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. ¹³ Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles^[f] from Jerusalem, ¹⁴ and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. ¹⁵ While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, ¹⁶ but their eyes were kept from recognizing him. ¹⁷ And he said to them, “What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?” They stood still, looking sad.^[g] 18 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?” ¹⁹ He asked them, “What things?” They replied, “The things about Jesus of Nazareth,^[h] who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, ²⁰ and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be condemned to death and crucified him. ²¹ 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. ²² Moreover, some women of our group astounded us. They were at the tomb early this morning, ²³ 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. ²⁴ 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.” ²⁵ 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^[j]should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?” ²⁷ Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures. Luke 24:12-27

We have 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. And when he arrives at the tomb, he indeed finds it empty and returns home amazed at what has happened. And then two of them are returning home to Emmaus, walking along the road in a somber mood. They encounter a stranger, and although we know that it is Jesus, they will take some time to figure it out. And once they do, they will 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 we have to tell about our encounters with the risen Lord?  How have the scriptures been opened to us?  Where do we encounter the Lord to the point that our hearts burn inside us?

Pastor Dave

³³ When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. [[³⁴ Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.”]] And they cast lots to divide his clothing. ³⁵ And the people stood by, watching; but the leaders scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Messiah of God, his chosen one!” ³⁶ The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine, ³⁷ and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” ³⁸ There was also an inscription over him, “This is the King of the Jews.” ³⁹ One of the criminals who were hanged there kept deriding him and saying, “Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” ⁴⁰ But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? ⁴¹ And we indeed have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong.” ⁴² Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” ⁴³ He replied, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” Luke 23:33-43

“Father forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.”  Bonhoeffer writes,  “G-d (himself)…absolves the world…Now there is no more G-dlessness, no more hatred, no more sin which G-d has not…(Himself)…expiated.  Now there is no more reality, no more world, but it is reconciled with G-d and at peace.  G-d did this in (His) dear Son Jesus Christ.” 

N.T. Wright, in his book “How God Became King” writes:

“The powers that put Jesus on the cross didn’t realize that by doing so they were in fact serving God’s purposes, unveiling the “wisdom” that lies at the heart of the universe. When Jesus died on the cross he was winning the victory over “the rulers and authorities” who have carved up this world in their own violent and destructive way.”

Jesus Christ is the way (to truth), the truth (itself, which is G-d), and the life (now and eternally). But those who killed him had no idea what they were doing – which invariably is allowing G-d to save all of humanity.

Pastor Dave