Through The Bible in a Year - August 13, 2026

“That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them.” - Luke 24:13-15

They were walking the wrong direction.

Jerusalem was where the risen Jesus had appeared. Jerusalem was where the disciples were gathered. Jerusalem was where God’s mission was forming. And these two were walking away from all of it—seven miles in the wrong direction, toward a small village called Emmaus, talking about how everything had fallen apart.

Then, Jesus drew near and went with them.

Not to the disciples who had stayed in Jerusalem. Not to those who were gathered and waiting. He went after the ones who were walking away—grieving, confused, fleeing from the wreckage of their hopes.

He didn’t wait for them to figure it out and come back. He walked in their direction, at their pace, into their conversation. He entered their retreat and turned it into an encounter that would restore their hope and purpose.

What do you do with the Resurrection when the Easter glory fades and real life resumes? When the sin that looked attractive yesterday still looks attractive today? When the betrayal still stings, your marriage is still hard, your child is still rebellious, your work is still difficult, and you lie in bed wondering if God is with you in any of it?

The disciples on the road to Emmaus help us know. Because they were walking away—grieving, despairing, going the wrong direction—and Jesus came after them anyway. He drew near. He went with them.

The Easter miracle is not just that Jesus came out of the tomb. It is that He comes near. He is present. He comes walking in whatever direction you’re currently moving, whatever conversation you’re currently having, whatever road you’ve retreated down.

Respond: Where are you walking away from Jesus’s purpose of presence right now? What disappointment, what grief, what dashed hope is pulling you toward your own version of Emmaus?

Name the road away from Jesus honestly. Then remember: this is exactly the road that the disciples traveled when He drew near. He did not come later, when they had sorted everything out. Right there, in the middle of their retreat. Jesus came walking on the disciples’ wrong-direction road.

This account gives you permission to identify the specific thing that’s causing you to retreat from faith or hope or belief in God’s work in your life. This account also gives you permission to talk to Jesus about the specifics that are troubling you. Don’t wait until you’re heading back the right way. Tell Him where you actually are. He will walk with you.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, I confess that there are aspects of my life that indicate I’m on a wrong-direction road right now. When disappointments have come. When difficulties seem overwhelming. When hopes are dashed. I have walked away with the sense that my troubles are more near than you. But You drew near to two disciples heading the wrong way—and You walked with them. Draw near to me. Walk with me here, on this road, at the pace I need, in the conversations I am having with others and with myself. Help me to talk to you now about what’s troubling me and not wait until I’m going the right direction. Meet me here. In Your name, Amen.