Luke 24:33-35 Lexham English Bible
33 And they got up that same hour and[a] returned to Jerusalem and found the eleven and those with them assembled, 34 saying, “The Lord has really been raised, and has appeared to Simon!” 35 And they began describing[b] what happened[c] on the road, and how he was recognized by them in the breaking of the bread.
Word of God for the Children of God
Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.
Again we are stopped, confronted with Luke’s vision for mission and ministry.
For not only should Jesus meet us where we are, walk with us, to open up the Scriptures in reading and encountering us with the living presence of Christ in Communion, it also sends us back unto the “furthest reaches of the earth” to share, to testify and witness what we have seen and experienced with others.
Here is where Luke draws this scene to a close and brings us back to the main story line, as it were, of the disciples gathered in Jerusalem.
For once Cleopas and his companion perceive it was Jesus accompanying them on the road to Emmaus, they get up and immediately hike the seven miles back to Jerusalem.
They go even though it is now surely evening.
They go even though evening is not a safe time to travel.
Why? Because burning hearts demand to be shared. Might this, in fact, be the best understanding of evangelism? It is not trying to convince someone of the faith. It is not saving their soul. It is not threatening someone with damnation.
Rather, it is simply sharing news that has set your own heart on fire with love.
Luke, didn’t have to tell this story.
Each of the four authors of the Gospels makes choices and decisions (as John admits near the close of his story – see John 20:30-31).
And so when we come across a distinct detail, discrepant description, or novel scene, it always behooves us to ask what element of the truth of the Gospel is the Evangelist trying to convey.
Here, I think, the matter is clear.
Writing to Christians who likely never met Jesus in the flesh, Luke invites them – and all of us since – to gather with other fellow Christians around Word and Sacrament that we might be met on the way, hear God’s word opened, perceive Christ in our midst, and be sent to share the good news of Christ’s resurrection.
Christians have been repeating this pattern for two thousand years, and each time we gather for worship on Sunday we are joining them. May it always be so.
Reconsider the utmost significance of the recent events! The news about Jesus was by far too important for the disciples in Emmaus to keep to themselves!
Isn’t it now more interesting, more intriguing these enlightened disciples arose “returned at once to Jerusalem” to tell the others about their meeting with Jesus?
A little while earlier, they had urged Jesus to stay with them because it would soon be dark—and generally too dangerous to travel.
They rushed back to Jerusalem, seemingly without a care for their own safety.
These disciples could not contain their excitement to tell the good news about Jesus.
They were no longer traumatized victims of a terrible loss; they were disciples on a mission.
They realized their calling was to confirm the teaching of the Scriptures about Jesus and to bear true and faithful witness about the resurrected Jesus to others who were feeling rock bottom lost, utterly defeated. They brought to the other disciples the same encouragement, comfort, and grace that they had received.
When we think of ourselves as part of Jesus’ sheepfold, it can be easy to think that we have been invited to be passive followers. What we see in the Emmaus disciples’ truly active response is that we too are invited to partner with Jesus.
We are summoned to tell the world that God loves everyone so much that he continues to seek all who are lost so they can come home where they belong.
Who in your midst needs to take a walk to Emmaus to hear this good news?
in the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit …
Praying …
Psalm 19 Lexham English Bible
Yahweh’s Creation and Law
For the music director. A psalm of David.[a]
19 The heavens are telling the glory of God,
and the firmament proclaims the work of his hands.
2 Every day[b] they pour forth speech,
and every night[c] they tell knowledge.
3 There is no speech and there are no words;
their sound is inaudible.
4 Yet in all the world their line[d] goes out,
and their words to the end of the world.
In them[e] he has pitched a tent for the sun,
5 and it is like a bridegroom
who comes out of his bridal chamber.
It is glad like a strong man
to run its course.
6 Its rising is from one[f] end of the heavens
and its circuit to the other end[g] of them;
and nothing is hidden from its heat.
7 The law of Yahweh is perfect, reviving life.[h]
The testimony of Yahweh is firm, making wise the simple.
8 The precepts of Yahweh are right, making the heart rejoice.
The command of Yahweh is pure, enlightening the eyes.
9 The fear of Yahweh is pure, enduring forever.
The ordinances of Yahweh are true; they are righteous altogether,
10 more desirable than gold, even much fine gold;
and sweeter than honey, even honey in the comb.
11 Moreover, your servant is warned[i] by them;
in keeping them is great reward.
12 Who can perceive his errors?
Acquit me from hidden faults.
13 Also, keep back your servant from arrogant sins;[j]
let them not rule over me.
Then I shall be blameless,
and I shall be innocent of great transgression.
14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be acceptable in your presence,
O Yahweh, my rock and my redeemer.
Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.
Loving God, Living God, Loving Hope, Living Hope, Loving Living Life His Way! "Many things are possible for the person who has hope. Even more is possible for the person who has faith. And still more is possible for the person who knows how to love. But everything is possible for the person who practices all three virtues." - Brother Lawrence (1605-1691), Practicing the Presence of God (1692). 