What Does It Mean to Walk Away from Hope?

In Luke chapter 24, we encounter two followers of Jesus making a seven-mile journey to Emmaus. This wasn't a celebratory walk—it was a walk of processing and disappointment. These disciples had witnessed Jesus' crucifixion and were struggling with shattered expectations.

"'We had hoped he was the Messiah who had come to rescue Israel. This all happened three days ago.'" - Luke 24:21 (NLT)

Notice they said "we had hoped"—past tense. Not "we hope" or "we believe," but "we had." Something had happened on their journey that didn't turn out as expected. Their hope felt dead and buried.

When Life Doesn't Turn Out as Expected

Many of us have experienced similar moments. Perhaps you've sat in your car before going inside, knowing that once you walk through that door, everything will feel real—the diagnosis, the divorce papers, the job loss, the prayer that didn't get answered the way you thought it would.

These moments of disappointment are part of the human experience. We all face times when we whisper under our breath, "I really thought this would turn out different."

How Does Jesus Show Up in Our Disappointment?

Here's where the story becomes remarkable: as these two disciples walked in their confusion and grief, Jesus himself joined them on the road. But they didn't recognize him.

"'As they talked and discussed these things, Jesus himself suddenly came and began walking with them. But God kept them from recognizing him.'" - Luke 24:15-16 (NLT)

God Shows Up in Unexpected Ways

This reveals something profound about how God works in our lives. Sometimes God shows up, but not in the way we expected, not in the timing we wanted, and not in the form we were looking for. We can miss him even though he's right there.

Jesus walked with them, listened to them, and let them vent. He allowed them to tell their version of the story—a story where hope had already been buried. The whole time, the answer to their pain and confusion was walking right next to them.

What Does It Mean That We're All on a Journey?

Following Jesus isn't just a moment—it's a process. Of course, there's a moment where you say yes to Jesus, but after that moment comes a journey of learning to trust him, becoming more like him, and growing in faith.

The Journey Isn't Always Straight

Just like those two disciples, our journey isn't ever straight. Sometimes it's full of faith, while other times it's full of questions and disappointment. Maybe you're thinking, "I thought life would look different by now. I thought God would come through by now. I thought I'd be further along than this."

None of us are in the same place on our journey. Some are just getting started, some have been following Jesus for years, and some feel like they've taken steps forward but just as many steps backward.

God Is Still Working

The Apostle Paul reminds us: "'And I am certain that God, who began the good work in you, will continue his work until it's finally finished on the day when Jesus Christ returns.'" - Philippians 1:6 (NLT)

This means God is still working on you. You're not where you used to be, you're not where you're going to be, but you're not stuck—you're on a journey.

Is Jesus Really With Us in Our Struggles?

The beautiful truth of the Emmaus story is that while the disciples thought they were walking alone, Jesus was right there every step of the way. They imagined they were walking alone through confusion and heartache, but Jesus was present, even when they couldn't see him.

The Promise of God's Presence

Jesus promises: "'Be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.'" - Matthew 28:20 (NLT)

Always means he's with you in your confusion, disappointment, doubts, and even in your silence. Just because you may not feel him doesn't mean he's not there. Some of the moments where you feel most alone are actually the moments where he's the closest.

What Happens When We Invite Jesus In?

The turning point in the Emmaus story comes when the disciples invite Jesus to stay with them. If they hadn't extended this invitation, everything would have remained the same. But because they did, everything changed.

"'As they sat down to eat, he took the bread and blessed it. Then he broke it and gave it to them. Suddenly their eyes were opened, and they recognized him.'" - Luke 24:30-31 (NLT)

The Difference Between Outside and Inside

There's a significant difference between someone being outside your house and someone being inside. You can know someone's there, even talk to them through the door, but your life doesn't really change until you invite them in.

Once they come in, things get personal, conversations get real, and the walls we put up begin to come down. That's what happened when Jesus came inside—their eyes were opened, and they recognized him.

Jesus Wants Real Access

Jesus wants that same level of access in our lives. Not the level of access you give a guest where you hide the clutter and messiness, but real access where Jesus is invited into every area of your life.

"'Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.'" - Revelation 3:20 (NLT)

Jesus doesn't force his way into your life. He walks with you, speaks to you, and reveals himself. But there comes a moment where we have to open the door and invite him in. When we do, everything changes—our perspective, our direction, and our hope comes back to life.

How Do We Share Hope with Others?

When our eyes are opened to Jesus' presence, we don't just receive hope—we start to carry it to others. In Luke 24, the moment these two disciples recognized Jesus, they didn't stay at the table. They got up and went back to Jerusalem to share the news.

That's what happens when we authentically encounter Jesus—we don't keep it to ourselves. We share it with others who are walking their own difficult roads.

Life Application

This week, challenge yourself to recognize Jesus' presence in your everyday circumstances. Instead of focusing on what seems to be going wrong or how God hasn't shown up the way you expected, look for the ways he might already be walking alongside you.

Ask yourself these questions:

• Where in my life have I been saying "I had hoped" instead of "I hope"?
• What areas of my life have I not fully invited Jesus into?
• How can I be more aware of God's presence in my daily struggles and disappointments?
• Who in my life needs to hear that hope is still alive?

Remember, you're not walking alone. Jesus has been with you longer than you realize, and your story isn't over—it's just getting started. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead is available to bring new life to the areas of your life that feel dead or hopeless.

Pastor Tim