Then Their Eyes Were Opened

October 19

(Luke 24:15-16, 30-31 NIV) “As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; {16} but they were kept from recognizing him. -- {30} When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. {31} Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight.”

(Romans 9:14-21 NIV) ““What then shall we say? Is God unjust? Not at all! {15} For he says to Moses, "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion." {16} It does not, therefore, depend on man's desire or effort, but on God's mercy. {17} For the Scripture says to Pharaoh: "I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth." {18} Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden. {19} One of you will say to me: "Then why does God still blame us? For who resists his will?" {20} But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? "Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, 'Why did you make me like this?'" {21} Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for noble purposes and some for common use?””

(2 Kings 6:15-17 NIV) ““When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. "Oh, my lord, what shall we do?" the servant asked. {16} "Don't be afraid," the prophet answered. "Those who are with us are more than those who are with them." {17} And Elisha prayed, "O Lord, open his eyes so he may see." Then the Lord opened the servant's eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.””

Scripture tells us that Cleopas and his friend were prevented from recognizing Jesus. Think about that. Jesus may be very near to us, but we may be blind to Him. This is a lesson in the sovereignty of God. We can dispute it, we can curse it, we can consign it to the trash heap of discarded doctrines, but we cannot deny its existence on the pages of God’s word. God is sovereign. He reveals Himself to those whom He chooses. God eventually opened the eyes of the two men so they could recognize him. But unless God opens our eyes, we will remain blind to His presence. It is by grace you have been saved. God, in His sovereignty, has granted us vision. “I once was blind, but now I see.” If you know Jesus today, it is because He revealed Himself to you. Praise Him for His goodness. Thank Him for His mercy and revelation. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day