Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from recognizing him.
He asked them, "What are you discussing together as you walk along?"
They stood still, their faces downcast. One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, "Are you only a visitor to Jerusalem and do not know the things that have happened there in these days?"
"What things?" he asked.
"About Jesus of Nazareth," they replied. "He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. (Luke 24:13-21)
He was a prophet and powerful in word and deed…but he was crucified by those in power… we had hoped that he was the one…
In the worldly eyes of these two travelers to Emmaus Jesus had failed – he had not lived up to their hope in him. Their faith in his success had only witnessed his failure. And, now, they were probably on their way home to resume their lives without Jesus because he had failed them.
Boy, can I relate to those two. There have been so many times that I have prayed for something – for safety from harm, for security in perilous financial times, for so many things that I thought I needed or deserved. Yet, harm beset our lives, financial security took a hit, and much more that I didn’t need and certainly didn’t deserve – at least in my mind.
I’m reading a book called “Mistborn” and one of the characters made this comment: “Belief isn’t simply a thing for fair times and bright days, I think. What is belief – what is faith – if you don’t continue in it after failure? Anyone can believe in someone or something that always succeeds. But failure…. ah, now, that is hard to believe in, certainly and truly.”
Failure is hard to believe in. The two travelers to Emmaus found it hard to believe in what they perceived as Jesus’ failure. I struggle when unexplained harm or tragedy enters our life when I have prayed for safety and security. Has Jesus failed me? Or have I failed him?
I’m learning that continuing in faith in the face of failure – that is hard, certainly and truly.
2 comments:
Certainly is. When I was new to faith in Christ it seemed as if all my prayers were answered and that failures that could have derailed things just passed me by. As time passed though, it seemed as if that changed. As if my faith was perhaps, dare I say, tested. I don't even think my faith is worthy of testing, it is so beset with doubt. And yet, it persists. Not because I am strong, but because He who holds my hand never lets go. And while Mark does a great job being faithful and walking with me through everything, he is not the HE I speak of, of course. LOL. Good post Dan. Good things to think on this rainy Sunday in Cali.
I am not even going to try after reading TJ's comment!
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