I would like to tell you a story. Not a fairytale, or make-believe, although it does have a live happily ever after ending. You will find it in the last chapter of the Gospel of Luke, where we pick up the narration in verse 13.
We read that two of Jesus followers are walking along the road from Jerusalem towards a little village called Emmaus. By their walk, their slightly stooped shoulders and the way their feet drag in the dust, its obvious that their hearts are heavy. They are talking to each other about a man named Jesus, the excitement that they as Jews had felt, sure he was the Messiah long promised to set them free. Then just three days back, the horror as they watched him die on a cross. This very morning there had been some crazy talk about his grave being found empty, but who would believe such nonsense…? They are confused and uncertain, not sure what to do next.
The resurrected Jesus, in disguise and walking a few paces behind them, listens to their conversation, interrupts and asks, What are you talking about as you walk along?
They stop, their faces sad and pained and a little confused.
You must be a visitor to Jerusalem, the one called Cleopas exclaims in surprise. If you lived here, you would know the things that have happened in the last few days.
What things? Jesus asks
About Jesus of Nazareth, they reply. He was a prophet. He was powerful in what he said and did in the eyes of God and all of the people. The chief priests and our rulers handed Jesus over to be sentenced to death. They nailed him to a cross. But we had hoped that he was the one who was going to set Israel free…
The hurt and disappointment in their voice is obvious. All they had set their hope on had been destroyed, gone! Best we just get on with our lives, they are thinking.
We fail to see the living God
The scene is set and its time to learn a lesson. God incarnate looks at this sorry pair and because he is love he feels their pain. They are worried about the political situation in Israel, yet he has far greater things on his mind.
So he walks alongside them and starts explaining the plan that was set in motion from the foundation of the earth so that all of humanity could be saved, and ultimately restores their hope.
I have a question for you. Arent we too often the same when we live with hope deferred? I had hoped that the retrenchments wouldnt affect me…
I had hoped and prayed that the tumour wouldnt be malignant…
We were hoping and believed that she would make a complete recovery…
Sometimes we place our hope and trust in God and yet he doesnt seem to come through for us. So often we are so drenched and blinded by the tears of self pity that we fail to see the Living God walking right besides us. As with these two burdened travellers along the road to Emmaus, we fail to see the bigger picture, Gods heavenly tapestry that he is weaving in our lives. Our petitions and visions are limited to the physical aspects of this life, and we forget to focus on his glorious Kingdom.
God makes us a promise we can firmly stand by in Romans 8:28- We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him. (NIV throughout, emphasis mine)
When God says all things, he means just that. Not some, or even most, but everything that happens to us, he is able, in his ultimate wisdom to orchestrate to our eternal benefit.
James 4:3 tells us that we do not receive what we ask (hope) for because we ask for wrong reasons, according to our selfish desires not his will. Sometimes we even piously pray not according to my will, then go on to tell God how he should do it, or feel disappointed in the outcome.
Not what we expect
Hope and faith are not about what we expect, but about trusting God to do it in his own wild, unimaginable way. His ways are way beyond ours, and surpass our understanding!
Deuteronomy 32:4 reveals that He is the Rock. His deeds are perfect. Everything he does is just and fair. He is faithful. He is a faithful God who does no wrong. How just and upright he is (NLT). Yes his works are perfect and his ways, even though different to what we expect, are right and just!
Imagine the shock on the Israelites faces when the Red Sea parted. Not at all what they had expected!
Imagine the look of utter joy on Sarahs face when she told Abraham that their scheme with his handmaiden had been unnecessary and that she was pregnant!
When we remember the plan that God has – which included adopting each of us as his beloved sons and daughters, to live with him and in his love for all eternity – the heartaches and pains and trials that we face on a daily basis, pale into insignificance.
Rom 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.