The account for today's blog is Luke 24:13-24! These verses in the middle of that section caught my attention!
"17 And he said to them, “What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?” And they stood still, looking sad. 18 Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” 19 And he said to them, “What things?” And they said to him, “Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, 20 and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. 21 But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened. 22 Moreover, some women of our company amazed us.They were at the tomb early in the morning, 23 and when they did not find his body, they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive.
Jesus had disappointed these disciples of His. It says that they "had hoped" that He was the real deal - God come to earth - savior of saviors - but... hope was lost! He had died! He had let them down! They had received news from others earlier that day that the tomb was empty and that some angels had said that He was alive....... but it wasn't enough! They were still disappointed to the point of "looking sad"!
Jesus will disappoint you! He has me! Even when you are believing strongly that God is real and He is everything His book says He is there will be those times when He just doesn't come through. When that happens we can really lose hope, slide into despair, recoil back, limit our faith, relegate Jesus toward the category of "tried Him but can't really depend on Him"!
About the time I sense that I am being disappointed by Jesus (because He is doing things His way and not my way) the truth of this story can be very helpful for me! The story concludes like this!
27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. 28 So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He acted as if he were going farther, 29 but they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent.” So he went in to stay with them.30 When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. 31 And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him.
In the midst of being dramatically disappointed in Him - Jesus was actually right there with them, they just couldn't see Him! Jesus would show Himself when the time was perfect for their benefit. Jesus loves me too much to be controlled by me. I am thankful for the message of this story. Even when I sense that Jesus is really disappointing me He is actually right here with me doing something greater that I could have imagined! And I will see Him at some point!
That's awesome! I get to "work through" my times of disappointment with Jesus and not get "stuck" there! He is with me! He is alive!
That's good news today! He is always up to something good in our lives even when we cannot see it .... or Him at the time!
WOW!
Enjoy!
delton