“As they came near the village to which they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going on. But they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over.” So he went in to stay with them.When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight.They said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?” That same hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven and their companions gathered together.They were saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and he has appeared to Simon!” Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread.” Luke 24:28-35

“It is good to have an end to journey toward, butit is the journey that matters in the end.” (Ursula K. Le Guin)

Verse 28 is significant – “As they came near the village to which they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going on.” This verse, although seemingly insignificant, needs to be developed for us, for it is an important point. Hospitality was a huge issue in first century Palestine. Jesus does not want to impose on these disciples by forcing them to offer him hospitality.   He moves to continue his journey, not forcing them to make room for him, to include him in their meal, to make a place for him to lay his head for the night.

Theologically, the message that we take is that Jesus never forces himself upon others. How many times have we met people who feel compelled to force Jesus on us in their conversation? Our Lutheran and Confessional understanding of the role of the Holy Spirit is that the spirit builds faith in people when and where the spirit chooses to work. 

We cannot force the Spirit of G-d or, in fact, Jesus Christ himself on others.  We simply need to expose people to G-d through word and deed, acts of love, and see when and if the Spirit begins a journey.

Pastor Dave

“Then they remembered his words, and returning from the tomb, they told all this to the eleven and to all the rest. Now it was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them who told this to the apostles. But these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. But Peter got up and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; then he went home, amazed at what had happened. Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, but their eyes were kept from recognizing him. And he said to them, “What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?” They stood still, looking sad. Then one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place there in these days?” He asked them, “What things?” They replied, “The things about Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be condemned to death and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things took place. Moreover, some women of our group astounded us. They were at the tomb early this morning, and when they did not find his body there, they came back and told us that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who said that he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but they did not see him. ”Then he said to them, “Oh, how foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared! ²⁶ Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?” Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures.” Luke 24:8-27

“If you can’t fly, then run, if you can’t walk run, then walk, if you can’t walk, then crawl, but by all means keep moving.” (Martin Luther King Jr.)

Two separate stories, each with people returning home – and their emotions are on a roller coaster ride. Peter comes running to the tomb after hearing the “idle tale” of an empty tomb from the women. But, upon arriving at the tomb, he indeed finds it empty and returns home amazed at what has happened. And then two other disciples are returning home to Emmaus, walking along the road in a somber mood.  They encounter a stranger, although we know that it is Jesus, and they will soon have an amazing tale to tell – how Jesus opens the scriptures to them, so much so that their hearts burn inside them. 

What amazing tales do you have to tell about your encounters with the risen Lord? How have the scriptures been opened to you? Where do you  encounter the Lord to the point that your heart burns inside you? We all have stories to tell about how Jesus has touched our lives – has amazed us – has given us hope. Where can you share your stories today?

Pastor Dave