“God and the devil take opposite tactics in regard to fear. The Lord first allows us to become afraid, that he might relieve our fears and comfort us. The devil, on the other hand, first makes us feel secure in our pride and sins, that we might later be overwhelmed with fear and despair.” – Martin Luther

The men walking back to Emmaus, on the Sunday that the tomb of the crucified Christ was found empty, were gripped in grief.  They had lost heart in what they “had hoped” Jesus would do for the nation of Israel.  Their perspective was skewed and their understanding of the mission of Jesus was misaligned.

In the midst of their despair, Jesus arrived!  In doing His arriving He gave Cleopas, and the other unnamed man on his way to Emmaus, a different perspective!  He helped them understand God’s plan, His purpose and having done so… three changes were noticeable among the Emmaus travelers…

Their perspective changed!

-  They went from viewing the mission of the Messiah with a limited perspective (self-centered) to a proper perspective (God-centered).

Their posture changed!

-  They went from being “downcast” to “inviting”.  When Jesus showed up in their presence they were looking down, a posture of sadness.  When they recognized Jesus, while he was at the table, they were filled with cheer!  It’s hard to be cheerful and be downcast at the same time!!

Their despair was exchanged for hope!

-   The revelation of the resurrected Christ fueled their run all the way back to               Jerusalem (7 miles, making it a 14 mile day)!  They couldn’t wait to tell about the hope that Christ brought them!!

If you’re in a difficult place in life right now, read the narrative in Luke 24:13-41 again, soak it in!  If you’re in a place of despair, invite God to show up and allow Him to do so on His terms, just as He did in the story!  Then when He does, learn from Him, just as the two travelers did in the story!

Be blessed my friends as you seek to be a difference maker in an extremely wounded world!

-pb