January 5, 2106

Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles[a] from Jerusalem. They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from recognizing him. He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?” They stood still, their faces downcast. One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” “What things?” he 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 they did not see Jesus.” He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Messiah 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. As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them. 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 24:13-31

Yesterday’s reading and discussion ended with the sentence “Remain open to hearing things new – hearing them with “fresh ears.” It got me wondering where the phrase fresh ears first appeared. In doing some research it seems that it comes from the Hebrew word “Abib” , which means “Fresh, Young Ears”. It refers to the “month of ear forming” or “growing green”, meaning new, or newly formed. It also refers to the first month of the Jewish calendar. If you look up the phrase on the internet, you will find that this term is really important in the music industry, and can also be an important concept in our every day lives. Why? Because it is hard to hear something with fresh ears – especially something we have heard over and over again, or something we have set upon with certain pre-conceived notions.

Take our two friends traveling on the road to the town of Emmaus. These two disciples were confused. They are disciples because they are followers of Jesus. They are sad because Jesus was killed, and they had hoped he was the long awaited Messiah. Although they had witnessed so many things with Jesus, and heard his teachings, they could not hear his teachings with “Fresh Ears”, meaning, if Jesus was the long awaited Messiah then how could he have been killed. So, on the day of his resurrection, Jesus came to open their ears so they could understand the scriptures with “Fresh Ears” – to teach them they needed to put away their pre-conceived notions about the Messiah, and about their faith.

We also need to struggle to hear the words of scripture with new, and fresh ears – and this can be hard when we have heard the scriptures for so many years. My friends, as you read the scriptures this new year, make it a point to hear them with “fresh ears” and to “remain open” to the Holy Spirit speaking in and through these words of Grace.

Pastor Dave