I'll be there for you* - Bon Jovi

This morning, we were considering the account of the 2 disciples walking to Emmaus. Basically, it was a couple of days after Jesus was brutally crucified and executed. 2 of his disciples decided to travel to Emmaus and along the way, they met up with a stranger. At first, they did not realize who it was – but this stranger explained to them how the death of Jesus had been prophesied long ago in the Old Testament. It was only when they stopped and decided to have supper when they realized that the stranger was none other than the Lord Jesus himself!

You can read the whole account here.

One can only imagine what must have been going through the minds of the 2 disciples – the distress and hopelessness they must be feeling as they travelled along. It was probably the darkest times of their lives. They must have been also stressed and worried about the uncertain future.

Some might think that it was because of that they could not recognize Jesus – not until he started to break bread with them.

I was thinking about this very familiar account (in fact, I once acted as one of these 2 disciples in an Easter play) – and I began to think that we are a lot like these 2 disciples. We too face troubles, uncertainties, fears, and at times, hopelessness. We must feel so alone. We all had our journeys up to Emmaus and know how it feels.

But in those times, I am reminded that Jesus had been with me all along the way to Emmaus. Even though I have to admit that I did not realize it. Just like the 2 disciples, they did not know that it was Jesus who was with them every step of the way. But this does not change the fact that he indeed was.

Perhaps this could have been the inspiration of the author of that famous “Footprints” where when he looked back along the paths of his life, he could see the prints of Jesus walking alongside him – and when things got worse, Jesus carried him through.

To me, this is a wonderful reminder that no matter how dark the days are, how dreary the journey is, how tough the road to Emmaus is, Jesus is there walking the same road beside me, all the way.

He'll be walking with us as we travel along our own road to Emmaus!

The account also reminds me that in these tough times, it is important – no, in fact, essential for us to take time to “break bread” – to remember what he has done for us. And when we do that, we will surely find our eyes being re-opened and see Jesus before us.

*Their no. 1 hit song taken from their 1988 album New Jersey.