Amateurs Welcome

I really enjoy cooking. I will cook for hours, and I'm not intimidated by any recipe. They're not all successes, but I will try anything once! I enjoy the challenge, cooking helps me "de-stress", and I enjoy it when others enjoy what I have made. But it is amateur hour. I never went to culinary school. My knowledge of spices, cuts of meat, techniques and terminology rests solely in the vast expanse of the worldwide web. I am creative as it comes, but comparatively, I am a hack.

I met a couple of hacks today, in Luke 24:13-35. My paraphrase goes like this: Some time Sunday morning, after the discovery of Jesus' resurrection, Cleopas and a friend were walking from Jerusalem to the town of Emmaus. As they walked, they talked about the events of the last couple of days. Suddenly, they found a Stranger was with them, and He asked about their discussion. After, chiding Him a bit for being out of the loop, they began to tell Jesus all that had transpired, all they had hoped, and now, all they were attempting to reconcile. But it was Jesus' turn for correcting: "Oh foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken!" Jesus then, mercifully, expounds the Scriptures to them, revealing Himself to them. But they still can't see it. Not until they invite Him to their table, to commune with them further, are their eyes opened, and they see Jesus for who He is.

There is A LOT there. But I want to draw your attention to Jesus' initial question, and get back to this cooking thing (I'm kind of hungry). Jesus asks these men to tell Him what has happened these last few days! Now, when I read that, crazy and twisted as I am, I hear Julia Child asking me to explain to her the fine art of making Boeuf Bourguignon. Or Michelle Gayer asking for my Coconut Macaroon recipe.

Jesus... asks them... the story of His death and resurrection.

Just let that sink in. We know what they told Him. Luke records it. But compared to Jesus' version, I'm sure they sounded like a couple of real hacks. Amateurs.

Now I can't say what would have happened if Julia had ever tasted my Boeuf Bourguignon, or Michelle ever came to tea, but this is what Jesus does:

• He comes alongside them first, obviously knowing what they were discussing, obviously knowing they -- pretty much -- had it all wrong. 
• He walks with them. Two miles? Five miles? He goes with them the distance! As long as their ears were opened, as long as they desired His company, as long as they remained with Him, there He was.
• He sits at their table and opens their eyes to His true identity. He communes with them as deeply as they desire. As long as they remain hungry and thirsty for His truth, He does not deny them, or rebuke them, or lord His gifts over them. He shares them.

What grace! What mercy! The Lord of all creation taking the time to reveal life-giving truth to a couple of aspiring theologians. And it is no different for you or me.

Each time I sit down to pray, or read Scripture, or write, it's amateur hour. On my own, if I would even do it at all, I am a hack. But it is the Spirit of the One True God who is with me, coming alongside me (Acts 9:31), walking me through it, and revealing Himself to me, as long as this amateur remains willing and open to correction.

And it's the same for you as well; just ask.