Hope Rekindled: Encountering Christ in Our Disappointment
Summary
The journey to Emmaus is a story of hope rekindled in the midst of confusion and disappointment. Two disciples, walking away from Jerusalem, are weighed down by grief and shattered expectations after Jesus’ crucifixion. They had hoped he would redeem Israel, but now, with his death and the empty tomb, their hope seems extinguished. Yet, in their confusion and sorrow, Jesus himself draws near, walking alongside them even though they do not recognize him. This is a powerful reminder that Christ meets us in our darkest moments, even when we are unaware of his presence.
As the disciples share their pain and bewilderment, Jesus listens patiently before opening the Scriptures to them. He shows them how all of God’s plans, from Moses through the prophets, pointed to the necessity of the Messiah’s suffering and resurrection. The grand narrative of redemption is not a series of failed attempts or last-minute fixes, but the fulfillment of God’s eternal purpose. In the midst of their confusion, God’s word brings clarity and reveals the deeper meaning behind their circumstances.
When the disciples invite Jesus to stay with them, it is in the simple act of breaking bread that their eyes are finally opened. This moment is both deeply personal and divinely orchestrated—an encounter that combines their willingness to walk and talk with Jesus and God’s gracious act of revelation. Their faith, once dead, is revived and set ablaze. They cannot keep this encounter to themselves; despite the darkness, they rush back to Jerusalem to share the good news.
This story invites us to recognize Christ’s presence in our own journeys, especially in times of uncertainty and disappointment. It calls us to seek him in Scripture, to invite him into the ordinary moments of our lives, and to share our encounters with others. Jesus is not only present in our struggles, but he is actively working to open our eyes to his truth and to transform our sorrow into purpose. As we walk the road of life, may we be attentive to his presence, receptive to his word, and bold in sharing the hope we have found.
Key Takeaways
- Jesus draws near in our confusion and disappointment. Even when hope seems lost and we cannot recognize his presence, Christ walks alongside us, listening to our struggles and sharing in our pain. The Holy Spirit, our Paraclete, continues this ministry today, standing with us in every circumstance. We are never truly alone, even when we feel abandoned. [01:04:37]
- There is a profound difference between hoping in Jesus and trusting him. The disciples’ hope had died with Jesus, but trust endures beyond circumstances. Trusting Jesus means holding fast to him as Savior and Deliverer, regardless of what we see or feel. This kind of faith is anchored not in outcomes, but in the character and promises of God. [01:01:17]
- God’s word brings clarity when life does not make sense. Jesus opened the Scriptures to the disciples, showing them how all of God’s plans pointed to him. We are called to read all of Scripture—not just our favorite parts—seeking to encounter Christ in every passage. The Holy Spirit helps us understand and apply God’s word, illuminating truth in the midst of confusion. [01:13:07]
- Spiritual awakening is both a personal journey and a divine work. The disciples needed to walk and talk with Jesus, but it was God who opened their eyes. Our testimonies are powerful, but it is ultimately God who brings revelation and transformation. This truth frees us from the pressure of “results” in sharing our faith; we are called to witness, and God does the rest. [01:16:26]
- Encounters with the risen Christ lead to bold witness. When the disciples recognized Jesus, their revived faith compelled them to share the good news, even in the darkness. True encounters with Jesus ignite a passion that cannot be contained, turning disappointment into purpose and sorrow into hope. We are called to share our stories and invite others to experience the living Christ. [01:22:39]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[49:06] - Easter Reflections and Gratitude
[49:27] - Jesus Prepares His Disciples
[50:00] - The Beginning of the End: Palm Sunday
[50:40] - Passover and Easter Weekend
[51:20] - God’s Plans Fulfilled in Christ
[52:14] - Reading from Luke 24
[52:47] - The Road to Emmaus: Setting the Scene
[53:58] - Disciples’ Disappointment and Lost Hope
[55:12] - Jesus Opens the Scriptures
[56:54] - Jesus Meets Us in Our Confusion
[58:15] - Divine Hiddenness and Recognition
[59:43] - From Hope to Trust
[01:04:37] - Jesus Draws Near in Our Grief
[01:08:08] - Encountering Christ in Scripture
[01:15:01] - Breaking Bread: Eyes Opened
[01:17:22] - Personal Experience and Divine Revelation
[01:19:17] - The Significance of Communion
[01:21:28] - Urgency to Share the Good News
[01:26:29] - Four Points for the Journey
[01:30:08] - Jesus Turns Sorrow into Purpose
[01:31:09] - Closing Prayer and Worship
Study Guide
Small Group Bible Study Guide: The Road to Emmaus – Hope Rekindled
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### Bible Reading
Luke 24:13-35
(The story of the two disciples on the road to Emmaus)
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### Observation Questions
1. When Jesus first joins the two disciples on the road, how do they respond to his presence, and what emotions are they experiencing? ([53:23])
2. What reasons do the disciples give for their disappointment and loss of hope? ([54:17])
3. How does Jesus respond to the disciples’ confusion and questions? What does he do before they recognize him? ([55:12])
4. At what moment do the disciples finally recognize Jesus, and what is significant about that moment? ([56:09])
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### Interpretation Questions
1. The disciples say, “We had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel.” What does this reveal about their expectations of Jesus and how those expectations were challenged by recent events? ([54:17])
2. The sermon points out the difference between hoping in Jesus and trusting him. Why is this distinction important, especially in times of disappointment or confusion? ([01:01:17])
3. Jesus opens the Scriptures to the disciples before they recognize him. What does this suggest about the role of God’s word in bringing clarity and faith during difficult times? ([01:13:07])
4. The disciples’ eyes are opened in the simple act of breaking bread. What does this teach about how God often reveals himself in ordinary moments? ([01:15:01])
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### Application Questions
1. The sermon says Jesus draws near to us in our confusion and disappointment, even when we don’t recognize him. Can you think of a time when you felt alone or discouraged, but looking back, you can see that God was with you? What helped you realize his presence? ([01:04:37])
2. Are you currently “hoping” in Jesus or “trusting” him, as the sermon described? What would it look like for you to move from hope that depends on circumstances to trust that endures no matter what? ([01:01:17])
3. The disciples’ understanding changed when Jesus explained the Scriptures to them. How can you make space in your week to read the Bible with an expectation of meeting Jesus, even in the parts that are hard to understand? ([01:13:07])
4. The disciples invited Jesus to stay with them, and it was in that ordinary meal that their eyes were opened. What are some “ordinary” moments in your daily life where you could intentionally invite Jesus in? ([01:15:01])
5. After their encounter, the disciples couldn’t keep the good news to themselves—they rushed back to share it. Is there someone in your life who needs to hear about the hope you have in Jesus? What’s one step you could take this week to share your story or encourage them? ([01:22:39])
6. The sermon mentioned the Holy Spirit as our Paraclete, the one who walks alongside us. How can you become more aware of the Holy Spirit’s presence and guidance in your everyday life? ([01:06:26])
7. The story shows that spiritual awakening is both a personal journey and a divine work. How does knowing that God is responsible for opening people’s eyes change the way you think about sharing your faith or praying for others? ([01:16:26])
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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Thank God for walking with us in every season, for opening our eyes to his presence, and for giving us hope that endures. Ask for courage to trust him, to seek him in his word, and to share the hope of Jesus with others.
Devotional
Day 1: Jesus Walks With Us in Our Confusion
No matter how lost, disappointed, or uncertain we may feel, Jesus draws near and walks with us, even when we do not recognize his presence. He listens to our struggles and grief, just as he did with the two disciples on the road to Emmaus, and gently accompanies us through our darkest moments. The Holy Spirit, our Paraclete, stands alongside us, reminding us that we are never alone, even when life does not make sense or our hopes seem extinguished. [01:06:07]
Luke 24:13-24 (ESV)
That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. 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. 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?” 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, and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. 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. Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning, 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. 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.”
Reflection: In what area of your life do you feel lost or disappointed right now, and how can you invite Jesus to walk alongside you in that place today?
Day 2: God’s Word Brings Clarity and Hope
When life is confusing and our faith feels weak, God’s Word brings clarity and hope. Jesus opened the Scriptures to the disciples, showing them how all of God’s plan pointed to him, and how even suffering was part of God’s redemptive purpose. We are invited to read all of Scripture with expectation, asking the Holy Spirit to reveal Jesus to us—even in the difficult or overlooked passages—so that our understanding and relationship with God may deepen. [01:13:07]
Luke 24:25-27 (ESV)
And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have 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, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.
Reflection: The next time you open your Bible, will you ask the Holy Spirit to show you Jesus in the passage—even if it’s a book or chapter you usually skip?
Day 3: Recognize His Presence in the Ordinary
God often reveals himself not through dramatic miracles, but in the ordinary moments of life—sharing a meal, a sunrise, a kind gesture. The disciples recognized Jesus as he broke bread with them, and their eyes were opened by a divine act. We, too, are called to increase our awareness of God’s presence in our daily routines, asking him to show us where he is at work, and to open our eyes to see him in the midst of the ordinary. [01:18:43]
Luke 24:28-31 (ESV)
So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He acted as if he were going farther, 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. When he was at 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 from their sight.
Reflection: Where might God be present in your ordinary day today—at your table, in your commute, or in a simple conversation—and how can you become more attentive to his presence?
Day 4: Personal Experience and Divine Revelation
A true encounter with Jesus involves both our personal experience—walking, talking, and sharing life with him—and God’s divine work of opening our eyes to his truth. We are called to seek Jesus in our daily lives, to share our testimonies with others, and to trust that it is God who ultimately opens hearts and minds. This partnership between our witness and God’s action takes the pressure off us and reminds us that every transformed life is a testimony to God’s grace. [01:17:22]
2 Corinthians 4:6 (ESV)
For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
Reflection: Who in your life needs to hear your story of encountering Jesus, and will you pray today for God to open their eyes as you share?
Day 5: From Disappointment to Purpose—Share the Encounter
When we truly encounter the risen Lord, our hearts are set on fire and we are compelled to share the good news. The disciples, once disappointed and hopeless, ran back through the night to testify to what they had seen and heard. Real encounters with Jesus turn our sorrow into hope and our confusion into purpose, calling us to bold witness and to pray for others to experience the same life-changing encounter. [01:22:20]
Luke 24:32-35 (ESV)
They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?” And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, saying, “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.
Reflection: Who is one person you can share your faith or testimony with this week, and how will you pray for God to give you both the opportunity and the courage to do so?
Quotes
Jesus Christ meets us in our confusion. The opening phrase now that same day links our passage today with the Easter story. We are justified in saying this is a continuation of Easter. It's the same day. It's part of the story of Easter, the death and resurrection of Jesus. In the in verses 13 to 24, we see two men at the heart of the story. Now, that's important. It's an important little detail because according to Jewish law, you need two or more men to be valid witnesses. And so Jesus wanted these men to be witnesses to his resurrection. [00:57:00]
And so today, my friends, do you feel like those two disciples? Do you feel disappointed? Life is not turning out the way you thought it was? Are you feeling lost? Sure. I don't know what's ahead of me. I've got decisions to make. I just don't know which one to make. I'm lost. I'm confused. What's happening in my world, my family, my life, my body? I'm confused. Do you feel uncertain? If there's anyone here who feels certain, please come talk to me after me and tell me how today. [01:05:03]
This passage shows us that Jesus draws alongside us and he walks with us even in our moments of doubt. Isn't that an amazing thought? So, how does he do that? Did you know that the name of the one name of the Holy Spirit is the pariclete? Do you know what the word pariclete means? Means the one who stands alongside you. The one who walks alongside us just as Jesus did. We could have said that Jesus paricleleted those two disciples. He walked alongside them. [01:06:34]
And as Jesus did with those two disciples, the Holy Spirit listens to our concerns and our struggles. Notice Jesus didn't didn't interrupt them. He just said, "What's going on in your life? Tell me." And they did. They just went, "Here you go. God is present." Do you believe that he is present even when we do not see him? Of course, there is that story of someone walking with Jesus along the beach and of course looks back and there are moments when there are two sets of footprints in the sand, isn't it? [01:07:48]
Jesus is with us even when we do not see or recognize him. It's a wonderful point, isn't it? We could probably stop now and say, "Let's go home." But of course, we still have verses 25 to 27 because what does Jesus do when he encounters us in our confusion? He opens the scriptures. It's interesting to note that verse 24, if you have your Bibles open, ends with the name of Jesus. Verse 25 starts with the word he. You see our previous they they didn't recognize him. [01:08:58]
Jesus goes through the Old Testament. He shows them how God's plan was always unfolding. how all of it points to him. From Moses, the fi first five books of the Bible right through to the prophets. It's the end of our Old Testament. Christ's suffering was foretold. And Jesus tells him it was necessary. He had to die. It was necessary for him to die. Even in the Old Testament, we see the grand narrative of redemption is centered on Jesus. And Jesus explains to them the gospel. [01:09:58]
This is the gospel message that we've been proclaiming throughout Easter. In verse 26, Jesus shows them that the Messiah had to suffer these things, that it was a necessary part of God's plan to save the world. And that includes you and me. For God so loved the world that he sent his one and only son to die in our place. No one else could do it but him so that whoever believes in him shall not perish but will have eternal life. [01:10:25]
Jesus shows them what all the scriptures say about him. All the scriptures. And so here, don't be selective about what scriptures you read. I know that you have a favorite book, isn't it? And you probably have favorite chapters. And if you're in a class with Pastor Ver and I, every verse we read in those classes, we say, "This is our favorite verse." But don't be selective. Read all of scripture because all of God's word is important. [01:10:48]
In fact, if you are being selective, it may actually lead you to omit the tough subjects that we find in scripture, the ones hard to understand, the ones that we that sound that doesn't sound very godly, you know, type thing. And you know what? If you're being selective, you may be tempted to miss out all the passages about the Messiah suffering. You know those verses in Isaiah, those verses that talk about him being beaten and killed for our part. We might flick over those. Those don't sound nice at all. [01:11:19]
And these three verses are very important because they show us that all the Old Testament scriptures point to Jesus. And it shows us that the way the New Testament writers used the Old Testament because you know the New Testament writers use the Old Testament a lot, isn't it? And so we can justifiably say on whose authority do you take that Old Testament scripture and use it in your teaching, your writings in the New Testament? Well, you know whose authority? Jesus's authority because they're simply copying what Jesus did on the road to Emmas. [01:11:45]
So my friends, when life does not make sense, and I think that applies today to all of us, isn't it? God's word brings clarity. When you read the Bible, do you do it with an expectation of encountering Jesus? Even Leviticus, Numbers, those tough ones. Do you read it saying, "Jesus, show me yourself in this passage. I want to see you when I read your word today." Do you want to deepen your understanding and your relationship with God? Well, one way we do that is by reading God's word. [01:12:41]
And of course, with the Holy Spirit's help. You remember they Jesus walked alongside them and helped them to understand scripture. I'm sure you would have gone, you know what it says in Isaiah. Yeah, we know that. Well, let me tell you what it's saying about me. Do you know what it says in Zechariah? Yeah, we know that one. Let me tell you what it's saying about me. We need that, don't we? Many times. And so the Holy Spirit, the pariclete, when he's walking and we're reading our Bible, we can say, "Holy Spirit, what is this? Explain it to me. Show me Jesus in this." [01:13:53]
They needed the personal experience, but they also needed the divine act of God opening their eyes. There's this personal and divine involved here. And you know, we need these two things in our lives as well. We need the personal experience of walking with Jesus, of talking with him, of reading his word, you know, of ministry, food pantry, those sort of things. Meeting with other people, having discussions, playing hockey with them, shepherd, you know, those sort of things. We need that. But we also need God's divine work in us. [01:16:29]
And you know when we tell others the good news of Jesus as Sharon did today, we need to tell them our personal experiences. That's what a testimony is. But then it is God's job to open their eyes to the truth. I wrote in my article in the prayer bulletin today. If you haven't seen it, it's on our web page. Um, that that takes the pressure off evangelism, doesn't it? Just go and tell people about Jesus. The rest is up to God. But you've got to have this testimony. You've got to have this personal experience. [01:17:12]
And then as we seek him, the Bible tells us that if we seek him, we will find him. And as we seek him, our faith will be increased, won't it? and we'll be able to tell people about our personal experience. Now, even though this was not a Passover meal, it wasn't a special meal. It was simply dinner. Three friends eating together around a table. But it does speak to us of the significance of communion. When we eat the bread, this is my body broken for you. Do this in remembrance of me. [01:18:51]
When we eat the bread and drink the cup, does it lead us to a deeper encounter with the risen Lord Jesus? He is alive and he wants you not only to remember him, but to see him and to experience him. Their eyes were opened as he broke the bread and shared it with them. It's an amazing part of the story, isn't it? It you're just left hanging, isn't it? And if that's not enough, Jesus simply disappears. Those two men, they were talking to Jesus two seconds ago. Broke the bread. Thank you so much. Where'd he go? [01:19:35]
But my friends, as it says there on the screen, he left something behind. The Bible doesn't really tell us that, but it's there, isn't it? He left something behind. Their faith had been brought back to life. Their faith that was dead, we hoped, was now alive. and they say to each other. And so here we have the fourth point of our story today. The urgency to share. Verses 32 to35. They got up at once. It says, "And they returned to Jerusalem." [01:20:49]
Jesus didn't just leave their faith alive. He left it on fire. Do you see that? Jesus's presence just being with them and God's word opening the scriptures to them brought about personal revival. What was dead is now alive. They rushed back to Jerusalem as fast as they could to testify what had happened. Real encounters with the risen Lord Jesus always leads to bold witness. In my article again for today, I talk about Mary standing at the tomb weeping, weeping bitterly because she believes someone's stolen the body of her her teacher, a man she loved deeply. [01:21:34]
When we encounter the risen Lord Jesus, when we really do, not just in our heads, when we feel him, when we experience him, when we realize he is alive and he is here with me right now, it has to lead to bold witness. Go and tell someone about it. And so as we walk along the road of life, Jesus through his Holy Spirit, we're talking about you and me today now, not those two disciples on the road. Jesus through his Holy Spirit longs to draw near to you and speak to you. [01:22:38]
Did you know that he might even be standing next to you right now and you just don't know it? You know, I think that's why we're called to pray continually. You know that passage that says pray continually? You think, you know, God, when I'm driving down Seeki Road and I close my eyes for prayer, it's going to be bad. That's not what he's talking about. You see, pray continually, I think, means that listening to him. How many of us think prayer is us just speaking? How about not saying anything and listening? [01:23:22]
Pray continually. Listen all the time because he is longing to talk to you. And when you hear Jesus speak to you in prayer or through reading his word, does it cause your heart to burn within you? Or do you just go away going? Does it cause you to tell someone about Jesus? This passage today, the road on the road to Emmas recounts how the risen Lord Jesus draws near to two disciples who are lost and confused on the road to Emmas and how Jesus reveals himself through scripture and personal experience guiding believers from disappointment to hope. [01:23:44]
You know, Jesus is not only present during our struggles, but he's also actively working to open our eyes to his presence and truth through his word. That's what he's trying to do. And so, here are four points for you to take away, for us to take away this week into this period after Easter. Number one, Jesus walks with us. Please know that the Holy Spirit is our pariclete. Even in our doubts, he walks beside you. Secondly, seek his word. Read his word because scripture reveals God's unfolding plan. [01:24:39]
Recognize his presence. Ask God to keep to show you his God sighting. Show me where you are in all of this. Recognize his presence. And you know often God reveals himself through ordinary moments. Don't look for miracles. Look for the sunrise, the sunset. Look for someone in traffic who stops and flashes their lights and says in the ordinary. Well, that's a miracle. So, okay. So, put that one on. That's a miracle. But he often and that's what we do. We always looking for the super spiritual stuff, isn't it? [01:25:31]
Look for him now in the ordinary, in your children. You'll see God in your children. I think not all the time, but often. And then fourthly, please share the encounter with someone. Transformed lives become powerful testimonies. And we have lots of transformed lives here. Sharon's life is transformed, you know, from sick and bitter. You know, bitterness is like taking poison and and and thinking the other person's going to die. [01:26:24]
Not only did he live a sinless life, die in our place, rise again from the dead, but he turns our weeping, our confusion, our disappointment, our sorrow into purpose. It's part of his plan because he goes away. We're going to see that next week. But he we he leaves us behind his church. This passage shows us how Jesus brings light into confusion, hope into sorrow, and purpose into disappointment. [01:28:17]
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