Encountering an extraordinary God in ordinary life
Issue # 257 September 11, 2001
Disappointment Road

Life can be discouraging at times. We go through rough spots and it seems that everything we hoped and planned just falls through.

I remember after my brain injury (and before I knew Christ), my whole world collapsed around me. I was unable to work, battling depression, fatigue and illness. Struggling to find my whole identity, I was walking the road of discouragement and despair.

I think that is a little like the followers of Jesus must have felt after His crucifixion. Their whole world was given up to serve God, only He couldn’t have been God after all because He died on a cross like an ordinary man.

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. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning but didn't find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see."

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

As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus acted as if he were going farther. But 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.

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

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

While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, "Peace be with you." Luke 24:13-36 NIV

They learned that He was no ordinary man. He walked alongside of them. They didn’t recognize Him at first, but He was there.

The next time you are walking the long road of despair and disappointment, remember, you aren’t walking alone if you know Christ.

Until next time, may you feel the comfort of His presence with you.

God bless.

Kevin

Are you walking the road of disappointment alone? Look to Jesus to accompany and comfort you.

Email me if you would like to know Jesus. I’ll share a few Bible verses that explain why a relationship with Him is important and a prayer that will make it possible.

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