https://youtu.be/r52m7VahNmg

Losing Hope

It is terrible to lose hope.

Author Hal Lindsey is quoted as saying… Man can live about forty days without food, about three days without water, about eight minutes without air...but only for one second without hope.

We are living in a time where many are losing hope.

Rise of sickness and  a loss of hope.

Rise of depression and a loss of hope.

Rise of suicide and a loss of hope.

Today I want to talk to you about 2 disciples who lost hope.

Luke 24:13-17 (NIV)

Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem.  They were talking with each other about everything that had happened.  As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them;  but they were kept from recognizing him.  He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?” They stood still, their faces downcast. 

Luke 24:18-21 (NIV)

One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?”  “What things?” he asked. “About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people.  The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him;  but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. 

Luke 24:22-26 (NIV)

In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning  but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive.  Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see Jesus.”  He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken!  Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” 

Luke 24:27-31 (NIV)

And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.  As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther.  But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them.  When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them.  Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. 

Luke 24:32-34 (NIV)

They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”  They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together  and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen...

We had hoped… are there 3 sadder words in the Bible?

Luke 24:21 (NIV) but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. 

Losing Hope

Right in the middle of the resurrection story... the most hope filled story ever… there is a story of 2 disciples who completely lost hope.

They said “We had hoped that he (Jesus) was going to redeem Israel…”

At one time we had hope… now we have lost hope because Jesus, the one who gave us hope is gone.

When you lose the source of your hope, you lose your hope.

Are you losing hope? What is the source of your hope and how have you lost it? What have you lost?

I know some of you are really struggling with this covid19 quarantine…Maybe you lost your job or hours at your job and you have less money coming in… Was your job your source of hope?It could be that your health is suffering or you are very fearful about this virus… Is your health your source of hope?