Luke 24:13-35
(sermon note:
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
- 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! 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.
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.
This morning’s reading reminds me of the one about a man who was driving a van full of penguins and was pulled over by a cop. “Sir,” said the policeman. “Are you aware that there are penguins in your van?” “Yep,” said the man. “They’re my penguins. They belong to me.” The policeman looked at the man in disbelief and then back at the penguins, who chirp at him. “Sir, I’m afraid this is unacceptable. I need you to take them to a zoo immediately.” The man replied, “I’ll take them right away,” and drove off. The next day, the police officer saw the same exact van driving by and to his astonishment, it was still full of penguins! He pulled the man over again, and noticed that he and the penguins are all wearing sunglasses, sunscreen, and Hawaiian shirts. The officer gaped at him and said, “Sir, I thought I told you to take these penguins to the zoo!” “Yeah, I did!” the man responded. “And today I’m taking them to the beach!”
Not only was the man aware that he had a van full of penguins but apparently, he was aware of how to entertain them as well! What that policeman wasn’t aware of was how to give a proper order to a possible criminal! I mean, c’mon on…”I need you to take them to a zoo immediately?!” The man did exactly as ordered and still kept his van full of penguins, a win/win in his book. Silly policeman!
Well, as you might have guessed, I’d like us to reflect on awareness this morning; in particular, our awareness of God among us. In that joke, there was both awareness and unawareness. The man was fully aware while the cop was completely unaware. In our reading for this morning, we also have both awareness and unawareness. The two men walking to Emmaus were unaware it was Jesus walking beside them, teaching them about scripture, even sharing a meal with them. It wasn’t until Jesus broke the bread during the meal that they finally became of aware of who their new companion was all along. Now Jesus, on the other hand, was fully aware of who he is and played a rather comical game of pretending to be dumb or unaware. He asked, “What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?” and when the two men were amazed that he somehow hadn’t heard about his own crucifixion, he asked further, “What things?” I mean, if we can’t acknowledge Jesus’ playfulness in this encounter then we’re missing out on some key post-resurrection joy. It was a terribly uncertain time in the days following his crucifixion and resurrection. Talk about a roller coaster of emotions hearing that the Messiah was somehow killed and then miraculously rose from the dead three days later! The two men were no doubt enveloped in cloud of emotions and confusion. Jesus understood this and chose to walk beside them in their confusion knowing full well their confusion would keep them from recognizing who he was. Confusion upon confusion. And it wasn’t that he wanted to add to their confusion, simply enter it and slowly bring clarity and understanding and awareness. I think it’s important to highlight this characteristic of Jesus as illustrated by this encounter. Yes, Jesus has a playful side to him. Jesus wants to ease our burdens and sometimes he does this through playfulness. Play has an amazing ability to ease burdens. But perhaps Jesus was doing more than simply being playful by pretending to be unaware. Maybe, just maybe, Jesus was illustrating his willingness to enter our confusion as a way of bringing about full awareness. We know Jesus isn’t one for only preaching and teaching at us. Jesus would much rather immerse himself in our understanding and helping us expand our understanding. All great teachers first understand where their students are at and then help them get to where they need to be. Jesus wanted to help the two men expand their understanding not only of the events that took place in Jerusalem but also their understanding of scripture and his power over life and death. Jesus is a great teacher and cleverly helps the unaware become more aware.
There is another important aspect to this encounter that mustn’t overlook. Not only did Jesus enter the confusion of the two men but he did so while they were going about their lives. There is movement in this encounter. The men are walking down the road and Jesus walks beside them. Again, this illustrates how Jesus often reveals himself to those who are simply going about their daily lives. We tend to think that we can only encounter Jesus when we carve out time in our daily lives to be with him through prayer or worship. Yes, Jesus most certainly among us this morning as we gather for worship. But he isn’t only here on Sunday mornings! No, Jesus is out there walking beside us through our daily lives. Jesus prefers to be out there just as I imagine we prefer him to be! Jesus isn’t a stagnant God. Jesus is an active God, actively involved in our daily lives. Jesus walks beside us, guiding our lives and helping us grow in our understanding and awareness. Our God is an engaging and engaged God.
I know you know that Easter is more than a day in spring when we celebrate Jesus’ resurrection. Easter is, in fact, a season that kicked off last Sunday. I remind us of this because I think it helps convey how the mystery of the resurrection is slowly explained throughout this season. If you allow him, the resurrected Jesus will walk beside you and help you better understand the resurrection mystery and many more mysteries. Jesus wants to reveal himself! Habakkuk tells us, “For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.” (2:14) Friends, we are entering into a season of revelation and awareness. We are not unlike the two men on the road to Emmaus. Our lives are full of confusion. Lucky for us, Jesus will walk beside us (if we let him!) and give us peace and clarity and understanding. Let us sing as David sang in his 119th psalm, “Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things from your law. I am a stranger on earth; do not hide your commandments from me.” (vs. 18-19) Let us give thanks for the awareness that comes from Jesus and God alone. Thanks be to God!
In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
