But their eyes were restrained so that they could not see Him.
Luke 24:16
Early one cool spring Sunday, a pastor arrives at his office and begins to prepare his heart and mind for the coming day. After a while, there is a knock at the door. “Daddy!” cries his youngest daughter. They hug and he is so glad to see her. Sunday morning rolls on. First, Sunday school and then big church. He does not know why they call it “big” church; it should be called “longer” church. They make it through the service with bovine enthusiasm.
Time to go home and eat! The pastor rounds up his three kids, which is really quite an impressive accomplishment, because he has a son who could possibly be anywhere . . . including another county. He briefly chats with his wife, and off they go toward the car. “Dad will be there shortly,” he encourages the kids as he turns toward the church to lock up.
As they are buckling into the car, the youngest girl runs for the church and says, “I’m riding home with Daddy.” The mother smiles—she sure loves her daddy. The wife and two other kids load up and go home. When they arrive, as is his custom, the son jumps out of the car and says, “I’ll be playing in the front yard.” Mother and the oldest go inside and begin to prepare lunch.
Soon, Dad saunters into the living room, plops into his recliner, takes off his shoes, and rests for a moment before the next religious experience: Sunday lunch!
Mother calls, “Lunch is ready!” Everyone is there except the son and the youngest daughter. This is not unusual, since the boy often needs a pitcher to throw the ball, an enemy sniper to shoot, or someone with whom to practice the karate he “learned” while watching way too many Chuck Norris movies.
The dad peers out front and calls the boy inside. “Where is your little sister?” the dad asks.
“I don’t know,” says the boy as he runs for the rolls on the table.
“You don’t know? You better know. Where is she?”
“I really don’t know,” the boy replies.
The dad hurries outside, calling and yelling, but no response. He calls the neighbors; they have not seen her. The whole family is now worried and frantically begins to load in the car to search for her.
Ring, Ring. “Hello,” answers the mother.
“Hi, this is Shelly Jones. I live at 120 Park Drive. I was walking and noticed a little girl crossing a major street near the church. I went and spoke with her, and she told me your number.”
“Thank God,” the mother sighs. “We will be right there.”
The whole family loads up, and as they are pulling out of the driveway, the dad howls at the son. “You are not allowed to play in the front yard anymore. You let your little sister walk away. Do you realize how dangerous that is?” The little boy sits in silence.
They pick the little daughter up with hugs and kisses. They graciously thank the lady and get back in the car. As they drive home, the dad asks, “Baby, why did you walk all the way over here?”
The little girl replies, “Dad, I went in the church to ride home with you. But you left me locked in the church. I grabbed a chair and opened the door and started to walk home.”
The dad turns to the mother, “I thought she was with you.”
The mother replies, “I thought she was with you.”
And from the back seat the boy interrupts, “Does this mean I can play in the front yard again?”
Have you ever felt like Jesus forgot you? Like He left the church and locked you inside? He promised He would never leave.
The two guys on the road to Emmaus simply could not recognize Him. Maybe Jesus is simply undercover in your life right now. The scriptures say the unrecognized Jesus taught them “beginning with Moses . . . He expounded to them all the Scriptures” (Luke 24:27). When it seemed like Jesus was most absent, the two men actually received some of the greatest teaching from Him. In moments when it feels like He has left you, please know that He hasn’t. But it may be an opportunity for Him to teach you some of the most profound lessons! Have you ever felt as if Jesus were not around? What might He be teaching you during these seasons?