The Seven Mile Sermon
Luke 24:13-32
When I started in the ministry the normal length of a sermon was about 40 minutes and we did that at least twice on a Sunday. It seems that as preachers grow older, they get shorter, and their sermons get shorter as well.
But here in Luke 24 Jesus preaches a seven-mile sermon or it you have converted to metric Jesus preached a 12 kilometers sermon. He walked to one of the suburbs of Jerusalem with a couple of his followers to a little town called Emmaus.
Emmaus was a little village just west of Jerusalem. These two disciples had been in Jerusalem for the Passover when tragedy struck. Their leader had been crucified. Now they are making their way back home with broken hearts and weary steps.
We are given the name of one of the disciples – Cleopes. As far as we know this man was Jesus’ uncle – Joseph’s brother. Presuming that Cleopes was traveling with his wife the other disciple would be Jesus’ aunt, a woman by the name of Mary.
So here they are Uncle Cleopes and Aunt Mary drudging their way home. And Jesus drew near. Aren’t you glad that Jesus draws near to us in our sorrow, in our times of disappointment, in the hour of brokenness, He comes? We do not always recognize him, but He is with us just as surely as He was with these broken-hearted disciples on the road to Emmaus.
So, Jesus drew near. He listened. They poured out their grief. They talked about Jesus of Nazareth – prophet, sentenced to death, crucified, hopes dashed. Jesus listens, it’s like listening to your own obituary. Jesus listens for a long time and then he speaks.
One of the things they teach you in homiletics and public speaking courses is to build bridges with the people you’re speaking to. Right away when you stand to speak - build a bridge. Don’t say anything to offend.
So, what does Jesus say to begin his discourse? You fools! How can you be so dull? You’re not too swift! Apparently, Jesus had never taken a course on how to win friends and influence people. He plunges in.
You’re foolish if you think I’m a stranger in Jerusalem.
• Do you recall when the great Temple of Solomon was built? I was there. I am no stranger to Jerusalem.
• Do you remember when Abraham and Isaac came to Jerusalem to worship, long before there were walls or streets or houses. I was there. Before Abraham was I am. I am no stranger to Jerusalem.
• Do you recall when the sun first dawned over these Judean hills and valleys? I was there. Have you climbed Mount Zion and Mount Moriah? I formed them with the word of my power. In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God. I am no stranger in Jerusalem.
Nor am I a stranger in Kelowna. I know all about your mayor, your councilmen. I know your churches, your schools and university. I know your parks and lakes. I am no stranger to this city. You’re a fool if you think I am a stranger to Kelowna. As a matter of fact, I know what is going on in Willow Terrace. I know what is happening in your life. I know all about you: Your thoughts afar off; your dreams and aspirations; your fears, your good works. I know it all. You’re a fool if you think I’m a stranger around here.
You’re also foolish if you think I’m only a prophet.
I am a prophet – that’s true - but if that is all you think I am think again. I am also God come in the flesh. I am the Revelation of the Love of God come down to earth. I am the Holy Messiah of the Jews and the Saviour of the world. I am the second person of the Holy Trinity – God from God, light from light. Eternally begotten of the Father.
Be careful with the prophet talk. Even the Muslims and the Bhai say that much. Don’t settle for thinking that I am only a prophet.
You’re foolish if you think the Cross was a defeat.
Don’t you understand that because of the Cross we have free access into God’s presence? Don’t you grasp that because of the Cross we have forgiveness of all our sins? Don’t you realize that because of the Cross we are justified, we are sanctified, we are glorified. Don’t you see that the Cross is good? Don’t you know that the day of my crucifixion will forever be called Good Friday. How can you be so down in the mouth over the cross? How foolish if you think the cross was a defeat.
You’re foolish if you think Jesus Christ Failed to redeem His people
How can you say: we had hoped that He was the one who was going to redeem Israel? If you think of salvation in physical, political terms only then you are dull indeed. If you think Rome is your worse enemy, then you are not too swift. If you think Jesus Christ failed to redeem His people because he did not conquer Rome, then you are foolish indeed.
Let me tell you why it was necessary for Christ to suffer and die. And then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Old Testament concerning himself.
Jesus Christ is the Key to Understanding the Old Testament
Jesus is the theme of the Old Testament. One cannot possibly understand the Old Testament until they see Jesus on every page.
• In Genesis He is the Seed of the Woman.
• In Exodus He is the Passover Lamb.
• In Leviticus He is the Great High Priest.
• In Numbers He is the Serpent in the Wilderness.
• In Deuteronomy He is the rock of our Salvation.
• In Joshua he is the Captain of the Lord’s Hosts
• In Judges He is the Angel of the Lord.
• In Ruth He is the Kinsman Redeemer.
• In 1 and 2 Samuel, 1 & 2 Kings, and 1 and 2 Chronicles He is the True King of Israel.
• In Job He is my redeemer
• In Psalms my shepherd.
• In Proverbs my Wisdom.
• In Ecclesiastes my reason for living
• In the Song of Solomon, He’s my lover.
• In the Prophets He is Wonderful, Councilor, Prince of Peace, the Mighty God, the everlasting Father.
How foolish to read the Old Testament and not see Jesus.
Thus, the 12-kilometer conversation ended. The listener’s hearts were strangely warmed. They invited the stranger to stay for dinner. Aunt Mary scurried around. Got something together. Called the men to the table.
When He was at the table with them, he took the bread, give thanks, broke it and their eyes were opened.
What was it that caused these two disciples to recognized Jesus all of a sudden? Could it be that when he lifted his hands to bless the bread, they saw the nail scars? Or was it the way He broke and blessed the bread? Or was it a divine Revelation?
We may never know; I do know He would reveal himself to us. In the breaking of the Bread; in the proclamation of the Word, in the passing of the peace, In the hymns of joy and worship, in the prayers of the people, in the scattered conversations of wisdom and love, He would whisper how much he loves us. He would take our burdened hearts and transform them into burning hearts. He would reveal Himself and set us on our way rejoicing.
Our Father, we would see Jesus. We would see him in the beauty of the Bible; we would see him in the Eucharist, we would see him in homeless person; we would see him in our brothers and sisters. Take from us dullness of vision and slowness of mind.
Help us to take comfort in the fact that Jesus draws close to us this morning: In our grief, in our disappointments, in our pain and in our joy.
We rejoice in Jesus Christ our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
