Recognizing Jesus: Hope in Disappointment and Doubt

Devotional

Day 1: Jesus Walks With Us Even When We Don’t Recognize Him

Even when we are distracted, disappointed, or walking away from hope, Jesus draws near and walks with us, just as He did with the disciples on the road to Emmaus. He doesn’t wait for us to have it all together or to turn around first—He pursues us in our confusion and despair, offering His presence before giving us answers. This is the heart of discipleship: learning to walk with Him in the “not yet,” trusting that He is with us even when life doesn’t make sense. Grace doesn’t sit back; it comes after us, reminding us that we never walk alone, no matter how far we feel from God. [06:58]

Luke 24:13-16 (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.

Reflection: When have you felt like you were walking away from hope or faith, and how might you look for Jesus’ presence beside you in those moments this week?

Day 2: Honest Disappointment Meets Resurrection Hope

The disciples’ words, “we had hoped,” capture the ache of disappointment and dashed dreams that we all experience. Yet, even as they grieve what they thought was lost, Jesus walks with them, showing that what looked like defeat was actually the path to victory. The cross was not a failure, but always the plan—suffering, then glory; death, then resurrection. In our own disappointments, Jesus does not abandon us but joins us, preparing us for what is to come and inviting us to move from “we had hoped” to “but God.” [10:29]

Luke 24:17-21 (ESV)
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.”

Reflection: What is one area of disappointment in your life where you need to invite Jesus to walk with you and bring resurrection hope?

Day 3: The Word of God Ignites Burning Hearts

As Jesus opened the Scriptures to the disciples, their hearts burned within them—not just with new information, but with revelation and encounter. The Word of God is not dusty or distant; it is living, active, and able to set our hearts on fire again. In a world full of noise and echo chambers, it is the truth of Scripture that brings clarity, focus, and transformation. Pay attention to the burn—sometimes God leads us not by giving all the answers, but by igniting a passion in our hearts that calls us to deeper faith and action. [16:44]

Luke 24:27, 32 (ESV)
And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. … 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?”

Reflection: When was the last time your heart burned with passion or conviction as you read the Bible, and how can you make space this week to encounter God’s Word afresh?

Day 4: Encountering Jesus Changes Our Direction and Mission

When the disciples recognized Jesus in the breaking of bread, their eyes were opened, and their lives were transformed. Faith is never just a private experience—an encounter with the risen Jesus always sends us out, turning us from disappointment to hope, from walking away to running back with purpose. Meeting Jesus changes our mission; we become prisoners of hope in a world chained by fear, cynicism, and distraction. We are called to carry the presence of Jesus wherever we go, bringing change, building belonging, and loving people where they are. [19:58]

Luke 24:30-33 (ESV)
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. 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.

Reflection: Who in your life needs you to come alongside them this week, sharing hope and walking with them on their journey?

Day 5: Ordinary Moments Become Extraordinary With Jesus

Jesus reveals Himself in the ordinary—at the table, in the breaking of bread, in everyday life. We don’t have to beg for His presence; we simply invite Him, and He is with us always. The extraordinary is hidden in the ordinary, and as our eyes are opened to who He is, we are awakened to the reality of His kingdom and the remarkable plans He has for us. Our purpose is to be people of His presence, bringing hope and transformation wherever we go, knowing that we never walk alone. [18:09]

Matthew 28:20b (ESV)
“And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Reflection: How can you intentionally invite Jesus into the ordinary moments of your day—at your table, in your workplace, or with your friends—and look for His extraordinary presence there?

Sermon Summary

Have you ever found yourself in the presence of someone significant and not even realized it? Sometimes, we can be so caught up in our own world—our distractions, disappointments, and routines—that we miss the extraordinary right in front of us. This is the heart of the story from Luke 24, where two disciples walk the road to Emmaus, weighed down by disappointment, not recognizing that the risen Jesus is walking right beside them. Their story is our story: we often walk with our heads down, missing the presence of Jesus in our everyday lives, especially in moments of confusion or despair.

The Emmaus road is a picture of discipleship in the “not yet”—learning to walk with Jesus even when life doesn’t make sense. Sometimes, God doesn’t give us instant answers; instead, He gives us something deeper: His presence. Even when we drift away, grace pursues us. Jesus doesn’t wait for us to turn around; He comes after us, walking with us in our disappointment, doubt, and despair. The words “we had hoped” echo the ache of unfulfilled dreams and the pain of loss, but the beauty of the gospel is that Jesus joins us in our ache, transforming what looks like defeat into hope.

On the road, Jesus doesn’t immediately reveal Himself. Instead, He opens the Scriptures, showing how all of God’s story points to Him. The result isn’t just more information, but burning hearts—a living encounter with the truth that sets us free. The Word of God is not just for our heads, but for our hearts, igniting a fire that changes our direction and our mission. When the disciples finally recognize Jesus in the breaking of bread, their eyes are opened, and they are compelled to return to Jerusalem, transformed from prisoners of disappointment to prisoners of hope.

This is an invitation to recognize Jesus in the ordinary, to let our hearts burn again with the truth of His Word, and to carry His presence into our city, our workplaces, and our homes. We are not called to walk alone; we are called to build belonging, to walk with others, and to be a people of hope in a world that desperately needs it. Jesus is alive, He is with us, and He is calling us to wake up, to see Him afresh, and to bring His hope wherever we go.

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Key Takeaways

1. Jesus Walks With Us in Disappointment and Doubt Even when we are walking away from hope, Jesus draws near. He doesn’t wait for us to have it all together or to turn back first; He pursues us in our confusion, our disappointment, and our doubt. The presence of Jesus is not dependent on our awareness—He is with us, even when we feel most alone. This is the relentless grace of God, always moving toward us, even on our road of escape. [06:58]
2. Honest Lament is the Beginning of Transformation The disciples’ words, “we had hoped,” are a raw confession of disappointment. The Bible doesn’t gloss over our pain; it names it and meets us in it. If we are not honest about our disappointments, we risk walking away from resurrection hope without even realizing it. God invites us to bring our honest ache to Him, trusting that what looks like failure may be the very place He brings new life. [08:22]
3. The Word of God Ignites Burning Hearts, Not Just Informed Minds Jesus’ greatest Bible study on the Emmaus road wasn’t about filling heads with knowledge, but about setting hearts on fire. The Scriptures are not just ancient texts; they are living and active, meant to bring revelation and transformation. When we engage with the Word, we encounter the living Christ, and our hearts are awakened to His presence and purpose. [14:23]
4. Encounter Leads to Mission—Hope Sends Us Out When the disciples recognize Jesus, their encounter doesn’t end at the table; it compels them to action. Faith is never just a private experience—meeting the risen Jesus always sends us out to share hope. We are called to be prisoners of hope in a world chained by fear, cynicism, and distraction, carrying the resurrection life of Jesus into every sphere of our lives. [19:58]
5. The Extraordinary is Hidden in the Ordinary—Recognize Jesus at the Table Jesus reveals Himself in the simple act of breaking bread, reminding us that the sacred is often found in the everyday. We don’t have to beg for His presence; we simply invite Him in. As we gather around ordinary tables, in ordinary moments, Jesus is present, opening our eyes and awakening hope. Our mission is to carry this awareness into our daily lives, building belonging and bringing change wherever we go. [18:09]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:22] - Missing the Extraordinary in the Ordinary
[02:34] - The Road to Emmaus: Setting the Scene
[03:24] - Disappointment and Honest Lament
[05:35] - God’s Presence in the “Not Yet”
[06:14] - Grace Pursues Us
[06:58] - The Road of Escape and Relentless Grace
[07:47] - “We Had Hoped”: The Language of Disappointment
[08:22] - Naming Our Ache and the Power of Honesty
[10:29] - Resurrection Hope in the Midst of Despair
[11:15] - Walking With Others in Their Disappointment
[14:23] - The Word That Burns: Revelation Over Information
[16:44] - Pay Attention to the Burning Heart
[17:39] - Inviting Jesus In: The Power of Invitation
[18:09] - Recognizing Jesus in the Breaking of Bread
[19:58] - From Disappointment to Hope-Filled Mission
[20:50] - Becoming Prisoners of Hope
[22:03] - Jesus is Alive: Our Mission Today
[23:39] - Carrying the Presence: Building Belonging
[26:19] - Communion: Encountering Jesus Together

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Luke 24:13-35 (ESV) — (This is the main passage for the sermon and study.)

Observation Questions

In Luke 24:13-35, what were the disciples discussing as they walked to Emmaus, and how did they feel about recent events?
According to the passage, how did Jesus join the disciples on the road, and what was their initial reaction to Him?
What did Jesus do before the disciples recognized Him at the table?
In the sermon, what phrase did the disciples use to express their disappointment, and why is it significant? [[07:47]]

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think the disciples were “kept from recognizing” Jesus at first? What might this say about how God sometimes works in our lives? [[05:35]]
The disciples said, “we had hoped.” What does this reveal about their expectations of Jesus, and how does Jesus respond to their disappointment? [[08:22]]
The sermon says that Jesus opened the Scriptures to the disciples, leading to “burning hearts.” What does it mean for the Word of God to ignite our hearts rather than just inform our minds? [[14:23]]
After recognizing Jesus, the disciples immediately returned to Jerusalem. What does this response show about the impact of encountering the risen Jesus? [[19:58]]

Application Questions

The sermon talks about missing the extraordinary in the ordinary. Can you think of a recent time when you might have missed Jesus’ presence in your daily life? What distracted you? [[06:14]]
The disciples were honest about their disappointment, saying, “we had hoped.” Is there an area in your life where you feel disappointed or let down? How easy or hard is it for you to bring that honestly to God? [[08:22]]
Jesus pursued the disciples even as they walked away from hope. Are there people in your life who are walking away from faith or hope? What would it look like for you to “walk with” them this week? [[11:15]]
The sermon says the Word of God is meant to set our hearts on fire, not just fill our heads. When was the last time you felt your heart “burning” as you read Scripture? What might help you experience that again? [[14:23]]
Jesus revealed Himself in the breaking of bread—an ordinary act. How can you become more aware of Jesus’ presence in your everyday routines, like meals, work, or conversations? [[18:09]]
After encountering Jesus, the disciples were compelled to share hope with others. What is one practical way you can bring hope to your workplace, home, or community this week? [[19:58]]
The sermon invites us to build belonging and not walk alone. Is there someone in your life group or community who might need you to reach out and walk alongside them right now? What’s one step you can take? [[23:39]]

Sermon Clips

But how often, if you're like me, do we sometimes forget that Jesus is walking with us? Our heads are down, distracted, distorted, we're scrolling, we're complaining, we're gossiping, and we miss him. But the good news is that even when we walk away, grace doesn't. Grace has legs and walks towards you. [00:06:14] (21 seconds) #GraceAlwaysFindsYou

They're walking away from Jerusalem, away from the cross, away from the resurrection, and yet Jesus still pursues them. And that's the gospel. Even when we drift. He draws near. Grace doesn't just sit back. Grace comes after you. [00:06:46] (19 seconds) #GracePursuesUs

If you're not honest about your disappointments I'm convinced of this you'll walk away from the resurrection that is possible without even realising it you see the disciples thought the cross was faithful failure. But Jesus shows them that actually the cross was always the plan. Suffering, then glory, death, then resurrection. What looked like defeat was actually victory. [00:09:38] (25 seconds) #VictoryInTheCross

So one of the very place right now you feel abandoned is the place Jesus is already walking beside you, preparing you for what is to come. We live in a city full of people that say, we had hoped. When London says we had hoped, we can be a church that says, but God. What's your but God in your life? [00:10:51] (23 seconds) #JesusWalksBesideYou

Instagram says truth is whatever gets likes, but Jesus says truth is what sets you free. Truth isn't what trends, truth is what burns. We live in echo chambers, church. For anyone on social media, it's showing more and more now that if you watch something for 20 seconds, suddenly your algorithm isn't giving you truth. It's just giving you confirmation of what you already believe in the first place. But Jesus, through his word, through the scriptures, on the road to Emmaus, and today in this church right now, he is cutting through that noise, and he is bringing revelation, and he is bringing fire again. [00:14:11] (40 seconds) #TruthSetsYouFree

``They started the day walking away in disappointment, but they ended it running back with hope. They moved from prisoners of unbelief to prisoners of hope. Zechariah 9 says, return to your fortress, you prisoners of hope. What an identity to be a prisoner of hope in a world which is chained, which is held back. Because as we prayed earlier on, the reality is the news wants you to be a prisoner of fear. Social feeds want us to be a prisoner of cynicism. London life tempts us to be prisoners of distraction, but Jesus calls you a prisoner of hope. We are anchored in the resurrection. That's how we bring change to our city. [00:20:02] (55 seconds) #PrisonersOfHope

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