Road to Emmaus: Hope for the Disillusioned, Disappointed and Done

This morning I am continuing reading from Luke's account of Jesus' passion, death and resurrection.  I am reflecting on the two disciples on their way to Emmaus found  in Luke 24:13-27 NIV:

[13] Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles 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.

A couple of things stood out to me this morning.  First, I had forgot that the these two disciples had actually been present for all that happening that morning, as evidenced by their comments in verses 22-24.  I can't imagine the amount of turmoil that they were all in, for in less than a week they went from watching Jesus enter Jerusalem triumphantly, to watching suffer, die and be buried.  I am not at all surprised by their difficulty in grasping what was really happening.

In my own life, dealing with the death of a loved one, the initial news followed by the days of preparation and burial are a whirlwind of emotions, thoughts and often times, unbelief, and scattered thoughts.  One doesn't think back through the events, logically, remembering everything that the loved one has said, there is too much emotion, and grief.

I find the translation of verse 25 a bit out of character for Jesus, a rebuke of someone in grief, and figured I would look at the original Greek.  The word used here is anoétos:  defined as not understanding

The following  is from Strongs - HELPS Word-studies

453 anóētos (from 1 /A "without" and 3539 /noiéō, "to think") – properly, non-thinking, i.e. not "reasoning through" a matter (with proper logic); unmindful, which describes acting in a "mindless, dense" way ("just plain stupid").

I find this helpful (except the very last comment in parentheses).  I would imagine that the disciples were unable to logically think through everything, in fact probably were barely thinking, let alone logically working through everything the Prophets said about the Messiah.  I don't feel lie Jesus was rebuking them, so much as stating the very obvious reality.  They needed help to think, to understand, and He provided that help.  

Without knowing why they were walking to Emmaus, I think we can conclude that they were in state of disbelief and even disillusionment, maybe even deciding to calling it quits.  Maybe they were done with it all? Why else would they be walking away from all the others?  Again, I don't know any of this for sure, but knowing myself, I would be very happy to get some time-away, the opportunity to just be, and rethink everything.  If they were close followers, we know they had likely left most everything to follow Jesus, and possibly were now heading back home.  

I am moved with gratefulness that Jesus, if this was their state, went and retrieved them!  He didn't let them wander away, dejected and downcast.  Instead he reached out and helped them understand, and allowed them to rejoin themselves to the followers in Jerusalem, for they immediately returned to Jerusalem where all the rest of the followers (that we know about) were gathered.  What an awesome example of the Lord meeting us, where we are, on our way away from Him, giving us a chance to return, and bearing new revelation and understanding!

Thank You Lord for tracking any and all of us down, who have become disillusioned, dejected, confused, beat-down, or even quitting.  You never forget one of Yours, and are faithful forever.

Amen and Amen!