When the road is difficult remember He’s with you

The day after the Passover, two men were walking from Jerusalem to Emmaus. Their demeanour was one of disillusionment, distress, despondency, discouragement … confusion!

They had believed that Jesus of Nazareth was their promised Messiah, but He had been arrested, scourged, crucified and, to crown it all, the tomb where His body had been laid was found to be empty.

A man joined them as they walked along and asked them what they had been discussing.

The two were surprised at the question, for the events of the weekend concerning Jesus of Nazareth was the topic of every conversation.

The third man was Jesus himself, but they did not recognise him.

He said to them: “How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory? And beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself” (Luke 24:25 – 27).

Only after they had arrived at their destination, and were about to enjoy a meal together, did they realise that the man who had walked with them on the road to Emmaus was Jesus himself, who then disappeared from their sight.

They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” There may be occasions during the lowest and most difficult times of our lives that we do not realise that the Lord is walking right beside us.

Our hearts burn imperceptibly because of His presence, and the encouragement of His Word is invaluable.

If the road you are walking along seems difficult, desperate and lonely, remember, there is a Shepherd who really cares.

Confess: “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me” (Psalm 23:4).