April 6, 2008

The Norwegian Lutheran Memorial Church

Pr. Per Inge Vik          

 Luke 24,13-35   

A Meeting at Sunset

The greatest mystery of this beautiful story is this: Why didn’t they recognize Jesus? They were his disciples after all, these two! Was his appearance so different after his resurrection?

I have read, and I have preached on this text several times. It comes to me from different angles each time. This time the Bible text approaches me in direct light. I hadn’t considered until now how Cleopas and the other disciple must have experienced traveling at sunset. It was late afternoon when this happened, and Emmaus is located west of Jerusalem. So they were walking towards the sunset. Which means that their eyes were blinded by the sun. The low sun hindered their eyes from recognizing their Lord.

Then during that evening, they experienced the total opposite, a mental sunrise. And thus is how it is, a Christian is a person who doesn’t go towards sunset, but towards sunrise and a new day!

What they are saying, these two, teaches us that this was not clear to them as they trudged along. Even if they had heard the testimony from the women who had seen an angel at Jesus’ grave. Still they were filled with sorrow and disappointment. They thought everything was over. Darkness hovered in their minds. So this story teaches us that as Jesus enters the arena, things that were meaningless for people take on a new meaning.

He poses questions that he himself knows the answer to, but he gives humans the possibility of putting words to their thoughts and feelings, But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. The whole situation in which they were, seemed without meaning. Their hope was dead and buried.

But during their conversation with Jesus, the meaning becomes clear. The darkness turns into light. We know how a person who is in love, can say: “I didn’t know the meaning of life until I saw it in your eyes.” This can be transferred to our relationship with Jesus, even in the most confusing situations in life, He can show us the complete meaning.

This story further teaches us something about Jesus’ gentle courtesy. He doesn’t rush onto people and scare them. Even if he challenged them and said they were foolish and slow at heart to believe. But then it happens as they are approaching Emmaus, they have come to the place where they had planned to stay for the night. Then Jesus walked ahead as if he was going on.

He didn’t want to force himself onto them. He awaited their invitation to come with them into the house. God is like this. He has given people the gift of free will. We can use this gift to invite Jesus into our lives. Or we can let him walk ahead. The choice is ours, he puts no pressure on us.

Then comes the moment of recognition. What triggers it? As he breaks the bread, they realize whom they are at the table together with.

I am happy to make an invitation to the Lord’s table here today. As we share bread and wine, Jesus gives us a share in his body and blood. Then he is close with his forgiveness of sins in a tangible way.

The reason why these two finally understood who he was as he took the bread and broke it, was not that they recognized him from the installation of the Eucharist. These two were not present on Maundy Thursday night. Only the 12 apostles were present then. Even so, as he took the bread and lifted it, they could see the mark of nails that evening in Emmaus.

In addition it has been suggested that these two might have been present when he fed the 5000 in the wilderness. As he took the bread, lifted it and prayed the thanksgiving prayer, his hands became visible. Because they were witnessing a miracle with huge dimensions, this image might have been burned in their minds.

So it is not only in the sacrament of the altar we can recognize Christ and experience his presence. That can happen at the dinner table, too! He is not only our host as we gather in his church. He is also a guest in our home.

So a Christian person always lives in a world filled with Christ’s presence. I like the daily devotional we use, “Christ In Our Home”, both the title and the content.

Furthermore this story teaches us that as the two people on the way to Emmaus experienced such a joy, they hurried to share it. It was a 7 mile trip in the night, back to Jerusalem. I can relate to that distance. It is the same distance I travel every day from my house to Mindekirken. 

In addition, the return trip to the City of the temple for these two was uphill! Even so they walked with light feet. They just could not keep the good news to themselves. The Christian message is not complete until we have shared it with someone.

As they reached Jerusalem, after a couple of hour’s fast hike , they found their friends gathered. Those who were present, had at that point already shared their experiences. That is one of the great things about Christian life, it is a fellowship of humans that share the same experience.

Isn’t it nice when people can share joint experiences and say to each other, “can you remember that and that..?” One of the characteristics of a good fellowship is this. In our family there are some favorite experiences and favorite quotations that get recalled when we meet. They are repeated again and again. And we rejoice at them every time. 

There is something similar with Christian fellowship. During this last week I enjoyed being part of 2 different Bible study gatherings. Such events are above all times of sharing.

When we convey from our own life and experience, sharing both sorrows and joys, both  difficulties and things to be thankful for, it creates recognition, it gives resonance, it goes from heart to heart.

Finally a notice in this story has a special characteristic. When the Emmaus travelers return to Jerusalem, they hear the news that The Risen One has appeared to Peter. The gospel according to Luke doesn’t tell a single word about that, except in this notice.

I haven’t been able to find it in the other gospel writers either. So we have no more information about where and how Jesus appeared to Peter. It is and remains one of the untold stories in this world.

It is extra beautiful that Jesus appears to the disciple who had denied him, as one of the first ones. We rejoice at the fact that Jesus in this way gives a penitent sinner back his self respect. Glory be to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, who was, is and remains one true God from eternity to eternity. (Congregation:) Amen   

The Norwegian Lutheran Memorial Church ·  924 E. 21st St, Minneapolis, MN 55404-2952 ·  (612)874-0716