Easter 2021
The Road to Emmaus
There seemed to be a lot more drama surrounding the death of Jesus – earthquakes, curtains being torn at the Temple, darkness covered the earth. The resurrection was done quietly without any witnesses to the actual moment of resurrection.
Death can be dramatic, but sometimes hope is hidden.
Luke 24:13-32 NIV
“Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. 14 They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. 15 As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; 16 but they were kept from recognizing him.
Talked and Discussed – Greek – “conversing and disputing”
Jesus joins them on their journey.
V.17 He asked them, "What are you discussing together as you walk along?" They stood still, their faces downcast. 18 One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, "Are you only a visitor to Jerusalem and do not know the things that have happened there in these days?" 19 "What things?" he asked. "About Jesus of Nazareth," they replied. "He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. 20 The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; 21 but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. 22 In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning 23 but didn't find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. 24 Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see."
They had downcast faces and dashed hopes because Jesus had disappointed them.
What if God turns out to be different than we’ve imagined? What if God does things differently than we’ve imagined?
There were two prominent theories about the Messiah:
He would be a military/political leader who would defeat the Romans and establish Israel as a geo-political nation state.
He would be a spiritual Messiah who would turn the hearts of people back to God.
V.25 He said to them, "How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?" 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.
• The continuously articulate Scriptures – Hebrews 4 – “the word of God is living and active – “sharper than any double edged sword - it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart
V.28 As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus acted as if he were going farther. 29 But they urged him strongly, "Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over." So he went in to stay with them. 30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. 32 They asked each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?"
Why was Jesus breaking the bread?
The guest had become the host!
Jesus may be your guest today, but he wants to be host.
Third time that Luke uses this language – Feeding of the 5000, Passover, and now here:
Blessed it. Broke it. Gave it.
Their eyes were opened by hearing the Scriptures and receiving the Sacraments.
I came here today to tell you this story but it is only by the work of the Holy Spirit that spiritual eyes can be opened.
He wants to give us a new way of seeing – a holy imagination.
The greatest miracle today is when we recognize Jesus in our lives.
Jesus is here today to join us on the journey and at the table.
Luke 24:33-35 NIV
“They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together 34 and saying, "It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon." 35 Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.”
