April 10, 2005   Third Sunday of Easter   

Luke 24:13-35                

Pastor Gary E. Benson

Zumbro Lutheran Church, Rochester, Minnesota

 

“The Three ‘R’s to Emmaus”

Road, Recognition, Renewal

 

Grace be unto you, and peace from God our Father and our Lord and Savior Jesus the Risen Christ, Amen.

 

I keep a variety of reading material by my favorite chair at home, magazines, books, newspapers, and one of most favorite pieces, my road atlas. I don’t know how it is for you, but I, especially this time of year, love to look at the road atlas and just think about, dream about, what roads could be traveled in the upcoming months. And believe me, with our bike group from Zumbro headed for Holden Village in the State of Washington this summer, there are many miles of road to think about – some of which I have traveled before, others which will be new territory.

 

In today’s gospel lesson, followers of Christ were also on the road, probably a familiar road to them. They were on foot, headed to a place, we read, which scholars say no one knows for sure where it really was, although a number of villages claim such distinction, Emmaus.  Oh, yes, “the road to Emmaus.” It is a well known road; it is well known to us and to all Christians not because of the quality of the road, the scenery, the eateries along the way – rather for one encounter, one unforgettable encounter along the road.

 

Have you ever had an unforgettable encounter along the road? I think of traveling down Highway 90 headed to Yellowstone in 1992. My two motorcycle buddies and I were cruising along on the freeway enjoying the ride, the day, the experience. Suddenly, in the rear view mirror, it is a state patrolman. No, it was another motorcycle packed high with gear; it appeared to be an older bike, but it was really moving fast and very soon it went seemingly flying by. Not much later, however, as our group of three pulled into the wayside, the person who had raced by so quickly was pulling off his helmet, as I pulled up next to him. He had as much gray hair as I did at that time – so he looked approachable – and we started up a conversation. I didn’t recognize him as anyone I knew, but I did recognize a black tassel – a graduation tassel. I commented on it, and he said, to my surprise and astonishment, he had just graduated from Princeton Theological Seminary. Now he had my attention. I asked, “What are you doing going cross country?” To make a long story short, he said he was looking for a Call in the Methodist Church.  He was going to visit with church leaders along the route around the country. A month later, and I still have it, I got a picture he took of my friends and myself, and the news he had gotten a Call to a congregation in Ohio.  An unforgettable encounter, of which, I love to tell.

 

So also the road to Emmaus – friends, colleagues, disciples – suddenly encounter one who appears to be a stranger. He becomes a part of their journey, and they start telling the story of their journey with Jesus, his trial, crucifixion, death – and the great disappoint, as with the death of Jesus. How their hope had died, as well, even though there were rumors of His resurrection. 

 

Finally Jesus says, “Don’t you see? Why are you so slow to believe?”  Jesus began explaining the witness of scripture pointing to salvation. Still they don’t get it; they don’t recognize Jesus. Why not? Was it dark, was he masked? Maybe they just didn’t expect to see Jesus. It must have been getting to dusk as the conversation ensued. Jesus was invited to stay the night with them. They still did not recognize him. And then, in the most common, most holy of moments, the breaking of the bread, they recognized him – and then he was gone. Then, however, they were pumped; they ran to Jerusalem to tell the others. The fire that had seemingly burnt out, the hope that had turned to despair, all was changed, they were renewed, they “got it!”  Jesus was alive, it was all true. The Savior, the Messiah, met them in the moment, in the bread and wine, and their lives were renewed (in the road, recognition, renewal). Darkness became light. It was no longer a spiritual Good Friday; it was true, as it was written, and in three days he would be raised from the dead. They recognized Jesus; they got it.

 

We all travel down many roads in our life of faith – “freeways, the twisties, and the long and lonesome road.” We deal with moments, as did the disciples, on the road to Emmaus. Those moments when we just don’t get it, we can’t see Jesus, can’t recognize Jesus, and believing that Jesus is in our journey seems difficult, if not impossible. We can’t seem to believe that we are really loved, that what we do matters, that Jesus does indeed care that I follow him and love my neighbor. Such times, when we can’t recognize Jesus, are indeed difficult times.

 

But then we have an Easter moment. The stone of darkness is rolled away; the barrier of despair is overcome. The love and grace of Jesus is recognized, embraced, and we are renewed. It’s one of those “ah hah” moments.  Our soul sings with a certainty, “My God how great thou art!” Loving, gifting, blessing. Alleluia, Jesus lives!

 

I had such a moment on Good Friday at 9:30 or so in the morning. It again was an encounter I will not soon, maybe never, forget along my life’s journey. I stopped by quickly to see one of our members, Edna Westby, 102 years old.  Edna had always been such a fine spirited person of faith; and there, as she lay waiting to die, she said, “I have always had Jesus in my heart!” And as I heard those words I thought of the words she spoke to my wife, only months earlier, when my mother-in-law died. She had lived a few doors down the hall from Edna at Samaritan Bethany. Edna, 102, said of Doris, 95, upon news of her death, “She was one of the lucky ones – she has gone to be with Jesus.”

 

I thank God that Edna always recognized Jesus in her heart and life, but even more so, I thank God that our God recognizes, loves, claims us even when a veil of fear, doubt, despair hides the face, be it the truth of God’s love and grace in Jesus Christ. 

 

The truth of our gracious and loving Lord Jesus Christ is shared in this old classic song of faith, “Day by Day.”

 

            “Every day the Lord Himself is near me, With a special mercy for each hour;

            All my cares He fain would bear and cheer me, He whose name is Counselor and Power

            The protection of His child and treasure Is a charge that on Himself he laid;

            As thy days, thy strength shall be in measure – This the pledge to me he has made.”

 

Thanks be to God, the God who met the disciples where they were at, on the Road to Emmaus – such God meets us – today, daily, and always (where we are at) with life, hope, and faith – through word, worship, and witness.

 

On the Road of our Emmaus, may we recognize Jesus and be renewed by his love, spirit, presence, power, and promises.  Life is a long, and can be difficult, road – but because of Easter, celebrate – you are never alone!