When You Can't See Jesus

Have you ever felt disappointed or let down by God? Have you had expectations for him that went unmet? Sometimes, these experiences bring true despair. At the least, they can cause confusion. You had hopes for something that didn’t turn out. Plans were redirected away from your intended goals.

What you thought would be the solution was no longer an option. In these moments, you might ask, “Where is Jesus? Why can’t I see him?” The Bible tells stories of other people who felt that same way. They had expectations, they had placed their hope in something, and then the solution didn’t look how they wanted. Where was Jesus in those moments?

In Luke 24:13-35, just after Jesus’ tomb was found empty, two men were walking on the road from Jerusalem to Emmaus. They were sad, grieved about the death of their Lord Jesus, and confused by his now-missing body. They did not know of his resurrection or that he walked among them. It appeared that God’s plan had failed.

Then, Jesus appeared to the men, joining in their conversation. But their eyes were blind to him! He made it so they could not recognize the very man they spoke of. Instead, Jesus patiently helped them understand the Scripture and why this Son of God had to die.
Still, the men didn’t recognize him as they walked. They invited him in for dinner, and only when Jesus broke the bread and offered it to them did they see him clearly.

Remember this story the next time your expectations are unmet and you wonder where God is. Even when we cannot see him, Jesus is with us.

In our disappointment, he walks beside us.
In our confusion, he points to Scripture.
In fellowship, he is revealed.

In what area of your life do you need to trust that Jesus is with you even if you cannot see him?

Dive Deeper

Walking with Jesus transforms us from hopeless to testifying. As we experience his presence ourselves, we offer the same to others who cannot see him.

In their disappointment, we walk beside them.
In their confusion, we point them to Scripture.
In fellowship, we reveal Jesus.