Easter 3, 2011
Luke 24:13-35
“Long and winding road”
Grace, mercy, and peace be to you from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
I’ve always wondered where companies get their data for commercials. It just doesn’t make sense to me, for instance, how every car company claims to be the best. We have the best in class mileage, we have the best in class head room, we have the best in class towing…and on and on and on. But how do they all have the same “best in class” anything? Maybe it’s really a matter of having the best in class mileage…when your windows are open and your driving 37.5 miles per hour. For us…commercials lob all kinds of facts at us to convince us that they are truthfully the best…but we really don’t know what to make of the random facts we are given. In a sense the disciples on the road to Emmaus were like this. They had many facts and batted them around like a Ping-Pong ball, but they didn’t know how to interpret the data of all that had taken place in Jerusalem over the past days.
There were two followers of Jesus, disciples (not of the 12) that were on their way to the town of Emmaus. They were discussing all that had taken place with Jesus. Suddenly this traveler comes upon them and asks what they are discussing. What these disciples didn’t realize was that this traveler was Jesus, their Risen Lord. They question him and treat him as being ignorant…don’t you know what just happened? What rock did this guy crawl out from? Well...He didn't crawl out of a rock...but He sure moved a big one!
“What things?" [Jesus] asked. "About Jesus of Nazareth," they replied. "He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning but didn't find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.” (Luke 24:19-24)
“We had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel…but… then we heard that just maybe He was alive…But him we did not see.” Can you hear the disappointment in these words…the lack of faith. They had all these facts…but they just didn’t get it. They were followers that were in deep despair and turmoil; they were on the verge of giving up their faith…you can see that the testimony of the women didn’t convince them. They had put all their hope in this Jesus and now they thought it was all in vain.
They seem to have the same kind of hope and trust you see in children. Parents…help me out here. I’m not going to make you admit to anything in particular but you would have to agree on this. Children remember every little promise that is made to them…and if for any reason…ANY reason that promise is broken they are going to be very disappointed. I would have to admit as my parents child there were many occasions I would remind my parents of promises they didn’t keep; at least promises they didn’t keep in my mind. These followers had a true and wonderful faith…but they were convinced that Jesus didn’t keep His promise of being the Messiah.
“He said to them, "How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?" And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.” (Luke 24:25-27)
How many times did Jesus tell His followers that He HAD TO DIE! And that on the third day would rise again. They were told the facts, they were given the knowledge…but they just didn’t get it.
But then again…we don’t always get it either. We like these followers want Jesus to show himself, to prove His godliness by meeting our own expectations. Let me meet you on the mountain, Lord, Just once. You wouldn't have to burn a whole bush. Just a few smoking branches And I would surely be ...your Moses. Let me meet you on the water, Lord, Just once. It wouldn't have to be on Clinton Lake. Just on a puddle after the annual Central Illinois rain And I would surely be...your Peter. Let me meet you on the road, Lord, Just once. You wouldn't have to blind me on I 55. Just a few bright lights on the way to church And I would surely be...your Paul. Let me meet you, Lord, Just once. Anywhere. Anytime. Just meeting you in the Word is so hard sometimes. Must I always be...your Thomas? Just one time Lord…and I will believe with all my heart.
How foolish are we and how slow of heart we often are. Jesus died for each one of us and was raised from the dead. We are forgiven. We are saved. We are heirs of eternal life.
“When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. They asked each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” (Luke 24:30-32)
I pray that we may recognize and be strengthened in our faith when we see our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ as we receive Him in His body and blood this very day.
It is when we truly see Jesus by faith that we are able to live with true hope. It is when we look to Jesus as our Savior who died for us and won forgiveness and salvation for us that we may look forward by faith and hope for our future in heaven. It is then that we may take all the sadness, pain, and heartache of this world, cast it upon our Lord, and joyfully await to be called to heaven. By faith we know that we have a Savior that is always with us, always looking out for us, protecting us, guiding us, and carrying us home to be with Him.
It is by faith that we may sing those wonderful words first written by Henry Francis Lyte: “Abide with me, fast falls the eventide. The darkness deepens; Lord, with me abide. When other helpers fail and comforts flee, Help of the helpless, oh, abide with me. Hold thou thy cross before my closing eyes, Shine through the gloom, and point me to the skies; Heaven’s morning breaks, and earths vain shadows flee; In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.”
In this long and winding road of life Jesus is with you always. You are conquerors and victors. Live as hope-filled people, for Christ died for you and has risen as He said. Amen.
Now may the peace of God which passes all human understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior. Amen.
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