Journeying with Resurrected Jesus in Disappointment

 In the middle of their talk and questions, Jesus came up and walked along with them. But they were not able to recognize who he was. He asked, "What's this you're discussing so intently as you walk along?" They just stood there, long-faced, like they had just lost their best friend. Then one of them, his name was Cleopas, said, "Are you the only one in Jerusalem who hasn't heard what's happened during the last few days?" He said, "What has happened?" They said, "The things that happened to Jesus the Nazarene. He was a man of God, a prophet, dynamic in work and word, blessed by both God and people. Then our high priests and leaders betrayed him, got him sentenced to death, and crucified him. And we had our hopes up that he was the One, the One about to deliver Israel. And it is now the third day since it happened. 

Luke 24:16-21 (MSG)

I don't know about you, but disappointment isn't a topic I want to discuss as part of my journey with Jesus after resurrection. I've often thought there shouldn't be disappointment to deal with once Jesus has resurrected from the grave. His death saved me from my sins, and His life offers the power to live in His victory. So, disappointment died at Calvary, right? 

Oh, how I want this to be true! 

The disciples on the road to Emmaus walked with disappointment after the resurrection. Obviously, they didn't yet know Jesus was alive. However, disciples of Jesus lived with disappointment long after His resurrection was known, and we will live with it too. So, let's consider how we can handle disappointment well. 

Webster's Dictionary states that disappointment is the act or instance of experiencing unmet expectations. In our story, the disciples expected Jesus would deliver Israel from their current difficulty. Without going into the deep, historical issues, the people of Israel were living in much trial, tribulation, and cruelty at the hands of their leadership. They were oppressed. Naturally, followers of Jesus expected that He was going to fix their circumstances. Immediately!

But, He was crucified. 

He was buried. 

And, it had been three days. 

I've always given these disciples a hard time. In the past, I've read this passage of scripture and noted the fact that they walked with "downcast faces" while their Savior walked right beside them. Almost laughingly, I have pointed out their inability to see reality because of their disappointment. Today, though, I am reading it differently. Regardless of the fact that LIVING Jesus was walking with them, their expectations had not been met. That's reality. Even the fact that Jesus died and raised to life didn't change the physical oppression they would continue to experience at the hands of their leadership. Actually, some of those circumstances were about to get much, much scarier. 

At this particular moment, these disciples didn't quite know all of the details. Very soon, Jesus will connect some dots for them and hope will be restored. However, I don't want to rush past this truth.... the way they'd hoped Jesus would deliver Israel was their plan not Jesus' plan. 

I have had faith in Jesus Christ since I was 7 years old. I have followed Him as closely as possible. Without a doubt, I know I will live victoriously with Him in Heaven someday. Yet, there are some plans I've had for my life (VERY GOOD plans I might add) that haven't happened like I hoped. I bet you have those plans too. 

How in the world do we live in a world like ours with the knowledge and experience of resurrected Jesus? I think our two disciples can give us some pointers...

1. Don't hide the disappointment. 

I'm stoic by nature. I've been called a "hero" for this quality. No matter what is going on around me, I can put on a strong face and power through. I've always believed it to be a gift. It hasn't served me well, though. Refusing to look straight into the face of disappointment and feel every feeling associated with it created space in my heart for bitterness and resentment to grow. Did you notice how Jesus let these two go on and on about all they'd hoped for that didn't happen? He didn't feel the need to hijack and redirect their pity party. Maybe acknowledging the reality of disappointment is part of finding true and real hope.

2. Keep going.

Even though the two disciples were completely distraught, they were still moving. Neither one of them chose to isolate, hide, or stop. They continued on together. Maybe this is the truest picture of resilience which is something we all want to have for our bouts with disappointment. In her book, "I Guess I Haven't Learned That Yet," Shauna Niequest says, Resilience is watching your lovingly made plans fall to dust in your hands, grieving what's lost and making (yet another) plan. It's being willing to lay down your expectations for what you thought your life would be, what this year would be, what this holiday season would be, and being willing to imagine another way. 

YES! Keep moving. Keep going. Imagine another way. 

As long as we live in this world, we will have disappointment. Because of the resurrection of Jesus, though, we don't have to hide it. We get to be honest with Him, and He understands. In our honesty, we choose to not quit! We trust that He is faithful to His promises. 

He will restore. 

He does make things new. 

He can produce beauty from ashes. 

But, we will have to loosen our expectations, ask for His vision, and imagine a new way. 

A thief is only there to steal and kill and destroy. I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of.

John 10:10 (MSG)

Journeying with Resurrected Jesus in Relationship

And behold, two of them were going that very day to a village named Emmaus, which was about seven miles from Jerusalem. And they were conversing with each other about all these things which had taken place. And it came about that while they were conversing and discussing, Jesus Himself approached, and began traveling with them.  Luke 24:13-15 (NAS)

Last week, I introduced this passage of scripture in Luke 24 when two journey to Emmaus together after Jesus' resurrection. In Luke, this is the first story written post-resurrection. For that reason, I believe it's a good passage to study during Eastertide. It highlights the reality of our humanity in the Light of resurrection. 

Jesus rose and gave us His very life! Awesome and YAY! Also, in my humanity, I don't always know what to do with that. You too? Great. Let's look at it together. 

From the start, we get to see one very important thing. These two travelers weren't traveling alone. One was named Cleopas. The other is nameless. Was he a friend? What she a spouse? Did they know each other well or had they happened upon each other on the road? I don't know. What I do know is they were together. 

A well-known verse in Ecclesiastes says, Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either one falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help him up. (4:9-10)

Are you so happy God didn't intend for us to do life alone? In the Garden, man and woman were made in God's image. That image is hard to define, but we know He is relational. Father, Son, and Spirit have lived forever in perfect unity. We were not created to live in isolation. Relationship is an absolute blessing! 

But, goodness, relationships can be hard! I don't think it's just me. It's sometimes difficult to live with other people, because we were also made uniquely. Our very creative God made each one of us creatively, no one is exactly like another. How special! And, how challenging!

Our appearance, our emotions, our souls, our experiences, our pasts, our family of origin, our education levels are all varied; therefore, it doesn't matter how much we love and care for each other, we will have difficulty living together in unity. 

Can you imagine how different this story would have been if only Cleopas was walking to Emmaus? He could have done it. Maybe there wouldn't have been anything obviously difficult about it. However, there would have been no one beside him in his sadness and disappointment, no one to help with the weight of the adventure. 

Baggage is heavy, y'all. When I travel alone, the hardest part is packing in a way that I can manage the carrying alone. I have to consider lifting into an overhead compartment. I have to remember I only have two hands. But, when I'm traveling with my husband (bless his heart), there's no holding back. He's stronger than me, and we are stronger together. I imagine Cleopas was happy to have another person to share the load of sadness and disappointment that particular day. 

What does your journey look like today? Where are you headed and what are you taking with you? WHO is on this journey with you? 

I think now is as good a time as any to evaluate our relationships. Life can be really, really hard in a million different ways. Jesus is all we truly need, but this passage in Luke demonstrates that human companions are necessary as we journey along with our resurrected King. 

I love my people, and the people God has placed in my life are my greatest treasures. Also, I've had my fair share of conflict. When it's very clear the person you are in conflict with is not someone you're willing to journey without, I want to offer a few tips for resolution and restoration. I wish I could tell you I'm a pro at these things. Actually, I'm more of a beginner. But, God knows how desperately I want to be part of unifying the Body of Christ. So, Jesus, let it begin with me:

1. Be curious about differences. We live in a time and space when we have all manner of making our opinions known. If we aren't careful, we will create a life in a small echo chamber where everyone we walk with thinks and feels exactly like we do. That's dangerous. How do we grow? Why not ask curious questions in disagreement? Next time you find yourself in a situation with someone who disagrees with you, find a creative way to ask why. And, determine to learn something new. 

2. Look for a reason to honor. Every person, (EVERY PERSON) has been made in the image of God. That means every person (EVERY PERSON) deserves honor and respect. Period! I bet we'll have more friends than we know what to do with if we lead with respect rather than ego. 

3. Speaking of ego, let's do our own personal growth work. When do you feel comfortable being your true, authentic self and when are you leading with a false version of self (ego)? This is such a good question and one that takes time to fully answer. I need to confess that finding my own true self has been a long and difficult process. It's caused me to unravel in a BIG way. It's been hard work, and it's the work I'm most proud of. Let's do it, Believers. The world doesn't need any more ego. It does need more sincere loving and living. 

4. Lead with love. I know it sounds simple and maybe "woo woo," but that's it. We get to love because God first loved us. We didn't earn it, deserve it, or even promise to receive it. He just loved. 

Journeying with Jesus, even resurrected Jesus, can be hard, scary, and uncertain. We need people! And, He gave us people. Let's steward them well. 

Greater love has no other than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends.... John 15:13

Journeying with Resurrected Jesus

Y'all! I can't let go of Easter. 

I can't seem to move beyond the Son of God coming to Earth to journey with us, die because of us, and resurrect to new life for us. Every year, the Easter season is meaningful. But Lent and Easter weekend carried significant weight for me this year. 

Then, I heard about Eastertide. It's a "thing" on the Christian calendar! It marks the period of time from Easter until Pentecost when we remember the resurrected Christ who journeyed with Believers for another season until He ascended to Heaven. It's a season that ends with Pentecost Sunday, the day our earthly lives were forever changed when the third member of the Trinity came to live in us forever. 

This is where I feel my Southern Baptist roots have failed me. (Goodness, I'm kidding. Well, I'm kind of kidding, because I really do love my heritage. Also, the Christian calendar seems like an important thing to take note of. So, there's that!) 

For the past few years, I've taken part in a Lent study. I've given up something near and dear to me (why oh why is it always Coke Zero? And, why oh why is it always so hard?) I absolutely love experiencing the "giving up" of Lent because it makes  the celebration of Easter so much bigger. Lent reminds me of sacrifice. Jesus sacrificed His life. All throughout the season of Lent, I get to say, “Jesus, I want You more than I want a Coke Zero.” I say it a lot, and it serves as an excellent reminder. 

There's nothing I really sacrifice here on Earth. Jesus was the ultimate sacrifice. Because of Him, all that I "give up" is for the experience of something bigger, greater, better. On Easter, we celebrate it all! For one, little day. Then, we move on. 

But I don't want to! I want to sit and savor. I want to consider how my life is different because Jesus came out of that grave. I want to follow this Christian calendar in a season of celebration that is a bit longer than the previous season of sacrifice. I want to experience Eastertide where we can journey on with Jesus, this time a resurrected Jesus who will show us and teach us how we can "taste and see that the Lord is good" right here in this broken world. We don't have to wait for heaven. We get to experience Heaven here because Jesus lived, ascended, and left us His Spirit. 

THIS! This is truly a celebration. 

See! I bet you wonder why you haven't been following the Christian calendar too. Eastertide, I'm already a fan. 

I have been reading Luke 24 over and over. The women visited the grave. They took spices with them to prepare Jesus' body. But He wasn't there. The angels looked right at the women and told them He'd risen exactly like He said He would. Off they went to tell the others. But their words appeared as nonsense. Peter, though, ran to the grave to see what they were talking about. 

Then, in verse 13, Luke begins a story that is so meaningful to me. It's the first real story with real people after the big Easter event. The older I get, the more I love stories like this one, stories of real people living their boring lives until Jesus interrupts. Go and read for yourself. (Luke 24:13-35)

Over the next few weeks, I want to share some thoughts I have about this precious story. They’re very simple thoughts, but I feel like they are important. 

We live so many years beyond this first Easter story, and it's easy to jump over important details, feelings, and emotions. We say things like, "Friday is here but Sunday's coming!" It's true. Easter Sunday is always coming.... just two days after Good Friday. Our version, though, is awfully sanitized and neat. 

Somehow, I think it all unfolded a little differently, more slowly for the first Easter attenders. This couple on the road to Emmaus offers a realistic picture of life after Jesus' resurrection. He rose just as He said. But He didn't make any promises about how it would all unfold from there. Jesus would continue being human, and so will we. 

What does the journey of life with the resurrected Jesus look like? How do we flourish in it? What is expected of us in the process? 

Well, I'm not entirely sure. But I do know He promised to do it with us. I believe that's the whole point. That's the Good News!

Where are you on your journey? 

Who are you with?

What are you feeling?

Have you made some plans that haven't worked out or that you’re not sure will work out? 

Do you have a vision for where you'll go from here?

These are regular, everyday questions. They're important to us, so I think they're important to Jesus. 

It was right and good to let the uncertainty of Lent loom in the background of all of our sacrifice. It feels like Eastertide has a different vibe. The human condition will linger, so life will still have its difficulties. But we don't face them alone. Forever, we have a risen Savior. 

Let's celebrate Him with Him!