Sometimes disappointment is hard to hide. Friends and family let you down, and it’s written all over your face. But what about when you think God lets you down? How do you beat back disappointment then?
NAME: “Renowned Father”
DATE: Ist Century AD
IDENTIFICATION: Christian from Emmaus, northwest of Jerusalem
STORY LINE: Cleopas encountered the risen Jesus on the road to Emmaus
READ IT IN THE BIBLE: Luke 24: 1-35
Cleopas and a friend were glumly returning to Emmaus after a disappointing week in Jerusalem.
They had gone to the Holy City for Passover, but they weren’t prepared for what they encountered there—the shocking crucifixion of Jesus.
As true believers, they anticipated this was the Passover Jesus would declare Himself to be Messiah
Instead He was humiliated and put to death. All their hopes were dashed. Their faith was in shambles.
As they trudged home, a stranger caught up with them and inquired what they were talking about. Not realizing it was Jesus, Cleopas related all the bizarre event of the week. Jesus responded by demonstrating from the Scriptures that every Bible writer had pointed to the events of this eek; it was all part of God’s plan. No sooner did they realize this was the resurrected Christ than He was gone.
Nothing could change their disappointment except the reality of the risen Christ. Nothing could make Cleopas and his friend retrace their steps to Jerusalem except news that was too exciting to keep to themselves. Jesus hadn’t failed them. He is risen indeed!
If you find yourself disappointed with God, maybe you also need a fresh encounter with the resurrected Christ. Nothing is a better antidote to disappointed faith than to discover the reality that Jesus Christ is alive. We do not worship a dead Savior. We worship a living Lord. There is no disappointment in Jesus.
—by Dr. Woodrow Kroll
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