Last week, I again had the privilege of bringing a devotional word to
the meeting of the CPA (Christian Police Association) at the Force
Training and Recruitment Centre, Jackton, East Kilbride. As the
national news over recent weeks seems to have been dealing with one
disappointment after another - in the worlds of sport, entertainment,
and politics; as decisions had recently been made that disappointed many
(if not all) within the CPA; as I had experienced my own
disappointments; and as all of us experience disappointment from time to
time; I sensed that it would be useful to consider how the disciple of
Jesus deals with disappointment.
We read the familiar story of Cleopas, and his un-named companion
(possibly his wife), making their way from Jerusalem to their home in
Emmaus on the evening of the first Sabbath after the crucifixion of
Jesus (Lk.24:13ff). They were disappointed! They had believed that
Jesus of Nazareth was the long-awaited Messiah - but He had been
crucified by the Roman authorities, at the instigation of the Jewish
leadership.
Then, Jesus appeared, and walked beside them. It was near dusk. They
didn't realise Who He was. He asked about the cause of their dejection -
and they told Him!
What did He do? He went straight to the written Word of God and,
beginning with the Torah, and the books of the prophets, He explained
the references to Himself. What a Bible Study - given by the Author!
When we are disappointed, it helps to go back to the Word - and we have
the writings of the New Covenant that wasn't available to them.
They arrived at their home and, with typical Eastern hospitality, they
invited this Stranger to lodge with them for the night. He accepted
their invitation and, again as would have been customary, was invited to
say the prayer of blessing over the food as they sat down to supper.
It was at this point that they recognised Him - and then He vanished!
They reflected on their experience: "Didn't our hearts burn within us as
we walked with Him on the road?" Wasn't it wonderful? Didn't we have a
great experience with Him?
Immediately, they put their outdoor clothing on again, and headed
back to Jerusalem to share their news with their brothers and sisters in
Christ. Fellowship - with the Lord, and with one another. That's the
second thing I would suggest, as we seek to deal with our
disappointments.
The third suggestion is to look forward to the resurrection. These two
disciples were now convinced that Jesus had risen from the dead. This
realisation put everything that they had experienced into a new
perspective! If Jesus was alive, then the future was assured. Their
lives weren't over - they were just beginning! The Christian Faith
wasn't defeated - it had just experienced the greatest victory! Today
really is the first day of the rest of your life.
So, whatever happens to you; whatever disappointments may come your way:
look back to the Word;
look around to the fellowship;
look ahead to the resurrection.
Nothing will hurt very long when you are able to do all of that!
