handling disappointments (2)
By Chloe Lee, Singapore
Read: Luke 24:25-15
Jesus later rebuked the two men for being so focused on their disappointment: “‘O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets (e.g. Isaiah, as mentioned above) have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into His glory?’ And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself” (v. 25-27).
The rebuke from Jesus and the realization of the truth about the need for the Christ* to suffer and die jolted them into choosing to set aside their focus on their disappointment. They asked Him to spend the night with them (v. 29). And when they were gathered at the table together eating, “their eyes were opened, and they recognised Him. And He vanished from their sight. 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?’ ” (v. 31-32).
What can we learn?
- The men had brought their disappointment to Jesus without even realizing it, and even though He rebuked them, He still lovingly and graciously shared about Himself to them. The men were brought into remembrance the prophets’ teachings concerning the Christ and Jesus interpreted the Scriptures to them. They were hence able to make the choice to set aside their disappointment.
- As they set aside their disappointment and shared in an ordinary meal with a fellow sojourner, their eyes were opened to see that it was Jesus Christ.
- Similarly, God often speaks to us through the ordinary, everyday things. We allow our eyes to be open to see them when we cease to focus on ourselves and instead focus on Him.
Tip 2: How to handle disappointment
Bring your disappointment to God.
Allow His Word to help you to cease from focusing on yourself and start focusing on Him.
*Christ is the Greek translation of the Hebrew word “Messiah”.
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