“but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel.” Luke 24:21a (NIV)

I had hoped …

It’s a familiar phrase I’ve gotten used to repeating in this season of my life.

I had hoped my intrusive thoughts would disappear completely by now.
I had hoped my energy would be fully back to normal.
I had hoped my faith would not be threatened by panic attacks.

Can you relate? Perhaps for you it sounds more like:

I had hoped I’d get better from this long-lasting illness.
I had hoped I’d be married by now.
I had hoped the family conflict would resolve. 

I know a few disciples of Jesus who understood this too.

Days after Jesus’ crucifixion, sandaled feet kicked up dust on the road to Emmaus as two disciples walked there from Jerusalem, hearts heavy with disappointment. They were mourning the man they had hoped was the promised Messiah. They talked to each other in disbelief about the latest news: Some women went to the tomb but didn’t find His body.

When the resurrected Jesus Himself joined them, they did not recognize Him! He listened to them recall the last few days’ happenings, then unfolded the Scriptures before them, but still they could not see Him for who He was.

What was confounding them so? What was holding their hearts back from understanding?

Their hope was in the past tense. They “had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel” (Luke 24:21a, emphasis added).

But then the risen Jesus revealed Himself to them through conversation and breaking bread, and the men were amazed, revived by hope fanning their faith back into flame:

“They said to each other, ‘Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?’” (Luke 24:32, ESV).

Jesus showed He is the One who redeems, just not how everyone thought He would. Thankfully, when Jesus adjusts our eyes and hearts to see the purpose He brings and who He really is, things change.

What might we be missing, even as we walk with Jesus, if we don’t adjust our ears to hear or our eyes to see Him fully? What might be holding us back from understanding?

Jesus came to give us an eternal perspective. We cannot see all the ways God is at work, but even this invites deeper intimacy with Him. Jesus will handle what we cannot see in the ways He knows are best for us.

Let’s shift our perspective to present-tense hope in our Savior. We can be certain His heart toward us is good. The fleeting hopes of this world are nothing in comparison to the sure and eternal hope we have in Jesus.

Father, thank You that You are my hope. Situations can shake my heart and mind, but You are the One who makes me secure. Help me to look to the reminders You give me in Your Word so I can stand on Your promises to give me the peace and hope my heart longs for. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

OUR FAVORITE THINGS

Should I rebuild trust with the person who hurt me? Is it possible to still trust God when I’m afraid of what He will allow next? Lysa TerKeurst, Dr. Joel Muddamalle and counselor Jim Cress deeply understand these questions and all the complexities around the topic of trust. But they also want to invite you into the scriptural and therapeutic wisdom they've gained. Season 7 of the Therapy & Theology podcast, Trust: The Oxygen of All Relationships, is happening now … Listen to Episode 1 here!

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You can find more biblical encouragement from Sarah Freymuth at her website and catch up with her on Instagram or Facebook.

2024 marks 20 years of publishing Encouragement for Today Devotions! One of our devotion writers, Meredith Houston Carr, has created a special video message for you as we celebrate this milestone! Check it out here in our Encouragement for Today Facebook group!

FOR DEEPER STUDY

Luke 24:5-7, “… Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise” (ESV).

Have you put your hope in a dream that hasn’t happened yet? How can you lean into the promises of Jesus to take you into a deeper and lasting hope in Him?

To take a different look at a situation that is making you worry, invite God into it, and place your hope in God to be at work for your good and His glory.

We’d love to hear from you! Share your thoughts in the comments.

© 2024 by Sarah Freymuth. All rights reserved.