St. John’s Lutheran Church, Toluca, IL – 3rd Sunday of Easter
Acts 2:14a, 36-41; Psalm 116:1-4, 12-19; 1 Peter 1:17-23; Luke 24:13-35
Luke 24:13-35
13Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, 14and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. 15While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, 16but their eyes were kept from recognizing him. 17And he said to them, “What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?” They stood still, looking sad. 18Then one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place there in these days?” 19He asked them, “What things?” They replied, “The things about Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, 20and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be condemned to death and crucified him. 21But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things took place. 22Moreover, some women of our group astounded us. They were at the tomb early this morning, 23and when they did not find his body there, they came back and told us that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who said that he was alive. 24Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but they did not see him.” 25Then he said to them, “Oh, how foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared! 26Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?” 27Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures.
28As they came near the village to which they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going on. 29But they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over.” So he went in to stay with them. 30When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. 31Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight. 32They said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?” 33That same hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven and their companions gathered together. 34They were saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and he has appeared to Simon!” 35Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread.
NRSV
. . .
Real Presence
Grace to you, beloved of God, and peace from our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Have you ever walked the walk of disappointment?
You may remember that the Chicago Bears played at Memorial Stadium in Champaign during the 2002 season while the flying saucer by Lake Michigan, still known as Soldier Field, was in construction. Apparently, not many people wanted to drive down to the U of I campus to watch the games because the tickets for that season were being sold for a fraction of the time. So, a friend asked me if I was interested in getting 50-yard line season tickets in the upper west stands for 500 bucks or so. I said sure. No kids yet, just dogs; let’s go!
We had fun that Fall. I mean as much fun as the Bears can provide you. Tailgating and fellowship were awesome. We won the opener at home against Jacksonville with David Tyrell’s reception for a touchdown with one minute left on the clock. There was another great game against the Vikings where we came back from behind in the second half to win. Then came Green Bay on Monday Night Football.
There were great expectations for that game all week long. Everybody was going. Someone in our church got tickets for that game, so a group was going and gathering first at Pastor Bob’s house for pre-game festivities. We made arrangements to meet at half-time.
The tailgating was the best ever. The atmosphere was electric. It was time to get in the Stadium. We walked and talked excitedly about the ways the former safety made middle linebacker sensation Brian Urlacher could be used to obliterate Bret Favre. Then we arrive at the gate to pull my ticket from my back pocket, and nothing. I had lost my ticket, or it was stolen during the walk. I tried to call someone, anyone, but between the broadcasting and all the cell phones gathered in the same spot, nobody had a signal – it was 20 years ago. I had no choice but to walk away from Monday Night Football and hike a little over an hour back home. As I began to put distance from Memorial Stadium, I could still clearly hear the players’ introduction and the roars of the crowd.
At that point, that was somewhat OK. I needed to walk off my anger and disappointment. I am sure my face epitomized frustration and sadness. How in the world could I, a product of a highly populated urban environment, who was taught to walk the streets with eyes on my back, put something of value in my back pocket? You never, ever do that!
I had such high hopes of seeing Bret Favre obliterated on Memorial Field turf. At least when I got home and turned the TV on, it became clear that would not happen. Bret Favre was crushing us again. That was somewhat comforting. At least I was not there for that! Still, one of the lowest moments of my life. I suspect my friend DeeBol makes fun of me until this day.
I am sure nothing in this world could have brought comfort for Cleopas and his companion on their walk, perhaps back home, on the road to Emmaus. Their level of horror and disappointment was not comparable to mine. This was not one of their lowest moments. This was the moment when they lost the hope of living. All that was left was walking to perhaps live another day.
But then something happens. A curious stranger approaches them on the road. We don’t know what he looks like or where he comes from. What matters is they were prevented from recognizing who he was. They don’t dismiss or shut him down – I would likely have – they somehow are moved to show hospitality to this person. They stay in conversation. It gets a little dicey, obviously. They are angry. Are you the only stranger that doesn’t know what happened? You can feel the sarcasm. The stranger responds by doing some schooling of scripture for them, “Oh, how foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared!”
That was OK. In the end, when the stranger seems to be going his own way, they express concern and kindness to him. Stay with us; night is coming, and dangerous out there. Someone apparently taught them well. They still found spiritual strength to be hospitable and to love him.
Then the stranger takes bread, gives thanks, breaks it, and gives it to them; the fog is lifted, they see who he is, and we, like them, remember what his real presence can do to restore our hearts and strengthen our faith.
When it is time to hit the road, reborn from the Spirit as a gift, and bear good news of love, hospitality, and promises fulfilled, may our Lord walk with us. Thanks be to God! Amen!
Bridging Faith 