Third Sunday of Easter Year A 2014
St. Luke’s, Burnt River, Christ Church, Bobcaygeon
What must it have been like that first Easter day for followers of Jesus? Fear, uncertainty, despair, confusion.
In last week’s Gospel story from John we hear how on that very day disciples in Jesus inner circle went from all those feeling, to a hope, joy and peace through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit by their risen Lord.
From doubting the word of Mary Magdalene and other women who went to find an empty tomb, they encountered Jesus in the upper room, and began the next stage in their journey of faith.
But what about those who were not in the inner circle, the many followers of Jesus who had watched as Jesus was led away to be crucified, and then heard stories of his Resurrection and the empty tomb…but no first hand accounts.
That’s why Luke’s story of Cleopas, only mentioned this once in scripture and an unnamed second man travelling on the road to Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem is so important in understanding the transformation of Christ’s followers into inspired group to preach the Gospel.
The two men were talking about what had happened when they met Jesus. They were discouraged. And somewhat angry when this stranger didn’t seem to know what they were talking about.
“Are you the only one that does not know the things that have taken place in these days?” they ask.
Luke says their eyes were kept from recognizing him.
I can understand that. Sometimes I know someone even by name, as well as recognizing them, but in a place I don’t expect to see them, I don’t recognize them.
So not knowing it is Jesus, they tell him the story of the crucifixion, and empty tomb reports by the women.
Jesus responds somewhat impatiently---how foolish they are not to understand the prophetic background of these events in Hebrew scripture, and proceeds to open the scripture to explain his role as the suffering servant of Israel, the Messiah.
This is an important part of Luke’s teaching throughout his Gospel. Jesus is the Messiah foretold in Hebrew scripture. He’s a Messiah very unlike the one they had possibly looked for, one who would defeat Rome militarily and rule over a return to prosperity for Israel.
Instead of a triumphant Messiah, they had a crucified Messiah, who rose again, to defeat sin and defeat death, not to defeat Rome.
Jesus meets these two men in grief and loss, and patiently lays out the teaching of scripture.
After the teaching, Jesus begins to walk ahead as if to go on without them, before accepting their hospitality.
He breaks bread with them, and in that moment they know he is their Lord and Master. But they did not recognize him until breaking bread with him.
Then Jesus disappears, as quickly as he had joined them.
This story is different from other post Resurrection appearances by Jesus. He appears to two individuals, and this story is not mentioned elsewhere in scripture.
But it is profound because it shows Jesus connecting with us, as we, like the travellers on the Road to Emmaus, travel on the road to life.
Jesus accompanies us, teaches us, and offers us the bread and wine, so we connect with him in a real and tangible way.
God walks alongside us in our confusion, and our doubts, and meets us in word and sacrament to feed both our bodies and our souls.
Hospitality is an important part of meeting Jesus. We can’t keep the good news to ourselves. Like the Emmaus travellers we have to return to Jerusalem, or wherever we live to share the good news.
One of the most dangerous myths in our pluralistic society is that faith is a private matter. It’s sort of like saying politics is a private matter, when the political decisions we make through our votes affect the way our society operates.
Our faith informs everything we do, how we conduct our lives.
This story of the road to Emmaus also helps us understand why we worship with others.
Whenever two or three come together to worship in Christ’s name, they are following the teaching of Jesus.
And we notice as far as our liturgy, our worship goes, that this follows the pattern of our communion service. First the word, the scripture is shared, then the bread and wine are shared in a spirit of hospitality. They we depart to carry the Gospel teachings into our own lives.
A very ancient pattern. Symbol and ritual are an important part of how we live out our faith, corporately, and individually.
I’d like to conclude with a prayer. Lord Jesus, stay with us, be our companion in the way, kindle our hearts and awaken hope, that we may know you as you are revealed in scripture and the breaking of bread. Grant this for the sake of your love. Amen.
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