Just an Ordinary Believer

Scripture: "Moreover, some women from our group astounded us. They arrived early at the tomb, and when they didn’t find His body, they came and reported that they had seen a vision of angels who said He was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they didn’t see Him." ... That very hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem. They found the Eleven and those with them gathered together. Luke 24:22-24,33

Observation: The two men traveling from Jerusalem to Emmaus have this miraculous encounter with the risen Jesus. However, only one is named (Cleopas), who himself is never previously names. That said, part of their role is revealed through inference. First, they were both still with all the disciples on the morning of that third day - they were there when the women returned from the tomb with the report about Jesus' and the angels. Second, once they determined they had seen Jesus, they returned to "the Eleven", and thus it is clear they are not part of the 11 core disciples.

Therefore, they are ... part of the mostly nameless collection of 75-200 followers who comprised the followers around Jesus but were not ever part of the main group. They are ... just ordinary believers. Then again, there is nothing ordinary about Jesus walking with you for hours and personally teaching you about the scriptures. And their commitment to Jesus was so strengthened that it can also be inferred that they remained very active in the church ... by inclusion of this story in detail, it is obvious at least one of them was in proximity to the church leaders ~20 years later when Luke is interviewing witness for his gospel.

Application: There is no such thing as an "ordinary believer" once they have truly encountered Jesus. Yes, not everyone is a pastor, elder, or teacher. And not every believer has really received word and instruction from Jesus. However, in general every believer has the ability to lean into their faith and be an influence in the world.

I am not always certain I can do that, as I know I am at BEST ordinary. There are days I aspire to reach the level of "ordinary". However, other times I know something has worked, like how I have been thanked form my witness here at work several times in the last two weeks.  Those thanks have come quietly, in hushed tones and sometimes in coded words, but they indicate a working of the spirit.

I would like to be an ordinary believer more often.

Prayer: Lord, I am simply part of the nameless crowd of your church. That said, I know that nameless believers are the ones you always choose to do your great work. I would like to do your work every day. Here I am. Send me. Amen.