Jesus is closer than you think

5 min read

Lost in Paris, lost in faith

I love traveling and exploring new places. But I am the worst person on earth at finding direction. I am a master of getting lost — not intentionally.

One year I decided to explore Paris. I wanted to be like the local people, so I learned to navigate myself using the metro. I could read the map, got out from the train station with no problem. But the walk from the train station to home was another story. Somehow I took the wrong turn and ended up walking in a circle for a while before I could find the right direction. The ten-minute walk from the train station ended up an hour walk for me that day.

In the story of the road to Emmaus, the two disciples were lost in a different way. They were on the right road and they knew their way home, but they had no idea what to make of Jesus — his death and resurrection. Geographically, the two disciples knew where they were. Theologically, they were lost.

Luke 24:13-35 tells us of two disciples who had everything they needed. Hope in God's promise. The truth that Jesus is the Messiah, savior of the world. And the presence of Jesus right there with them. But they didn't recognize him at the time.

Just like those two disciples, many of us walk through seasons of confusion, disappointment, or unanswered questions, unaware that Jesus has been walking with us the entire way.

When fear takes over trust

When I was captured in prison after I tried to escape from my country and failed, I did not stop praying for a miracle. A miracle to get out of prison and find freedom. Days, weeks, months went by. The miracle did not come.

I started to doubt and question God's existence and his love for me. When I was hungry, cold, or experiencing harsh treatment, Jesus was with me. But I could not recognize or feel his presence at the time.

My fear took over my trust in God. My doubt blinded me to see the goodness of God. My anger blocked me from seeing God's love and compassion for me throughout the ordeal I experienced as a prisoner. I knew God, but I could not recognize that his presence was with me.

Jesus draws near to the disappointed

In Luke 24:13-17, the two disciples were walking away from Jerusalem — away from the place of promise, away from hope. Their hearts were heavy with confusion. They walked with their heads down.

"Jesus himself came near and walked with them."

They didn't go looking for Jesus. Jesus went looking for them. This is the heart of God. He draws near not only to the faithful, but also to the discouraged, the doubting, and the weary.

Are you feeling discouraged right now?

Jesus opens the scripture to restore hope

In verses 25-27, Jesus listened to their story, to their disappointment. Then he began a Bible study like no other. Beginning with Moses and all the prophets, Jesus explained what was said in all the scriptures concerning himself. He reframed these two disciples' understanding. In other words, Jesus connected the dots for them.

Jesus showed the disciples that the cross was not a tragedy. It was God's plan all along.

When Jesus opened the word, the disciples later said, "Were not our hearts burning within us?" (Luke 24:32, NIV).

Did you ever experience your heart burning within you? It's like meeting someone you have been waiting for so long, and finally it happens. The feeling was not just emotion for these two disciples. It was clarity. It was truth breathing life back into their souls.

When our lives fill with confusion, scripture is no longer optional. It becomes a necessity. It is like oxygen that we need to be alive.

Jesus reveals himself in the breaking of bread

In verses 30-31, in the simple, ordinary act of breaking bread, the disciples' eyes were opened. Not in a miraculous way. Not in a mountaintop moment. But in the everyday.

Through the breaking of bread, the disciples discovered that the God who walked on the road alongside them was also the same God who sat at the table. The disciples finally recognized Jesus.

And at that moment, what did they do? They ran back to Jerusalem, calling out: Jesus is risen! Jesus is risen!

Their disappointment turned into mission. Their confusion turned into the good news shared with joy.

He is walking with you

My friends, Jesus is closer than you think.

The Emmaus story reminds us that we may not recognize Jesus. We may not feel Jesus. We may not understand what Jesus is doing at the time. But Jesus is walking with us.

He's walking with us through our unanswered prayers. He's walking with us during our confusion about the future. He's walking with us during our grief, discouragement, and despair.

Jesus still opens the scripture and speaks to us every day. The Bible is the living word from God. Jesus still sits at the table and invites us to join him. He still reveals himself to you and to me and to all who seek him.

Slow down

Perhaps today you've heard that Jesus walks with you even when you do not recognize him. Perhaps you've been reminded that scripture restores hope, or that Jesus reveals himself in everyday moments of your life.

What is the Holy Spirit speaking to you right now?

Like the disciples on the Emmaus road, your journey may include disappointment, confusion, or unanswered questions. But Jesus is already beside you.

When was the last time you felt Jesus' presence during your busy life? This message invites you to slow down. Listen. Let Jesus open the scripture to your heart so that hope can rise again while you are floating in the sea of life's disappointments.

Slow down, my friends. Slow down so you can see and feel Jesus' presence and what he's doing in your life. Talk less so you can hear. Jesus' voice is speaking to you.

What this means for us together

A church that recognizes the presence of Jesus becomes a church of renewed purpose. When our hearts burn with scripture and our eyes open to Christ's presence, our worship gains depth, our fellowship grows warm, and our mission becomes clear.

That mission is to carry out the Great Commission: "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" (Matthew 28:19, NIV).

When our community sees people whose lives have been transformed by the presence of the risen Christ, hope becomes contagious. Our neighbors encounter Christ through our hospitality, our compassion, and the everyday breaking of bread — sharing fellowship with one another.

The story reminds us that Jesus still meets people on their journey today. And often through us.

A prayer for the road

Lord Jesus, we thank you that you draw near to us even when we are discouraged, confused, or walking in the wrong direction. Open our eyes to recognize your presence in our everyday lives. Let your word burn within our hearts, restoring hope where it has faded. Reveal yourself to us, Lord — in our homes, in our work, in our simple daily moments. And just as you did on the road to Emmaus, turn our disappointment into renewed purpose. Walk with us, speak to us, and keep us close to you.

May the risen Christ walk beside you, open the scripture to you, strengthen your heart, and reveal his presence in every step you take. Go in his peace, in his hope, and in his resurrection life. Amen.