Luke 24:13-35
Not long ago Pat and I were in
a resale shop filled with all sorts of items people had once treasured but had
given up to get a little cash or just because they were tired of having them
around the house. Some of the items were
still useful and some of them would have been described as "junk" had
it not been for nostalgia. There was a
print of a painting depicting three men walking though the countryside. Trees towered above them and through a break
in the trees you could see a green meadow in the distance. The region suggested a dense European forest,
perhaps Germany's Black Forest. But it
wasn't supposed to be anywhere in Europe.
This was a copy of Robert Zund's painting of Christ and two disciples on
the road to Emmaus.
This story, which Luke alone
tells, captures our imaginations. It
appeals to us because we wonder what it might have been like to have Jesus
Christ as a traveling companion, giving us insight into the puzzles troubling
us, and having him as a guest at a meal in our home.
As much as we might wonder
about that, Luke has his own purposes in telling the story. We need to try to understand them.
Before we do that, let's take a closer look at
the story.
In his reporting on Jesus'
Resurrection, Luke groups these accounts in such a way as to suggest they all
took place on the same day, a day which ended with Jesus returning to
heaven. Some believe this contradicts
other post- Resurrection accounts of Jesus appearing several days after the first
Easter. That would hardly be Luke's
intention since he takes such pains in the first chapter of Acts to tell how
Jesus had spent some forty days with the disciples.
While not denying Luke may
have been employing a literary device that allowed him to compress Jesus'
post-Easter ministry to one very busy day, I think Luke is simply telling us
stories that underscore the reality of what happened.
I'm going to divide the story
into four episodes.
Episode One: The Two Alone.
The story begins sometime
after the women had found the tomb empty.
Like the others, these disciples were puzzled by the report. So after Peter confirmed the tomb was empty,
they did not wait to find out any further information. Instead, they struck out for their home in
Emmaus.
There were several villages
with that name near Jerusalem. This one
was about seven miles from the city. It
was the home of the two disciples. One
is named, Cleopas, the other isn't named.
Just why that should be isn't clear.
Some have suggested Luke heard the report from Cleopas. At least one writer suggests the other
disciple was Luke himself. This seems
unlikely since every other tradition about the gospel-writer describes him as a
Gentile. Despite the tendency of
Christian artists to depict the two disciples as male, they may have been
husband and wife. I think that makes a
good deal of sense.
It's not an issue we have to
resolve since their identity isn't crucial to the story.
What is significant is the
fact we are allowed to see into the hearts of the disciples in the period
before the Resurrection had been confirmed.
As the two walked along they
were discussing all that had been happening.
The text suggests there was a back and forth dialogue going on. At the same time, there was an atmosphere of
sadness as they walked along, perhaps their heads were down. Maybe they moved listlessly, with no bounce
in their step. We would not be surprised
to learn they hadn't slept much since the events of the previous Friday. As they talked, we might have seen them shake
their heads in puzzlement and confusion.
They may have even been so
focused on their discussion they failed to see a Stranger approach.
Episode Two: The Two with a Stranger
As they walked along, they
were joined by a Stranger. Keener says
it wasn't unusual for travelers unknown to each other to walk together on
journeys. For one thing there was safety
in numbers and there was the promise of companionship for the trip. And in a day without smart phones or
broadcast media it was a way to keep up with the news.
So, these disciples didn't
find it unusual that Jesus joined them as they walked along. Actually, they didn't know the Stranger was
Jesus. The text says they were kept from
recognizing him. The reason for this
subterfuge will become clear as the story progresses.
The Stranger asks, "What
are you discussing so intently?"
The two respond, "Are the
only visitor to Jerusalem who doesn't know the things that have happened the
past few days?"
Now, let me say that I don't
know if every visitor to Jerusalem that Passover season knew the drama that had
focused on Jesus. But there's no doubt
it was such a big deal with these disciples that they couldn't imagine anyone
not knowing.
Yet, the Stranger asks,
"What things?" (As if he didn't know.) There is a kind of amusing irony in that
question but it also opens the way for the disciples to give their take on what
had happened.
So, the two answer:
We are talking about the "...things that happened to
Jesus the Nazarene. He was a man of God, a prophet, dynamic in work and word,
blessed by both God and all the people. Then our high priests and leaders
betrayed him, got him sentenced to death, and crucified him. And we had our
hopes up that he was the One, the One about to deliver Israel. And it is now
the third day since it happened. But now some of our women have completely
confused us. Early this morning they were at the tomb and couldn’t find his body. They came back with the story that they
had seen a vision of angels who said he was alive. Some of our friends went off
to the tomb to check and found it empty just as the women said, but they didn’t see Jesus.”
Now, notice some important
points. First, they saw Jesus as a
"prophet." Their insight into
his identity ran no deeper than many others who had heard him teach or seen a
miracle or two. Second, the character of
their hope was largely political. Jesus,
they hoped, would free Israel from Roman domination. Their concern was the temporal, not the
spiritual. Third, instead of inspiring
hope, the report the women brought had only made them confused.
Now, the Stranger speaks. He is not polite. If they really had been walking through the
Black Forest, he might have addressed them, "You dunderheads." He suggests they were dull, foolish, and to
a degree irresponsible in not grasping what the Scripture taught about the
Messiah. He then lays out the details.
He took them through the
Scripture to show that everything that had happened had been predicted and was
necessary for God's plan. The cross
was not an accident, evidence of things
getting out of control; it was part of the scheme. And that scheme would be the prelude to the
Messiah entering his rightful glory.
Notice something. The Stranger's words didn't offend them;
instead, we're told his words set their "hearts on fire." How can this be? I think they somehow sensed the Stranger's
words, however harsh they might seem, were driven by love. That same love drives whatever correction or
chastening the Lord sends our way. We need
to remember that whenever we have to speak a corrective word to another; we
need to make sure our words are spoken out of concern, not contempt.
This instruction, which ranged
from "Moses...through all the Prophets," continued until the trio
reached the disciples' home in Emmaus.
The Stranger seemed ready to continue on but the two disciples asked him
in to stay with them, to eat and perhaps spend the night. Again, it wasn't safe for a lone traveller to
be on the road after dark.
Having said that, let me say
it isn't entirely clear what time of day this was. The words translated as "it is almost
evening" literally mean the sun was moving toward setting. We would say it's afternoon. So, this may have been mid-afternoon by our
reckoning. Whatever time it was, the two
disciples were likely hungry after their walk and assumed the Strange would be
too. So they offered their hospitality.
While Christians would be
known for their hospitality, it was also part of their Jewish cultural
heritage. Jews were expected to welcome
fellow Jews who might be traveling through town into their homes, even if they
were strangers. In fact, Luke describes
what was a commonplace ritual. Courtesy
demanded the traveller act as if he were going on ahead; the host was expected
to gently urge that traveller to stay.
So, the Stranger stayed with
them and joined them for a simple meal.
Coming to the disciples' table
to share a simple meal, the Stranger does something really strange. He assumes the role of host. He picks up the bread, blesses it, breaks it,
and hands it to the probably startled disciples. In that moment they saw him for who he was.[1] He was no stranger,
he was Jesus--the one they had believed dead.
Immediately, their Guest disappeared.
Episode Three: The Two Alone, Again
Whatever weariness they may
have felt from their journey or the stresses of the past few days was suddenly
gone.
They were elated. Suddenly it all made sense. They understood why Jesus had to suffer and
die. Why did they now understand? Because Jesus had explained the Scripture to
them. Like a masterful detective in an
English mystery novel, he had woven together all the clues that had been in
front of them all along. So many who had
been yearning for the Messiah's coming had "lost the plot" somewhere
along the way; God never did.
This explains why they had to
be kept from seeing who the Stranger was.
Had they immediately known he was Jesus, they would have been so
thrilled, so excited, they wouldn't have heard anything else. Understanding the Scripture prepared them for
seeing the Risen Christ.
In a sense, these two
disciples and the women at the tomb, were representatives of all Jesus'
disciples on that first Easter. Even
though they had spent so many Sabbaths hearing the Scriptures read, they hadn't
been listening. Once they really
listened, they were prepared to see.
Episode Four: The Two and the Rest
No, matter how late it may
have been, even if darkness were approaching, they weren't going to keep this
news to themselves.
Just imagine the contrast
between how they began their walk to Emmaus and how they began their dash back
to Jerusalem.
On this journey, they were
full of life. Gone was the air of
sadness and sorrow. Things were
different now.
Once in the city, they quickly
went to where the Eleven and the others were staying to tell them Jesus was
alive--only to discover they already knew.
In fact, they were busy talking about how the Risen Christ had appeared
to Peter.
Luke's intent is not to tell
us that the two disciples from Emmaus had their surprise spoiled. I think he is beginning to lay the foundation
for the claim that the reality of Jesus' Resurrection is not based on the
testimony of just a couple witnesses in isolated incidents. He is moving toward being able to report that
Jesus showed himself alive with "many convincing proofs."
In any case, we can be sure
the excitement only grew as the two disciples told their story of their walk
with Jesus.
The excitement wasn't over but
for now let me ask...
what lessons should we take away from this story?
I want to mention only two.
1.
Really seeing Jesus means seeing the Biblical
Jesus.
Before these disciples saw
Jesus they had to really listen to the Scripture. So do we.
That may seem to be a "no brainer" but there is such a great
temptation to embrace another Jesus, a Jesus other than the Biblical
Jesus. That temptation has been a danger
throughout the history of the church.
There have always been those
who have found some aspect of the Bible's portrait of Jesus to be
offensive. Let me focus on that
offensive issue the Stranger focused on:
the Cross.
Paul would write the
Corinthians that "Christ crucified" was a stumbling-block or a
scandal to the Jewish people. (I Cor.
1:23) They would not be the last to be
tripped-up by it. Despite its high
regard for Jesus as a kind of forerunner to Mohammed, Islam denies he was
crucified. God, they argue, would not
have allowed a true prophet to undergo such a humiliating death. Today there are those who portray Jesus as a
teacher, a moral example who was
misunderstood and killed before his time. He was, to use the description a friend used
before his conversion, a good man who did a lot of good things but not
God. The
cross was a tragic accident.
But, in truth, the cross is an
essential element in the role of the Biblical Jesus. We may wish to minimize the cross but we
cannot. The more people objected to the
message of the cross, the more Paul would insist on preaching "Christ
crucified."
Why should we so object to a Jesus
with a cross?
--A Jesus with a cross points
to God's unquestionable commitment to us.
Many people who say they believe in God believe in a God who keeps a
distance. Such a God doesn't mess in our
affairs, leaves us alone. A God who is
willing to become human and die on the cross is too involved. Such a God might even want to change us.
--A Jesus with a cross
underscores the seriousness of sin. Sin
as a little flaw in our character is one thing, but sin as a problem demanding
the cross is something entirely different.
When the two disciples started toward Emmaus, they thought of
"redemption" as being free from the power of Rome. When the two disciples returned to Jerusalem,
they had begun to see that the redemption Jesus provided dealt with a deeper
need. Many don't' want to confess they
have that need, a need beyond the abilities of their best efforts to fix.
--A Jesus with a cross means
we can't treat commitment casually. Of course, many do. Yet, those who fall into that category of
"nominal Christian" haven't really fathomed the reality of the
crucified God. They have seen the cross
but failed to understand the "love so amazing...demands [their] soul,
their life, their all."
Many of these nominal
Christians are seldom at church but it's not a matter of going to church,
anyway. If it were, commitment to Christ
would be easy. Going to church may
suggest no more than involvement. Years ago I heard the difference between
commitment and involvement explained by pointing to a breakfast of ham and eggs. When it comes to such a breakfast, the
chicken is involved; the pig is committed.
Soon after the first Easter,
the Risen Lord would begin to spell out the great commission he had for his
disciples. They would travel far from
home, they would face enormous challenges, they would encounter fierce
opposition; some would give their lives in taking the gospel "to all
nations." No casual commitment
could accomplish that task.
So, there is another lesson to
be learned from what transpired on the road to Emmaus.
2. Those who know the real Jesus seek the
community of those who also know him.
Years ago, while I was still
in seminary I worked in a large discount store.
One afternoon, I was called to come to the jewelry department. I couldn't imagine why; I sold paint. Turns out the manager and his clerk wanted my
opinion on a doctrinal question: Do you have to go to church to be a Christian?
The manager--a moonlighting
football coach--and his clerk--a high school girl--had been debating the
matter. Im afraid I disappointed the
clerk when I said, "No;" but I wish I had added another question to
the mix: "Why would a Christian not want to go to church?" I didn't since I suspected the store manager
preferred me selling paint rather than discussing theology.
Of course there are some
facets of the modern church a lot of us would love to avoid. But the church is more than the sum of
committees, boards, mortgages, budgets, and any number of annoying things we
might name.
When the church is what it
ought to be, it becomes a community of men and women united by a common
commitment to the Risen Christ. The
disciples from Emmaus rushed back to share their knowledge of Christ's victory
over death. True, they found their
fellow disciples already celebrating that victory, but their report only added
to the joy. The church should be a
community that is known for its Easter faith, a faith that shapes
everything. A faith that inspires a joy
too great to keep to ourselves.
When we forget that, the
church becomes just an institution for the preservation of religious tradition.
Conclusion
So, this story is more than an
account of a walk in the country. It is
a reminder of how important our knowing the real Jesus is to having a faith
that warms our hearts and enriches our life together.
[1] Some argue that Luke is describing the Christian Eucharist
or Lord's Supper. I believe that is
reading a later theological position back into the text.
