Luke 24:13 Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem.
The journey of the two who were travelling from Jerusalem to Emmaus was a ‘journey of hopelessness’. The third day after Jesus was crucified the women went to the tomb only to witness an empty sepulcher. They shared the testimony and the visitation of the angels. “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen!” (Luke 24:5-6). However, the disciples did not believe their words. The testimony of women had no weight in ancient times. Disbelief and despair had overtaken the disciples as they saw their Leader hang on the cross. They were waiting for an earthly kingdom to be established and Jesus to be the King of the Jews but they did not realize that Jesus was the King of Kings who defeated the kingdom of darkness on the cross. In utter despondency two disciples decided to leave Jerusalem and go back to Emmaus (probably their hometown). On the journey of hopelessness the “Hope of the Word’ – ‘The Living Hope’, Jesus joined the journey. Jesus Himself came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from recognizing him (vs 15b-16a). Hopelessness had blinded their spiritual eyes that they could not recognize their Saviour, Master, and King. But during the 7-mile walk, which would have taken little over 2 hours, their spiritual eyes were opened. The living Words from Jesus ignited the ‘dead hope’ in the two disciples. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight (vs 32). Living hope sparked new energy and they returned back to Jerusalem immediately to share the news about the resurrection of Jesus.
Hopelessness is not an emotion or a feeling that can be altered by motivational speech or mind therapy. Hope is not a sentiment, but a person. Jesus is the Living Hope. Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead (1 Peter 1:3). In the journey of desperation, depression and darkness when all hope is lost, we need Jesus to join the journey.
Jesus the Living Hope in the journey of Hopelessness:
1. Jagged: The journey of hopelessness is rough, uneven and jagged with erratic emotions and silly sentiments. We will cry when we have to be calm and scream when we must be silent. When Jesus joins the journey that is jagged with problems that cannot be resolved, new hope is birthed.
2. Jolted: The journey of hopelessness will make us numb, jolt and jerk, but when Jesus joins the journey, the jolt will become a lift and new hope will dawn.
3. Jesus: Jesus is the Living Hope. Hope is not an emotion; Hope is a person – Jesus Christ.
Invite Jesus into your hopeless journey and new light will dawn, a new beginning and new hope will be birthed.
Luke 24:33a They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem.
Prayer: King Jesus, hold my hands as I walk to the bleak journey of hopelessness. You are my hope, My Living Hope. Amen.
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