Eye Openers

3rd Sunday Easter

Luke. 24:13-35

"Eye Openers"

13* That very day two of them were going to a village named 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 together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them.

16* But their eyes were kept from recognizing him.

17* And he said to them, “What is this conversation which you are holding with each other as you walk?” And they stood still, looking sad.

18* Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?”

19* And he said to them, “What things?” And they said to him, “Concerning 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 rulers delivered him up 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 this happened.

22* Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning

23 and did not find his body; and they came back saying that they had even 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 him they did not see.”

25* And he said to them, “O foolish men, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken!

26* Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?”

27* And beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.

28* So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He appeared to be going further,

29* but they constrained him, saying, “Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent.” So he went in to stay with them.

30* When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed, and broke it, and gave it to them.

31* And their eyes were opened and they recognized him; and he vanished out of their sight.

32* They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the scriptures?”

33* And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven gathered together and those who were with them,

34* who said, “The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!”

35 Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread. RSV

Grace and peace to you from our risen saviour, Jesus who is the Christ. amen

Our gospel lesson this, morning is the well known story of the two followers of Jesus who journey to Emmaus on Easter evening discussing the events of the 3 previous days. As one reads this lesson, one is struck with how different moods are in this .story.

In the beginning of story, the mood of these two men is one of being downcast and of being in despair. When the stranger approaches them and asks them what they are talking about, the text says they stand still, and,looking sad they explain to this stranger what has happened. These men were sad because of friend of theirs, Jesus ~ Nazareth had been crucified and lay moldering in a tomb, they believed.

’They were sad because they believed this man was a special person; one who might have come from God. I imagine they thought about all the miracles Jesus did, all the people he healed, all the perplexing ,questions he confronted the scribes and pharisees with, all the statement he made about being the Son of Man. They were sad because they had traveled with this man for some 3years, they got to know.. him real well. They saw him cry when a mutual. friend Lazarus ,died.

They saw him enjoy himself at a party for a bride and groom. He even made more wine for the party so that the groom would not be feel bad because he had not planned ahead for so many people. ’They saw him become angry, with a righteous angry at the deplorable things that were going on in the temple in God’s name. He.became so angry at all the corruption, that he threw over tables and chased out those who were cheating the people. Yes, these men were sad because their friend who they had come to know real well was dead, they would not have his friendship any longer.