love walks on

As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus acted as if he were going farther. But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them.
-Luke 24:28-29

Just as quickly and as unannounced as he joined in this traveling party, the resurrected Jesus was willing to keep on walking and leave these brokenhearted disciples in the village. Is there something wrong with this picture? Does there seem to be something that just doesn't fit? Might this image of Jesus go against our Footprints view of Christianity which says that during such times of sorrow and grief Jesus is doing all of the work for us (i.e., carrying us)? I think that on a certain level, it does go against the grain of this popular understanding of the Christian walk.

Here we have two disciples - it does not say who, but it is most likely one of the Eleven - who are devistated at the events which they have just witnessed. They had once believed that this Jesus was the messiah who would save Israel. They no longer believe that. Enter Jesus - Stage Right.

He gives them what has to be the greatest Old Testament exposition in the history of earth! And we don't have the details because he "wasted" his material on an audience of two (intrinsic lesson for many modern preachers/teachers). He explains to them all the pieces that they had been missing. And then he is willing to leave them and continue down the road. Now it is up to them to decide. He knows that there is no substitutionary faith.

Their hearts were burning within them and they begged him to stay with them. It is only after this choice that they are able to recognize him and to have their eyes unveiled to the all-too-familiar stranger. This is quite an amazing and beautiful story of the resurrection. And it aptly describes the Christian's walk of faith throughout this life. There are times when life becomes difficult and hard to bear. . .and that doesn't mean that Jesus will just jump in and take care of everything. But we do know that he is willing to walk along our road with us.

Just as long as we aren't content to let him keep going. . .