Out Our Way: I know You! - Luke 24:13-35

Out our way, horses are less often pets than work partners. I enjoyed riding "Doc" on various trails. But he and I bonded on the Tiger Ridge working Big Mike's herd with Charlie. I think he enjoyed it as he was usually eager for the bit and never seemed to mind me saddling him up (except when his cinch and my belt were tight due to a lazy winter).

Now, the place where I kept Doc had other horses and they tended to stick together. "Babe," that gorgeous sorrel paint who was also Doc's "girlfriend," was less friendly and, as I seldom rode her as she was afraid of calves. We did not bond. So when I went out into the back pasture with Doc's halter and lead rope, she and the other would bolt and run. Doc did as well one time until I yelled at him. He recognized my voice, stopped and with ears upright took another gander at who was coming up the hill. From the way he stood with his ears cocked, it was clear he was signaling, "Hey, I know you!"

As we enter the post Easter season, the Gospels tell of post resurrection encounters when the Risen Christ came amongst His own and they suddenly realized, "Hey! I know you!" We have the testimony of the women at the tomb, the disciples in the upper room, Saul (later Paul) on the road to Damascus, and two lesser-known followers on the road to Emmaus.

These two men were shattered. They had followed Jesus and believed He was indeed the Messiah (Christ) - the "Anointed One of God" the prophets had said was coming. But instead of angels bringing fire and devastation on the Romans occupiers and the corrupt Temple officials, Jesus had been taken, beaten, tortured and then crucified, a fate reserved for traitors, rebels, and the lowest criminal types. And God allowed it. Clearly, this Jesus could not have been the Holy One of God of Whom the prophets spoke. How could they have been so foolish?

Then the stranger came along and walked with them. He listened to their grief at having all their dreams and faith shattered by Calvary. But the stranger quoted scripture and prophecies to them and pointed out this was exactly what the scriptures said would happen. And as they listened, they realized that there was perhaps a deeper plan than they had realized. Eventually they came to Emmaus and had the stranger break bread with them - and when He did, they suddenly realized Who He was. "Hey! I know you!" And they raced back to Jerusalem filled with hope and as they shared the reality of the resurrection with the disciples, those who had been in the upper room when the Risen Christ had appeared shared the same good news with them.

I have not seen the Risen Christ - but I have the testimony of those who have. I also have the experience of "coincidences" in which it seems Christ stepped in to transform tragedy into blessing. The closest I have come to a supernatural event was when my car was breaking down in rural Wyoming during a February blizzard, but somehow managed to keep moving until I got to the only residence on the road (which was also a gas station). Once I rolled into the station, the car quit and would not budge. But I was safe - and as I got out of the car, the meadowlarks (in February, remember!) started singing all around me. Nice "coincidence," innit? Or maybe something more?

For my part, terrified as I had been for the hours of crawling on the empty highway (the state patrol had closed the road after I got on because of the storm) when I heard the meadowlarks in February filling the sky with song I said, " Hey! I know you!"

Be blessed and be a blessing!

Brother John