Nothing Changed, Everything's Different

Apr 16
3 min read

A raw, candid, cinematic photograph taken at eye-level in a slightly messy but lived-in urban kitchen or breakroom at dawn. A young black woman, dressed in common lounge wear, sits alone at a simple table, head slightly in her hands, with a utility bill in one hand. Soft, hazy golden light filters through a window behind her, casting long, peaceful shadows that contrast with her posture. Across the table, just outside the focal plane, is a diverse, blurred crowd (perhaps other housemates moving in and out). A figure (face totally obscured by focus and light, perhaps just a simple sleeve) is actively breaking a loaf of plain supermarket bread. The camera focuses sharply on her eyes looking up, capturing the exact, transformative split-second when her weary expression is breaking into profound, wide-eyed relief and a 'feeling of familiar love.' — Created using Gemini

30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him, and he vanished from their sight. 32 They said to each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?" 33 That same hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem, and they found the eleven and their companions gathered together. 34 They were saying, "The Lord has risen indeed, and he has appeared to Simon!" 35 Then they told what had happened on the road and how he had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread. (Luke 24:30-35)

This week's reading skips back in time slightly - to before Thomas had the opportunity to see the risen savior for himself. Two other disciples had left the group - perhaps at the same time that Thomas left the upper room. But these two headed home. So disappointed, and so convinced that there was no point in sticking around, they began the seven mile trek from Jerusalem to Emmaus. But, as they were walking and discussing everything that had happened, Jesus joined them and asked what they were talking about. They didn't recognize him. Perhaps their grief, mixed with their certainty in the finality of the situation, blinded them to the possibility of Jesus' presence. Surprised that anyone could not know about Jesus, his ministry and his death, they told Jesus about himself. They even explained how the women went to the tomb, didn't see Jesus' body but encountered an angel saying that Jesus was alive. Astounded by their lack of faith and understanding, Jesus explained the scriptures and how everything that had happened had been necessary for God's redemptive purpose. The formerly dispirited disciples were now so keen to hear more that they invited this "stranger" to dinner. As soon as Jesus broke the bread, they realized who he was - and he was gone. They immediately ran all the way back to Jerusalem and the upper room, no longer hopeless but filled with joy. Nothing had changed, but everything was different!

How often do we allow disappointment to dampen our hope, to blind us to possibility? God is always working. Even if our circumstances are difficult, we have hope for a new day, a new opportunity, a new start. Change can happen in an instant or over time. While God's purpose may not match our desire, we are assured that God's will is always better than our own. It's alright to mourn what feels like loss, as long as we stay open to the new that God is doing. If it's not good yet, then God's not done. As long as we have life, we have hope!

4 I sought the Lord, and he answered me;

he delivered me from all my fears.

5 Those who look to him are radiant;

their faces are never covered with shame.

6 This poor man called, and the Lord heard him;

he saved him out of all his troubles.

7 The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him,

and he delivers them.

8 Taste and see that the Lord is good;

blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.

(Psalm 34:4-8)

Enjoy this original song by yours truly.