By the time you read this, the Emmaus weekends may be over. And, I am again reminded of the power of the Emmaus walk to heal.
In Luke 24:13-34 Cleopas and his friend, as they were going on the road toward Emmaus, co-miserated together with the death of Jesus. They were sick at heart. They thought he was going to redeem Israel. Their hopes were dashed. You know the story— They were joined by Jesus (although they didn’t recognize him) who opened the scriptures to them to the point that their hearts burned within them. Later, when Jesus broke bread with them, they recognized him and ran back to Jerusalem to share with the disciples how their disappointment and despair had been transformed into hope.
That’s what Jesus does for us! He heals whatever it is that is keeping us down. How does he do it?
#1— He heals instantly and directly. In Acts 9:32-34 Peter prayed for Aeneas at Lydda who had been paralyzed for eight years and immediately, the scripture says, he rose up. On the Emmaus weekend many are immediately healed in spirit. They become Christian for the first time. They realize they have not made such a decision before. They have walked from darkness into daylight.
#2— He heals gradually. In Luke 17:11-16 Jesus healed the ten lepers, but not immediately. He told them to go and show themselves to the priests. And “as they went” (not immediately), the scripture says, they were healed. Sometimes for pilgrims the greatest experience of the Emmaus Walk occurs in their Reunion Group. And the cumulative effect of week-to-week accountability bring healing and hope with things they have struggled with for years.
#3— He heals through medical science. James 4:14-15 asks, “Is there anyone sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the church and let them pray over him anointing him with oil, and the prayer of faith will save the sick and the Lord will raise him up.” Many pilgrims have discovered healing on their Emmaus weekends. Some have had heart attacks, and with medical doctors present have been treated and sent on for further surgery or treatment. Some have had other problems, physical and emotional, and have experienced healing through prayers that others have offered with anointing of oil in the prayer room. Olive oil was used for medical purposes during biblical times.
#4— He heals our attitudes by giving us grace to suffer redemptively. In II Corinthians 12:7-10 Paul talks about his thorn in the flesh and how he sought the Lord three times. The Lord said simply, “My grace is sufficient for you. My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Emmaus pilgrims have come with many physical, mental, and emotional sicknesses. They have been blessed again and again, but still struggle with the same things. But now they have new strength for the battle.
#5— He heals in the resurrection, i.e., that is, through death. In Revelation 21:4 the scripture talks about death for the believer being a time when there is no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying, nor pain. The Christ of the Emmaus Road is the Christ who will heal us completely in death. We’ve had many pilgrims over the years who have experienced this perfect healing.
I hope and I pray, whether you are experiencing the Emmaus Walks this April, or whether it’s been awhile since you’ve been on your Walk, that God will heal you— your mind, your body, your emotions, your spirit, your finances, and your relationships.
De Colores,
Dan Patman
Cross Point Walk to Emmaus #1
Table of Mark
