He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken!

Luke 24:25

Jesus did not mince words this time. He was uncharacteristically harsh in His rebuke of the two disciples on the Road to Emmaus. What caused these two to embark on the seven-mile journey is not known. However, we can point to their boldness as commendable. After all, when a loved one passes on, life must not freeze for the living.

 Cleopas and his colleague had a lot to discuss – the women’s early morning report from the tomb, Peter, and John’s examination of the evidence, and what to make of them all.

There was a strange calmness about the stranger’s presence.

“What are you discussing together as you walk along,” the man said.

Mustering courage out of their bewilderment, Cleopas said, “Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem…?”

“What things?” Jesus said.

It is interesting to read Cleopas’ narration of the events of the past three and a half years of ministry with Jesus and, particularly, those of that morning (19-24). Why didn’t they recognize the voice of their Master when he rebuked them? (25). But how could they when the dark cloud of disappointment had eclipsed their vision? (21).

When hope quickly fades and dreams become a mirage, an ardent believer is often bereft of reason and discernment. Darkness engulfs their bright and eagerly anticipated future. Disappointment obscures our vision, and hope slips away. How true it is for all of us!

But thank God for the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. At dinner in Emmaus, their strange companion “took the bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them” (30). Their eyes opened, and they recognized their Risen Lord. Then He disappeared from their sight (31).

None of us can muffle our joy after such a powerful experience with the presence of our risen Lord. Cleopas and his friend returned immediately to Jerusalem and shared the good news with the others (35).

Many of us are like the two on the Road to Emmaus. Our dreams have suffered disappointment. Our loved ones have just got snatched from us in cruel ways. We have been rudely interrupted in the office, a business deal has painfully turned south, our marriage has turned sour, the shock of a strange sickness has hit us like a heatwave, or the cruel hands of death has invaded the family. Whatever it is, our path has become too foggy to navigate. The weight is overbearing, and we cannot recognize our Master by our side to hear Him.

The good news is that Jesus never leaves us to wallow in our disappointment. His gracious hand will reach out to us at some point. It may be difficult and painful for the moment, but He always comes through eventually to reveal the truth, which is himself.

Now, this is our confidence in Christ Jesus. Amen!