In the Road to Emmaus story, there are (at least) three things that can give us assurance of His presence.
First Jesus turns to scripture. To put their troubled hearts at ease "He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself" (Vs. 27).
Might we consider this a challenge? Might we ask ourselves what we are doing to enhance our knowledge of the Bible? Might we reflect on how often we read it, study it?
The Psalmist said in Psalm 119:105: "Thy word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path". Don’t you think that’s easier if you can also say, "Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You!" (Psalm 119:11).
Look at what happened to the two from Emmaus when Christ opened the Scripture to their understanding: "Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scripture to us? (Vs. 32).
God's word warmed their hearts, illumined their minds, and revived their hope. I promise that it still does this today. A Biblical world view will help us develop total world view that is kinder, gentler, wiser. We learn to look at life through God's eyes and make better choices.
Fellowship with each other is another key to the assurance of the presence of Jesus. First, there’s fellowship with God. We need to spend time alone with God.
Jesus says in John 15:7 says, "If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you" (John 15:7). Fellowship with Him and reading Scripture are two inseparable elements for a good prayer life.
God knows our need for fellowship, for relationship. It’s why we were created, for relationship with God. And as such, a perfect place was designed for fellowship/relationship to happen. Allow me to introduce to you the church. But with that introduction it’s only fair to warn you about something. Church is indeed a perfect place, but church fellowship isn't perfect fellowship. Because guess what a church is made of? People. 😊 But even with that warning, any fellowship built will be best if it is centered around God.
The final essential element giving us assurance of the presence of Jesus is making time for Him.
Christ's followers had their hoped dashed by His cruel crucifixion. For them, every expectation expired with His execution. But in the forty days to follow, they would receive from Him a short course in trust and faith. They would learn to trust Christ in all things. After all these years, Jesus is still enrolling people in this course. You are invited to be enrolled in this course. It is this course that will help you through that post graduate degree in adversity management. It will help you see that Jesus is there in the adversity, blessing and guiding you.
A popular Christian song by Andrae Crouch says this:
"I've had many tears and sorrows, I've had questions for tomorrow; There've been times I didn't know right from wrong; But in every situation God gave blessed consolation That my trials come to only make me strong."
"Through it all, Through it all, O I've learned to trust in Jesus, I've learned to trust in God; Through it All, Through it all, I've learned to depend upon His Word."
In John 15, Jesus uses the words "abide in Me." On the road to Emmaus Jesus acts like he’s going further. Cleopas and his companion stop him when they get to their place. "They constrained Him, saying, 'Abide with us...'" (Luke 24:29).
Jesus said, "I will be with you always." Do you always feel that He is? It’s ok if your honest answer is "No!" This is where the lessons of the Road to Emmaus will give us faith to believe that He is constantly with us. Never forsaking us, regardless of our feelings. If you’ve felt alone, perhaps it’s time to recognize the way in which He has been present with you.
Whether today is a day to continue, start or restart your life's pilgrimage, remember that Jesus was there all along. Perhaps, like the two on the road to Emmaus, we just didn’t recognize Him.