"Christ's cross is the sweetest burden that ever I bore:
it is such a burden as wings are to a bird,
it is such a burden as wings are to a bird,
or sails are to a ship"
Samuel Rutherford
Taken, Blessed, Broken and Given: The Baptism of Fire - Part 2
When affliction comes our way we have a choice in how we handle it.
There is a proper response for God’s people
when they are faced with times of trial.
Let’s make some further observations about this issue.
In Luke 9:10-17 we observe:
Jesus and disciples withdrew by themselves to Bethsaida
The crowds follow him
Jesus preaches the kingdom and heals all who need healing
(in late afternoon)
The disciples tell Him to send the people away
Jesus instructs the disciples to feed the people.
Disciples: Only 5 loves and 2 fish – 5000 men + women + children
Jesus instructs the disciples to have them sit in groups of 50.
Jesus TAKING the loves and fish…
Gave thanks – BLESSED them looking to heaven…
He BROKE the food…
He GAVE the food to the disciples to distribute.
This pattern: Taking, Blessing, Breaking and Giving
is a common theme found throughout the Scriptures.
In Luke 24:13-35 we see it again
in the description of the two disciples on the road to Emmaus.
The two disciples left Jerusalem for Emmaus
which was a hot springs – place of relaxation
They were deflated over the events following the crucifixion
and discussed the events of the past week.
As they talked Jesus joined them
[savior; deliverer]
but they were “kept from recognizing” Him
Luke 24:13-35 –
Perhaps it was the Lord Himself
who kept these disciples from seeing Him.
I personally believe, it was their own introspection
which inhibited their sight.
They were so caught up in their own disappointments,
so self-focused, so anxious and scared
of what might happen to them
that it prevented them from seeing the Lord.
Jesus asks them what they were talking about.
Cleophas gives him a long account of their views of the weeks events
Jesus says: ‘You guys don’t get it!’
I told you that everything
written by Moses and the prophets
must be fulfilled
Then He opened the Scriptures to them
so that they would see Him
in all that Moses and the prophets wrote.
The disciples begged Him to stay with them
At the TABLE
Jesus continually draws us to His TABLE
to feed us
to fellowship with us
to give us His light
Intimacy = light = life
Distance = darkness = death
● He TOOK the bread
● He BLESSED the bread
● He BROKE the bread
● He GAVE the bread
□ When they received the bread their eyes were opened!
When affliction comes our way we have a choice in how we handle it.
There is a proper response for God’s people
when they are faced with times of trial.
Let’s make some further observations about this issue.
In Luke 9:10-17 we observe:
Jesus and disciples withdrew by themselves to Bethsaida
The crowds follow him
Jesus preaches the kingdom and heals all who need healing
(in late afternoon)
The disciples tell Him to send the people away
Jesus instructs the disciples to feed the people.
Disciples: Only 5 loves and 2 fish – 5000 men + women + children
Jesus instructs the disciples to have them sit in groups of 50.
Jesus TAKING the loves and fish…
Gave thanks – BLESSED them looking to heaven…
He BROKE the food…
He GAVE the food to the disciples to distribute.
This pattern: Taking, Blessing, Breaking and Giving
is a common theme found throughout the Scriptures.
In Luke 24:13-35 we see it again
in the description of the two disciples on the road to Emmaus.
The two disciples left Jerusalem for Emmaus
which was a hot springs – place of relaxation
They were deflated over the events following the crucifixion
and discussed the events of the past week.
As they talked Jesus joined them
[savior; deliverer]
but they were “kept from recognizing” Him
Luke 24:13-35 –
Perhaps it was the Lord Himself
who kept these disciples from seeing Him.
I personally believe, it was their own introspection
which inhibited their sight.
They were so caught up in their own disappointments,
so self-focused, so anxious and scared
of what might happen to them
that it prevented them from seeing the Lord.
Jesus asks them what they were talking about.
Cleophas gives him a long account of their views of the weeks events
Jesus says: ‘You guys don’t get it!’
I told you that everything
written by Moses and the prophets
must be fulfilled
Then He opened the Scriptures to them
so that they would see Him
in all that Moses and the prophets wrote.
The disciples begged Him to stay with them
At the TABLE
Jesus continually draws us to His TABLE
to feed us
to fellowship with us
to give us His light
Intimacy = light = life
Distance = darkness = death
● He TOOK the bread
● He BLESSED the bread
● He BROKE the bread
● He GAVE the bread
□ When they received the bread their eyes were opened!
End Part 2
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