Jesus Meets Two Devastated Disciples After His Resurrection  LUKE 24:13-35

Phase 1: Probing The Problem

A. Build a relationship / rapport  v15  

Jesus  (a) came alongside the two disciples and (b) walked with them.
They were too preoccupied with their grief to notice or recognise him.  
Expect the person to be preoccupied with his/her problem

B. Ask Appropriate Questions vv17-19

v17      Jesus asked them: “What are you discussing ?”
v19      “What things ?” Jesus asked.

Notice how Jesus asks open-ended questions which enable the pair to get in touch with the emotions of anger and despair at the death of their hero. The irony of course is that Jesus - their hero and source of their despair - is standing right beside them, but they are too wrapped up in their grief to notice.

Don’t be put off by the other person’s emotional response. Jesus is not fazed by their emotional outburst of anger. At times the bereaved person will lash out at those nearest them and it is easy to feel as if s/he is angry with you. It's important to realise that the anger is not at you but at the loss of the person who has died. You just happen to be a convenient outlet on which to vent these powerful feelings!

C. Listen Carefully  vv19-24

Give the person the opportunity to express a. his/her feelings b. the reason(s) why s/he is feeling like this. Give the person time and don’t interrupt. Jesus just lets them vent all their anger and despair without interrupting the flow. All their shattered hope and anger pours out as they tell him - the centre of the story - everything that had happened, as if he were a visitor from outer space! But Jesus doesn't interrupt them or try to reason with them - he just listens to them as they pour out their pain.