Last week I also talked about walking with my post Are You Walking Worthy.
That post considered how we can pray for fellow believers and ourselves to be strengthened in our faith walk.
Today, though, we are looking at how Jesus comes alongside us when we are feeling discouraged about circumstances that have crushed our hopes.
Are you able to recognize when Jesus walks alongside you?
Join me as we study an example of Jesus doing exactly this for two of his disciples who expressed disappointment about what they had just experienced.
Does Jesus Walk with You?
A Study of Luke 24:28-35 | The Passage
28 So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He acted as if he were going farther, 29 but they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent.” So he went in to stay with them.[1]
Who is the “they” in verse 28? (See Luke 24:9)
What had “they” been doing? (See Luke 24:13-14)
Who joined them? (See Luke 24:15)
Describe their mood in Luke 24:17.
What caused their mood? (See Luke 24:19-21)
Luke 24:16 tells us they were kept from recognizing him. Based on your answers to the above questions and Luke 24:25-27, why was this needed?
Why did they urge him to stay with them?
30 When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. 31 And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight.[2]
Why did this action open their eyes to recognize him? (Consider Luke 9:16 and 22:19)
What does his vanishing from their sight communicate has changed about Jesus since he rose from the dead? (Also see 1 Corinthians 15:35-44.)
32 They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?”[3]
Consider a few prophecies Jesus may have used for instructing them.
14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.[4]
How was this fulfilled according to Matthew 1:18-25?
But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah,
who are too little to be among the clans of Judah,
from you shall come forth for me
one who is to be ruler in Israel,
whose coming forth is from of old,
from ancient days. [5]
What does John 7:42 confirm about the above prophecy?
Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion!
Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem!
Behold, your king is coming to you;
righteous and having salvation is he,
humble and mounted on a donkey,
on a colt, the foal of a donkey. [6]
Matthew 21:4-9 reveals the fulfillment of this prophecy.
“Awake, O sword, against my shepherd,
against the man who stands next to me,”
declares the Lord of hosts.
“Strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered;
I will turn my hand against the little ones. [7]
Jesus referred to the fulfillment of this prophecy in Mark 14:27-28 and 49-50.
How would these passages have caused the two disciples’ “hearts to burn” while Jesus walked with them? (Luke 24:32)
33 And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, 34 saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” 35 Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread. [8]
What was their mood after realizing Jesus had walked with them and taught them?
Where did they go? Why?
Why does Luke mention at this point that Jesus had also appeared to Simon? (See Luke 9:18-20 and 24:12.)
What does this passage teach us about Jesus’ desire to walk with us?
Does Jesus Walk with You?
A Study of Luke 24:28-35 | A Prayer Response
Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and Holy Spirit, thank you for the care and concern you have for us. Each of us can so easily get discouraged by the circumstances we experience when we hope for different outcomes. What grace you offer us by walking alongside us to open our eyes to see you more clearly with abundant hope.
Instill in us, through the power of Your Holy Spirit, the same awe, wonder, and excitement as Jesus did when he rose from the dead and began appearing to those who had become his disciples. Keep our eyes open to your presence in all circumstances. Instruct us through all scripture to know You and serve You well, so that those we encounter throughout our days will also see Your loving grace.
Protect us, Lord, as the days progress, and we wait for your glorious return.
And in the words of the Psalmist:
1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
3 He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
forever. [9]
Amen.
Does Jesus Walk with You?
A Study of Luke 24:28-35 | Application
Describe a time you experienced a broken heart. Or one you are dealing with now.
As you reflect on this disappointing time, how have you come to realize that Jesus walked alongside you to encourage and instruct you about his care and concern for you?
If you’re unsure how Jesus has walked alongside you through disappointing times, who can you share your story with who can help you in discerning this?
Who do you know that is struggling with a broken heart that you can offer the “feet and hands” of Jesus to encourage and strengthen them today? Create a plan of action to show them hospitality and love tangibly in the next week.
What encouraged you most from this study today?
Is there anything you want to learn more about from this study? Send me a comment or email so I can address it in a future post.
Warmly,
Barbara Lynn
PS I’m taking next week off so the next post will be June 21st.
[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), Lk 24:28–29.
[2] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), Lk 24:29–31.
[3] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), Lk 24:32.
[4] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), Is 7:14.
[5] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), Mic 5:2.
[6] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), Zec 9:9.
[7] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), Zec 13:7.
[8] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), Lk 24:33–35.
[9] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), Ps 23:1–6.