Rev. Debbie Cato
Luke 24:13-35
Fairfield Community Church
April 23 , 2023
Holy
Spirit, send your fire to dance across these familiar words, illuminating
ancient stories, illuminating weary hearts. Set us ablaze again with the
promises of the Holy Word, still proclaimed for us. Amen.
The morning begins at midday
on the road with two sorry disciples who have bet their lives on the wrong
savior. Cleopas and his unnamed
companion - many scholars believe it was
his wife - have left Jerusalem for Emmaus, a seven-mile jaunt. As they walk, they are talking and discussing
the events that took place in Jerusalem.
They were in Jerusalem for the Passover celebration like the other
Jews. They were also followers of Jesus
of Nazareth and they saw and heard the events of his arrest and crucifixion and
death, and they are confused and overwhelmed and deeply disturbed. Their hearts and the words they speak are
heavier than any supplies they are carrying home from the annual Passover
pilgrimage to their holy city, now a city of horrors. They may be headed home after the normally
joyous occasion of the Passover meal, but the angel of death has killed their
hopes for the dawn of a messianic age.
They have heard that it is “Easter” from the women at the tomb, but as
of yet they do not know it in the core of their soul.[1] They do not yet believe.
On this road of broken dreams, the incognito Jesus joins their journey. Like the others, they think Jesus is dead. Do their wounded hearts blind them? Did God restrain their vision? Or don’t they recognize him because they don’t expect to see him?
Who among us have not felt blindsided in times of distress and wondered if even God can see what is around the bend? This passage encourages us to look deeply at ourselves; the road leading away from the holy city is ours. The soles of our shoes knows the brokenhearted steps of a road away from a broken dream; from a devastating event; from an unrecognized resurrection.
In a quagmire of confusion, sadness, dismay, betrayal, and anger – Cleopas and his wife respond to Jesus’ leading questions about the events they are trying to make sense of.
Filled with melancholy the two disciples recount the events that have changed their world. They describe Jesus and his mission as a “prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all people.” The Emmaus disciples “had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel”, but the death of Jesus shattered those hopes. To compound the disciples’ despair, some of the women in the community have brought back the preposterous news that the tomb was empty and claimed they had a vision of angels announcing that Jesus was alive.
They are amazed that this man hasn’t heard about these events. How could this stranger along the road not know what had happened? How could he not be aware of the crucifixion?
Then, without being asked, this stranger who joins them on their journey tells them a story. He tells the history of their faith – their holy scriptures in a way that draws them deep into conversation as they continue their journey to Emmaus. Jesus himself interprets his suffering and death for these two disciples. He explains that it wasn’t a defeat of God’s purpose but the necessary pathway to new life. The risen Christ brings to light the full meaning of the events that had disturbed Cleopas and his wife so much by appealing to the teachings of Moses and all the prophets.
From the original chaos of non-existence, God creates life. From the slavery of Egypt come freedom and a homeland. From the destruction of exile comes a renewed people. Jesus’ interpretation of the Scriptures for these two lost souls gives them true understanding of the meaning of Jesus’ death and resurrection. In fact, we are told that their hearts “burn” within them. Christ’s presence enables them to understand the full meaning of the mystery of His passion.
Drawing near to their destination, Jesus leaves them free to continue on without him. He’s prepared to continue on his way and let them get home. His love is such that we are always free to turn our backs on him, close the door of our hearts against him, bolt our minds shut in fear of what inviting him in might involve. It’s our decision. But they must find Jesus’ storytelling, his review of scripture encouraging because when they arrive in Emmaus, they don’t want their time with him to end.
They extend hospitality to this stranger that they met along the road who has passionately recounted the history of their faith and the promises of God to them. Perhaps the travelers’ hearts hunger for more; maybe they are just living out the practice of hospitality.
Either way, still unaware that it is Christ who has been walking and talking with them, they invite him to stay. And because of this invitation of hospitality, the story Jesus has been telling them reaches its climax with a meal. It is in the sharing of the meal that Jesus takes the bread that is on the table, gives a blessing, and breaks it. And it is at this point – this point of blessing and breaking the bread that new life and new eyes are offered to Cleopas and his wife. The masquerade is over, and hope bubbles and gurgles again. The stones sealing the tombs of their hearts are rolled back. Christ is revealed. He is in their midst. He’s been with them all along.
The broken bread nourishes their broken faith. The weary travelers feel alive; their hearts are renewed. The witness of the women at the empty tomb is now their testimony too. The Lord is risen! The Lord is risen, indeed! Immediately, their confusion, sadness, dismay, betrayal, and anger all turn to joy and thanksgiving!
At the conclusion of the
story, the risen Christ vanishes from their sight, and the two disciples leave
immediately to return to the community in Jerusalem – they walk back the 7
miles they had just traveled to tell the others. I imagine their steps are lighter, their
conversation filled with energy and excitement knowing that Christ is
alive.
Once they get to Jerusalem and back to the other disciples, they learn that the risen Jesus has already appeared to the disciples there. Cleopas and his wife add their testimony about their encounter with Christ along the road and at the meal to the others.
The hospitality of the
traveling companions becomes the doorway to grace. The willingness of the stranger to enter
their space suggests trust and hope – and Jesus more than repays their
welcoming overture. Hospitality
expresses deep vulnerability; welcoming a stranger is always risky. It is not readily apparent who the guest
really might be. Jesus becomes the host
at this meal, which becomes an expression of thanks-giving and deepened faith.
Just think – if Cleopas and his wife had not extended Jesus hospitality; if they had not invited him to stay; they wouldn’t have known that they met and walked and talked with the risen Christ. If they hadn’t taken a risk by inviting this stranger into their home, they would have missed sharing a meal with the Messiah. If they hadn’t extended hospitality to this stranger, they may have missed understanding the true meaning of his death and resurrection.
It has been suggested that hospitality is the key to evangelism in our day. Action more than words, provides the space where others can enter and find themselves at home. Sharing a common meal breaks down boundaries so relationships can form. It is through conversations that we find ourselves in communion with Christ, who we often find in other people. And of course, we always find Christ when whenever we gather together at the Lord’s Table, as we will be doing this morning.
We see in this passage on the Road to Emmaus – just days after Christ was crucified and then rose from the dead, the practice of hospitality – a foundational practice of welcoming strangers and giving them a meal. Even after walking 7 miles in a state of depressed, confusion, Cleopas and his wife invite a stranger in , resulting in a full-disclosure of the risen Christ! A face-face meeting with the Messiah. Hospitality is important.
Are we a church that extends hospitality? Do we go beyond a friendly hello and actually invite strangers to sit with us? To share conversation? Or do we just sit with our friends at fellowship time? Are we willing to be vulnerable and take a risk and invite someone new to sit with us and talk with us? If we aren’t, we could be missing the chance of an encounter with the risen Christ? Let us pray:
[1] Feasting on the Word. Year A, Volume 2. Lent Through Eastertide. Third Sunday of Easter. Luke 24.13-35. Pastoral Perspective. Shannon Michael Pater. P. 418.
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