The answer to despondency!

They were depressed and despondent, those two travellers making their way from the great city of Jerusalem to their home village of Emmaus, some seven miles from the metropolis. They had, just a couple of days earlier, witnessed the torturous treatment of the Leader of the group of people to which they belonged, culminating in His death by crucifixion.
Yet they had been so certain that this Man was not only a prophet of YHWH - the LORD, God of Israel, but that He was also the One Who was to be the Redeemer of their nation, the nation of Israel. They were a nation that, for almost a century, had been under the occupation of the mighty Rome. There was no-one alive who could remember what life was like without the Romans, and their military might, being in control. But they could dream; and, every so often, someone would rise up against the Romans – and be quickly, and cruelly, put down.
Yet, this man – Jesus of Nazareth – had seemed to be different. He didn’t act like the usual rebel leader; He taught in a way that far outshone their religious teachers who taught in the Temple and the synagogues; He had brought healing, and compassion, and had even raised some people from the dead! Yet His dead, broken, body had been taken down from that cross, and laid in a tomb that had been hewn out of the solid rock of Mt.Zion. Little wonder that they were so depressed as they discussed these events.
But there was puzzlement also! For some of the women in their group had claimed that the Body had disappeared from the tomb – and that angels had informed them that Jesus had risen from the dead!
Suddenly, a Stranger drew near to them, and enquired as to what sort of conversation was making them appear so sad. They could hardly believe that anyone who lived in the area didn’t know the story – but they shared the basic details with Him. Then, to their utter amazement, He started to share with them from their Scriptures – what some refer to today as the Old Testament. And, starting with the writings of the great prophet Moses, He carefully explained that those very same Scriptures actually made it clear that Messiah – that Redeemer for Whom they were waiting – was to suffer, and die, and be raised from the dead.
Well, it was getting dark, and no-one wanted to be out at that time of the evening so, as they approached their home, they invited the Stranger to eat with them, and stay for the night. He readily accepted their invitation and, as was the customary act of hospitality, He was invited to break the bread that they were going to eat. As He did so, they recognised Him – it was Jesus!
He vanished as suddenly as He had appeared; but what a difference in their lives.
“They began telling each other how their hearts had felt strangely warm as he talked with them and explained the Scriptures during the walk down the road.” (Luke 24:32; TLB). They rushed all the way back to Jerusalem, so that they could share with the other followers of Jesus this wonderful news that He was, indeed, alive.
Are you despondent, depressed, disheartened? Then let the risen Lord Jesus speak into your life, even as He spoke to those two dear people all those centuries ago. You, too, will find your heart strangely warmed, and you will have a new spring in your step as His healing power touches your innermost life. I commend Him to you.