Sermon - 2020 - 04-26

Luke 24:13-35 New International Version (NIV)

On the Road to Emmaus

13 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.

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 the only one visiting Jerusalem who does 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 they did not see Jesus.”

25 He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Did not the Messiah 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.

28 As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on 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?”

33 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.

Today’s gospel is one that we can relate to.  Now over and over again, Christians declare that we are an Easter people.  We declare the risen savior and Lord Jesus Christ to be the one whom we worship.  However, it is gospels like this today, that reminds us that even though we are disciples.  People who have been on this journey with Jesus Christ year after year.  There are times that something that is right before us, we still can not see or realize what God is doing among us.  

Many of us find ourselves just like the disciples today.  They are going about their lives and in the midst of it.  A major event happened.  The death of their teacher, the prophet and the man whom they looked to as the savior of the world that would bring them back into their relationship with God, and everything would be right in the world.  Now that Jesus had died, what would be left for them and this world.  Those same disciples had heard from Jesus that he would face death and even the disciples themselves would abandon him.  Even knowing all of this, the disciples had fear and doubt when Jesus died.  Their fear and doubt were greater than the faith that they had in Jesus and God to be with the people.  

However, it is in today’s gospel that I want to highlight even further, that when Jesus was standing directly before the two disciples, they did not recognize him.  Jesus was speaking to them about God, Scripture, and everything, yet still, they did not connect that Jesus was still among them.  Why would they?  They witnessed Jesus die and knew that he was in the tomb.  However, even when their own friends and disciples told them that Jesus had been raised, they heard it but they did not think that Jesus would be in their life.  

For all us, throughout the world are going through this major event.  An event that has taken our normal life and stopped it.  We were jarred into this current moment.  For many of us then we are experiencing our own moment of wondering what are we going to do next, similar to what the disciples experienced.  However, as Christians, we have disciples account and perhaps even more importantly, this gospel.  We are able to take some time, yes I know you have a little of that you can offer God right now.  During this time, we can actually realize what God is calling us to do and be part of.  We have time to realize where God is at work in our lives and in the community that surrounds us.  Jesus is standing right here in the midst of us and we may not even realize it.  

Now please understand that I am not saying this road is easy.  Nor will it happen that you will travel from one place to another and finally be aware of God’s presence in your own life.  No rather, I am reminding you that in the midst of your journey today, this week, this month.  I want you to be aware of what is going on around, who you are encountering, who you are making time for, and realizing the valuable lesson of what is essential in your life.  That as we walk on this journey of life and faith, we are surrounded by great people that help us grow and understand God.  We have things that can also take us away from God, including our own self.  

So today or sometime this week, go for a walk outside.  On your journey spend some time with God and also listen to beauty that does surround you.  Take some time to cherish those you are with.  Become aware of the impact that you have or can have on others to share God’s Love, Grace, and Mercy.  For we are an Easter people, Christ is Risen.  Now go and tell those who need to hear it, including your very self.  Amen.