Luke 24:21, “But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done.”
The disciples were dejected and depressed because they had believed that Jesus was the one to “have redeemed” Israel but this “is the third day since these things were done.” I think it is noteworthy that this conversation took place on the third day. Jesus had taught them that He would go to Jerusalem and there He would die. But, He also taught them that He would be raised on the third day. Jesus had revealed the plan of God to them. However, they were so consumed with His death that Satan had stolen the most important part, the promise of His resurrection. This was the day of their salvation, their redemption, and their victory but they just could not see it!
These disciples were going through all the emotions of losing someone close to their heart. The first emotion was denial, the absolute disbelief that this could be happening to them. All the signs appeared to point to Jesus as the Messiah. How could they have been so wrong about Him? They were experiencing the intrusion of a life-altering doubt, a crippling doubt that would cause them to question all the things previously discerned to have been settled. How could they ever trust their emotions and discernment after suffering such a debilitating loss? They had dared to love and trust so deeply that their lives were forever changed by this experience. God's plan was proceeding on schedule just as Jesus had prophesied. It just wasn't time for their resurrection revelation.
How often do we find ourselves in the position of denial and question, “why are these harsh circumstances developing around us?” We are susceptible to cry out in absolute disbelief, “I can't believe this is happening to me!” This position makes us vulnerable and opens the door for Satan to rush in and steal our faith. In extreme cases, just like the disciples, our soul can be seized with such life-altering doubt our Christian service is totally paralyzed and we cannot proceed further. At that moment, we should run to God and fall upon our faces in prayer! If we will seek His face in submission, He will throw off the chains of dejection and depression as we heed the burning desire of the Holy Spirit that lives within us. We are never alone. Heb. 13:5, “...for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. 6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.”
We can easily get caught up in the climate and events of this present day. Like these disciples, we make question why all the negative stuff appears to be happening to us. But Jesus said it would be this way in the last days of time and that He would return to catch His Church away and redeem His people Israel. We must be careful that we are not so consumed with our current distress that we allow Satan to steal away the promise of our redemption and the Second Coming of our Lord, Jesus Christ.
We can place our total confidence in the promises the Lord has given us. He will never fail us! What He has promised, He will fulfill so there is no need to fear!
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