Jesus: Unknown - Made Known
Paul Detterman, Executive Director of PFR

There is an amazing Easter text--a poetic reflection on the disciples' encounter with their risen Lord on the Emmaus Road. Take the time to read this whole poem carefully:

On the day of resurrection, to Emmaus we return;
while confused, amazed, and frightened, Jesus comes to us unknown.

Then this stranger asks a question, "What is this which troubles you?"
meets us in our pain and suffering, Jesus walks with us unknown.

In our trouble, words come from him, burning fire within our hearts;
tells us of the Scriptures' meaning, Jesus speaks to us unknown.

Then we reach our destination, then we ask the stranger in,
and he yeilds unto our urging; Jesus stays with us unknown.

Day of sorrow is forgotten when the guest becomes the host,
taking bread and breaking, blessing, Jesus is himself made known.

Opened eyes, renewed conviction, journey back to scenes of pain;
telling all that Christ is risen, Jesus is through us made known.

No matter where you are, I hope and pray this hymn speaks to you. The Resurrection was no less real when the disciples were walking, dejected, on the Emmaus Road than it was after they recognized Jesus and ran through the night to tell the others. What had changed was that the living, death-conquering Jesus had suddenly become SO real to them that their world now revolved around him.

When we try to force the "fable" of Jesus into a seemingly unyielding view of "reality," we too will be confused, amazed, and frightened by the result. But when the reality of Jesus-alive hits home, in the words of Tolkien, "...everything sad will come untrue."

Here's the catch: Jesus, alive, death-conquering, and transformational, must be known to us before we can make him known to others. Take time today to invite the Stranger in. You'll be amazed how quickly the guest will become the Host and how your life will change.