One thing that has stood out for me is how God is always with us in our darkest hour! As the two disciples were walking from Jerusalem towards Emmaeus, they were discussing all that had happened in the last few days and the scripture says '......
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 the only one visiting Jerusalem who does 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. They had placed their hope in Jesus and their hopes were dashed. Their dreams were shattered when the One they were following who performed miracles and who they had hoped would redeem Israel was crucified! They were so overwhelmed by their grief, their sorrows and disappointments as they were walking away from Jerusalem that they did not recognise Jesus when He joined their journey!!! All they could talk about was their disappointments.
I thought of the times when I had been disappointed when my dreams did not materialise. I had questions after questions. I wanted to know why, how and what if....... It's so easy to get into that mode that we forget what is happening around us!
I like the way, the disciples were telling Jesus about Jesus!!
He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Messiah 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.
On that road, Jesus rekindled their faith in the WORD of God! He is the Alpha and Omega! The beginning and the end! He was and is and is to come!!!! He does not change. His Word stands firm and will not change. Jesus took them back to the beginning with Moses and he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. It was at that point that something sparked in their heart. In verse 32 it says,....... “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”
I am so grateful for this awesome God who does not leave us in our darkest hour! He continues to walk with us, listening to us and reminding us of His promises. I could just imagine the two disciples during their conversation with HIM, their faith in the Word was stirred and their hope began to rise again. They couldn't let this 'stranger' go so they invited Him to go home with them. They invited Jesus in!
When Jesus is invited back into our lives, peace and hope is restored! 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.
Like the two on the road to Emmaus, I'm glad that we do not travel alone. God is with us. Are we willing to see Him?
