But We Had Hoped

Luke 24:13-21

Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from recognizing him. He asked them, "What are you discussing together as you walk along?"

They stood still, their faces downcast. One 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?" 

"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. The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel.

Many Jews, like these disciples recognized Jesus as the expected Messiah. And as the Messiah, Jesus was supposed to come in power and authority, he was supposed to establish a new Kingdom, and he was supposed to release the Jews from foreign rule. But then the unexpected happened: Jesus was betrayed into the hands of Pontius Pilate, he suffered and he died a horrible death. From their perspective, that was not supposed to happen. But it seems as though life just doesn't care about our supposed to's. And we, like our two disciples are left walking on the Road to Emmaus uttering those same words, but we had hoped.

We all take our turn walking on the Road to Emmaus. It is a well-worn road where long awaited expectations are shattered and we are left to wonder, What happened and Where is God in all of this? That place where we reason, Life is supposed to look like this and yet it looks like that. 

If you are traveling that road today, I offer you three thoughts to contemplate on the Road to Emmaus . . . 

1. Do not walk alone. There were two disciples walking on the road that day, sharing their journey and their grief. Contrary to popular understanding, the Bible does not say God will not put on you more than you can bear. An unfortunate misinterpretation of 1 Corinthians 10:13* has led some to believe they are weak in faith or relationship with Christ when they cannot bear the burden of grief alone. The fact is, there are some burdens we were not meant to carry alone. Galatians 6:2 makes this very clear: Carry each other's burdens and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. The journey of grief is one of those times. Remember, on the Road to Emmaus, do not walk alone.

2. God is closer than we think. In their despair and grief, our two disciples replay the horrific events of the last few days to the stranger among them. Their hoped-for Messiah was not only dead, his body was missing. Feeling discouraged and saddened they may have wondered, as we often do, Where is God in all of this mess? Indeed, where was God that day? He was walking right next to them on the Road to Emmaus. In times of intense trial and grief we sometimes do not feel the presence of God. But as we read this story we realize on the Road to Emmaus, God is closer than we think.

3. God will make himself known to us. At the end of their journey, the two disciples urged the stranger to stay with them. He agreed and they sat together at the table and he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him . . . (Luke 24:30-31). When did understanding and recognition come? When they sat at the table and they broke bread with Jesus.  Although, it may be difficult to understand or comprehend God's presence in the midst of trial, be assured on the Road to Emmaus, God will make himself known to us.

At some point in our lives, we all become acquainted with the Road to Emmaus. It is that place where the hard realities of life interrupt our expectations. However, in the midst of our discouragement, God always has a redemptive act at the ready. The disciples were disappointed and discouraged that day for they did not expect Jesus to die, but neither did they expect to meet him on the Road to Emmaus.



*1 Corinthians 10:13 refers to temptation and not trials.