Lesson 4: From Despair to Encounter
Easter is often a time of immense joy, celebrating the cornerstone of Christian faith: the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It's a moment that, as the old hymn goes, turned the world upside down – or perhaps, right side up. Yet, even amidst the alleluias, many of us carry burdens, disappointments, and the heavy weight of unmet expectations. We know the feeling encapsulated in the phrase, "I had hoped..."
"I had hoped this relationship would last." "I had hoped the diagnosis would be different." "I had hoped things would be better by now." "I had hoped..."
This very human experience mirrors a poignant story found in the Gospel of Luke, unfolding on the very first Easter Sunday. While the news of the empty tomb was just beginning to ripple outwards, two of Jesus' followers were walking away from Jerusalem, the epicenter of these earth-shattering events. They were heading towards a village called Emmaus, their faces downcast, hearts heavy with grief and confusion.
Their leader, the one they believed was the Messiah destined to redeem Israel, had been brutally crucified. They had poured their hopes into him, expecting a king who would overthrow Roman oppression, establish a powerful kingdom, and fulfill their nationalistic dreams. But their expectations didn't align with the reality they witnessed. Their Messiah suffered, died, and was buried. In their minds, the story was over. Death had won.
Meeting Us Where We Are
As these two disciples walked and discussed their sorrows, a stranger joined them. It was Jesus himself, but Luke tells us "they were kept from recognizing him." Isn't that fascinating? Sometimes, even when God is walking right beside us, speaking into our lives, our grief, confusion, or perhaps even a form of spiritual blindness prevents us from seeing Him clearly.
The stranger asked what they were discussing. With a touch of irony, one of them, Cleopas, expressed surprise that this traveler seemed unaware of the monumental events concerning Jesus of Nazareth – the prophet mighty in word and deed whom their leaders had crucified. "But we had hoped," they confessed, "that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel." There it is again – that painful admission of shattered hope. They even recounted the reports from the women about the empty tomb and angelic visions, yet these reports hadn't pierced their despair. The resurrection hadn't yet found a place in their hearts.
Opening the Scriptures, Opening Our Eyes
Jesus, gently rebuking their slowness to believe what the prophets had foretold, then did something extraordinary. Starting with Moses and all the Prophets, He explained the scriptures concerning himself. He connected the dots, showing them that the suffering and death of the Messiah weren't a tragic deviation from the plan but the very path to glory foretold throughout their sacred texts. The clues, the promises, the prophecies – they had been there all along, hiding in plain sight, waiting for hearts ready to believe and spiritual eyes to see.
It reminds us that understanding God's work often requires more than just intellectual knowledge; it requires revelation. We need Him to open our eyes.
The Revelation at the Table
As they neared Emmaus, the disciples urged the stranger to stay with them, as evening was approaching. They offered hospitality, inviting him into their lodging. And then, the roles shifted. Around the table, Jesus took bread, gave thanks, broke it, and began to give it to them.
In that simple, familiar act – reminiscent of the Last Supper, an echo of fellowship and sacrifice – something clicked. Luke says, "Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him." It wasn't in the detailed scriptural exposition on the road, but in the intimacy of breaking bread together, that the veil lifted. In that moment of communion, despair gave way to recognition, confusion to clarity. And just as they recognized Him, He disappeared from their sight.
Left with burning hearts, they exclaimed, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?" Immediately, their direction changed. They didn't stay in Emmaus; they got up at once and returned to Jerusalem, their grief transformed into passionate faith, eager to share their encounter with the risen Lord.
Living with Resurrection Hope
This story holds profound truths for us today. It shows us a Savior who doesn't wait for us to figure everything out or clean ourselves up. He pursues us, meets us on the road of our disappointment and confusion, walks alongside us in our pain, and patiently opens our eyes to His truth.
It teaches us that walking through life without the resurrection in view inevitably leads to despair. If death is the final word, our hope is fragile. But because the tomb is empty, because Jesus is alive, our hope becomes unstoppable, even amidst sorrow. We can grieve, as we inevitably will, but not like those who have no hope.
Like the disciples on the road, we might sometimes feel like we're walking away, disillusioned. We might struggle to see God's presence amidst our pain. But Jesus still seeks us out. He still opens the scriptures. And He still reveals Himself, often in the simple, sacred spaces – in prayer, in fellowship, around the table, in the breaking of bread.
The invitation extended to the disciples is extended to us: Come to the table. Invite Him in. Ask Him to open your eyes. Even when hope seems lost, He is the resurrection and the life, ready to meet you right where you are and turn your sorrow into joy.
Questions for Discussion
Reflect on the phrase "We had hoped..." When have you experienced a significant disappointment where reality didn't match your hopes, particularly regarding your faith or expectations of God?
The disciples were "kept from recognizing" Jesus initially. Can you think of times when you felt God was present, but you struggled to see or recognize His work in your life? What might have contributed to that?
Jesus met the disciples while they were physically walking away from Jerusalem. What does this teach you about God's pursuit of us, even when we feel distant or are moving in the wrong direction?
Jesus used scripture to explain His suffering, death, and resurrection. How does engaging with the Bible help you understand difficult circumstances or God's bigger plan?
Why do you think the disciples finally recognized Jesus in the act of breaking bread, rather than during the scriptural explanation on the road? What does this suggest about fellowship, communion, and experiencing God?
How does the reality of the resurrection change the way you approach suffering, loss, or death?
Cleopas and his friend immediately returned to Jerusalem after recognizing Jesus. How does encountering the risen Christ motivate action or change your direction in life?
If Jesus isn't our master, something else is (relationships, career, politics, etc.). What are some modern "substitutes" that promise security but can ultimately "enslave" us if they take God's place?
How can we intentionally "position ourselves" (through prayer, scripture, community, worship, service) to have our eyes opened to Jesus' presence and work today?
The story ends with the disciples sharing their experience. How can sharing our own "Road to Emmaus" moments (times when God met us in difficulty) encourage others?