Daily Devotions
Sunday, April 19, 2026
“Who are you who walk in sorrow Down Emmaus’ barren road, Hearts distraught and hope defeated, Bent beneath grief’s crushing load? Nameless mourners, we will join you, We who also mourn our dead; We have stood by graves unyielding, Eaten death’s bare, bitter bread.
“Who is this who joins our journey, Walking with us stride by stride? Unknown Stranger, can You fathom Depths of grief for one who died? Then the wonder! When we told You How our dreams to dust have turned, Then You opened wide the Scriptures Till our hearts within us burned.”
For us, Easter is a time to celebrate, but it was not that way for everyone on the day Jesus rose from the dead. Two of Jesus’ followers walked from Jerusalem to Emmaus that day, and they were not in a mood to celebrate. They had hoped Jesus would redeem Israel, but now He was dead. They heard rumors that women from among Jesus’ followers found the Lord’s tomb open. His body was missing and angels spoke to the women. The two Emmaus travelers did not know what to think. This was not how things were supposed to happen. The Messiah should have led them to glory and triumph over Israel’s enemies! Instead, they were left with suffering and death.
Then a third traveler joined them. It was Jesus Himself, although unrecognized. He explained that everything happened exactly as foretold by the prophets. Jesus asked His fellow travelers, “Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into His glory?” (Luke 24:26). The Messiah came to suffer and die to atone for the sins of the world. Suffering came first and then the glory, as the crucified Lord was raised to life and exalted to reign at the right hand of the Father.
We understand what those two Emmaus travelers experienced. Life does not always go as we expect. We find ourselves walking “down Emmaus’ barren road, hearts distraught and hope defeated.” We experience sorrow at the illness or death of friends or family. Suffering and grief were not in our plans, but Jesus joins us on the difficult road, “walking with us stride by stride.” On the way to Emmaus on that first Easter, the risen Christ explained the Scriptures to the two travelers, showing them how Moses and all the prophets pointed to the suffering and glory of the Messiah. The sorrowful Emmaus travelers found hope in the presence of the risen Lord, and so do we. When we must travel along our own sad pathways, Jesus walks with us. He opens our hearts and minds to the comfort and hope found in His Word and to the promise of resurrection glory still to come.
WE PRAY: Jesus, walk with me down the sorrowful Emmaus roads of my life. Sustain me with the comfort and hope of Your Word. Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Carol Geisler. It is based on the hymn, “Who Are You Who Walk in Sorrow,” which is number 476 in the Lutheran Service Book.
Reflection Questions:
- Have you walked down your own “Emmaus’ barren road” before? How did you get through this difficult time?
- What did Jesus do to help the two travelers in their confusion and grief? See Luke 24:27.
- How does Jesus’ comfort and assistance to the two travelers give us a wonderful example of being there for those who are grieving the death of someone?
Today's Readings:
Judges 13-15Luke 15:1-10
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