.
I walked today where Jesus walked,
And felt His presence there.
I knelt today where Jesus knelt,
Where all alone He prayed.
The Garden of Gethsemane,
My heart felt unafraid.
I picked my heavy burden up,
And with Him at my side,
I climbed the Hill of Calvary
I climbed the Hill of Calvary,
I climbed the Hill of Calvary,
Where on the cross He died.
I walked today where Jesus walked,
And felt Him close to me.
That very day two of them (disciples) were going to a village named Emmaus… from Jerusalem, and they were talking with each other…. While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. And he said to them, ‘what is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?’ And they stood still, looking sad. Then one of them… answered him, ‘are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?’ And he said to them, ‘what things?’ And they said to him, concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death…. And besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened. Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning, and when they did not find his body, they came back saying they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive…. And he said to them, ‘O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?’
Jesus then expounded the Word from the Old Testament and interpreted the Scriptures to them. As they approached the village, they invited Jesus to sup with them and he did. At the table, Jesus?took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight. They said to each other, ‘did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us…’ (Luke 24:13-32)
The songwriter was inspired to write the song on his trip to the Holy Land as he retraced the steps of Jesus in Jerusalem. As God brought this song to my mind after so many decades, I reflected on the lyrics afresh. How wonderful to feel the presence of Jesus and his closeness to us! How we all long for such intimacy with Jesus not just as we walk the streets of Jerusalem but on a regular basis. Sometimes we go through the doldrums and feel that God seems so far away and how we long?to feel his presence and his closeness to us! Yet in reality Jesus has never left us! He has always been with us even as he promised –?lo I am with you always….?(Matthew 28:20)
To visit the Holy Land is indeed a privilege for those who have been there before, and for those who can visit subsequently. I have never been to the Holy Land. The thought that came to my mind was that even if I have never been there nor may never visit Jerusalem, the presence of Jesus is with me because he dwells in me! He assures us that his presence goes with us and we will experience his peace! The presence of our Lord Jesus is not about mere feelings. It’s about knowing from the Scriptures that God is with us always. Scripture does not lie because God’s Word is consistent with God’s character. Because of his great love and mercy, he pours his grace over us again and again and allows us to experience his presence as we commune and worship him daily.
Think of this amazing encounter of the 2 disciples with Jesus, on the road to Emmaus.?They did not recognize him! But as Jesus expounded the Scriptures, later they recollected and declared,?did not our hearts burn with us….?Then when Jesus broke the bread and served them, their eyes were opened and they recognized him!
When Jesus taught them from the Scriptures, their hearts burned deeply and when Jesus broke bread their spiritual eyes were opened and they recognized him!!! The disciples needed this personal experience to buttress their faith and all that Jesus had taught them. How gracious is our loving God and Saviour! He gives us his truths and he teaches them to us through his Spirit. But he also makes it possible for us to get a glimpse of his presence and feel his closeness!
As we read these Post-Resurrection stories, and Jesus’ Ascension into heaven, sitting at the right hand of God the Father, may we also encounter the risen Christ through our daily communion and worship of this wonderful Saviour, Lord and Friend.
Looking forward to His Return!
