Loving God, just when Jesus’ disciples thought that all hope had been lost, you surprised them with the presence of the risen Christ. Help us also to recognize Jesus wherever we meet him and to be renewed through those encounters with him; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The two disciples who were walking that road to Emmaus had lost all hope. They had spent the last few years of their lives traveling around with Jesus – listening to him, watching him, learning from him. They believed that Jesus was a prophet, for the mighty deeds and words that came from Jesus undoubtedly originated with God. They had also hoped beyond all hope that Jesus was the Messiah – the one who would restore Israel to its former glory and would reign in Jerusalem as king.

Yet, all of those hopes had come crashing down just two days ago. It seemed beyond all belief, but Jesus – the one whom they had hoped would redeem Israel – had been condemned to death by their own religious leaders and cruelly crucified by the Romans. How could these people have been so blind? Couldn’t they see how God was at work through Jesus? And there went their hope for a redeemer.

It was all so hard to believe, and now they were asking if they had been wrong about Jesus, too. Had they just wasted several years of their lives following somebody who had amounted to nothing? Of course, they also had lots of questions about why Jesus’ body was missing from the tomb. The women claimed to have seen a vision of angels who said that Jesus was alive. But really – how likely was that? They were pretty sure it was probably wishful thinking on the part of the women.

And so, as they are slowly walking that long road to Emmaus, these are the things that they are discussing. Grief and disappointment and hopelessness are hanging over them as they plod along. And so, lost in thought, they barely notice as a stranger joins them and walks with them. Yet, the stranger engages them in conversation and asks them what they have been discussing along the way. So they lay out for him what has taken place during the past three days, and they tell him about their lost hopes and dreams that had been put to death with Jesus on the cross.

It is then that the stranger starts to raise some questions for them from the pages of Scripture. He points out some of the passages that talk about God’s suffering servant who would bear the sins of many. He points out how the Messiah would be treated with abuse and scorn. He lifts up for them some of the passages that talk about the events that they had just witnessed – like the king who rides into Jerusalem humbly on a donkey, or the servant who is led away like a lamb and never says a word. He lifts up for them these passages and others and probably finishes up with the promise from the Psalms that the body of God’s holy one would not decay in the grave (Ps. 16:9-10).

As the disciples listen to these things, hope begins to be rekindled within them. They begin to think that maybe they weren’t all wrong, and maybe Jesus could be the long-awaited Messiah. They begin to see the events of the past week in a new light and to focus on the Scriptures rather than on their own grief. The discussion continues all the way to Emmaus, and their imaginations have been awakened enough that they want to continue discussing these things with the stranger. So, they invite him to come in and stay with them, for already sunset is approaching.

The stranger comes in with them, and they continue their discussion as they prepare for the evening meal. However, once they are sitting at the table, the stranger takes some bread, blesses it, breaks it and gives it to them. In these simple actions, their memories are stirred, and the blinders fall from their eyes. They know in that instant that this is not a stranger, but Jesus. And as soon as they recognize him, he vanishes from their sight.

It seems to be only then that they realize that their hearts had been burning within them as they had talked with him on the road. More specifically, their hearts had been strangely warmed as Jesus had opened the scriptures to them. Totally excited by this experience and needing to tell their friends in Jerusalem, they leave that same hour for the long journey back. They find the other disciples are all gathered together and are already filled with wonder as Simon Peter has reported seeing the risen Lord. Undoubtedly the excitement grows as these disciples, too, share their experience of meeting Jesus on the road and of how he had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread.

Significantly, it is in the Word and in the Meal that Jesus is made known to them. It is also interesting that proper understanding was not required in order for them to have table fellowship with Jesus. Instead, the understanding came later. Meanwhile, how is it that Jesus is made known to us? Is it also in the Word and in the Meal? Do we recognize Jesus when he is right there, walking with us? Do we recognize him in our midst when we are gathered together in his name? Do we recognize Jesus when he is hungry or thirsty or alone? Do we recognize Jesus when another person ministers to us in the name of Christ?

Sometimes it is in the smallest of things that we see evidence of God at work in our lives and in the world. For me, this was one of those weeks where it was very difficult to write a sermon. I still had no idea what I was going to write when I checked my e-mail yesterday morning and saw a message there from a colleague in Alberta. For some unknown reason, he had decided to send me his sermon for today. There was no explanation attached, and I hadn’t heard from him for a very long time.

I read it, of course, wondering if there was something in there that I could use. As it turns out, there wasn’t, but simply reading it gave me enough inspiration to be able to write something. For me, that small act of somebody sending me e-mail was evidence of God at work in the world. In that small thing, I saw the Spirit of Jesus at work.

Ultimately, today’s gospel is for all those who have ever walked in darkness and grief, feeling as though all hope has been lost. When we are in that situation and trying to make sense of everything, Jesus meets us on the road, and walks with us, and enters into conversation with us about our hopes and our dreams and the message of the Scriptures. He reveals himself to us in those Scriptures, and even in the breaking of the bread. And then our eyes are opened, and we realize that Jesus has been with us all along, even when we couldn’t see him.

May we worship this day with open eyes and open hearts, eager to gather at the table with the one who died but is risen, and who continues to come to us in love. Amen.

Easter 3(A) Luke 24:13-35
April 6, 2008
St. Luke’s Zion Lutheran Church
Pastor Lynne Hutchison Moore

© 2008 Lynne Hutchison Moore All Rights Reserved