Jesus went “undercover” on the road to Emmaus. As he visits with the travelers on that first Easter morning, he inquires about the reports concerning the events that happened at Jerusalem that weekend. Once the couple recovered from the shock and disbelief that this stranger was clueless about those same events, they began to unpack all that had happened related to Jesus of Nazareth.
“He was a prophet who did powerful miracles, and he was a mighty teacher in the eyes of God and all the people. But our leading priests and other religious leaders handed him over to be condemned to death, and they crucified him.”
“Then some women from our group of his followers were at his tomb early this morning, and they came back with an amazing report. They said his body was missing, and they had seen angels who told them Jesus is alive! Some of our men ran out to see, and sure enough, his body was gone, just as the women had said.” (Luke 24:19-20, 22-24, NLT)
It was an amazing report indeed. But there was one problem with their description.
“We had hoped he was the Messiah who had come to rescue Israel.” (Luke 24:21, NLT)
The couple on the road to Emmaus were confused about all that had taken place. But even more, they expressed their confusion in terms of disappointment. The Messiah, they believed, was to come and restore Israel to the geo-political status of the historical rule of King David. They were looking for the Messiah. But the Messiah they wanted was about their agenda and their interests.
Have you been disappointed by Jesus? Sometimes when I counsel with people who are experiencing life’s difficulties, disappointment with Jesus will surface during the conversation. We’ve all been there from time to time. But when we’re tempted to wallow in disappointment with Jesus, I think it’s helpful to re-evaluate our expectation of Jesus.
What are your expectations of Jesus? Financial security? A happy marriage? Perfect kids who earn full scholarships to the University? An upwardly mobile career path? Physical health? Early retirement? To be loved and adored by all who grace your presence?
The travelers were disappointed. But they had expected wrong things from Messiah. Jesus clues them in from the Old Testament: “You foolish people! You find it so hard to believe all that the prophets wrote in the Scriptures. Wasn’t it clearly predicted that the Messiah would have to suffer all these things before entering his glory?” (Luke 24:25-26, NLT)
Jesus’ death and resurrection are not designed to eliminate suffering from your life. And above all, never forget that his passion and resurrection are not so that you can attain glory. It was so that he could enter his glory.
“He was a prophet who did powerful miracles, and he was a mighty teacher in the eyes of God and all the people. But our leading priests and other religious leaders handed him over to be condemned to death, and they crucified him.”
“Then some women from our group of his followers were at his tomb early this morning, and they came back with an amazing report. They said his body was missing, and they had seen angels who told them Jesus is alive! Some of our men ran out to see, and sure enough, his body was gone, just as the women had said.” (Luke 24:19-20, 22-24, NLT)
It was an amazing report indeed. But there was one problem with their description.
“We had hoped he was the Messiah who had come to rescue Israel.” (Luke 24:21, NLT)
The couple on the road to Emmaus were confused about all that had taken place. But even more, they expressed their confusion in terms of disappointment. The Messiah, they believed, was to come and restore Israel to the geo-political status of the historical rule of King David. They were looking for the Messiah. But the Messiah they wanted was about their agenda and their interests.
Have you been disappointed by Jesus? Sometimes when I counsel with people who are experiencing life’s difficulties, disappointment with Jesus will surface during the conversation. We’ve all been there from time to time. But when we’re tempted to wallow in disappointment with Jesus, I think it’s helpful to re-evaluate our expectation of Jesus.
What are your expectations of Jesus? Financial security? A happy marriage? Perfect kids who earn full scholarships to the University? An upwardly mobile career path? Physical health? Early retirement? To be loved and adored by all who grace your presence?
The travelers were disappointed. But they had expected wrong things from Messiah. Jesus clues them in from the Old Testament: “You foolish people! You find it so hard to believe all that the prophets wrote in the Scriptures. Wasn’t it clearly predicted that the Messiah would have to suffer all these things before entering his glory?” (Luke 24:25-26, NLT)
Jesus’ death and resurrection are not designed to eliminate suffering from your life. And above all, never forget that his passion and resurrection are not so that you can attain glory. It was so that he could enter his glory.
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