Last Sunday (1 June), Dave preached from Luke 24:13-35, a passage traditionally associated with Easter. The story tells of Cleopas and his companion walking to Emmaus from Jerusalem, dejected and disappointed that Jesus had been crucified. All of us, if we are honest, can admit to identifying with those emotions: the loss of dreams, the sense that life hasn’t always turned out the way we thought and hoped it would. If God cannot be relied upon, where can we turn?
Jesus came alongside these two dejected travellers and asked why they were so forlorn. He then proceeded to take them back to the Scriptures, which is something we also need to do, for there, we will find living water for our souls. All Scripture is God-breathed and can therefore speak into our personal situations (see 2 Tim 3:14-17). We are reminded there of God’s faithfulness and our perspective is restored.
After they reached their destination, Jesus shared a meal with them. Sharing a meal together is important; it was in this process of breaking bread that they recognised Jesus as the risen Lord. Fellowship with Christ and with each other re-energises us (they immediately returned to Jerusalem after this!) We have friends in the church, people who can help us in our difficult times. We have a friend in Jesus. We are not alone!
Disappointments hurt. But if we look back to the Scriptures, look to the fellowship of other Christians and look ahead for the resurrection, we can come through our disappointments restored and renewed.