Jesus walked the earth for forty days after His resurrection, appearing before the disciples, Mary Magdalene and others, showing them miracles and evidence that He was living. He met these witnesses in their fear, confusion and grief and His return changed them forever.
A man named Cleopus and his companion were caught unaware when Jesus came alongside them on the road to Emmaus. They were downcast, focused on the events of His death and their apparent loss. Jesus kept them from recognizing Him while He spoke to them all the Scriptures that told of the Savior. “How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?”
The men were encouraged. The Word reminded them of the hope they had felt in Jesus. They pleaded with the stranger to stay at their home that night, to continue to stoke the fire of their faith. At dinner, this stranger gave thanks and broke bread and Cleopus and his friend saw it was Jesus as they received it. The Savior then disappeared, leaving the Truth to live on forever.
That is Jesus. Once a child of God comes to know she is one through Him, grief and fear and confusion have no lingering place in her heart. Jesus supplants these with the hope, peace and joy that comes only from His resurrection, His permanent place of mercy and grace in her life. I am called to walk as the child of God I am and to set my heart on those things above.
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things. Colossians 3:1-2
Meeting God at the Park 