Road to Emmaus

They had decided to go home. It was all over, and there was no point in remaining in Jerusalem any longer – but they couldn’t let it go that easily. Over and over as they walked to their village, they discussed and talked over the events of the last few days. Why had Jesus died, when they had thought and believed that he would be the one who would redeem Israel? What was this story that the women had told them about the tomb being empty? Could they be believed about the vision of angels, or was it just their grief? Going on and over the same ground, until a stranger interrupted them, and asked what they were talking about. They were a bit surprised that he did not already know. Could anyone staying in Jerusalem over the last three days not know what had happened? But they explained about their disappointed hopes and their perplexity.

The stranger upbraided them. Why were they so slow to believe, he asked, was it not necessary? Then he started to explain the scriptures to them, showing why these events had happened. They were slowly drawn in and became fascinated; so much so that they urged the stranger to stay with them, once they reached their home in Emmaus. After all, it was nearly evening. Sitting down for their meal, the stranger took the bread, blessed it, broke it and gave it to them. Then, they recognised him; it was Jesus himself! Just as the women had said, Jesus was risen from the dead. Jesus vanished at that moment but, despite the late hour, they both left immediately to return to Jerusalem. There they found that the gathered disciples already knew the news. Jesus had appeared to Simon, he was alive! They explained all that had taken place that day, when suddenly Jesus stood among them. Despite their joy at the news, they were troubled and frightened. They were still not sure what was happening here. Jesus showed them his hands and feet, and invited them to touch him, showing that it was really himself, not a spirit. He even ate a piece of fish. Then he spoke to them, explaining that the events of the past few days had to happen, and opening their minds to understand the scriptures. (Luke 24)

That the risen Jesus was not recognised is a common theme among the accounts of the resurrection appearances. In this case, I wonder how much the discussion and anguish of the disciples prevented them from recognising Jesus. I wonder, too, how much we fail to see where Jesus is and where he is at work. Are we also too focused on our own discussions and our own perplexity? How much do our differences prevent us from recognising Jesus, whom we claim to follow.  The two disciples were intrigued enough to invite the stranger to stay with them. Do we have room in our hearts and lives to invite Jesus to stay with us? Maybe we already have, but do we continue to give him room, and allow him to stay, to become ever closer and part of our lives? When we sit down to break bread, either at Communion, or at a normal meal, do we recognise him? Do we see Jesus among us, amongst the people who come to the table with us? Unlike at Emmaus, Jesus does not disappear the instant we recognise him, but what is our reaction? Is it a completely normal experience … and should it be? Or do we react as the two disciples did – rush to tell our friends that ‘we have seen the Lord’? Obviously, the way we do this will be completely different, but have we lost that joy, that wonder, that responds to seeing our risen Lord? How can we regain that, and how is it appropriate to respond? To share the good news, without forcing it down people’s throats?

Does this news of the resurrection turn our lives upside down, the way it did for the original disciples? They went from hiding in a locked room to spilling out onto the street, to tell people about the Messiah. It’s there in Acts 2, after the gift of the Spirit. Peter’s speech ends with a call for people to repent, to turn and be baptised in the name of the Lord Jesus, and three thousand of them did so. We may be unlikely to see that number of conversions, but have we lost the need to share the good news, which we also participate in? If so, why? We have this amazing God who loves us, why are we not shouting it from the rooftops?

Partly, I accept, that this is not the only way to share the good news. It can be done in different ways, and many churches are doing this, possibly without realising that this is what they are doing. They may be simply responding to the needs of the community around them, but in doing so, they are sharing the good news of the love of God. But it is important not to lose our fervour and our love; to become lukewarm, as one of the churches in Revelation is described as. One important aspect of following the church year is that we have six weeks to focus on the Resurrection, which we can use, if we will, to allow this fact to sink in deeper, to become a more central part of our lives. To begin to see in a new way the love, the life that lies behind the fact that Jesus died and rose from the dead. To accept and learn that this is the life and love we are called to become part of. That life and love will not allow us to become lukewarm, but will fill us, if we allow it room. Come in and stay with us … may that be our prayer this Eastertide.