Jesus is Essential
Luke 24:13–16: Now behold, two of them were traveling that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was seven miles from Jerusalem. And they talked together of all these things which had happened. So it was, while they conversed and reasoned, that Jesus Himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were restrained, so that they did not know Him.
Emmaus was a small village eight miles northwest of Jerusalem. The two men walking from Jerusalem to Emmaus were discouraged disciples who had no reason to be discouraged. They had heard the reports of the women that the tomb was empty and that Jesus was alive, but they did not believe them.
They had hoped that Jesus would redeem Israel, but their hopes had been shattered. We get the impression that these men were discouraged and disappointed because God did not do what they wanted Him to do. They saw the glory of the kingdom, but they failed to understand the suffering. 1
Walking with Jesus
Disappointment and discouragement are a part of life. However, how we handle these situations is when we learn how mature we really are. If you can be hopeful, in a hopeless situation, that is a sure sign that you are walking very close to Jesus.
I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you. “A little while longer and the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live, you will live also. John 14:18–19
Jesus always travels with us. Unfortunately, we do not always travel with Him.
Praying
Lord, thank You for always revealing the truth to Your disciples.
1. Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
