He is Risen

All-Age Holy Communion for Easter Day

Gospel Luke 24

On the Road to Emmaus

¹³ Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. ¹⁴ They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. ¹⁵ As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; ¹⁶ but they were kept from recognizing him.

¹⁷ He asked them, "What are you discussing together as you walk along?"

    They stood still, their faces downcast. ¹⁸ One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, "Are you only a visitor to Jerusalem and do not know the things that have happened there in these days?"

¹⁹ "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. ²⁰ The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; ²¹ 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. ²² In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning ²³ but didn't find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. ²⁴ Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see."

²⁵ He said to them, "How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! ²⁶ Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?" ²⁷ And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.

²⁸ As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. ²⁹ 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.

³⁰ When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. ³¹ Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. ³² 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?"

³³ They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together ³⁴ and saying, "It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon." ³⁵ Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.

Sermon

Last week – Palm Sunday – high drama of triumphal entry. This week high drama of resurrection. For those who come faithfully to church on Sundays – pass from rejoicing to rejoicing and miss events of Passion.

Maundy Thursday – last supper, washing of feet, Christ the suffering servant. Good Friday – trial, betrayal, crucifixion, death of Jesus, burial.

That’s why last week after referring briefly to triumphal entry – what it meant – Messiahship – I took theme of expectation.

Disciples and those who lined road expected military style messiah. That’s what Jewish leaders and Roman governor feared. That’s what condemned Jesus to death.

After trial, crucifixion, death – disciples’ hopes dashed. Jesus’ mission had ended in failure. Expected a manhunt.

I then went on to talk about our expectations of what might have taken place after resurrection. We know the story – but coming afresh to faith would we not expect Jesus would appear in triumph? Show he had survived death? Put it beyond doubt? Compel faith?

What would we expect his first words? “I am risen. Look – it’s me. Now will you believe?”

Not so. Jesus first appeared to Mary. His first words not of triumph. “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?” Later same day – appeared to minor disciples – road to Emmaus. Don’t even know their names. Cleopas does not appear anywhere else.

First words also a question. “What are you discussing?” Does not compel belief. Is not even recognised physically. Expounds the Scriptures – probably explains prophecy of Isaiah 53:

³ He was despised and rejected by men,
       a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering.
       Like one from whom men hide their faces
       he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

⁴ Surely he took up our infirmities
       and carried our sorrows,
       yet we considered him stricken by God,
       smitten by him, and afflicted.

⁵ But he was pierced for our transgressions,
       he was crushed for our iniquities;
       the punishment that brought us peace was upon him,
       and by his wounds we are healed.

⁶ We all, like sheep, have gone astray,
       each of us has turned to his own way;
       and the LORD has laid on him
       the iniquity of us all.

⁷ He was oppressed and afflicted,
       yet he did not open his mouth;
       he was led like a lamb to the slaughter,
       and as a sheep before her shearers is silent,
       so he did not open his mouth.

God does not compel belief. For most of us, faith is fragile. We don’t often even recognise the Lord. Just flashes of understanding, like Mary’s or when Jesus broke bread at Emmaus.

This is the faith into which we are about to baptize. During our communion, this is when we can recognise the presence of the risen Christ among us. Jesus – the Suffering Servant – Man of Sorrows who was pierced for our sin – whose punishment has brought us peace – and by whose wounds we are healed.

This Jesus often seems ambiguous to us. Asks us questions – “why are you crying?” or “What are you discussing?” His hoped for response from us – on Easter Day in particular – like disciples at Emmaus – “Were not our hearts burning within us? It is true! The Lord has risen.” He has risen indeed. Amen