Scripture

Luke 24:13-21a NRSV

Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, but their eyes were kept from recognizing him. And he said to them, “What are you discussing with each other, while you walk along?” They stood still, looking sad. Then one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place there in these days?” He asked them, “What things?” They replied, “The things about Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be condemned to death and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel.”

Consider

Two of Jesus’ disciples are heading out of Jerusalem, unaware that their Lord has that very day been raised from the dead. In the wake of their devastating loss, they encounter the risen Christ, but they don’t realize who he is.

When we suffer personal loss or betrayal, we may find ourselves reacting like these disciples and fail to notice the Lord standing right beside us.

Their eyes were kept from recognizing him. – Whether God prevented the disciples from recognizing Jesus or his risen body looked somehow different, we know from the disciples’ conversation that they were not expecting to see Jesus. Their minds were turned inward, focusing on the horrific events of the past few days.

When we are hurt, we often turn our gaze inward, focusing on our pain and recounting the details of the hurtful event. We are not looking for God at this point but only trying to make sense of what has happened.

They stood still, looking sad. – The events of their Lord’s betrayal and murder have left these disciples sorrowful and not knowing how to go forward.

When we suffer betrayal and personal injury, we often don’t know what to do next. Although we may feel angry and hurt, we may also experience a strong undercurrent of sadness, loss, and grief.

“What are you discussing…what things?” – Jesus urges the disciples to put their experience into words. As readers, we know that Jesus has risen and even now speaks to them, but the disciples are still unaware. Because their knowledge is limited, their perceptions are distorted and their conclusions inaccurate.

No matter how intelligent or experienced we are, no matter how clear-thinking, our perceptions of an event are necessarily limited. We don’t know all the contributing factors, nor can we see into another person’s mind. We cannot see all that God has planned for us through and beyond the hurtful event.

“We had hoped that he was the one.” – These disciples had invested themselves in Jesus, building their hopes as they saw him perform miracles, believing that at last the Messiah had come to free them from Roman tyranny. Jesus’ crucifixion not only dashed their hopes but also implied their faith and energies had been wasted.

Often we cannot forgive someone for not being the person we hoped for—someone we could trust, depend on, agree with. Personal injury can reveal a different side to a person we thought we knew and may force us to rethink the future of our relationship. At this critical point, we have a choice. We can keep on “standing still, looking sad,” or we can expand our gaze and look for God standing right beside us, ready to teach us a new truth and lead us in a way we had not expected to go.

Pray

Loving Lord, like those sorrowing disciples, I become focused on my sadness and loss and fail to recognize your presence in my hurtful circumstance. Thank you for your promise to always be with me and to work for my good through every situation. Give me grace to realize that my perceptions are limited and my judgments faulty, and that with your help I can forgive those who injure me.

Reflect

John 20:11-18; Hebrews 13:5-6

Ponder

When has sorrow or pain kept me from seeing God standing right beside me?