The disappointment of the disciples
The disappointment of the disciples on the road to Emmaus, as described in Luke 24:21 (“But we had hoped that he was the One to redeem Israel“), reflects a common expectation among many Jews at that time regarding the Messiah and the nature of redemption.
Context of the Time and Hebrew Scriptures
- Messianic Expectations: In the first century, many Jews lived under Roman occupation and were longing for deliverance. The term “redeem” in the Jewish context often referred to the idea of liberation from oppression, which in their current situation meant liberation from Roman rule. The disciples, like many others, expected the Messiah to be a political and military leader who would overthrow the occupying forces and restore the kingdom of Israel to its former glory, as seen in the reigns of David and Solomon.
- The Role of the Messiah: The Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament) contain numerous prophecies about a coming anointed one (Messiah) who would bring salvation and restore Israel. Key texts include:
- Isaiah 9:6-7: This passage speaks of a child born who will establish and uphold the kingdom with justice and righteousness, and who will be called “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.“
- Isaiah 11:1-10: It describes a descendant of David (Jesse’s line) who will judge with righteousness and bring peace to the nations.
- Jeremiah 23:5-6: Jeremiah speaks of a righteous Branch from David’s line who will reign as king and execute justice and righteousness in the land.
- Ezekiel 37:24-28: Ezekiel prophesies that David (symbolizing the Messiah) will be king over Israel, and they will follow God’s statutes, and God’s sanctuary will be among them forever.
- These and other prophecies led many Jews to believe that the Messiah would be a kingly figure who would establish a political kingdom on earth, restore Israel’s sovereignty, and bring about an era of peace and prosperity.
- Disappointment in Jesus’ Death: When Jesus was crucified, the hopes of many who believed in Him as the Messiah were shattered. Crucifixion was a humiliating and brutal form of execution reserved for criminals and rebels. To those who expected the Messiah to triumph over their oppressors, Jesus’ death seemed to signal the end of their hopes. It appeared to contradict the idea of the Messiah as a victorious king, leading to deep disillusionment among His followers.
- Jesus’ True Mission: However, Jesus’ mission was different from the expectations of a political liberator. His redemption was not just from earthly oppressors but from the greater bondage of sin and death. This is something He tried to convey during His ministry, but it was only after His resurrection, and through His interpretation of the Scriptures, that the disciples began to understand the spiritual nature of His mission.
For instance, in Luke 24:25-27, Jesus says, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” He then explains how the Scriptures pointed to a suffering Messiah, one who would redeem not just Israel but the whole world through His death and resurrection.
Reflection on Disappointment and Hope
The disciples’ disappointment can be seen as a reflection of the human tendency to have limited expectations of God’s plans. They expected a Messiah who would change their external circumstances, but Jesus came to bring a deeper, more profound redemption—one that involved suffering and death, followed by resurrection and the promise of eternal life.
In our own spiritual journeys, we can sometimes experience similar disappointments when God’s plans do not align with our expectations. The story of the road to Emmaus invites us to trust in God’s greater plan, even when it doesn’t make immediate sense to us. It also encourages us to seek a deeper understanding of Scripture, where God’s plan for redemption is revealed in ways that might challenge our initial assumptions.
A guided reflection
As you reflect on this, consider how you might be called to recognize the ways God is working in your life that might be different from what you expected. How can you open your heart to the unexpected ways that God brings about redemption and new life?
This reflection invites you to take a step back and look at your life with fresh eyes, seeking to recognize God’s presence and action, even in ways that may be different from what you had initially hoped or expected.
1. Begin with Prayer
Start by quieting your mind and heart. Take a moment to invite the Holy Spirit to guide your reflection.
Prayer:
“Lord, open my heart to recognize Your presence in my life. Help me to see the ways You are at work, even when it’s different from what I expect. Give me the grace to trust in Your greater plan and to embrace the new life You offer, even in unexpected ways. Amen.”
2. Reflect on Your Expectations
Consider a situation or aspect of your life where you had certain expectations—whether it’s related to work, relationships, personal growth, or spiritual life.
- What were your expectations?
Take some time to honestly assess what you were hoping for or what you thought God would do in this situation. - How did reality differ from your expectations?
Think about how things have unfolded. Has it been different from what you planned or envisioned? How did this difference make you feel—disappointed, confused, frustrated, or perhaps even relieved or surprised?
3. Recognize God’s Presence
Now, gently shift your focus to discerning God’s presence and action in this situation.
- Where might God be at work in this difference?
Reflect on the ways God might be using the unexpected circumstances to bring about something good, even if it’s hard to see at first. Has this experience led to new opportunities, personal growth, or deeper trust in God? Consider how God might be working “behind the scenes” in ways you hadn’t initially considered. - How is God inviting you to see things differently?
God’s ways are often mysterious and beyond our understanding. How might God be inviting you to broaden your perspective or to trust more deeply in His plan? What new insights or perspectives have emerged as a result of this unexpected turn of events?
4. Opening Your Heart to God’s Surprises
Consider how you can be more open to the ways God may work in your life in the future, especially when it doesn’t align with your expectations.
- What does it mean to trust in God’s timing and plan?
Reflect on the idea that God’s timing and plan are perfect, even when they don’t match our own. How can you cultivate a deeper trust in God, especially in uncertain or challenging situations? - How can you remain open to God’s surprises?
Ask God for the grace to be open to the unexpected ways He may choose to act in your life. This might involve letting go of your own plans or being willing to embrace new paths that God reveals to you. - What steps can you take to cultivate this openness?
Consider practical ways to maintain an open heart—perhaps through regular prayer, seeking guidance from spiritual mentors, or simply practicing patience and attentiveness to God’s subtle movements in your daily life.
5. Conclude with Gratitude and Surrender
End your reflection by thanking God for His presence and asking for the grace to continue trusting in His guidance.
Prayer:
“Lord, I thank You for being with me, even in the moments when I don’t understand Your ways. Help me to trust in Your love and wisdom, and to be open to the new life You are constantly offering me. I surrender my expectations to You, knowing that Your plans are always for my good. Lead me on the path You have prepared, and help me to embrace the surprises You bring with a heart full of faith and love. Amen.”
6. Journal Your Thoughts
If you find it helpful, take a few moments to journal about your reflections. Write down any insights, feelings, or resolutions that have come to you during this time.
This reflection is a practice in deepening your trust in God and recognizing that His ways, though often unexpected, are always rooted in love and lead to true life. Keep these reflections close to your heart as you move forward, and revisit them whenever you find yourself struggling with unmet expectations or uncertainty.
The disciples walk away from Jerusalem, and Jesus meets them walking towards Jerusalem
That’s a beautiful and insightful observation. The symbolism in the narrative where the disciples are walking away from Jerusalem—perhaps in their confusion, disappointment, or sorrow—while Jesus meets them on their journey, is profound.
Jerusalem, in the Gospel narrative, often represents the place of God’s plan unfolding, the heart of the faith, and the fulfillment of the prophecies. The disciples, disheartened, are moving away from this center of God’s action. Yet, Jesus, with His deep compassion and understanding, meets them where they are, walking towards them to bring them back into the fullness of His plan.
This encounter shows that even when we might be moving in a direction that seems away from where we’re meant to be—physically, emotionally, or spiritually—Jesus comes to meet us on our journey. He gently redirects us, not with force, but by opening our hearts and minds, revealing truth, and drawing us back to the place where we can encounter Him more fully.
It’s a reminder that no matter where we find ourselves, Jesus is always seeking us out, walking with us, and ready to bring us back into His embrace, helping us to see the bigger picture and inviting us to return to the path of life He has prepared.
This reflection is a beautiful way to deepen your understanding of God’s constant presence and active guidance in your life. Thank you for sharing that thought—it truly adds richness to the meditation on this passage!
Jesus walks away with them, reveals Himself and then the disciples run to Jerusalem again!
This is another powerful layer to the story. The fact that Jesus not only meets the disciples where they are but then walks with them in their confusion and doubt is deeply significant. It shows His desire to journey alongside us, even when we might be moving away from where we’re meant to be.
When Jesus reveals Himself to the disciples in the breaking of the bread, it’s a moment of profound clarity and recognition. Their eyes are opened, and they realize that He was with them all along. This revelation transforms them—so much so that, despite the late hour, they immediately get up and return to Jerusalem.
Their running back to Jerusalem represents a complete turnaround. They move from despair and disillusionment to a renewed sense of purpose and mission. Jerusalem, which they were fleeing in their sorrow, becomes the place they eagerly return to, now full of joy and the Good News of Christ’s resurrection. Their encounter with the risen Jesus compels them to share this incredible news with the other disciples.
This part of the story reflects how an authentic encounter with Christ can completely change our direction. It energizes us, fills us with joy, and compels us to share our experience of Him with others. When we truly recognize Jesus in our lives—especially in the Eucharist, as the disciples did—we are called to return to the heart of our faith with renewed zeal, ready to be witnesses to the resurrection and the hope it brings.
This transformation from sorrow to joy, from leaving to returning, and from doubt to faith, is a powerful testament to the impact of meeting the risen Christ. It’s a reminder that no matter how far we feel from the “Jerusalem” in our lives, Jesus is always ready to walk with us, reveal Himself to us, and lead us back to where we can fully embrace His presence and mission.
A poem prayer inspired by the journey of the disciples on the road to Emmaus, reflecting on our own spiritual journey:
The Path We Tread
O Lord, You meet us on the road,
When hopes have dimmed, and burdens load,
Our hearts are heavy, filled with dread,
Yet still, You walk the path we tread.
In our doubts, we turn away,
From Jerusalem’s light, we stray,
But in the midst of our despair,
You find us, Lord, with tender care.
You walk beside us, silent, near,
In every sorrow, every tear,
Our eyes are blind, our faith so weak,
Yet still, Your presence we do seek.
In breaking bread, Your face revealed,
Our hearts ablaze, our spirits healed,
No longer lost, we find our way,
Back to the Light, where night meets day.
O Lord, You turn our steps around,
From paths of grief to holy ground,
With burning hearts, we run to share,
The joy of finding You, Lord, there.
Guide us, O Shepherd, as we walk,
In every step, in every talk,
Reveal Yourself in bread and wine,
And lead us to Your love divine.
On every path, both near and far,
Be our true light, our guiding star,
Until we reach Jerusalem,
And sing forever, our Amen.
This poem prayer is a reflection on the journey we all take, often filled with doubts and struggles, yet always accompanied by Jesus. It’s a reminder that even when we stray, Christ is with us, guiding us back to where we belong, revealing His presence in the simplest moments, and leading us towards the fullness of joy and peace in Him.
Amen. May the prayer resonated with you. May it continue to inspire and guide you on your journey. If you ever need more reflections, prayers, or just someone to share your thoughts with, I’m here for you.
