April 15, 2007
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The Norwegian
Lutheran Memorial Church A few days ago, I took two members of our family to the airport after their visit with us for Easter. In the car we had a wrap-up about the significance of their visit. We agreed that the cold April weather indeed was quite unimportant in the picture as a whole. To be together was what meant the most for us. To experience Easter together, had enriched us. All the gatherings that the festival had gave an opportunity to participate, especially here in the church. We also had a trip to Chicago towards the end of their stay - a very long drive. But we concluded that being together, and the conversations in the car were worthwhile for us as a family. Today we have a Bible text that describes a long trip. The distance from Jerusalem to Emmaus is about 7 miles. It takes a couple of hours to walk by foot at a pretty high speed. Emmaus lies to the West of Jerusalem, and it it mostly downhill. It is an impressive and beautiful Easter story that we have before us here. What makes the deepest impression on me, is the description of Jesus as the one who goes with, the fellow traveler. He approaches them as the unknown, and is joining the two disappointed disciples. We follow the development of what happens between him and the two, and we see his patience. He is a counsellor. Easter had so far been a defeat for them. Well, the expression ”so far” is not very adequate, seen from their point of view. As there and then, they felt that it was over. The one in whom they had put all their trust. The one who had awakened their confidence. The one who was so whole in word and deed. The one who they were sure was the Messiah that was going to redeem his people, he had disappeared. And the worst was the way he had died. Mocked and sneared at, beated and despised, nailed to the tree of shame. And they had thought he was the Messiah! The stranger invites them to tell, and they speak out. They are pouring their hearts out.. But what about the finding of the empty grave, at dawn that same morning? Well, they met it with astonishment, - not faith! Angels had appeared. Women had witnessed that they had met the dead one, wriggling alive. But this made them even more confused than happy. The defeat of Easter meant a mental landslide for the disciples . Now, the unknown companion gives the two an opportunity to talk about their desperation. At his question What are you discussing with each other while you walk along, they look surprised at him. And the one, named Cleopas answers. Let us briefly add that Cleopas probably is the same person that is mentioned in John 19:25. There we read about the women gathered at the cross of Jesus on Good Friday. The gospel according to John mentions that one of them was the sister of Jesus’ mother, Mary the wife of Clopas. According to the church historian Eusebius in the 300s, Clopas was the brother of Joseph, the husband of Mary. This means that Clopas was Jesus’ uncle. Many years later, Simon, the son of Clopas, and then the cousin of Jesus, was the second in the line of leaders for the first congregation in Jerusalem. He succeeded James, Jesus’ brother. Now Cleopas is answering the unknown wanderer to Emmaus Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place there in these days? The unknown companion continues to ask, what things? The things about Jesus of Nazareth. So they pour out their despair. They empty themselves. And next, Jesus fills them with Easter faith and Easter assurance. A change of roles goes on here. The one who first just asked and asked, now takes the initiative, and teaches—about the Messiah having to suffer. The interpretation focuses on the death on the cross. The Messiah showed up not to be a national liberator, as they had expected. The disciples had not grasped the deep content of the prophecies until now. Many of us might have thought, we would have liked to have heard the Bible lecture by Jesus that afternoon! It could be worthwhile to compare with a parallel Bible story here. That is Acts 8:26ff, about the Ethi-opian court official on his way from Jerusalem to Jaffa. He sits in his horsedrawn wagon, reading the prophet Isaiah. And Philip, to him a totally unknown person, comes up to his side, asking him if he understands what he is reading. As he answers “no”, Philip offers to explain it to him. His interpretation helps the Ethiopian to come to believe. In both of these spiritual conversations along the road, it is the interpretation of the Scripture that gives the help towards a safe confidence and a clear conviction. Then, after the 7 miles are behind them, and they arrive in Emmaus, they beg him to stop: Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over. Then he enters, and stays. But here, a change of roles occurs once again: The guest, all of a sudden performs like a host, takes the bread, gives thanks, breaks the bread and gives it to them. Then their eyes are opened, and they recognize him. An amazing moment! Does the turning point occur because his hands with the nail wounds become visible at this point? Perhaps. Anyway, it is still the case that when Jesus breaks the bread, people can imagine his presence in a special way. In the sacrament of holy communion, Jesus is present in a unique, physical way. So today’s Bible story can remind us of Jesus’ sacramental real presence in the holy meal we share as Christians. But something that is even more important to focus on today, is the spiritual conversation that the text for today depicts in such a beautiful way. Let me ask, do we as Christians talk about our faith? Or to put the question another way: What arenas do we have to share, to talk about our doubt and our faith? Every Tuesday in Kirkestua there is a Bible study. Open for all, and there is room for more participants! But is this enough? I have a vision for this congregation: We need to start more Bible study and discussing groups. At different places, as in our homes. And at different times, as not everyone is able to meet in the middle of a week day. I have so many times experienced how releasing and enriching it is for my spiritual life to talk about the most important things in life. Simply sharing with one another, as did the Emmaus travelers. Even spiritually shy Norwegians need that! For a marvelous dynamic comes into function when believers talk together. Then it often happens that an invisible guest comes, stays and intermingles. Just as we read in the Book of Revelation about the firstborn of the dead. Jesus is called him who is and who was and who is to come. And often it happens as it did with the Emmaus travelers, that only afterwards we realized that the Master came, and had been present. The story from Emmaus repeatedly happens, often without our awareness, Jesus comes as we gather in His name. During our journey through life, and not least in times of trouble and sorrow, we have a companion that we can share everything with. But perhaps only afterwards we realize that he was present, to strengthen and bless us. For he has promised to stay with us always, to the end of the age. When the power of love comes into play, a power that is stronger than death, then everything can change! Glory be to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, who was, is and shall always be one, true God, now and forever. Amen. |
The Norwegian Lutheran Memorial Church · 924 E. 21st St, Minneapolis, MN 55404-2952 · (612)874-0716 |