Foppe VanderZwaag

Unbelief is not found only in unbelievers; far too often, and sadly so, it prevails in God’s children as well. We see it in the two traveling from Jerusalem to Emmaus the day Jesus arose from the dead. Though they had heard earlier in the day about His resurrection, they did not believe it was true. They were disillusioned and dejected because they only considered their own opinions, thoughts, and feelings, without yielding to God’s Word. Can you identify with them?

Having had such blessed times with Jesus and having their expectations raised, they now find their hopes dashed. As they walk home, they share their discouragement with a stranger who joins them: “But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done” (Luke 24:21).

They did not see it was Jesus Himself walking with them, for “their eyes were holden that they would not know him” (v. 16). Though this was part of God’s sovereign plan, it did not provide an excuse for their blindness nor for their unbelieving response to the testimony of those who told them Jesus was alive. So Jesus rebukes them in verse 25, “O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken.”

Their unbelief was not exhibited only in their disregard of what some people said, but more importantly, in their disregard of what God Himself had revealed about Jesus in His Word! If only they had been more familiar with the fact that the Messiah was to come with the intent to suffer, to die, and to rise again, and if they had only believed it, they would have been prepared and kept from despondency. Isn’t this often what keeps us from finding comfort in our distress, whether physical or spiritual? We pray to Jesus without believing He hears us. Aren’t we then also acting as if He is still dead?

Jesus asks them, and us, in verse 26, “Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?” In other words, wasn’t it necessary and to be expected that the Messiah would go this way? You doubt He was the One to redeem you because He died on the cross, but the opposite is true! The very fact that He died and arose, as He foretold, is wonderful evidence of His being the Savior of sinners. They were sad and despondent while they should have been filled with joy and hope! But Jesus knows how to exhort and comfort them. He opens His Word: “And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself” (v. 27).

If you really wonder whether Jesus came to redeem you, turn to God’s Word; search it and hear it preached to you, praying for the Spirit’s enlightening and life-giving power. Notice what happens to these two as they have a meal with Jesus. Not only do they recognize Jesus when “their eyes were opened and they knew him” (v. 31), but we read in verse 32, “Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?” Why is this so important? They already began to hope while Jesus expounded the Scriptures.

Is this not the way God still works today? Has He not enlightened your understanding and kindled your affections as He led you away from your distress and despair in yourself to Him who died on the cross to redeem sinners such as you? Is not this God’s way once and again with you, too, to bring you as a needy sinner to the One who was dead but is now alive?

If this is not true for you, flee to Him even now in humble submission as He speaks to you, confessing your sins, especially your unbelief, and be received by Him as He promised.

If it is true indeed, do what these two did. Go and share the good news with those who are yet ignorant of it (Rom. 10:9–10). Do it in His strength, for God’s glory and the salvation of others—or, as a pleasant surprise, to meet those who already have experienced this salvation speaking to you before you can even open your mouth. That is how God provides confirmation and encouragement for His children, granting them blessed fellowship as these travelers discovered upon their return to Jerusalem when they heard from the disciples gathered there, “the Lord is risen indeed” (v. 34).

Published by The Banner of Sovereign Grace Truth, used with permission.