Slow of Heart to Believe

While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. And he said to them, “What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?” And they stood still, looking sad. Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” And he said to them, “What things?” And they said to him, “Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened. Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning, and when they did not find his body, they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.” And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. (Luke 24:15-27)

Some followers of Jesus walked the road to Emmaus, trying to make sense of everything that had happened. Their words were filled with facts: Jesus' ministry, His crucifixion, the empty tomb, and even the strange report from the women who claimed He was alive. They had all the information—but still, they were discouraged, confused, and slow to believe.

As they talked and reasoned together, Jesus Himself came near but they didn’t recognize Him. And as He asked them what they were discussing, they poured out their disappointment, their bewilderment, and their hopes dashed. The hard truth is, they knew the Scriptures, they had heard Jesus’ own words, and yet, their faith hadn’t yet connected with what they knew.

How often are we just like them?

We gather facts, quote verses, and try to make sense of God’s ways through discussion and analysis. But there’s a danger in circling through facts without bringing faith into it. Understanding can be helpful—but it’s not a substitute for believing.

The resurrection is one of the most powerful moments in all of history, and yet it’s also one of the greatest mysteries. How did it happen? What exactly took place in those unseen hours between death and life? We may never fully understand it, and we don’t have to, because our faith isn’t grounded in our ability to comprehend – our faith is grounded in the truth that it did happen, and in the One who made it so.

Jesus gently rebuked the disciples, saying, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken!” The problem wasn’t a lack of evidence – it was a lack of faith. They had been waiting for everything to make sense, when what they really needed was to trust the Word of God.

Beyond Our Capacity

In our modern world, we often feel pressure to understand every detail – especially when it comes to matters of faith. But some things God has done, and still does, goes beyond our capacity to fully explain and understand. Miracles don’t always follow human logic, grace doesn’t fit into equations, and the resurrection – while historically attested and spiritually powerful – is still a divine mystery that we accept by faith.

As Paul wrote in Romans 6:5, “For if we have been united with Him in a death like His, we shall certainly be united with Him in a resurrection like His.” We may not understand how resurrection works, but we believe that because Jesus was raised, we too will be raised because God has promised it.

Let’s not be content to walk in circles around the facts. Let’s resolve to move toward deeper faith, believing what God has said even when we don’t fully understand how He’ll bring it about. His peace surpasses understanding, so let’s press in by faith and have our hearts and minds guarded by the peace of God.