He Is the Remedy for Your Problems

“Every problem is an opportunity to prove God's power. Every day we encounter countless golden opportunities, brilliantly disguised as insurmountable problems.”   -C. Swindoll, One Step Forward, Two Steps Back, p. 35.

Depression is one of the most prominent emotional illnesses in the world today. Thousands in the United States alone are hospitalized annually with depression, and even more go untreated. Most people suffer at one time or another with some form of depression. This can range from a minor case of the blues to a severe case of psychosis.

Two of Jesus’ disciples had a case of the blues. They had followed Jesus thinking he was the Messiah promised in the Old Testament. But the crucifixion in Jerusalem shattered their idea of the Messiah. They traveled form Jerusalem to Emmaus, and as they traveled they vented their disappointments. Their demeanor was extremely sad. During the course of their travel, the risen Christ joined them, but they did not recognize him. In a post resurrection appearance Jesus ministered to the mood of these disciples.

How did Jesus accomplish this? He dealt with the disciples’ depression by explaining the Scriptures (Luke 24:27). A clue to overcoming the blues is learning what God says in his Word. The disciples failed to know the Scriptures. An explanation of the events was readily accessible to them in the Old Testament, but their personal prejudices prevented them from understanding God’s Word. Often our despair of life comes from a failure to understand and apply the Scriptures.

Jesus explained the Scriptures to these two sad disciples. He related Old Testament passages to himself, showing them that he is the theme of Scripture that the Old Testament portrayed and anticipated the Messiah. Finding Jesus in the Scriptures is the secret to the Bible’s meaning. Through reading the Bible, we encounter the living Christ. He causes life to make sense. And he can dispel the blues if we trust his word.

But in order for this to happen, we need to increase our intimacy with Christ. Upon closer examination of Jesus’ appearance to the two disciples, on the road to Emmaus, we learn another clue about overcoming the blues. Their despondency did not improve as long as they dwelled on the problem of reconciling the crucifixion with their expectations of the Christ.

However, as the disciples walked and talked, Jesus joined them and contributed to the conversation. His presence challenged their mood. Once they asked the Lord to abide with them, he broke their despondency by having intimate fellowship with them.

Deep despondency can result when we focus on the negative part of life. Rehearsing disappointments over and over causes us continual disturbance. Morbid preoccupation with our problems and disappointments will do us no good. However, if we spend time in conversation with Christ and focus on the Scriptures, he will lift us up.

Now, let’s talk about Christ involves us. Jesus dealt with the disciple’s depression by getting them involved. Instead of turning away from Jerusalem as they had at first, they now returned and told the apostles that the Lord had risen from the dead. We can only guess why their first inclination was to go to the small village of Emmaus. Perhaps they were so disappointed that they were going to get involved in another vocation. But the risen Christ kept them involved for him.

A person’s mood can be sad because of extreme concern over self. These disciples were sad because their hopes had been frustrated. Their vocation seemingly had been eliminated. They became extremely blue because their selfish desired had been thwarted. Modern disciples often get depressed because of a preoccupation with themselves.

Jesus challenged these men to be involved with his ministry by serving others. Psychologists attest that our minds are helped when we get beyond ourselves and help others. Getting involved with the needs of others helps to break the blues.

Finally, maybe you have some real problems in your life today. Perhaps you are frustrated because your dreams have been shattered. You can identify with the sadness of the two disciples traveling to Emmaus. The remedy to their problem was the risen Christ, and he is also the remedy for your problems.

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:19-23; John 15:18-20; 2 Corinthians 11:23-26; 1 Corinthians 10:13; Romans 15:4; Philippians 4:6, 7; Matthew 26:36-46; 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

Prayer: O Lord, in Whom is our hope, remove far from us, we pray Thee, empty hopes and presumptuous confidence. Make our hearts so right with Thy most holy and loving heart, that hoping in Thee we may do good; until that day when faith and hope shall be abolished by sight and possession, and love shall be all in all. Amen

May God be with you,

Alexis