In the resurrection account in Luke 24, we are told several times about the joy of the disciples. In v. 41 it says that they did not believe for joy, and after Christ’s ascension, it says that they returned to Jerusalem with great joy.
We are also told several times in the account that the foundation of their joy was the fulfillment of Scripture. The resurrection of Christ was not presented to the disciples as “raw data,” something they could testify to on the basis of their experience alone. To the disciples from Emmaus, Jesus taught them from the Old Testament Scriptures, and then He revealed Himself to them in the breaking of the bread.
When He appeared to the disciples back in Jerusalem, He ate first in their presence (as a proof), and then He opened the Scriptures. After opening the Scriptures, it says that He opened their understanding.
God is not limited to this bread or this wine. But neither is He limited to other spiritual exercises we have cooked up on our own authority. The Spirit always moves where and as He wills, and accomplishes what He wants. In faith, we are asking Him to accomplish it here. We are asking Him to reveal Himself to us now in accordance with His Word.
We have opened the Word this morning. We are opening the bread and the wine now. May God open our hearts. The sign that He has done so is always the same – great joy.