We were hoping

But we were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel. Indeed, besides all this, today is the third day since these things happened. Yes, and certain women of our company, who arrived at the tomb early, astonished us. When they did not find His body, they came saying that they had also seen a vision of angels who said He was alive. And certain of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but Him they did not see." Then He said to them, "O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory?" – Luke 24.21-26

This account seems just so ‘normal’ to me. It makes me think about how most of us would have responded on that first Resurrection Sunday.

It had been an amazing day. Back before Twitter or Facebook or texting or anything like it the story still spread like wildfire. The prophet Jesus was well known. He had spent 3 ½ years preaching and teaching all throughout Judea, Samaria, and Galilee. Like Him or not, everyone knew who He was.

But now he was dead. I don’t know how far word had reached in three days, but I think we can safely assume that most people associated with Jesus knew that He had been executed. Everyone was in despair.

On Sunday afternoon to men were walking to Emmaus discussing the events of the day. A man appeared and, as was customary, joined them and their discussion. For the moment He did not let them know who He was.

‘What are you guys talking about?’

‘Are you a stranger? Haven’t you heard the news?’

‘What news?’

‘About Jesus of Nazareth - He was a great prophet but three days ago the rulers crucified him. We were really hoping that He would be the promised redeemer of Israel. This morning the women went to the grave but his body wasn’t there. A couple of angels told them that Jesus was alive. When the disciples went to the grave all they saw was an empty tomb.’

‘How foolish,’ Jesus said, ‘that you have not believed the prophets about these things.’

Because these guys did not trust what God said their hope was still in vain. What they hoped would happen had happened, but their faith was too weak to recognise it. They should have known all this was going to come to pass, but their hope was dashed by their lack of faith.

How often does our own lack of faith do the same to us? How often are we let down just because we don’t trust God enough to continue to hope in His promises?

Proverbs tells us that ‘hope deferred makes the heart sick.’ That is where these men were. That is where we are far too often.

But when hope is fulfilled it is a tree of life. Do we have the faith to trust God for fulfilled hope? Or does our doubt make us miss the blessing?