When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” Luke 24:30–32
When I accepted Jesus Christ into my life as my Lord and Savior, I was 10 years old. It was 1965 at summer camp in the Cascade mountains. In 1973 when I was 17 years old, I received the vision of building a church which was a great caring network while I was in the Wallowa Mountains.
Ever since that time God has been editing my script with his faithful presence in my life. He was walking with me even when I didn’t know he was there. I was so amazed at how he showed up through professors, pastors, noble friends, and precious family. It makes me cry to think about it now. And it makes me laugh a loud boisterous chuckle. Because it was fun and so very exciting. It was quite a party as the Texas Rangers said in Lonesome Dove.
The Road to Emmaus—and the Edit We All Need
In our text, two disciples were walking away from Jerusalem with heavy hearts. Their story felt like a tragedy. Jesus had been crucified. Their dreams were dashed. Their script seemed to have ended with death. But then Jesus walked with them—incognito at first. He explained the Scriptures, and their hearts burned within them. And when He broke the bread, suddenly they realized: This story isn’t over.
That’s what happens when Jesus edits your story. What looked like failure becomes hope. What felt like an ending becomes a beginning.
Now, let me lighten this up with a story: (because Jesus edits with joy, too)
A man went to the doctor and said, “Doc, every time I eat donuts, I feel terrible. What should I do?”
The doctor replied, “Well, the first thing you should do is… stop buying donuts!”
Sometimes the edits Jesus makes are just that simple. He doesn’t rewrite the whole book—He just crosses out the bad habits that are killing us and inserts something life-giving.
The writer G.K. Chesterton once said:
“I had always felt life first as a story: and if there is a story there is a Story-Teller.”
That’s what Emmaus reminds us. Our lives are not random. Jesus is the Storyteller, and when He edits, it’s always for glory, for joy, and for our eternal good. So here’s the question: Have you given Jesus the pen? Or are you still trying to write the story all by yourself?
This Sunday, Pastor Mark has a great sermon on this very text and subject of Jesus editing our lives. We are all going to be proud of his gospel presentation. Don’t miss it at 10:30 AM.
Your friend for the rest of my life,
Pastor Tim White