The Sundays after Easter gently teach us that the resurrection of Jesus Christ is not only an event to be believed but a presence to be experienced. Easter proclaims that Christ is risen; the weeks that follow reveal how the risen Christ walks with his people. The theme for this third Sunday after Easter – “Risen Lord: The Co-traveller” – invites us to recognize the nearness of Christ in the journeys of life. Human life itself is a journey marked by hope and disappointment, clarity and confusion, courage and fear. Often we long for God’s presence not in distant glory, but in the ordinary paths we walk each day. The biblical witness assures us that God does not merely wait for us at the destination; God walks with us on the way. From Moses’ plea for God’s presence, through the psalmist’s confidence, to Paul’s missionary perseverance, and finally to the Emmaus road, Scripture proclaims a God who accompanies God’s people. On this Sunday, we reflect on the risen Christ who comes alongside us – listens to our pain, opens our understanding, strengthens our hearts, and reveals himself in fellowship. Resurrection faith is the assurance that we never walk alone.

I. God’s Presence as the Mark of the Journey (Exodus 33:12–16)

In Exodus 33, Moses stands at a critical moment in Israel’s journey. The people have been redeemed from slavery, yet the road ahead is uncertain. Moses expresses a deep concern: without God’s presence, the journey is meaningless. His prayer is both humble and bold: “If your presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here.” For Moses, success is not measured by progress or possession, but by companionship with God. God’s presence is what distinguishes Israel from all other nations. This passage teaches us that faith is not primarily about reaching a promised land, but about walking with God along the way. In the light of Easter, this prayer finds deeper meaning. The risen Christ is God’s answer to Moses’ longing. In Jesus, God does not merely promise to go with us – God actually walks beside us. Resurrection assures us that divine presence is not withdrawn after suffering or failure. Like Moses, we are invited to depend not on our strength or plans, but on the faithful companionship of the Lord.

II. Confidence on the Journey Because God Walks With Us (Psalm 21)

Psalm 21 is a psalm of thanksgiving and confidence, celebrating God’s saving presence with the king. It acknowledges joy, strength, and blessing as gifts that flow from God’s steadfast support. “For the king trusts in the Lord, and through the steadfast love of the Most High he shall not be moved.” While the psalm speaks in royal language, its message extends to all who place their trust in God. The assurance of God’s presence brings courage and stability. Life’s journey includes challenges, but confidence grows when we know we are not walking alone. Easter faith deepens this confidence. The risen Christ has overcome death itself, the greatest enemy on the journey. Therefore, believers can move forward with hope. Psalm 21 reminds us that joy is not the absence of struggle, but the presence of God. The co-traveling Lord grants strength for each step and joy that flows from trust rather than circumstance.

III. The Risen Lord Who Encourages His Servants in the Journey of Mission (Acts 18:1–11)

Acts 18 presents Paul in Corinth – a challenging and unfamiliar mission field. He faces opposition, rejection, and discouragement. In this vulnerable moment, the Lord speaks to him in a vision: “Do not be afraid, but speak and do not be silent, for I am with you.” This divine assurance transforms Paul’s fear into perseverance. The risen Christ does not remove all difficulties, but he promises presence in the midst of them. Paul remains in Corinth for a year and a half, strengthened by the knowledge that the Lord is with him. Here we see resurrection companionship in action. The risen Lord travels with his servants into places of uncertainty and resistance. Mission is sustained not by human courage alone, but by the abiding presence of Christ. For the Church today, this passage affirms that wherever the Gospel journey leads – into new cultures, difficult conversations, or challenging ministries – the risen Lord walks alongside his people.

IV. The Risen Lord on the Road: From Despair to Recognition (Luke 24:13–33)

The Emmaus road narrative is one of the most beautiful resurrection stories in the Gospels. Two disciples walk away from Jerusalem, burdened with disappointment and shattered hopes. They speak of Jesus in the past tense: “We had hoped…” Their journey is marked by confusion and loss. The risen Jesus comes alongside them, though they do not recognize him. He listens patiently, allows them to express their pain, and then gently opens the Scriptures to reveal God’s redemptive purpose. Their hearts begin to burn as understanding dawns. Recognition comes not on the road, but at the table – when Jesus breaks the bread. Suddenly their eyes are opened, and they realize that the stranger is the risen Lord. Though he vanishes from their sight, his presence remains alive within them. The key verse captures this transformation: “Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road?” Resurrection faith is born in companionship, nurtured by Scripture, and confirmed in fellowship. The co-traveller becomes the living Lord who sends them back with renewed purpose and joy.

Conclusion

The message of this third Sunday after Easter is both comforting and empowering: the risen Lord walks with us. From Moses’ prayer for God’s presence, through the psalmist’s confidence, to Paul’s encouragement in mission, and finally to the Emmaus road, Scripture bears witness to a God who journeys with God’s people. The risen Christ is the co-traveller who listens to our questions, strengthens us in fear, opens our understanding, and renews our hope. Even when we do not recognize him, he is near. Even when our hearts are heavy, he walks beside us. As we continue our Easter journey, may our eyes be opened to recognize the risen Lord in our daily paths – in Scripture, in fellowship, and in the breaking of bread. And may our hearts burn with faith as we walk with the One who promises, always and forever, “I am with you.”