Some Disciples Walk On
Emmaus, America, the World...it's not all that different.
See below for a significant programming note.*
I think Cleopas and his partner/spouse/friend speak for many Christians today.
We had hoped Jesus would…
For many, the Church is in a moment of disappointment, confusion, disarray, and deep frustration. Christians are so disenfranchised from faith that they do not participate with the greater Church at all. Charges of hypocrisy, the misuse and abuse of power, and political soul-selling are rampant. And for good reason.
A lot of it is based on misplaced expectations. Sometimes, the expectations themselves are wrong (yes, Jesus would conquer the world; no, he would not do it in the way you want). Other times, the expectations are placed wrongly (yes, Jesus is the king of peace; no, worldly leaders will not follow suit).
Regardless of how, the expectations of many people of faith have been dashed.
These two disciples - never before or again mentioned in the gospels - are sincere in heart. They keep walking even in disappointment, and they bring their honest grief and confusion with them. They’re open enough to talk, open enough to listen, and open enough to let a stranger interrupt their sorrow. Their expectations were shattered, but their hearts weren’t closed.
But they have much to learn as they give themselves over to Christ’s revelation. Even as much as they sincerely felt and hoped about Jesus, they couldn’t even recognize his person in their midst. When he does reveal himself (through the breaking of bread!), they know enough to recognize him again.
This is an invitation to us. Hold on. Jesus is not dead. Your faith need not be, either.
The Lord really is alive.
Luke 24:13-35
On that same day, two disciples were traveling to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. They were talking to each other about everything that had happened. While they were discussing these things, Jesus himself arrived and joined them on their journey. They were prevented from recognizing him.
He said to them, “What are you talking about as you walk along?” They stopped, their faces downcast.
The one named Cleopas replied, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who is unaware of the things that have taken place there over the last few days?”
He said to them, “What things?”
They said to him, “The things about Jesus of Nazareth. Because of his powerful deeds and words, he was recognized by God and all the people as a prophet. But our chief priests and our leaders handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him. We had hoped he was the one who would redeem Israel. All these things happened three days ago. But there’s more: Some women from our group have left us stunned. They went to the tomb early this morning and didn’t find his body. They came to us saying that they had even seen a vision of angels who told them he is alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found things just as the women said. They didn’t see him.”
Then Jesus said to them, “You foolish people! Your dull minds keep you from believing all that the prophets talked about. Wasn’t it necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and then enter into his glory?” Then he interpreted for them the things written about himself in all the scriptures, starting with Moses and going through all the Prophets.
When they came to Emmaus, he acted as if he was going on ahead. But they urged him, saying, “Stay with us. It’s nearly evening, and the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them. After he took his seat at the table with them, he took the bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Their eyes were opened and they recognized him, but he disappeared from their sight. They said to each other, “Weren’t our hearts on fire when he spoke to us along the road and when he explained the scriptures for us?”
They got up right then and returned to Jerusalem. They found the eleven and their companions gathered together. They were saying to each other, “The Lord really has risen! He appeared to Simon!” Then the two disciples described what had happened along the road and how Jesus was made known to them as he broke the bread.
Psalm 42:9-11
I will say to God, my solid rock,
“Why have you forgotten me?
Why do I have to walk around,
sad, oppressed by enemies?”
With my bones crushed, my foes make fun of me,
constantly questioning me: “Where’s your God now?”
Why, I ask myself, are you so depressed?
Why are you so upset inside?
Hope in God!
Because I will again give him thanks,
my saving presence and my God.
Prayer
God,
I want to pray for those who have given up all faith due to the on-going events of the world. To be true, leaders and factions and groups of all sorts have utterly dashed your good news. The poor marginalized. The powerful propped up. Lies and destruction regarding lives taken advantage of. It’s all true. And more. And it’s devastating.
But I am not ready to abandon faith in Jesus. Not at all. His story is too good, too right, too loving and compassionate. I don’t know that he existed, but I surely believe it. And I choose to live my life accordingly, as best I can.
So help us, God. Give us visible and tangible reasons to keep on. Inspire us to his example. Keep our eyes set on his person.
By your Spirit & in Christ,
Amen.
Programming Note:
If you have been reading along with me since January 1, 2025, tomorrow is our last day! We will complete the four gospels tomorrow with the end of Luke. I want to share about what’s ahead.
I may post some short thoughts or reflections in the next week or so, but ultimately, I’m taking a break. I will begin again, as we have for three years now, with the first Sunday of Advent. Then we will begin the cycle of reading the gospels again on January 1st. So during Advent, I am again doing something a bit different. In this current moment, I’ve felt led to deeply study the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:13-26. I think it has much to offer us in these times. And the first four fruit dovetail really neatly with the traditional four themes of Advent (but backwards).
However, Jesus Daily will always have an emphasis on Jesus’ teaching and example. So we will be looking at the specific fruit in light of what he lives and teaches.
I hope to have some other surprises along the way, but I’m really looking forward to diving deep into how the Spirit leads us in the light of Jesus’ life and example throughout Advent and the first half of Christmas. I hope you’ll continue to join me, beginning Sunday, November 30th.
Speaking of that, I’m so grateful that you have been with me all this time. I often get comments when I see people either in person or online and your feedback is a significant reason why I continue to do this. I started this as a personal thing - just something I needed to do. But knowing you are with me in it is a huge boost to keep going.
Thanks for joining on this journey.
Your written words presses into my spirit showing me more of the Presence of the One. Thank you for your commitment to sharing along our journeys together.