The Bible contains the greatest stories ever told. An outstanding one is found in Luke 24, the story of Cleopas and his companion on the road from Jerusalem to Emmaus and their encounter with the risen Lord. We can observe three distinct phases in their experience as they discover Christ is alive. The experiences of believers today follow similar patterns. Christ is risen indeed! His bodily resurrection is an incontrovertible fact. However, our experience of the risen Christ can often bear a striking resemblance to the sequence of events described here.
The Downcast Heart - Wrong
This is where many believers find themselves. Like the Emmaus Two they seem oblivious to the fact Christ is risen. There is such a thing as clinical depression but with many believers it is not that. They are simply down-hearted. Note the characteristics of the downcast heart.
- It cannot be cured by company, even exalted company. We get downcast for different reasons. Often the best way to deal with it is to find company. Too much solitude can be harmful. Christian friendship and fellowship are important means of grace that we neglect at our peril. Nevertheless it is possible to be so downcast that not even the best of company delivers us. We come to church. We try to pray and praise. But if Christ is unrecognised we will remain in the dumps.
- One of the greatest problems when a Christian is in this sort of state is that he fails to recognise his blessings. The Emmaus Two were totally dejected because of the death of Christ. Yet there he was right next to them! Their lack of expectation and Jesus’ transformed appearance combined to blind them to reality. Are your low expectations driving you into dejection? Are you missing blessings right under your nose?
- It is not that the downcast Christian fails to recognise anything of the power and glory of Christ and his kingdom. The problem is that he tends to dwell on the darker side. A great pessimism seems to descend.
- When this pessimism takes a grip it can lead to reading even the most favourable circumstances in a bad light. The Emmaus Two had heard rumours of Jesus’ resurrection but pessimism blinded them.
- We must label this attitude with its proper title. Let no glamour be attached to long faced, moody Christianity. It is nothing but slowness of heart and unbelief. To behave in this way is dull-witted and foolish. It cannot be excused. It cannot be countenanced. Jesus rebukes it firmly. It must have no place in his kingdom.
We recognise that such times may come even to the best of believers but they must be fiercely resisted.
The Burning Heart - Better
What is the way out of the gloom?
- Having Christ present and hearing him speak. The two were downcast. Perhaps they were trying to cheer each other up. Then along comes a stranger. The natural reaction would be to let him pass by. Thankfully, they do not. It is tempting sometimes to cut ourselves off from fellowship when we are downcast. That is dangerous. It is tempting to stop reading the Bible. That is even more dangerous.
- It is particularly in the expounding of the Scriptures that Jesus draws near to these two. The cure for spiritual depression is always found in God’s Word. Counselling and conferences may help but it is the Word itself that does the business. Keep coming to the Word.
- Now you may say ‘But I’ve been pretty down at times and even though I’ve turned to the Word I’ve got nothing.’ But when Jesus explained the Scriptures he showed how they spoke about him. If you read the Bible and do not find Christ there you will remain discouraged. The great thing about God’s Word is that it reveals Jesus to us. Always read looking to see him in it.
- Does your heart burn within when you hear the Bible explained? Are you excited when you find Christ in his Word? This ‘burning’ was not just emotion. These two were transformed. At first the stranger had seemed like an intruder but now they did not want him to go. They urge him to come home with them. Once you know Christ drawing near you never want to lose his presence again.
- The burning heart is the heart that has begun to believe again. Pessimism and unbelief are vanquished. It begins again to look at Christ and trust in him.
The Rejoicing Heart - Best
This should be the normal state of believers - rejoicing in the risen Lord Christ. This is the capstone in the movement from depression to rejoicing. When Christ draws near, do not miss your opportunity. Seize it with both hands. Note that.
- The rejoicing heart may come in the homeliest environment. In ordinary places at ordinary times our eyes may be opened to the truth and our hearts stirred to rejoicing. It does not have to wait for a special place or occasion.
- The rejoicing heart comes when your eyes open and you recognise Christ. It is not enough to go through the motions of prayer and Bible reading, etc. Christ was present for a long time before they saw him. Pray that you will not be impervious so long when Christ draws near to you.
- The rejoicing heart is a source of energy. These two who had dragged their way the seven miles from Jerusalem thought nothing of returning there that same night. Seeing Christ produces zeal and strength even for the weakest and slowest.
- The rejoicing heart wants to speak about the risen Christ. It is eager to tell others, to share the good news. Much of our lethargy in evangelism stems from our failure to see Christ.
- The rejoicing heart is one that understands the truth and believes it. May God give you a rejoicing heart now and always.
This article first appeared in Grace Magazine
