What Artwork Inspires You?

This week the Women of Faith asked What artwork inspires you?

A painting of Christ walking with two of his followers on the road to Emmaus by artist Robert Zund is an inspiration to me. The picture was based on the scripture, Luke 24:13-36. 

On the Road to Emmaus

 13Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles[a] from Jerusalem. 14They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. 15As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; 16but they were kept from recognizing him.

 17He asked them, "What are you discussing together as you walk along?"

   They stood still, their faces downcast. 18One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, "Are you only a visitor to Jerusalem and do not know the things that have happened there in these days?"

 19"What things?" he asked.

   "About Jesus of Nazareth," they replied. "He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. 20The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; 21but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. 22In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning 23but didn't find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. 24Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see."

 25He said to them, "How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26Did not the Christ[b] have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?" 27And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.

 28As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus acted as if he were going farther. 29But they urged him strongly, "Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over." So he went in to stay with them.

 30When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. 31Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. 32They asked each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?"

 33They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together 34and saying, "It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon." 35Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.

This picture has so much meaning because of my own Walk to Emmaus. Christ's followers didn't recognize him as they walked along that road but they listened to him speak of the scriptures and by the time the day was done, they saw him as the risen Lord.

A very kind lady from the church I attended sponsored me to go on the Emmaus Walk, which is a three day spiritual retreat, many years ago. Before that retreat, I was in the process of developing a close relationship with Christ and that relationship grew considerably during my Walk to Emmaus. 

I have a copy of the painting in my living room, a reminder of my walk. It is also a reminder that my journey with Christ continues. On a daily basis my knowledge of him grows and as I read and meditate on God's word, I am amazed that "my heart burns within me" in the same way as those followers so long ago.

We serve a risen Savior and he cares about each one of us and desires to walk with us through life.