LIVING WATERS
For the proclamation of the Gospel and the edification of the Body of Christ
Tasters from the King's Table
The delicate touch of His hand
There are two episodes in the Lord Jesus' earthly life that show his delicate feelings marvellously, expressed in the way he entered two houses. One is the visit to the house of Zacchaeus and another to a house with the disciples who went to Emmaus.
In the first case, the Lord was helping a sinner rejected by all, because Zacchaeus was not a simple tax collector, but the boss of the collectors. Without hope, Zacchaeus invited him, and Jesus, voluntarily expressed his desire to go. Zacchaeus really wanted to see Jesus, but he didn't dare to say so, because he was conscious of the disgrace that was upon his profession and, also, because he was of low stature.
Under these circumstances, the Lord offered to go to his house, because he knew that man's heart. How delicate the Lord’s feelings were!
On the contrary, the two walkers on the way to Emmaus were disciples who had turned their back to him. Their eyes had been spiritually stifled; they failed to recognize the Lord when they met him. The Lord was with them, walking and speaking, explaining the Scriptures to them.
When the two men came closer to the village where they were heading, the Lord gave the impression that he was continuing on. His attitude toward these two disciples was very different from his attitude toward Zacchaeus.
These men knew the Lord well. But now they had turned their backs. And even after listening to many of the Lord’s words, they continued advancing toward Emmaus. That’s why the Lord made out as if he were going on, until they asked him to stay with them.
In one case, a man comes toward the Lord; in the other, two men turn back and turn their backs to the Lord. That’s why the attitude of the Lord toward them was so different in each case.
The Lord didn't draw closer to all men in the same way, but rather he did it according to the necessity of each. For all, his heart was full of love, but each one needed a different touch from His hand. A delicate and unique touch.