His promises were becoming like the thread of old unraveling garments. Jesus had been dead and buried for three days now. His followers were either in hiding or they were getting the heck out of Dodge. Jesus had warned them, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men. They will kill Him, and after three days He will rise.” Mark 9:31. That warning had flown out the window of their minds the minute His hands were bound. Jesus’ arrest, trial, and execution just weren’t part of their plan and because it didn’t unfold accordingly, each of us followers were left reeling as they watched His body being placed in the tomb.
I know I have done that also. I have a preconceived notion and plan about how certain events should unfold in my life and when they don’t I have a tendency to question, “Where are You Lord? How could You let this happen?” Take heart if you are like me because two other friends were in the same boat questioning the events swirling around them over the death of their beloved Rabbi. Meet Cleopas and his friend. Let’s travel to Emmaus with them.
“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 herself 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 the enter His glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning Himself.” Luke 24:13-27
It was like looking through a broken clouded window. The events of the past three days had become a darkening shade across their memories. World events shrouded their view. Cleopas and his friend did not even recognize Jesus of Nazareth though they had followed after him these many months.
Life has a tendency to do that to us doesn’t it. We focus on disasters, the state of affairs of our government, or even our own brokeness and it shrouds our memories making us forget His promises. “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you” Hebrews 13:5
I get it I really do. I have also kept my eyes focused on the waves of my life instead of on the Lord of my life. I am pretty sure I would have been just like Cleopas and his friend as they walked toward Emmaus. Their faces were cast in a downward direction and they were spiraling where there vision pointed them. But Jesus broke into their depression and began speaking the Word of God into them. Cleopas would later say, “Were not our hearts burning within us while He talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”
Thus we are given the remedy to our downcast spirit. The Word of God spoken into us burns away the things that keep us shuffling across the dry dusty roads of life. When the questions of life mount like flood waters in your soul, remember to walk down the road to Emmaus.
“How many times Lord, have I too been blind to Your Presence. You have traveled alongside of me and even carried me but I kept my eyes focused on the dirt in the road. Lord Your Words have life and power to them. They lift my head above the waters. Thank you for walking with me and teaching me Your Word.”
Best story yet, keep it up.