“Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the Vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing”

— John 15:4-5

This is a weekly reflection on the previous week’s sermon text. Each week there will be a devotional related to the scripture for the week, along with questions for reflection/discussion, as well as prayer. Feel free to make this a part of your individual spiritual growth throughout the week or utilize in small group settings (growth groups, Sunday school, etc.)

luke 23:13-35

Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles[a] from Jerusalem. 14 They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. 15 As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; 16 but they were kept from recognizing him.

17 He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?”

They stood still, their faces downcast. 18 One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?”

19 “What things?” he asked.

“About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. 20 The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; 21 but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. 22 In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning 23 but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. 24 Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see Jesus.”

25 He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.

28 As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. 29 But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them.

30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. 32 They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”

33 They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together 34 and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.” 35 Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.

We had hoped…only three words but those three words communicated everything. When Jesus asked them what happened in Jerusalem, Cleopas (not recognizing it was Jesus who was talking with them at the time) shared with him that Jesus of Nazareth had been crucified and “we had hoped he was the one who would redeem Israel.” In other words, their hopes and future had died on the cross with Jesus.

Cleopas and the other unnamed disciple were devastated and confused as they began the seven-mile walk from Jerusalem to Emmaus. Part of the human experience is dealing with defeat and disappointments. The hopes we had for a career didn’t materialize. The dreams we had for our children didn’t pan out. Perhaps we go through seasons of just muddling through with one “we had hoped” situation after another. We can relate to Cleopas and the unnamed disciple.

It’s interesting that Luke didn’t name the other disciple, which begs the question, “Why not?” Who was the other disciple? We can use our imaginations and fill in the blank with several candidates from the gospels. Was it one of the blind men Jesus healed alongside the road? Or maybe Zaccheaus or a leper or the paralytic Jesus healed? We will never know, but perhaps that is the genius of Luke – leaving us to imagine who it might have been and maybe even encouraging us to insert our own names into the story.

The good news of this story is that it didn’t end with “we had hoped” but with the resurrected Christ revealing himself to the disciples. Just as we might insert our names into the part of the story dealing with despair and hopelessness, so too are our names inserted into the part about resurrection and new life. Remember that today, especially if you are going through a “we had hoped” season in your life. Our stories never end with “we had hoped” but with resurrection and new life through Christ.

Prayer:

Loving God, we recognize that you are the one who resurrects. We pray that we might be receptive to the many ways you offer us new life, especially in the difficult seasons of life. Give us hope today and help us to share with others your offer of new life and possibilities. Amen.

QUESTION FOR REFLECTION:

What are some “we had hoped” moments in your life? Perhaps you did not feel God’s presence during those times, but now as you look back, can you see where God might have been present?

Jesus showed up for Cleopas and the other disciple amid their hopelessness, despair, and confusion and walked with them along the way to Emmaus. He helped them process their faith through conversation and reflection on scripture. How are you spending time with Jesus in your life? Prayer? Reading and reflecting on scripture in community? Other ways?

When we experience new life and restoration, how do we share our experience with others? Cleopas and the other disciple rushed back to Jerusalem at night to share the news of the resurrected Christ with their friends. Can we have that same sense of urgency to share the good news?

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