What's Your Stance?

“Two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from recognizing him.
He asked them, ‘What are you discussing together as you walk along?’
They stood still, their faces downcast.” (Luke 24:13-17)

At a recent International Bible Engagement Conference I attended in Malaysia, the Emmaus Road passage (Luke 24:13-35) was the focus of our attention for the whole week. The riches in this passage are untold and they can be very inspirational to us as we seek to engage people with the Bible.

Notice the stance that Jesus (the recently resurrected Son of God!!) takes with these travelers. He pulls in beside them and walks alongside. He asks a question. He listens. He meets them in their confusion, despondency and disappointment. He had a story to tell (and he eventually did) but he held it back in order to hear the story of the travelers.

What is our stance with the people we are seeking to engage?
Have we come alongside?
Are we meeting them in their pain, confusion and hopelessness?
Have we asked them about their life/circumstances?
Are we listening; really listening?

Or are we delivering our pre-packaged content?
Are we preaching at them?
Are we sprouting rehearsed lines?
Are we quick to get to our story first?
Are we corralling them into our nice neat programs?

Are they still beside us?
Or have they turned off down a side road?