There are three simple ideas that Jesus models on the Emmaus Road: Jesus goes first, Jesus shares his story, and Jesus knows the Scripture. For us, then, a model emerges: Go first, share your story, know the Scripture.
Go First
Going first means, simply, that Jesus approaches the men. He doesn’t avoid them. As an introvert, this challenges me, as I am very happy to go last or not at all. And there are times when this is exactly right and called for: we can’t be “on” all the time. You can’t say authentically say “yes” until you have learned to say “no.” But we also have to be aware of the moments where the Spirit is leading us to step forward. Jesus apparently had this awareness, as he engages these men on the road rather than throwing his cloak over his head and casting his eyes to the ground. He “goes first.” I heard this simple phrase from a pastor in Texas, whom I’ll quote at length:
I think it’s up to you in any responsibility to be the one who acts first. Love requires that I act first. So when I’m at the cocktail party, rather than waiting for you to come to me, I’ll go up and say, “Hello,” and introduce myself. And that changes the dynamic. We all know people who walk into situations like that—who either say “hello” to other people and that makes me feel differently toward them. I like people who like me! And so do you and so does everyone else. We like people who seem to like us. So ninety-nine out of a hundred times when you act first with grace and courtesy toward somebody, it changes the way they feel about you.
Now, this is big or small. In the neighborhood, are you the first one that introduces yourself to somebody you don’t know? Even in a marriage, you’ve had a fight: When are you the one who turns first and says, “I was wrong, I’m sorry. Will you forgive me?” Or a father to a child, “I was wrong, will you forgive me?” That will radically change the dynamic, because almost always are people waiting for you to act first. Love goes first.
Now here’s the hard part: It’s a risk… It’s a risk, which is why we don’t do it. It takes a risk for you to reach out first and see how a person’s going to act… You might be rejected, you might get the cold shoulder. But it’s a risk worth taking, because it can change that relationship… The reason I think it works is because I believe that’s what God is like: Love is always the thing that goes first. God reaches out to us first, which is why even on a small level at the grocery store, at the cocktail party, when I do it, I think it has the power to change things. Three simple words that can change any relationship: Love goes first.[1]
Jesus goes first. It’s a challenge, and it takes courage, but he is our model and that is our invitation.
Share Your Story
Second, Jesus tells his story. But notice that he first creates space by hearing and holding the stories of the men before him. From this place, he is able to tell his story in a way that invites them to experience God. Jesus thus reveals a truth: both listening and talking can be ways of giving.
Indeed, sharing our story is a way to be generous. Sharing our story is an invitation for someone to listen and consider without your having to prove anything. When we share in this way, without an agenda, it gives others permission to share their story openly and honestly, which creates a space that God can visit.
I was once in a training with my friend Jean and a man asked her, “Tell me why you believe. How can you prove that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life?” Jean simply said, “I can’t prove a thing, but that’s what I believe and that’s what I’ve experienced. My experience is that in Jesus there is life.” Her experience and her confidence were compelling, even though, as she said, she couldn’t prove a thing. I don’t know if it made that man’s heart burn, but it certainly did mine. The inexorable thing about a story is that it becomes a living, breathing apologetic, against which there is little argument. People may think you’re a liar or that you’re deluded, but they’re still left with the weight of your conviction and the reality of your presence.
“Telling your story” simply means being honest and forthright about how you have experienced Jesus—the good, the bad, and the ugly. [2] You don’t have to fake anything or gussy it up. Just share your story of how you have experienced him.
What is your experience with Jesus, then? Pause and write down three ways in which you have experienced Jesus, past and present. What was life like before encountering him? How is life different now? How have you still struggled after meeting him? Consider these questions and then put words to part of your story.
It may sound quite simple: “I don’t know, man. I’ve been addicted to getting through life by buying things and, you know, over-eating food that makes me feel better, even if I’m miserable after. But I’m experiencing that Jesus is enough for my soul on some deep level that frees me from addiction and from needing those other things.” When we are honest in this way—when we tell our story without glossing it up—we create space for both ourselves and the person in front of us to be human. This always creates space for God.
Know the Scripture
Finally, “know the Scripture” reflects the simple fact that Jesus has clearly studied the Scripture. He doesn’t have a scroll which he pulls out; “Hey guys, hold on, let me read through Isaiah 53 real quick.” He doesn’t have a pocket Bible. But he has Scripture in his heart, so that he’s able to bring it forth. As we discussed in ‘Chapter 11: Scripture,’ let us set our hearts to soak in Scripture, that Scripture would be in us.[3]
For all of these readings in one place, order my book 'Learning to Live and Love Like Jesus.'
[1] From a local news interview with Andrew Forrest, which I have slightly edited for diction. http://www.wfaa.com/entertainment/television/programs/good-morning-texas/soulful-stoop-munger-place-churchs-rev-andrew-forrest/224681060 [February 18, 2017].
[2] Stolen from my friend Alex Absalom, from a sermon given at Long Beach Christian Fellowship.
[3] Again, to be prepared to tell the Gospel story, you might consider memorizing I Corinthians 15:4 as a starting point.
