Have you ever had to deal with the reality of failure in your life? I’m guessing that most of us would respond with a “Yes” when answering that question. Certainly, I have dealt with failure in life, in ministry, in relationships, in parenting, etc. But a second question to ask about those moments from our lives, which maybe can’t be asked or answered until a bit of time has passed, is, was it really a failure?
What brings this thought to mind is an after-Easter story that I’m guessing most of us have heard or are at least familiar with. It’s the story of a couple of disciples walking, on that first Easter morning, to one of their homes in the village of Emmaus.
Grief and uncertainty hung heavy in the air as these two unnamed disciples walked along discussing what had happened during the past several days…maybe even discussing the past three years of following Jesus. With heads hung low and keeping to themselves, they walked along…hurting, thinking, talking, processing. They noticed another traveler along the way also heading toward Emmaus. They likely nodded to each other. Maybe “Shaloms” were spoken, but they walked on. Finally, the stranger asked what the two disciples were discussing as they walked along?
One of the disciples, who now is identified by the name Cleopas, responds by saying, “Are you the only one in Jerusalem who doesn’t know of the things that have happened there the past few days?” And the new traveling companion says, “What Things?”
The reply is, “About Jesus of Nazareth, the great prophet, the great teacher, the great miracle worker. The chief priests and leaders had him put to death on a cross. Jesus had been our hope. He was going to be the one to redeem Israel, or so we had all dreamed. But then he died. Though some women from our group went to the tomb this morning and it was empty. They said they had a vision that proclaimed Jesus was alive. But….” It was then that the third traveler spoke up and began to explain how the Messiah had to die.
They arrived at Emmaus. The disciples turned off the path to go home. The other traveler appeared to keep on going. They invited him to stay with them. He accepted. Then as they sat down to eat a meal their guest took bread, blessed it, and broke it. It was then the two disciples realized it was Jesus who had been walking and talking with them all along. They then realized that what Jesus had been telling them earlier was that what appeared to be failure, Jesus’ death, was actually an opportunity for God to do an amazing work, not just for Israel, but for all humanity. Jesus was the redeemer, just not in the way they thought.
What if this is a story for all of us? Well, it is for all of us because Jesus’ death redeemed each of us. But what if this story of presumed failure is really for each of us yet today. When we experience failure, it just might be an opportunity for God’s transforming power to shine bright and bring about redemption or a new beginning in our lives. That is what these disciples learned. You see, God is able to redeem not only people…but situations, events, and moments for God’s greater purpose in the world. Remember, it is our God who says, “My thoughts are not your thoughts…nor are your ways my ways.” Isaiah 55:8
Our God is able to see things in a totally different way than we do. God is able to take the failures of this life and transform them into something useful and even incredible for God’s purposes. Yes, I am able to look back at some of the lowest points in my life and ministry where I felt I had failed, and now I can see how God was at work in those moments, using that experience to help create a better future.
If anyone is feeling like you’re walking on the lonely and uncertain Emmaus Road, just remember, there is likely someone traveling with you who is able to take that seemingly moment of failure and turn it into something amazing…all for the glory of God! Of course, that other one traveling with you is the living Jesus, the one who is able to turn failure into victory!! Thank God for the Emmaus Road. Thank God for redemption. Thank God for turning darkness and failure into victory and new possibilities!
Learning Lovingkindness,
Pastor Keith