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Verse:“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” —Jeremiah 29:11, NLT
Have you found yourself on the wrong road going in the wrong direction? Do you ever feel that all hope is gone? Take courage from disciples who traveled to Emmaus with heavy hearts.
The disciples struggled to believe the testimony from the women who had found an empty tomb and heard from angels that Jesus was alive. They left Jerusalem—the last place where they had been with Jesus—and walked back to their former life in Emmaus. Since the disciples arrived home together and prepared a meal, we can assume that the unnamed disciple was the wife of Cleopas. She joins a long list of unnamed women mentioned in the Bible. Read Luke 24:13–25 to discover how the Savior gives the woman “a future and a hope” (Jeremiah 29:11, NLT) on that sorrowful morning when she could not see Him.
As the couple walk toward Emmaus, Jesus joins them and overhears their distress. Filled with compassion, He engages them without an introduction. He walks for miles, giving them His full attention. Even if you feel like a nobody, you are the most important person in the world to Jesus. He never ignores you and always accepts your invitation. He is available for the sinful woman to anoint His feet. He does not judge the woman caught in adultery. He eats with the unnamed publicans and prostitutes.
Jesus walks with you, no matter where you are. You may be walking to “nowhere,” to a place that isn’t on the map, but Jesus shows up for you. You may not recognize Him, but He is your Companion the entire journey, no matter how far you go before detecting His presence.
Jesus walks with you to remind you of who you are. The two disciples think they have reached their destination, but then they recognize Jesus and notice their burning hearts. Suddenly aware that they are not fulfilling their purpose as His disciples, they rush back to Jerusalem, overjoyed to share their story of hope.
If you are walking down the wrong road, invite Jesus to walk with you. He knows where you are. He will remind you who you are, where you are going, why you need to get there.
As told by Joanne Cortes to Rebecca Turner