“That same day, two of them were walking to the village Emmaus, about seven miles out of Jerusalem. They were deep in conversation, going over all these things that had happened. In the middle of their discussion, Jesus appeared 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 lost their best friend.” (Luke 24:13-17)
In his Gospel, Luke tells us the story of Jesus’ two disciples who were so overcome by grief that they chose to run away from it all. When Jesus appeared to them, like Mary, they couldn’t recognize Him because they were downcast. Like them, we often run from pain instead of facing it head-on. The road from Jerusalem to Emmaus was no short walking distance. Those men wanted to get as far away as possible from the city associated with their friend’s death – the One they had hoped would redeem Israel from Roman rule (v.21). But He caught up with them and took the time to explain the Scriptures and remind them, “that the Messiah had to suffer and only then enter into his glory” (v.26). When they finally recognized the One speaking to them, they went back to Jerusalem and told all the others that Jesus had, indeed, risen from the dead (vv.33-35). I’m not sure where your grief is taking you today, but I do know that no matter how far you go, the Savior will find you and bring you home again so you, too, can share the hope of resurrection with others.
Excerpt from the chapter, “From Grief to Joy,” Rise Again
Rising with the Son 