On the Road to Emmaus
Sermon text for March 30, 2008:
Luke 24:13-35
It was late in June a few years ago when I sat under a giant eucalyptus tree and pondered my life. I was in the Holy Land in one of the places that tradition says is the Biblical Emmaus, and the group I was with was having a day long spiritual retreat.
In some way I began my spiritual retreat a month earlier when I first arrived in Israel. I had an important agenda for my journey. Spiritually I was running on empty and I felt as if I had nothing left to give in my personal life or in my ministry. I wanted desperately to get in touch with the God who called me to be a husband and father. And with every fiber of my being I needed to rediscover the God who almost compelled me into ministry so many years before. I still believed that God existed, that God loved me, and that God had something for me to do. But on a feeling level, I had no internal confirmation for any of that. My faith existed as a set of intellectual affirmations which usually could be summed up by the statement, “I do too believe!”
So as I sat under the giant eucalyptus tree I pondered the story of Cleopus and his friend and the spiritual journey on which they traveled. They began their journey in the late afternoon on the first Easter. As they walked they talked about the terrible events of the last few days. In some ways when Jesus died they lost everything. He was supposed to be the Messiah. He was supposed to rid the land of the hated Roman oppressors. He was supposed to initiate the Kingdom of God on earth. But he didn’t do any of those things. And for those who loved him, nothing mattered any more. Instead of glorious hope, Jesus brought a childish fantasy. When Jesus died hope died, and nothing would ever be the same again. Nevertheless, the disciples walked boldly into an uncertain future. And their journey may provide a useful paradigm for us – both as a congregation and as individuals. I wonder how many of us feel like we are on a journey to nowhere. How many of us are facing difficult life situations – be it grief, fear, disappointment, or just plain boredom? How many of us long to encounter Jesus as we move along the road of life?
I believe that Luke tells this story to convince us that Jesus does meet us along the way, and that he is able to transform and redeem even the most crucifying circumstances in life. I believe that he tells the story so that believers can find hope even when we think that all hope is lost.
While the disciples were walking to Emmaus Jesus appeared on the road and joined them on their journey. For some reason they did not recognize Jesus. But as he caught up, he asked what they were talking about with so much energy and the disciples shared the tragic details of the last few days. And then something wonderful happened. Jesus began to talk about all of the scriptures that foretold his death. He spoke with authority and conviction, and his teaching put the crucifixion into a context that the disciples could understand. He had a depth of faith that the disciples needed and when they got to Emmaus they prevailed on him to stay with them for the evening.
Jesus accepted their invitation and when they sat down for the evening meal, Jesus took bread and as he had on Passover. He blessed it, and broke it. And suddenly their eyes were opened and they recognized him. It was Jesus who taught them on the road and Jesus who consoled them in their grief. It was Jesus who joined them on one of the most difficult journeys of their lives. After Jesus disappeared the disciples were filled with joy as they ran back to Jerusalem to tell the other disciples that Jesus was alive.
Jesus still meets us along the road of life. When life takes a tragic turn he is there to walk with us. When we are confused and worried he sends the Spirit to counsel and console us. And when we join with others to celebrate the Lord’s Supper he opens our eyes so that we can recognize him.
Of course Jesus doesn’t always work on our time schedule nor does he always send help in the way that we think is best. So I do not have any easy answer, nor do I have a magic formula that always brings the help we think we need. But I do have a couple of thoughts that might put things in a helpful context. First a parable of Jesus teaches that God gives us what we need, instead of what we want. Jesus asks, “What father among you if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent? Or if he asks for an egg will give him a scorpion?” Sometimes we are so sure we know what we need that we may miss the gift that God has already given. If the disciples had not asked Jesus to stay with them in Emmaus, they might never have seen him at all. So we need to be open to God’s answers.
And the second thing is not quite so lofty. I think the key to meeting the hard times in life is simply to keep on moving. Keep on doing what needs to be done and trust that when the time is right we will be strengthened by catching a glimpse of the one who also puts one foot in front of the other, and shares our life’s journey with us.
Copyright © 2008 by Dwight R. Blackstock
Luke 24:13-35
It was late in June a few years ago when I sat under a giant eucalyptus tree and pondered my life. I was in the Holy Land in one of the places that tradition says is the Biblical Emmaus, and the group I was with was having a day long spiritual retreat.
In some way I began my spiritual retreat a month earlier when I first arrived in Israel. I had an important agenda for my journey. Spiritually I was running on empty and I felt as if I had nothing left to give in my personal life or in my ministry. I wanted desperately to get in touch with the God who called me to be a husband and father. And with every fiber of my being I needed to rediscover the God who almost compelled me into ministry so many years before. I still believed that God existed, that God loved me, and that God had something for me to do. But on a feeling level, I had no internal confirmation for any of that. My faith existed as a set of intellectual affirmations which usually could be summed up by the statement, “I do too believe!”
So as I sat under the giant eucalyptus tree I pondered the story of Cleopus and his friend and the spiritual journey on which they traveled. They began their journey in the late afternoon on the first Easter. As they walked they talked about the terrible events of the last few days. In some ways when Jesus died they lost everything. He was supposed to be the Messiah. He was supposed to rid the land of the hated Roman oppressors. He was supposed to initiate the Kingdom of God on earth. But he didn’t do any of those things. And for those who loved him, nothing mattered any more. Instead of glorious hope, Jesus brought a childish fantasy. When Jesus died hope died, and nothing would ever be the same again. Nevertheless, the disciples walked boldly into an uncertain future. And their journey may provide a useful paradigm for us – both as a congregation and as individuals. I wonder how many of us feel like we are on a journey to nowhere. How many of us are facing difficult life situations – be it grief, fear, disappointment, or just plain boredom? How many of us long to encounter Jesus as we move along the road of life?
I believe that Luke tells this story to convince us that Jesus does meet us along the way, and that he is able to transform and redeem even the most crucifying circumstances in life. I believe that he tells the story so that believers can find hope even when we think that all hope is lost.
While the disciples were walking to Emmaus Jesus appeared on the road and joined them on their journey. For some reason they did not recognize Jesus. But as he caught up, he asked what they were talking about with so much energy and the disciples shared the tragic details of the last few days. And then something wonderful happened. Jesus began to talk about all of the scriptures that foretold his death. He spoke with authority and conviction, and his teaching put the crucifixion into a context that the disciples could understand. He had a depth of faith that the disciples needed and when they got to Emmaus they prevailed on him to stay with them for the evening.
Jesus accepted their invitation and when they sat down for the evening meal, Jesus took bread and as he had on Passover. He blessed it, and broke it. And suddenly their eyes were opened and they recognized him. It was Jesus who taught them on the road and Jesus who consoled them in their grief. It was Jesus who joined them on one of the most difficult journeys of their lives. After Jesus disappeared the disciples were filled with joy as they ran back to Jerusalem to tell the other disciples that Jesus was alive.
Jesus still meets us along the road of life. When life takes a tragic turn he is there to walk with us. When we are confused and worried he sends the Spirit to counsel and console us. And when we join with others to celebrate the Lord’s Supper he opens our eyes so that we can recognize him.
Of course Jesus doesn’t always work on our time schedule nor does he always send help in the way that we think is best. So I do not have any easy answer, nor do I have a magic formula that always brings the help we think we need. But I do have a couple of thoughts that might put things in a helpful context. First a parable of Jesus teaches that God gives us what we need, instead of what we want. Jesus asks, “What father among you if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent? Or if he asks for an egg will give him a scorpion?” Sometimes we are so sure we know what we need that we may miss the gift that God has already given. If the disciples had not asked Jesus to stay with them in Emmaus, they might never have seen him at all. So we need to be open to God’s answers.
And the second thing is not quite so lofty. I think the key to meeting the hard times in life is simply to keep on moving. Keep on doing what needs to be done and trust that when the time is right we will be strengthened by catching a glimpse of the one who also puts one foot in front of the other, and shares our life’s journey with us.
Copyright © 2008 by Dwight R. Blackstock
posted by Dwight Blackstock | 10:05 PM
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