The Road to Unexpected Hope
As we journey through life, we often find ourselves walking down dusty roads, burdened by the weight of our own expectations. We’ve all been there – trudging along, our feet moving in cadence with our disappointed hearts. The words of two disciples on the road to Emmaus resonate deeply: “We had hoped…”. The phrase echoes through the ages, a lament of shattered dreams and unmet desires.
A Chance Encounter
These two sincere followers of Jesus were pouring out their hearts to a stranger, unaware that they were speaking to the very one they had lost. God, in disguise, listened intently, his wounded hands hidden deep within his robe. He must have been touched by their faithfulness, yet also slightly disappointed. After all, he had just conquered death to bring new life to humanity, and these two were worried about the fate of Israel.
Limited Vision
The problem wasn’t a lack of faith, but a lack of vision. Their prayers were limited to what they could imagine – an earthly kingdom. If God had answered their prayer, it would have led to a very different outcome. Sometimes, God’s greatest mercy is his refusal to answer our prayers.
The Shadow of the Cross
We often find ourselves rolling in self-pity, forgetting the heavenly reality that awaits us. We ask for God’s will, then pout when things don’t go our way. But what if we remembered the glorious future that awaits us? We’d stop complaining about our earthly struggles and focus on the eternal.
Hope Redefined
Hope is not what we expect; it’s what we would never dream. It’s a wild, improbable tale with a pinch-me-I’m-dreaming ending. Hope is not a granted wish or a favor performed; it’s a zany, unpredictable dependence on a God who loves to surprise us.
Surprised Out of Our Socks
Hope is Abraham seeing his son Isaac, not his grandson. It’s Moses standing in the promised land with Elijah and the transfigured Christ. It’s Zechariah left speechless at the sight of his wife Elizabeth, gray-headed and pregnant. And it’s the two Emmaus-bound pilgrims reaching out to take a piece of bread, only to see that the hands offering it are pierced.
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