Scriptures provide answers for life through Christ

Have you ever heard the account of two disciples on their way to the village of Emmaus. Confused and disappointed, they travelled on, searching for answers. But the wonderful counselor appears to offer help and guidance.

This comforting story shows us how Jesus guides us in all our life, too. It shows us how we can apply that truth to our family as each member goes on his or her way. It teaches us how we should seek to make the risen Christ the guide in our family’s home as well.

We meet the two disciples on Easter Sunday. They had stayed in Jerusalem for Jesus’ crucifixion, but couldn’t travel home to Emmaus on Saturday, the Sabbath day.

Before they began their homeward trip, they had heard some confusing rumors: Jesus’ tomb was empty. As if their master’s death wasn’t bad enough, now they had this strange news to deal with.

They tried to make sense of it together. The two disciples “were talking with each other about everything that had happened.” All these events clearly troubled them; we read that they were “downcast.”

But when they met this stranger — Jesus somehow kept his identity a mystery to them — he began to teach them. Jesus did so by pointing them to the Scriptures.

As we go on our way, there are countless things that make us downcast, too. We need our risen Christ to make sense of everything happening around us.

Jesus does guide us; he guides us by showing his love. He points us to his word and shows us that we don’t need to be downcast. The resurrected Savior has forgiven us.

Every part of Scripture points to that wonderful news. When we try and run things according to how we think they should be, we are being “foolish” just like the Emmaus disciples. As Jesus travelled with these disciples, he guided them so they understood the truth about himself as the Savior.

“Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” Jesus rhetorically asked them. He reminded them that all the events of Holy Week happened because they had to.

Jesus guides us on our way through life, too. He reminds us who he is. He is our Savior. He reminds us what that means for us.

He has forgiven us for all the bad choices we make. He has forgiven us for every sin. He is now our navigator through life.

Jesus continues to guide our family on its various journeys in life. Think of how the road to Emmaus turned into a Bible class. Jesus was both the teacher and the subject material.

He began with “Moses and all the Prophets.” Jesus “explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.” Jesus taught the disciples that all the prophecies in the Old Testament pointed to the suffering, death, and most importantly, the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

The living Jesus teaches us how to handle the decisions and troubles that come our way. Just as he taught the two disciples by using Scripture, he teaches us with his Word.

Searching the Scriptures is the beginning of recognizing the living Jesus, who is with us always. He watches over us with his Word. It is the roadmap for our families’ lives. We trust that Jesus has given us the answers we need to know in the Bible.

Teach your family to go to the Scriptures in every situation. The Word is a light for our path and will show us the way the Lord wants us to go. And while we go on our way, Jesus wants us to tell others of his great love.

The two disciples did so. They ran and told others the great news of the resurrected Savior. Wherever life takes your family, teach them to be a witness for the living Lord.

Our families have every opportunity to speak of what Christ has done for us. Take hold of those opportunities and tell others how Christ guides your family.

But how can we make sure our families continue to seek the Lord on the way? Well, it all begins in the home.

The Emmaus disciples were so excited about the truths Jesus was teaching them, they wanted him to stay in their house. After Jesus allowed them to recognize him, they said that “their hearts were burning within” them.

The truths of comfort and salvation that Jesus told to them warmed their hearts. It was so influential that they invited him to stay with them and teach them more.

We have learned who Jesus is and what he does for us. We then want to keep the resurrected Christ in our home as our guide.

Families learn about Jesus and his love together. When they learn about Christ as their guide in the home, they will learn to take him as their guide on their way.

How can we always remember Christ’s love? How can we prepare our families to go on their way? It begins by being an example in the home first.

Teach your family the importance of staying close to Christ. Parents make that clear by making devotions and church a priority. Set an example to your children that you want Jesus in the home.

When families learn in the home how Jesus guides them, they will take that knowledge with them on their way. Children who grow up in a home rooted in Christ and his love will continue to turn to the Lord as they move away. Those who see Christ’s love and guidance in the home will seek to establish their own family, centered on Christ — his love and his teachings.

“Savior, I follow on, guided by Thee, seeing not yet the hand that leadeth me.

Hushed be my heart and still; fear I no further ill. Only to meet Thy will my will shall be.”

(Tune, text, setting: public domain)

Robb Robbert is pastor of King of Kings Lutheran Church in Wasilla. Contact him at kokw@mtaonline.net.