Sure hope.

In this note, we are addressing Luke’s account from two distressed and downtrodden former followers of Jesus. They believed the following was over because they only trusted in the ending they experienced when Jesus breathed his last just two days earlier.

That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. (Luke 24:13-15)

This happens to be one of the longer resurrection accounts and there is merit at letting it grab our attention. Let’s remember the timeline of these “I Witness” accounts: Jesus has forty days with which to rally the troops and set them on a course to change the world with their testimony about a living, breathing Jesus. But these two needed some serious convincing.

Some other random facts: we only know the name of one of the two disciples. He was Cleopas. Was the other disciple his wife? A brother? A friend? We don’t know but for some reason Luke found it important to have Cleopas’ name recorded. Knowing Luke’s thorough nature, Cleopas may have been one of the people he interviewed before writing the Gospel of Luke.

What was Jesus demonstrating as he made his way along in their somber journey? Jesus was modeling for us how we can walk alongside someone who is reeling from calamity and chaos. AND Jesus is using this to speak to us in our distress and uncertainty.

Watch the method of interaction that Jesus uses: questions.

“And he said to them, ‘What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?’ And they stood still, looking sad. Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, ‘Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?’ And he said to them, ‘What things?’ And they said to him, ‘Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people.’” (Luke 24:17-19)

Jesus knows what is wrong with them but he asks. His purpose is to get them to explore and open up. He wants them to share. And as they relate their understanding of the events they are engaged and they get to experience his concern. They don’t know it is Jesus and right now they don’t need to know. Remember that Jesus purposely withheld this insight from them.

They were with the one person in all the universe who could give them hope but they were bankrupt.

“[We saw] how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened. (Luke 24:20-21).”

They stopped hoping. They were crushed and overwhelmed. People in that hopeless state don’t fair well. The human spirit needs hope. And when I say, “hope” I’m talking about the Bible’s definition of rock-solid, sure hope. How will Jesus bring them from no hope to rock-solid hope? What can we learn from this so that our own hope is maintained? How can we use Jesus’ methods to pass hope onto others, once we are so filled?

Here’s the next step:

“‘Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning, and when they did not find his body, they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.’” And he said to them, ‘O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken!’” (Luke 24:22-25)

Jesus called them fools. Is that how we are to act with others who don’t yet believe? The word in Greek has a meaning that properly fits this event, the two disciples, and each of us at some point. It means that the pieces of the puzzle are coming together but they are being ignored. It means that they bought into a disparaging narrative and they are pushing back against any witness that points to a living Jesus. You might think this is the point where Jesus would reveal himself to them and then all doubts would vanish. NO! Emphatically No!

Notice the final part of verse 25. “. . . slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken!” That is the answer! Jesus wants them to see from the Old Testament Scriptures that he had to die and had to come alive. This was prophesied and they needed to be drawn back to the 100% truth of God that unravels disbelief. Jesus is doing this for their benefit AND for ours. It would be great to see the living, strong, fully alive Jesus-and we will one day-but what was necessary was to see the link from God’s promises from the very first book of the Bible (“he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel”-Genesis 3:15) and on through to the last book of the Old Testament (“The sun of righteousness will rise with healing in his wings” -Malachi 4:2).

Then Jesus opened up the Scriptures.

“And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.” (Luke 24:27).

There is so much we could talk about in this long account. But two things that stand out as I wrap up this message: Jesus wanted them to speak out their hurt, their disappointment, their lack of zest for life. We all need times of such expression. But the other part of this event that gives me great comfort: It’s in the Scriptures that my wounded and disappointed heart gets healed. We all have days that will crush our spirits and deflate our desire to live and love and care. Life does this. But there is sure hope and it comes from the very Words of God. Even perfect Jesus used this two step method to enhance the life of the Emmaus disciples. He listens to us as well - every prayer we pray is a chance to bear our hearts to him and shout out or whisper our hurt. And every word listed in Scriptures has the power to heal my doubts and erase my lack of hope.

May Jesus’ long predicted story be an encouragement for any and every frustration you ever face. May you study and make use of what Jesus did in Luke 24, as a way to encourage someone in your life today.

Blessings to you.

Pastor Al