September 16, 2026 · David Farmer
Him They Did Not See
“That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles[a] from Jerusalem, and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. And he said to them, “What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?” And they stood still, looking sad. Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” And he said to them, “What things?” And they said to him, “Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened. Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning, and when they did not find his body, they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.””
Luke 24:13-24 →
## Standing Still, Looking Sad
One thing I’ve noticed over time is that many people, especially believers, can talk about the Story of Jesus at length. They can speak of the details, as we’ll see in this story. They’ve even had experiences with Jesus themselves, but when the reality of the hard things in life hits them they stand still looking sad. When Jesus asked them what things had happened, they just stopped. Sometimes overwhelming situations come on us. We can stop and look at life and ask ourselves, “What just happened?!” As believers, we start to wonder sometimes, “Did Jesus triumph over this life or not? It doesn’t feel like it today,” and we stand still and look sad.
We have to remember that it took three days for anyone to see that He won, all the while looking like He had lost. It can take much longer though. When I left church at 13, I’m sure it seemed a lot longer to mom and dad. I got saved 13 years later...
## Recalling the Things
On occasion, all I can do to see Jesus is recall what things Jesus has already done in my past. Just recount the facts. Recount your facts. So far in my life, He has been “mighty in deed and word”.
## Self-Check
At times, we condemn Him because we hoped He would do this or that. We had to wait longer than we wanted to, but someone comes along reminds us, “He is alive.” And as we go on, though “Him we may not see,” we find Him like it was said: alive and mighty in deed. Don’t stand there looking sad Christian. Recall what He has already done.
## Savior of the World