Luke 24:13-35 5/03/2020
13 Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, 14 and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. 15 While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, 16 but their eyes were kept from recognizing him. 17 And he said to them, “What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?” They stood still, looking sad. 18 Then one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place there in these days?” 19 He asked them, “What things?” They replied, “The things about Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, 20 and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be condemned to death and crucified him. 21 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 took place. 22 Moreover, some women of our group astounded us. They were at the tomb early this morning, 23 and when they did not find his body there, they came back and told us that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who said that he was alive. 24 Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but they did not see him.” 25 Then he said to them, “Oh, how foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared! 26 Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?” 27 Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures.
28 As they came near the village to which they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going on. 29 But they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over.” So he went in to stay with them. 30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight. 32 They said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?” 33 That same hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven and their companions gathered together. 34 They were saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and he has appeared to Simon!” 35 Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread.
The road to Emmaus- the journey with our risen Lord. Two followers, one named Cleopas, on the day Jesus arose from the dead, walked along a road. Jesus fell in with them as they walked. This happened casually, naturally and they journeyed on. But they were unable to see Jesus because they were so focused on the tragic events of the day. Their world was turned upside down. They had thought Jesus was the Messiah, but he had been crucified. They had heard rumors he was alive, but how could that be? Fear, worry, disbelief were their travel companions. They hoped for so much but now nothing seemed possible.
Stood Still, looking Sad.
Jesus entered their world by asking them a question, and the disciples’ response? They stood still, looking sad. I don’t know about you, but I kinds feel that way right now. I feel like our nation is standing still, that the journey of life that we have been on, is now stopped. Our life journey has been filled with socializing, gardening, walking, working, shopping, dining, relaxing and volunteering. But all of that has stopped or changed. We are standing still. We call it sheltering in place, but it is the same. (Standing still affords us the opportunity to listen, listen to ourselves, our family, and for God. Yes, standing still means we have stopped moving forward, but we also can listen more deeply.) Forward motion has ceased, and we are standing still and looking sad. Sad for all the people who have lost their lives to Covid 19 and the families and friend who are grieving each one of them. Sad for the communities hardest hit, like New York City and places in the Midwest. Sad that states are opening before we are ready. It still feels surreal because I do not know anyone who has died, but the grief is felt and lingering. Much like the grief those two disciples felt. We also are walking a journey, this journey called Covid 19, and we might not yet be able to recognize Jesus is right here with us on the path. He joined us casually, naturally because Jesus knows we need him right now. Jesus is with us in our fear, worry and disbelief. He is accompanying us. You might not recognize him just yet, but he is here.
Sometimes it takes a journey, a trial, for us to see Jesus present with us. Maybe it is the new experiences of wearing masks in the grocery store, or our longing to hug our family, or the trust we have in keeping our distance that helps us to be open to seeing our Lord. Jesus has fallen into step with you, walking with you on this journey. His presence helps us to have hope, to trust, to wait and keep our distance, because we feel his presence even in our isolation.
Hearts Burn and Invited Him In
Before the disciples recognized him, two things happened: their hearts burned, and they invited Jesus to stay. We have been talking about hearts this entire Easter season, Peace as the heart of the matter and heart of the church, the ecclesia, as we get back to the practices of the early church, even with new technology. Today the disciple’s hearts burned as Jesus interpreted the scriptures to them. At first, I envisioned Jesus offering a bible study on the Old Testament, but that misses the point. What made their hearts burn was the Spirit moving in them as Jesus showed them how all of scripture is about life emerging from death. One commentator wrote, life emerging from death is “the fundamental pattern of the biblical saga. From the original chaos God creates life. From the slavery of Egypt comes freedom and a homeland. From destruction of exile comes a renewed people” (Feasting on the Word, A2, p. 423). Jesus places his suffering death into this context knowing that it ends with his glory. Their sadness is transformed by Jesus’ risen glory! Then Jesus shows them he is now alive! Once again life emerges from death. That God is more powerful than death. Life prevails even when all things feel hopeless. Their hearts burn as the revelation of their risen Lord dawns upon them, affirming that grace, hope and life are stronger than anything we fear.
The fullness of the revelation only came after they invited Jesus to stay with them. They opened their hearts to this stranger in hospitality, only to discover that Jesus was present with them all along the journey. Jesus is with you on your journey. We too get to invite Jesus into our hearts, on this journey we are on Covid 19. Jesus is present with you, even in your isolation. Invite him to stay in your heart. Your prayer might be as simple as, “Jesus I need you right now, I open myself and my heart to you. Jesus please stay.”
Open Eyes in the Breaking of the Bread
Jesus stayed; Jesus joined them. Jesus our risen Lord, gathered with them at table. Such a natural thing, breaking bread after a long journey. But breaking bread this time satisfied more than their physical hunger; it opened their eyes to the presence of their risen Lord. Harkening back to the words Jesus used feeding the five thousand, and in the upper room; words we often say, “Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it and gave it to them.” Jesus takes the bread that is on hand, and, in the blessing and in the breaking, new life and new eyes are offered. His concealment is over, the sacred memory of the heart is rekindled, the wellspring of hope bubbles and gurgles again. Full revelation of who Jesus is and what his death and resurrection mean comes at the meal. Breaking of the bread is a moment when eternity invades time.
We will soon break bread together. Taking common bread, and simple fruit of the vine, joined by the Holy Spirit we share in the sacred meal, sacred memory. May our fears, worries and disbelief all melt away. May our eyes be opened to the presence of our risen Lord in the breaking of the bread. May we pray, “Open the eyes of my heart Lord, I want to see you.”
Jesus has journeyed with us throughout this time, but maybe we have not seen him.
We see the 24/7 Covid news reports.
We see the same four walls of our homes.
But may we, like the two disciples, have new vision to see our savior right here with us. A Savior who died and rose that we might be united in this time. For the revelation of Jesus as risen, as your Lord, is the ultimate expression of God’s Love and Power. The breaking of the bread is a rich symbol of our community’s life with Christ and our mission in his name.
May God pour out his power and love upon us as we break bread in our homes.
May we continue to pray, “Open the eyes of my heart Lord, I want to see you.” Amen.
