THURSDAY, APRIL 13, 2023 - EASTER IV

  THURSDAY, APRIL 13, 2023 - EASTER IV

This week has had some odds and ends for my Easter thoughts.  So, one final one - my Easter hike!!  (Well, not mind, but two other “friends”).

*****

Here is the story from Luke 24:

That same day two of Jesus’ followers were walking to the village of Emmaus, seven miles from Jerusalem. As they walked along they were talking about everything that had happened. As they talked and discussed these things, Jesus himself suddenly came and began walking with them. But God kept them from recognizing him.

He asked them, “What are you discussing so intently as you walk along?”

They stopped short, sadness written across their faces. Then one of them, Cleopas, replied, “You must be the only person in Jerusalem who hasn’t heard about all the things that have happened there the last few days.”

“What things?” Jesus asked.

“The things that happened to Jesus, the man from Nazareth,” they said. “He was a prophet who did powerful miracles, and he was a mighty teacher in the eyes of God and all the people. But our leading priests and other religious leaders handed him over to be condemned to death, and they crucified him. We had hoped he was the Messiah who had come to rescue Israel. This all happened three days ago.

“Then some women from our group of his followers were at his tomb early this morning, and they came back with an amazing report. They said his body was missing, and they had seen angels who told them Jesus is alive! Some of our men ran out to see, and sure enough, his body was gone, just as the women had said.”

Then Jesus said to them, “You foolish people! You find it so hard to believe all that the prophets wrote in the Scriptures. Wasn’t it clearly predicted that the Messiah would have to suffer all these things before entering his glory?” Then Jesus took them through the writings of Moses and all the prophets, explaining from all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.

By this time they were nearing Emmaus and the end of their journey. Jesus acted as if he were going on, but they begged him, “Stay the night with us since it is getting late.” So he went home with them. As they sat down to eat, he took the bread and blessed it. Then he broke it and gave it to them. Suddenly, their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And at that moment he disappeared!

They said to each other, “Didn’t our hearts burn within us as he talked with us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us?” And within the hour they were on their way back to Jerusalem. There they found the eleven disciples and the others who had gathered with them, who said, “The Lord has really risen! He appeared to Peter”

Then the two from Emmaus told their story of how Jesus had appeared to them as they were walking along the road, and how they had recognized him as he was breaking the bread. And just as they were telling about it, Jesus himself was suddenly standing there among them. “Peace be with you,” he said. But the whole group was startled and frightened, thinking they were seeing a ghost!

*****

I have several thoughts about this story.  

***

THE EXERCISE VERSION:

For years I have thought of the walking the two men did.  It says it was about seven miles from Jerusalem to Emmaus.  I’m not sure when they were in Jerusalem, so let’s assume they had stayed in town for Passover (starting a couple of days ago).  They saw all the excitement - maybe they had been in town all week - from the triumphant entry (aka “Palm Sunday”), through the week.  They are identified as “Jesus Followers”, but not disciples - so they probably weren’t part of the Last Supper.  Then the betrayal, trial, condemnation, and crucifixion. Maybe they were around when the mob yelled “Crucify Him”.  Maybe they were at the crucifixion site and watched the slow, anguishing death of Jesus.  

But, now they walked the seven miles back home.  I’m not sure if they were married, but whatever the dinner plans, they sat down at dinner.  (Did their wives make something special?).  Did they say “Barukh ata Adonai Eloheinu, melekh ha'olam, hamotzi lehem min ha'aretz. Blessed are You, LORD our God, King of the universe, Who brings forth bread from the earth.” (according to the Internet, a common Jewish meal prayer).  

Then they walked back to Jerusalem - to some place they knew (“There they found the eleven disciples and the others who had gathered with them”) - so seven miles more of walking.

It’s been a LONG time since I walked 14 miles in a day.  (I might have said to myself as Jesus disappeared, ‘I’ll go back tomorrow and tell the others.  I’m tired. But, they didn’t).

***

THE BURNING IN THE HEART VERSION:

 “Didn’t our hearts burn within us as he talked with us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us?” 

Have I (or you) felt the burning in our hearts (and I don’t mean “heartburn” from eating spicy food)?  The profound, deep, knowledge that they KNEW, they KNEW, they KNEW they had been with Jesus!!! 

***

MY FONDEST WISH VERSION

Then Jesus took them through the writings of Moses and all the prophets, explaining from all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.

WOW - Jesus, himself, took them through ALL the writings from Moses, Isaiah, David, and all the prophets.  (I wish they had written it down for us!!!).

I can imagine the book - “Jesus explains the Scriptures” by Dr. Cleopas Cohen.  (Every Christian and many Jews would have that book on their shelves and read it every year for Passover / Easter). 

*****

THE EVERY-PERSON VERSION

These guys are not mentioned anywhere else. “That same day two of Jesus’ followers were walking to the village of Emmaus, seven miles from Jerusalem. As they walked along they were talking about everything that had happened”

They are “just” (not that “just” is a slight term) followers of Jesus - like us.  I am “just a follower of Jesus” isn’t a negative thing. Yes, I’m not a priest, pastor, prophet, evangelist, or teacher - I’m “just” a follower of Jesus.  

Overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons nor our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. (Romans 8:36-38)

*****

But, that doesn’t mean that I am superior to anybody else.  We are ALL made in the image and likeness of God.  I am to LOVE EVERYBODY!!!  I can’t look down on some poor person, on a Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist, or anybody.  

I am walking down my own road to Emmaus.  I can’t judge if there are other roads to Emmaus.  I can’t judge if Jesus isn’t talking to somebody on another road or not.  I am responsible for only one person - me.

And, guess what?

LOVE WINS

LOVE TRANSFORMS

KAREN ANNE WHITE, ©, APRIL 14, 2023