Working as a Children's Ministry Coordinator for 18-years gave me an appreciation for the Bible and a recognition of seasonal cycles embedded within the scriptures which allow us to study and learn complete narratives. I organized a scope and sequence so that if a child attended church every Sunday (I know - here's hoping!) s/he would have read most major stories of the Bible.
One of the sad things about working with adults is the lack of connecting stories. Sometimes the themes overlap, but the drama behind personalities, friendships, and enemies is lost in our snap-shot Sunday format. Wouldn't it be fun to actually organize curriculum around Biblical cliff-hangers where people are compelled to either pick up their Bible and finish the story for themselves, or at least return the next week to hear what happened! Oh, I image a cliff-hanger every Sunday would get old, but at least completing a story in succession would be nice!
All that to say, "The Road to Emmaus" is one of my favorite post-Resurrection stories and one I have yet to hear taught to adults! So I thought I'd share a bit about this great story...
This story takes place the day Jesus has risen from the dead. Remember, Jesus has died on the cross, his body was placed in a tomb and now certain women and even some disciples are saying he has risen and they have seen him! Preposterous you say? So did these two men. We don't know exactly who these men are. One man's name is Cleopas (v.18), but we never know the name of the other. Luke includes them in a group of people who were following Jesus - not his 11 disciples, but two men who had been traveling with the group. They were seven miles outside Jerusalem on the day of Jesus' resurrection. There are no cell phone or electronic devices and this story ends with the men stopping for dinner, which means these two men must have, upon hearing the morning reports of the resurrection, decided this is just too much to believe and they want to disassociate with this mess by leaving as fast and as far as possible.
These two men have left a place of pain and confusion. Instead of facing their fears, doubts and pain, they decide to leave.
I love that the Gospels are filled with post-resurrection accounts of Jesus appearing to a multitude of people. His appearances, to me, are a reflection of his love for each individual. Jesus appeared to groups at a time, but also to individuals - or in this case - two men traveling along a lonely road.
Scripture records that when Jesus approached the men, "their eyes were prevented from recognizing Him." The resurrection, in itself, is mind-boggling. I like to sit and ponder "life-after-resurrection" based on what Jesus did after his resurrection. There was no body in the tomb (only linen wrappings) so somehow, the resurrected Savior used up the dead matter of his flesh into his resurrected body (Maybe I'm getting to far out there for some of you...don't you like to let your mind think about the "what if's" and "I wonder" of life?) Anyway, along comes Jesus and these two men don't recognize him.
The men explain to Jesus what they've been talking about (v.19-24) and all the events of Jesus' life leading up to this moment. Their statements are factual, but wrapped with uncertainty and unbelievability. The two men almost seem confused as to not knowing who or what to believe - which is (I image) why Jesus chose to appear to them personally (isn't He the coolest guy?).
Then, Luke records one of the statements that I wish was documented somehow, "And beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in the Scriptures." (v.27) How amazing to hear Jesus explain the Holy Bible to them!
Finally, the men arrived at their destination and urged Jesus to stay with them since it was getting late. Classic Jesus: he comes inside to hang-out with his friends.
"And it came about that when He had reclined at the table with them, He took the bread and blessed it, and breaking it, He began giving it to them. And their eyes were opened and they recognized Him; and He vanished from their sight." (v.30)
Oh my, so much here! Jesus reveals himself in the breaking of the bread! It's like a light goes on, dots are connected and suddenly, these two men's eyes are opened to make sense of not just the resurrected Jesus before them, but the connecting of the scriptures pointing to Jesus! And then- without so much as another word - Jesus vanishes! (Like I said, Jesus is awesome! The resurrected body of Jesus can vanish, walk through walls, but still eat fish! How cool is that?!)
The best part of the story is in verse 33,
"...and they arose that very hour and returned to Jerusalem."
Their question marks had been turned into exclamation points! That very hour - while it's still dark - they walk another seven miles back to Jerusalem! I can imagine them skipping down the path, leaping with joy! They have just seen their Risen Savior! He really has risen!
This story oozes with lessons, but I thought I'd share the lesson I glean from this story in 2017.
I have personally had a very hard year. In many ways, things I have experienced have left me doubting a lot, questioning friends and feeling very alone. But running from the problems of my Jerusalem does not solve anything. Instead, Jesus has encountered me in my grief and in my confusion. He reminds me of my blessedness in Him. He opens scriptures to reveal His promises and love for me. He challenges me to get up, confess, repent and then return to the dark place to shine His Light and bring hope to others who are in darkness and do not yet believe. Most importantly, I am aware that I am not alone, even when I run away, Jesus is on the road with me. "Where can I go from your presence?" The Psalmist questions? This story answers- there is no where we can run where Jesus will not be with us and meet us.
I don't know what your Jerusalem looks like and what pain you may be running from, but I pray your eyes will be opened to see your Risen Savior walking by your side. I pray, also, that when you see you are not alone, you will have courage to walk back to your place of pain so that Jesus can bring hope, healing and a future.
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