Bless it. Break it. Give it.

One of my favorite things to do as is to pour over the Gospels. And from there one of the highlights of my experience is to look for the nature and character of Jesus.

Because I want to know Him... much more than I want to know ABOUT Him.

I ran into this years ago and I have had this note to remind myself since. And I'd love to share it with you today, as I shared it with my Power Plus Group of High School girls at school yesterday.

Jesus was on the road to Emmaus. He had been crucified and had risen and was now longing to reveal himself to those who needed to be reminded that He IS the Messiah.

Luke 24 tells us that as 2 individuals walked to the village of Emmaus, a 7 mile journey from Jerusalem, Jesus suddenly appeared and began walking with them. But God kept them from recognizing Him.

As they walked Jesus asked them what they were discussing so intently. Scripture tells us that they stopped, and "with sadness written across their faces" (vs 17), one of the replied, "You must be the only one who hasn't heard!"

They went on to tell them that there was a man from Nazareth who was a Prophet, a miracle-worker, and a mighty Teacher. They disappointedly reported, "We had hoped He was the Messiah who had come to rescue Israel." (vs 21)

Jesus challenges their belief system by replying, "Wasn't it clearly predicted that the Messiah would have to suffer these things before entering His glory?" (vs 26) Then Jesus took them through the scriptures explaining these things concerning Himself.

And yet all the while they didn't know it was Jesus.

Until.

Verses 28-31 tell us that when they reached the end of their journey, Jesus "acted as if" He was going to on, but they begged Him to stay. After all... He knew so much. His stories were likely captivating. There must have just been something about His Presence.

And then.

They shared a meal together.

Verse 30 tells us, "As they sat down to eat, He took the bread, and blessed it. Then He broke it and gave it to them." Verse 31 says then, "SUDDENLY their eyes were opened and they recognized Him."

Oh my heart be still.

Yours too?

There's those action words again.

He took the bread...

He BLESSED it.

He BROKE it.

He GAVE it.

And the Bible tells us that SUDDENLY... SUDDENLY their eyes were opened and they recognized Him.

This one... this One... He was different.

He was recognized by His service.

His love.

His gentleness.

His abundance.

His mercy.

And so we must too.

Bless it.

Break it.

Give it.

It got me thinking... what is it that we will be recognized by?

Because if we are imitators of Him... we must do the same thing He did. Same thing He's doing.

He blessed what they had.

He broke it in order to multiply it.

He gave it to others who needed to be fed.

Let's think on that one today.

What will we be recognized for?

It matters! <3