Week 24 - Walking In The Wrong Direction

“As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them.” (Luke 24:15)

It must have been the longest walk they had ever taken. The familiar road now seemed so confusing; the conversation that used to be punctuated with laughter was now sombre and meaningless.

Walking Away

Calvary had completely demolished their hopes. They had followed Christ because they honestly believed He would establish the Messianic kingdom. Every day, they witnessed the miracles of Jesus and heard His teachings. When He surrendered to His enemies and was led to Calvary to be nailed to a cross, their hearts sank. Afraid and lost, they began making plans for the future. Peter decided to return to fishing. Cleopas and his friend decided to return to a village called Emmaus about 11 kilometres from Jerusalem. And so they set off on a painful journey that took them away from the cross. Every step seemed to be taken in the wrong direction.

The Emmaus road had many travellers. Every step they took put them a step further away from where they should be. They walked with a heavy heart. Some walked alone, others with a companion, but all too often, they were heading in the wrong direction.

Have you ever felt like that? You have been faithfully serving the Lord and suddenly things seem to be happening unexpectedly. Perhaps it was poor health, a broken relationship, or being let down by a buddy. Perhaps you were overwhelmed by an unforeseen circumstance.

Whatever difficulty or problem you may have, do not walk away from God! Be assured that He knows the circumstance you are in. And like the two travellers on the road to Emmaus, He will come and assure you of His love and care.

Making a U-Turn

A fellow student in the Bible College once walked the Emmaus road. He shared about how he walked away from Christ several years ago. During that time, he was studying in the University of Auckland and he took seven years to complete a three-year degree course. He revealed about the bad company he had mixed with and how the Lord graciously turned him around. Like the two people on the road to Emmaus, he made a U-turn and returned to the Lord. He assured me that when he graduates and starts serving as a youth pastor, he would be able to minister more effectively, having travelled the path of youthful rebellion.

The two travellers on the road to Emmaus were suddenly joined by the Lord who is never far off. When Christ accepted their invitation to supper, the scene was set for their greatest surprise. As He broke the bread, they knew it was Him. They might have noticed the print of the nails in His hands. Then their plans were instantly changed; they headed back to rejoin the disciples in Jerusalem. The return trip must have been filled with joy and with a spring in every step. They had walked away from the cross but now, they were returning to meet the risen Saviour.

For Your Reflection

Have you lost your way? Are you walking in the wrong direction? Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28 , NASB).

It is time to return to the Lord.