Readings:
Sermon:
Alleluia, Christ is Risen, He is risen indeed, Alleluia
This response that is often said, sung or even shouted in churches around the world on Easter Day and for the 50 days afterwards is a celebration that Jesus is alive… Jesus has beaten death … the ultimate proof that he is God. God had been walking around among humanity for about 33 years, showing glimpses of himself in teachings and miracles…right from his conception through birth, childhood and his adult ministry. All culminating in the glory that is the resurrection…Alleluia!
But, maybe you are struggling with that. It’s quite an idea to get your head round – it’s a huge thing. But the story from Luke’s Gospel that we hear today may give you some confidence that you are not alone in having doubts. This story tells us that Christ meets us wherever we are on our journey of understanding.
This story is set in the afternoon of the very first Easter Day.
It begins with two disciples walking away from Jerusalem. They were not from the twelve, but from the bigger group that followed Jesus. Thousands of Jews had been in Jerusalem celebrating the Passover Festival and this was the day after all the celebrations were over. The city would have been emptying with crowds of people walking the roads home.
Some may have been talking about the events of the strange crucifixion. Probably most would have been talking about the Passover celebrations and festivities…the parties
Our two disciples were grief stricken though and were trying to get their heads around how Jesus, their rabbi, leader, friend was dead – the person they had thought was the Messiah, who had come to make everything right again…to redeem Israel…how is he dead? This isn’t how it is meant to be. So they talk about it all…they’re using the time they have together as they walk home to talk about the man they have loved and are grieving for…trying to understand.
And quietly, they notice someone listening behind them. He asks them what they are talking about. They are surprised he doesn’t know about the crucifixion –They are so filled with grief they cannot even think anyone wouldn’t know. Remember they have been caught up in it and so expect everyone to know...even though only a few were actually there.
So they tell this stranger all about it…including the strange story that their grief stops them from understanding… that some of the women of the group had been to the tomb that morning but the it was empty and angels said he was alive.
Even in this moment Jesus doesn’t say ‘Tada! Here I am!’ Instead, he talks with them about what they do already know – the scriptures. The stories from our Old Testament of all the prophecies that point to the events that happened in Jesus life. And, as we find out at the end of the story, it is during this conversation that their hearts try to tell them that this is Jesus, but their grief stops them from recognising him yet.
At this point in our story, Jesus is showing his disciples, showing us, that scripture is important – all of scripture. Jesus, in talking about scripture with the disciples on the Emmaus road, is showing them that they are to have heart and that they were right…Jesus was the one who came to fulfil it all.
But they still don’t get it.
They arrive at their home in Emmaus. It is evening by now so they invite him to come in.
They don’t know it but they are inviting God into their home.
So, they sit down and prepare to have supper. Then this stranger does something really strange…remember this isn’t his house, he is the guest. But he picks up the bread and before the disciples can respond, he blesses it, breaks it and shares it with them.
And then their eyes were opened – they understood. This is exactly what Jesus had done just 4 days ago with his closest disciples… Here it is happening with them in their own home. Their hearts are filled with recognition. This moment isn’t about trying to understand what’s happening, this is about feeling that Jesus is present with them in the breaking of the bread. And they get it!
So they run back to Jerusalem to tell the others.
This resurrection story is one in which we can all share. Jesus chose to show the disciples, and therefore us, everything that has been given to us to show the way to him… Scripture and communion. Word and sacrament.
At times, faith can be hard. There will always be times when we doubt and lose our way. But knowing where to go when we are struggling is half the battle. The disciples walked with one another, talked about their experiences and about scripture, shared their doubts and their beliefs. They shared bread together.
It is what we need to do too…we need to trust that Jesus walks with us in our doubts and in our darkest moments. He doesn’t force his way in, he walks alongside, he reveals himself in scripture and in the breaking of bread…and he is always there…even when we don’t see him.
Alleluia, Christ is Risen…he is risen indeed, Alleluia.
Questions:
What has helped you when you have had doubts or questions about your faith?
Which of the stories about the resurrection appearances of Jesus is your favourite? If you’re not sure maybe look them up in a Bible or online or pop along to a local church in the next few weeks and hear them read out, you’ll be made very welcome.