13 That same day two of Jesus’ followers were walking to the village of Emmaus, seven miles from Jerusalem. 14 As they walked along they were talking about everything that had happened. 15 As they talked and discussed these things, Jesus himself suddenly came and began walking with them. 16 But God kept them from recognizing him.
17 He asked them, “What are you discussing so intently as you walk along?”
They stopped short, sadness written across their faces. 18 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.”
19 “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. 20 But our leading priests and other religious leaders handed him over to be condemned to death, and they crucified him. 21 We had hoped he was the Messiah who had come to rescue Israel. This all happened three days ago.
22 “Then some women from our group of his followers were at his tomb early this morning, and they came back with an amazing report. 23 They said his body was missing, and they had seen angels who told them Jesus is alive! 24 Some of our men ran out to see, and sure enough, his body was gone, just as the women had said.”
25 Then Jesus said to them, “You foolish people! You find it so hard to believe all that the prophets wrote in the Scriptures. 26 Wasn’t it clearly predicted that the Messiah would have to suffer all these things before entering his glory?” 27 Then Jesus took them through the writings of Moses and all the prophets, explaining from all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.
28 By this time they were nearing Emmaus and the end of their journey. Jesus acted as if he were going on, 29 but they begged him, “Stay the night with us, since it is getting late.” So he went home with them. 30 As they sat down to eat, he took the bread and blessed it. Then he broke it and gave it to them. 31 Suddenly, their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And at that moment he disappeared!
32 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?” 33 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, 34 who said, “The Lord has really risen! He appeared to Peter.”
Luke 24:13-34
Dear God, this was the gospel reading this morning in church. It’s my wife’s favorite Bible story. I really like it as a good one, but my favorite remains Joseph and Nicodemus caring for Jesus’s body after the crucifixion. That would be an interesting conversation starter with someone I know is a Christian: “What’s your favorite Bible story?” Or, “Who is your favorite Bible character?” I guess it makes sense that my favorite Bible stories are aligned with my favorite characters. My top three are Joseph, Jesus’s earthly father, Nicodemus, and Jonathan. The story for Joseph is the opening of Matthew before he gets his angel visit. He was the kind of man who would cover and care for Mary before the angel told him it was okay and she was telling the truth. For Nicodemus, he cared for Jesus and jeopardized his career and standing in the communit before the resurrection. And for Jonathan, I love the last meeting in the woods between him and David where he pledges to David that he will abdicate his throne and serve him one day. All three men were willing to cost themselves everything for what they believed in. For Joseph, it was his compassion and integrity. For Nicodemus, his love for Jesus and his anger towards Caiaphas and crew. And for Jonathan, his humility in accepting that David would be your king over himself.
But I digress. Today, we are looking at these two disciples (man and wife?) who are going home to their hometown and trying to make sense of the world around them. They are confused. Disappointed. Sad. Maybe even disillusioned.
I think about the Christian podcasts I listen to. Slow Theology says something like, “Simple faith for chaotic times.” The Russell Moore Podcast says, “We look for sign posts in a strange time.” He used to say “confusing times.” I always roll my eyes at the idea that we think these are the strangest, most chaotic, or the most confusing times because I think everyone feels that way about whatever moment they are in. We look back on the 80s and 90s and simpler times, but we felt like they were crazy. In the 80s, we looked back on the 50s and felt like those were the simpler times, but the people living through them didn’t feel that way. No, we almost never know what is happening around us. What is going on, even right in front of our faces.
So now, as I sit here typing out this prayer, how confused do I feel? I would anser that by saying that I feel about the average amount of confused. I mean, as I write this, things are a mess in the Middle East, they are a mess in Ukraine. They are weird in Asia and South America. Africa is a constant mess. Closer to home, there are problems in my community that I don’t know how to fix. And even closer to home, there are parts of my personal life that break my heart. And I don’t necessarily feel like I have you to “open the scriptures” to me, but I find in all of these stories the idea that you are here to comfort and guide me throuhg this minfield of disappointment and sorrow.
Father, your name is great. You are the greatest. You are above all of your creation. I am here to worship youI pray that, in the midst of the curent chaos and confusion, you would use the pain of this time for your kingdom to come and your will to be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give all we need to survive the day. I pray the same for the Iranians and Ukrainians. Give me what I need today, and help me to lean into my dependence upon you. Forgive me for the sefishness in my heart that I pursue and consider pursuing. Help those parts of me to die. And lead me away from the things that tempt me. Deliver me, from evil.
I pray this in Jesus and with your Holy Spirit,
Amen
Emails to God 