The Road to Emmaus

     

     "It's just one thing after another, nothing seems to be going right in my life."  We've all been there.  A job is lost, and hopelessness moves in.  We have family troubles, and our peace is gone.  A loved one passes, and our hearts are filled with pain.  Each of us has endured our own personal storm at one time or another.  We feel alone, scared, worried, or hopeless.  

   Imagine the scene of two people walking a long, lonely road to a town called Emmaus.  They had just experienced what was most likely the worst week of their lives.  They had placed all their hopes and dreams in this man from Nazarath, named Jesus.  He was supposed to have been their Savior.  They were sure He was the one that was to free them from the Romans, to deliver them up out of poverty.  But now He was gone- He had been handed over and nailed to a tree, along with their hopes.  More so, these women are saying crazy things, His body is gone and angels had said He is risen from the dead!  How can that be?  Not even Peter believed.  He had run to see for himself, but found only an empty tomb.  Can you imagine their confused and bewildered state of mind as they discussed the events with each other on the walk home?  

     As they are trudging along, their hearts filled with sorrow, they hear a voice, "What are you two talking about?"  Where did He come from???  How long has He been here???  Cleopas fills this stranger in on all the events that had occurred, and how their hopes in Israel being freed, have been shattered.  The stranger continues with them on their long and troubled journey home, while enlightening them with the Word.  We later read in Luke 24, that their eyes are opened to the true identity of that stranger.  It was Jesus!!  He was alive and well!!   He was with them all the way home! 

     How often in our times of trials, do we fail to see Jesus in the midst of our situation?  When we shift our focus off of Him and onto our problems, we are blinded to His presence.  We even find ourselves praying, "Jesus, where are you?".  I wonder if during those times, He clinches our hand tighter, looks over at us, and says, "What are you talking about?  I'm right here beside you".  If we turn to the Word, we are encouraged.  Our faith is strengthened, and our minds are renewed.  Our blinders are removed, as our focus turns back upon our Savoir.  He was there all the time!!

     He doesn't promise us that we will never walk a road to Emmaus, but He does promise that we won't walk it alone!