Luke 24:13 Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem.
On the victorious day on which Jesus was resurrected from the dead, two disciples Cleopas and his friend were on a journey to Emmaus. It is possible that these disciples were from the village of Emmaus and their hopelessness after the gruesome crucifixion of their Lord and King, took them back to their hometown. Jesus did not interrupt their indecisive journey but He joined them and enlightened them along the way. He explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning Himself. When they approached Emmaus, they forced Jesus to stay the night with them. It was only at dinner while Jesus said the grace and blessed the meal, did they recognise Him. Vs 31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and He disappeared from their sight. Immediately they returned back to Jerusalem and reported back to the disciples about the resurrected Christ. The destiny of desperation of the disciples became a transforming transit when they met their Saviour.
The two disappointed disciples decided to seclude, separate and shut themselves away from the rest of the team. They probably wanted to get back to their town and continue their trade. They wanted to run away from Jerusalem where the heat of the issue about the death of Jesus was devastating. They wanted to grieve alone and get over the loss. Disappointments push us to take the wrong turns, choose the wrong company and travel along the wrong route. Distress will tempt us to seek temporary comfort in the wrong places. Jesus will meet us in our hopeless journey, comfort us with His revitalizing Word and help us to return back to our purpose.
Three “don’ts” when we are distressed, depressed and disappointed:
1. Wilt: When disappointed by a relationship, racism or recession, don’t wilt and wither – it is not the end. Winter does not last for long. Thomas Edison was told by his teachers he was ‘too dull to learn anything’. Edison went on to hold more than 1,000 patents, including the photograph and practical electric lamp. Don’t wilt at the words of your teachers, superiors or supervisors. What God says about you is final. Don’t run away from your destiny. Stand fight and overcome.
2. Weary: When distressed, if we allow emotions to take the driver’s seat, it will drive us into the ocean of depression. When emotions say “it is over”, let confidence say “it has only just begun”. When we are emotionally exhausted, we must put our brain to sleep and rest. Stop analysing, scrutinizing and criticising yourself. Evaluation will help to improve whereas condemnation will sink us in dejection. When weary stop running and racing – just rest and recuperate.
3. Worry: When disillusioned, worrying will drown us in self pity and erode our confidence away. When disheartened worship instead of worrying. Take time to be alone to worship. The eyes of the disciples were opened when they met Jesus during worship and immediately, they made a ‘U’ turn and returned back to Jerusalem.
The disciples tried to run away from reality, as they were overwhelmed with the disappointment. They were weary emotionally hence they could not recollect the prophecies or promises from the Word. It was only when the disciples gave thanks did their spiritual eyes open. The cross is the door to our destiny – don’t run when you are distressed, just rest and worship. The disappointment is not the end; it is a new beginning.
Luke 24:33 They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem.
Prayer: Holy Spirit help me to worship instead of wilting and worrying. Help me to see the morning’s sun on the horizon through the dark, depressing, distressing night of disappointment. Amen
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