Celebration of the Father

“Behold, two of them were going that very day to a village named Emmaus, which was sixty stadia from Jerusalem. They talked with each other about all of these things which had happened. While they talked and questioned together, Jesus himself came near, and went with them. But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. He said to them, “What are you talking about as you walk, and are sad?” One of them, named Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who doesn’t know the things which have happened there in these days?” He said to them, “Foolish men, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! Didn’t the Christ have to suffer these things and to enter into his glory?” Beginning from Moses and from all the prophets, he explained to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. They said to one another, “Weren’t our hearts burning within us, while he spoke to us along the way, and while he opened the Scriptures to us?” They rose up that very hour, returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and those who were with them, saying, “The Lord is risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!”” (Luke‬ ‭24:13-18, 25-27, 32-34‬ ‭WEB‬‬)

Did you ever wonder why out of the two disciples on the road to Emmaus, only one of them was named while the other remained anonymous?

Therefore, I believe that the name “Cleopas” is crucial to understanding the significance of this passage.

Cleopas is an abbreviated form of the name Cleopatros, made of the two Greek words “kleos” (to celebrate) and pater (father). Cleopas means “celebration of the father”.

Let us see what Jesus did in the passage. He told the two discouraged disciples all about the things concerning Himself in the Old Testament Scriptures, and how He fulfilled them all at the cross.

It was a celebration of the Father, praising Him for His glorious plan of salvation that was once hidden and is now revealed through the prophets, apostles, and the other writers of the Scriptures.

When Jesus celebrated the Father with the two disciples, their hearts “burned”, likely with faith, hope, and love in response to the love and grace of God. They experienced an “Emmaus” (meaning: hot springs) in their hearts, washing away the unbelief and refreshing their spirits.

They were no longer depressed and despondent. Instead, they were filled with hope, and energized in their bodies and souls. Having just walked a long way from Jerusalem to Emmaus, they immediately set off on a journey back to announce the good news they had seen and heard.

This world needs “Cleopas”—a celebration of the Father. They need to hear about a Father God who is gracious and full of love, who freely offers salvation through Jesus Christ His Son. They need to hear that He wants to be a Father near to them and not a Judge far off; that He is reconciling the world to Himself through Jesus, welcoming them home.

“But all things are of God, who reconciled us to himself through Jesus Christ, and gave to us the ministry of reconciliation; namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself, not reckoning to them their trespasses, and having committed to us the word of reconciliation. We are therefore ambassadors on behalf of Christ, as though God were entreating by us: we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For him who knew no sin he made to be sin on our behalf; so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Corinthians‬ ‭5:18-21‬ ‭WEB‬‬)

Anytime you are feeling down, you can initiate a celebration of the Father. It will cleanse you from unbelief, refresh your spirit, fill your heart with hope, and energize your body and soul!

If you are new to reading the four gospels for yourself, or you have some questions about difficult passages in there, I would like to recommend you read my four-ebook bundle called “Understand the Four Gospels Through the Lens of Grace”.

As you read it, many confusing pieces of Scripture will be unlocked to you, and things that used to scare you will be read in the right light. Order the bundle and you can download and read it right away:
https://bit.ly/understandeveryparable

Topic: Struggling with Stress Eating

This was me 7 days ago

I resisted eating like a mad dog for 5 days after my recent F Up, but sadly I just repeated another stress eating, finished devouring so much fast food all under 5-10 min

I shot this pic to remind myself that I fk up again…

Normally my instinct is to Go to the Gym & Lift

But this time I didn’t do that, instead I just ate like a mad man again who looked like he hasn’t eaten for 45 days

And I’ve faced this episode - many many times

This was one of those things I know that if I kept doing, it’s just gonna end up really bad for myself

And the truth is, I wasn’t willing to deal with the stress at the time and kept holding on to it, ending in another terrible binge eat that made me felt depressed & pissed off about myself

It was a downward spiral as I started to depend on Food more than ever - Not for energy & health purpose but more towards mental temporary relief

And I had enough

Enough of the BS I tell myself - that it’s okay to just eat and enjoy the moment

Enough of Stress Eating - it’s time to earn back self control & discipline

It starts now

I’m sharing this, not to gain pity, but because I know how fkn hard stress eating messes up my body and I didn’t know whom to talk to - because normally it’s people who reached out to me!

I felt ashamed as I tell people to show up and keep the fire burning, but my own fire is being put off by myself

Whatever my personal reasons are - it is not an excuse to keep fking up, and that’s why I’m sharing this publicly to hold myself accountable to all of you, and to commit to a Plan

I don’t believe in perfection - but I believe in owning up to my shit & to take full control to transform into the Beast I know I am Capable of being

I hope this simple sharing can give some of you who struggle with the same problem - some courage & energy to change something for the better

I know it’s tough af, but you’re not alone and that you can be in control, as long as you’re willing to put in the effort 🔥

We are in this together - Let’s do this 💯

#KeepTheFireBurning

デートしない学生は「うつ」になりにくく社会技能やリーダーシップに優れている(2019)
https://gigazine.net/news/20190922-teens-dont-date-less-depressed/

Tobias Harris "depressed" POSTGAME REACTION after 76ers fall to Hawks 103-100, series tied 2-2
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Nikola Jokic "depressed" Nuggets nad loss Suns 102-116, despite make triple-double (32 Pts)
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