The Road to Emmaus Easter 3 April 6, 2008 Rev. Michael A. Trask Luke 24:13-35
Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from recognizing him. (v.13-16) For me, this is perhaps one of the most gripping sections of scripture. It’s filled with dramatic irony. No matter how many times I read it, it always puts my heart on edge. I really feel for these guys on the road to Emmaus. Jesus is right there with them and they don’t know it! Have you ever been to the movies and you know something that one of the characters doesn’t know, and you want to just shout it out. “Don’t open that door!” “Don’t trust him, he’s a bad guy!” “Can’t you see that she loves you!” Of course this doesn’t happen in Minnesota because we are too polite, but in some theaters in some parts of the country people do shout such things at the movies. That’s kind of what I want to do, when I read this story About the Emmaus disciples. And, of course, that’s what makes it so thoroughly engaging for me. Look at how sad they are when there’s really no reason to be sad. Jesus catches up to them on the road and asks “What are you guys talking about?” They stop in their tracks with their faces downcast, sullen, tired, withered. One of them, I guy named Cleopas, spoke up in an authoritative, almost accusatory tone “are you the only visitor to Jerusalem and you do not know what has happened there.” Oh, Can you feel it? Can you feel the dramatic irony washing over you? “Cleopas!” I want to shout at the movie screen! “Of course he knows! He was the only visitor to Jerusalem who had complete knowledge of what happened there because it happened to him. ” But hold on! It get’s even better! The tension builds even more! The Lord encourages the two men to go on and explain what they mean. They proceed to recount all the doleful details of the demise of Jesus: His arrest, his death sentence, his crucifixion and now his missing body. Oh, and then they say “We had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel?” Oh man! I want to shout again! “You had hoped he was the one who would redeem Israel?......Hoped? He is the one and the proof of it is right with you: risen, victorious, walking beside you!” I almost can’t stand it anymore! Apparently neither can Jesus, He says to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow at heart to believer all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Christ have to suffer these things THEN enter his glory?” And then with the old testament scriptures he explains it to them. Now it may sound as if he was a bit harsh with them by calling them foolish and slow, but they didn’t take it that way. As Matter of fact, they couldn’t get enough of his teaching, there was just something about him, that led them to desire his continueing presence. Of course you and I know what that something is and the fact that they don’t is just killing us! But hang in there, relief is in sight, the irony of the situation is about to be resolved. He goes with them to the inn; He sits down at the table He takes bread; he gives thanks; and breaks it. We don’t know exactly what it was that helped them come on line; perhaps it was the way he prayed, for they were disciples and they had heard him pray many times before; perhaps it was the manner in which he broke the bread that jogged their recognition. Whatever it was they suddenly they recognized him! And as soon as they recognized him, he disappeared. But this was not a bummer for them. They looked at each other like two kids on a Christmas morning just before they are allowed to get to the presents. “Didn’t our hearts burn within us as he opened the scriptures to us?”, they said with no small amount of wonder and excitement. And even though they had finished making a reasonably long journey, and it was evening they just had to get back to Jerusalem and tell the eleven! Excitedly they went back and told them how true it was that Jesus had risen. What do you suppose it was that kept them from recognizing Jesus? The language is not clear. But I tend to think it was they themselves that did it. They were so engrossed by the horrible scenes of the Friday that Jesus died. To them the reality was that Jesus was put to death and that was it. The crucifixion of their teacher was firmly etched in their minds...they couldn’t see anything else; even when it was right in front of them. And we know about this don’t we? Are there not times that we become so deeply engrossed in the broken realities of this world that we cannot see anything else much less our Lord? Are there not times when our hearts are so overflowing with sadness, or guilt,, or anger, or depression that we cannot see beyond it? We say “Everything is so mixed up, so dark , so screwy and so hopeless if only the Lord would truly take care of me.” Meanwhile, risen Jesus stands before us with arms wide saying “come to me you who are weary and and heavy laden and I will give you rest.” Can’t you just feel the irony washing over you? Oh How I want to shout into your movie screen! Actually, that’s what Jesus has called me to do. That’s what I’m doing right now. What happens I think is that sometimes problems loom so large that folks just can’t see past them. “Where is Jesus?” They wonder “Where is he?, Why isn’t he helping me? “What good is it if I am his follower?” And what would Jesus say in response to this? We have his words actually. He’d say “Don’t you remember when I said “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” “My dear dear friend, as a child of God you might be called to endure suffering for a time, even as I was! But please don’t despair, “Be faithful unto death and I will give you the crown of life.” “I was dead, and behold, I am alive forever.” “because I live, you will live too” “You will not be disappointed with what I have in store for you!” This is what he has been saying to you? Where? In his his word. Let his holy Spirit “open the scriptures” for you so that your heart will begin to “burn within you”. Get involved in studying your bible. Studying your bible by yourself, and studying it with your fellow Christians which will go a long way toward opening your eyes. Jesus has promised to be present and working in the word of God. Jesus has promised to be present in his church. Jesus has promised to be present in your life by your baptism. He has promised to be present in the Lord’s supper. He’s everywhere around you; walking in our midst. Even working through your fellow Christian. For we are altogether, the body of Christ. I guess you can see why I like this account of the Emmaus disciples so much! It’s where we live and its who we are. As we walk the road of life, Jesus walks with us, if we care to notice. It’s horribly, and even painfully ironic when we don’t, but profoundly meaningful and fulfilling when we do. It would make sense, don’t you think, to look for him in those places where he has promised to be? AMEN |
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