12. — The Disciples tell Jesus Their Troubles.

The Disciples tell Jesus Their Troubles.

Read St. Luke xxiv. 19-24.

[19] To whom he said: What things? And they said: Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet, mighty in work and word before God and all the people; [20] And how our chief priests and princes delivered him to be condemned to death, and crucified him.

[21] But we hoped, that it was he that should have redeemed Israel: and now besides all this, today is the third day since these things were done. [22] Yea and certain women also of our company affrighted us, who before it was light, were at the sepulchre, [23] And not finding his body, came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, who say that he is alive. [24] And some of our people went to the sepulchre, and found it so as the women had said, but him they found not.

1. The disciples, moved by the kindly sympathy of the stranger who has joined Himself to them, tell Him what it is that makes them sad. It is all that they have seen done to Jesus — His condemnation to death and His crucifixion. If these disciples were but imperfect Christians, they had at least that love for Jesus, that devotion to Him, which is the mark of men of goodwill. They had rejoiced in His glorious deeds, and they had sorrowed bitterly in His sufferings and death, and now they are quite overwhelmed with grief at the thought that all His life and mission had ended in a miserable failure. All this was pleasing to Jesus, in spite of the weak faith it implied. It showed a genuine willingness and zeal in the good cause.

2. Notice how prudent these disciples are in what they say to the stranger: they do not call Him Jesus, or the Son of God, or the Messias, or their Master and Lord; they simply describe Him as a prophet mighty in work and word. Here we learn great caution in speaking. We must not say that which is likely to be scoffed at; while we confess our faith, we must not expose it to the ridicule of unbelievers.

3. Yet they cannot conceal their disappointment from the stranger. Speratamus! we had hoped for so much. We had such lofty expectations. We thought a new day was to dawn upon us; and now — How often this is our experience! We, too, hoped for great things, and have been disappointed. But we must not despond. After all, these fears are vain — all is not lost.