P ♰ C

by Jean Allen

The one thing that stands out clearly in all the stories after Jesus’s resurrection is his compassion toward and love for his followers. The Road to Emmaus is another shining example. Cleopas and his companion were expressing intense disappointment because they had thought the crucified Jesus was the one who would politically redeem Israel, an idea that before his crucifixion, Jesus had tried to make clear was not an option.

One might feel that because Jesus said to them, “Oh how foolish you are…” that his patience was being sorely tested, but in those days, calling someone foolish did not mean they were stupid or an idiot. It simply meant that the person had not taken all the facts into consideration. So, Jesus, like the master teacher he was, explained the facts in detail from the beginning to end. He didn’t call them out for having the wrong idea; he simply took the time to bring them into an in-depth clarity about what really had just happened. These followers were not even two of the twelve disciples, they were simply two of a number of committed followers. However, Jesus didn’t, and doesn’t, play favorites or deem anyone more worthy of his time and teaching because of their status or perceived importance. Cleopas and his companion may have later become spiritual teachers, instructing other confused followers as to what had just occurred. Through them, Jesus actually may have reached out to a great many and taught them. Nothing is wasted in the Kingdom.

We need to allow this incident on the Road to Emmaus to lodge itself firmly in our overall perceptions of Jesus and who he wants to be for each one of us. This incident should open our hearts to the understanding that it doesn’t matter who you are, Jesus has a plan and a desire to use you. Even if you have a wrong understanding of something, he will clarify and, through you, touch many people. You just have to be willing to walk and listen.

Let your hearts burn with his desire.