Walking Down The Road

Last week I asked you the question, “Have you ever stopped to think that 
all of the disciples might have been wondering what happened to Jesus, 
not just Thomas?” I went onto remind you that the disciples had locked 
their doors and pulled the shades out of fear of the Jews in their 
community.

Luke 24: 13-14

That very day two of them were going to a village named 
Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking 
with each other about all these things that had happened .

As Cleopas and his friend were walking they appear to be filled with doubt 
and disappointment…. “Can’t you see it, Cleopas, yes, Cleopas I know it
happened, but do you think it really happened? I mean look at the big 
picture, it is not feasible. After all did he not say that he would always be 
here for us, that we would never be alone? You know we were so full of joy 
and anticipation for what was going to happen next and what the future 
had to hold. Nothing in our lives had ever matched what we were feeling 
when Jesus came into our lives. Here we were looking forward to the days 
ahead that we thought would go on forever. But that was then, now how 
do we pick up the pieces and move forward? It just isn’t fair for this is not 
what we had prayed and hoped for.”

Luke 24: 15-24

While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus 
himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were 
kept from recognizing him. And Jesus said to them, “What 
is this conversation which you are holding with each other 
as you walk?” And they stood still, looking sad. Then one 
of them named Cleopas, answered Jesus, “Are you the 
only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things 
that have happened in these days?” And Jesus said to 
them, “What things?” And they said to Jesus, “Concerning 
Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and 
word before God and all the people, and how our chief 
priest and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to 
death, and crucified him. But we had hoped that he would 
be the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is 
now the third day since this happened. Moreover, some 
women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb 
early in the morning, and did not find his body; and they 
came back saying they had even seen a vision of angels, 
who said that Jesus was alive. Some of those who were 
with us went to the tomb, and found it just as the women 
had said; but him they did not see.

How many of us have been on that walk to Emmaus in our lives? Full of
hate, full of disgust, full of not liking ourselves let alone God or the world?
With hearts so full of defeat and void of faith that we do not recognize
Him, as he walks beside us. Feeling that there is nothing left to do but get 
Out of Jerusalem for who would understand where we are in our life? 
After all, the future looked so bright and there is no brightness now. Only 
sadness and an empty cave in our heart and soul. After all, we had hoped 
that he was the one. When the sun went down, so did all my hopes and 
my aspirations for tomorrow. 

Think about it,

Jesus captured their imagination, but the Roman soldiers captured Jesus.

Jesus gained their love and devotion, but the forces of hatred divided them.

Jesus inspired the best in them, but now they have experienced the worse.

Jesus had apparently claimed victory, but now they have seen his utter 
defeat.

Jesus had stood for the kingdom of God, but the power of Rome was 
standing.

Jesus had promised a better life, but is now the victim of a bitter death.

Have you ever been there? Times when you have lost your direction, and 
when you longed for a sunrise but all you found were sunsets? When all 
your hopes, all your aspirations, were gone right before your very eyes and 
you were left in shock, dismay, anger and disbelief.

Luke 24: 25-27,

“And Jesus said to them, “O foolish men, and slow of heart 
to believe all that the prophets had spoken!” Was it not 
necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and 
enter into his glory? And beginning with Moses and all the 
prophets, Jesus interpreted to them in all the scriptures the 
things concerning himself.

Who wouldn’t feel the way I feel after all Jesus has called me foolish and 
even seems to doubt my commitment to faith. All I want to know is, 
Where’s the compassion when you need it? Where are you at now OH
MIGHTY ONE? I don’t feel you loving me God! You know I thought this 
was it and what happened? I don’t need a sermon! I NEED PEACE IN
MY LIFE AND ANSWERS! WHAT DON’T YOU GET, GOD?

Sound familiar?

I had hoped to get an A in the class. Instead I got a C. Thanks God!

I had hoped to win the tournament. Instead I tied for first. Thanks God!

I had hoped to get better news. I DIDN’T! Thanks God!

I HAD HOPED! Hope in the past tense becomes hopeless.


Have you ever thought that the problem on the road to Emmaus was not
Jesus’ death and their wondering what all happened, but believing it had 
happened or that something had happened? 

Have you ever thought the issue on the road to Emmaus was Cleopas and 
his friend hoping for something they wanted? We want what we want in our 
time instead of having faith and trusting in God’s will and vision.

In the words of Rebbe Nachman who died at the age of 38: “Worldly 
desires are like sunbeams in a dark room. They seem solid until you try to 
grasp one.”

The lesson of the walk to Emmaus is a lesson that we can all learn from in 
our lives. As we are walking down the road of life we must remember. 
Whenever we pray for what I want, we are likely to be disappointed and let 
down.

Whenever we pray for what I want God to give me I may be disappointed 
in what I receive. We set ourselves up for disappointment and pain in our 
“I” prayer. 

It’s like the beggar who went to the pastor asking for a penny. The Pastor 
gave the beggar a blessing and walked on. The beggar looked at the 
pastor and yelled, “I guess pastor, if you’re blessing was worth a 
penny I wouldn’t have received it either!”

In the words of wisdom of Mother Teresa: “We are not here to be 
successful. We are here to be faithful.” And being faithful can be painful 
and difficult at times. Ask Jesus what it felt like carrying that wooden cross 
after being beaten and then to have to hang on it.”

You see the two men on the road to Emmaus were limited to what they
could imagine in an earthly kingdom for they could not envision a 
heavenly kingdom in their life. Our problem often is not so much that God 
doesn’t give us what we hope for as much as we don’t know the right thing 
for which to pray for. Words came painted gray with disappointment. What 
we wanted didn’t come. What came, we didn’t want and the result was 
shattered hope.

Walking down the road to Emmaus then becomes a plight for many
as they drag their sandals in the dirt proclaiming, “WHAT KIND OF GOD 
IS HE?” God is a loving, caring God who hears us and much like Cleopas 
And the other man, God will not turn His back on us and let us walk away. 
God will offer us shelter. 

Luke 24: 28-29

So they drew near to the village to which they were going. 
He appeared to be going further, but they constrained him, 
saying, “Stay with us for it is evening and the day is now 
far spent.” So he went in to stay with them.

There are many like the two walking down the road to Emmaus, in 
disbelief, angry, uncertain of how what has happened could happen. 
Seeking answers and questioning if there is a God. For if he does exist, 
then why did this have to happen and deflate all my hopes and dreams?

I looked up at the ceiling and screamed real loud so he would hear me, 
“THIS ISN’T FUNNY GOD AND I DON’T LIKE WHAT YOU ARE DOING! 
I feel betrayed and all my life I have been faithful. I’ve tried to obey you 
God… and this is what I receive in return for my obedience?” As long as 
I was doing what I wanted I was in control and okay. Now I am not doing 
what I want and I am not in control. And I do not feel okay. Suddenly, 
while I was walking down the road to Emmaus. I came to realize that I 
was never in control I only thought that I was in control. I was broken 
inside, seeking answers and walking in despair. God seemed absent in 
my life and I missed what I had hoped for. “God where are you and what 
are you doing? All I hear is silence.”

Then when you least expect it, God appears. He may not appear, as I 
would think he would appear. You open your mailbox and there is a card 
with your name on it and you think of what I can only imagine in an earthly 
kingdom. Someone sent me a Hallmark Card!! Then when you open the 
envelope you find you have received not that of the earthly kingdom, but 
that of the heavenly kingdom for on the front of the card is a beautiful 
picture taken with love. You realize at that moment that God didn’t send 
you a Hallmark Card, for God sent you the best. The best you may ask? 
God sent you a ‘Dana Hope…made with love, card’.

Luke 24: 30-35

When he was at the table with them, he took the bread and 
blessed, and broke it, and gave it to them. And their eyes 
were opened and they recognized him; and he vanished 
out of their sight. They said to each other, “Did not our 
hearts burn within us while he talked to us the scriptures?” 
And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem, 
and they found the eleven gathered together and those who 
were with them, who said, “The Lord has risen indeed, and 
has appeared to Simon!” Then they told what had happened 
on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking 
of the bread.

May we be in prayer, 

Father it seems that so often we are in search of answers, in search of 
what we want instead of what you want in our life. Father, may 
we learn as we are walking down the road to look up, 
for then, we may see your face looking at us.
Amen





04/10/2004/JWM



Return To Sermons



Image courtesy: Christians Unite