Journey to the Cross 
Pause
Hope. That is the central element of the Easter story. In the resurrection of Jesus we are given hope and the assurance that death cannot and will not win.
Make yourself ready then—again—to be overtaken by the magnificent good news that Jesus is alive, risen to glory.
Allow the truth of his life to take on new life within your heart.
Listen
As they came near the village to which they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going on. But they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over.” So he went in to stay with them. When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight. They said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?”
Luke 24:28–32
Think
Think about how it feels when you need to be with someone, near someone, to spend more time with them. Remember how it felt when they responded with a “yes.” Think again of that person—friend or acquaintance, a significant person in your life. Think of their voice, the sound of their laugh, the feeling of possibility and joy at getting to spend more time with them. It’s a simple but profound interaction.
This is what it must have felt like to Cleopas and the other disciple. As their eyes began to fully open, their hearts began to burn—with love, with curiosity, with a longing so deep they pleaded with him to “stay with us.”
And he did. He stayed. Even better, there was a celebration and a time to be together—to remain—suspended in the happiness of a “yes.” We celebrate this act still, the act of Jesus responding with a “yes.” We break bread. We remember. And when we remember it leads to awareness—an awareness that we, like they, got a “yes” from God.
Gina Yeager-Buckley
Pray
Oh God, I say “stay with me” and you do. You sent Jesus to be a physical reminder of your presence. So God, once again, I ask you to stay with me. Sit with me. Let me offer you time and appreciation, gratitude, and adoration. Thank you, God. Amen.
Go
Resurrection changes things—
Each and every day.
Believing makes all the difference.
Even when you have your doubts,
Jesus remains close by.
Now go to tell others about
The life-changing love Christ offers.
