It is difficult for us to truly understand how Jesus’ disciples must have felt after his crucifixion. I am sure it was the epitome of despair. They had put their confidence in what they thought he was telling them, that he was the Messiah, but they did not understand what it would take for the Messiah to fulfill his role.

Their feeling is described in Luke when Jesus appeared to two men, though they didn’t know it was Him, the story known as “The Road to Emmaus.” In Luke 24:18-21, “Then one of them, Cleopas, replied, “You must be the only person in Jerusalem who hasn’t heard about all the things that have happened there the last few days.” “What things?” Jesus asked. “The things that happened to Jesus, the man from Nazareth,” they said. “He was a prophet who did powerful miracles, and he was a mighty teacher in the eyes of God and all the people. But our leading priests and other religious leaders handed him over to be condemned to death, and they crucified him. We had hoped he was the Messiah who had come to rescue Israel.”

But we know the rest of the story, and their hope was not misplaced.

Dear Lord, What joy it brings to know that there is no need to despair about ourselves on earth, or our future in heaven, because you are the hope of the world. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.