As I sit to write this, it is a time of waiting. Good Friday has passed and Easter is yet to come. In between the crucifixion and resurrection stands an eternal chasm. Jesus' disciples were left to feel the weight of that one fateful day when their hopes were dashed. Or were they?
Do you ever wonder if the pain and loss of this life is all we will ever know. Do you ever feel like your life is full of Good Fridays and Easter seems just a pipe dream?
Luke records a story about two of Jesus' followers who were wandering and wondering after the events of Good Friday, carrying a heavy burden of doubt and despair. They were on their way to the village of Emmaus when they encountered a stranger on the road. Readers of Luke's gospel already know, of course, that Jesus has risen and that this stranger is indeed the Lord himself. Without the convenience of texting at their disposal, however, Mary Magdalene hadn't gotten the message to these two yet that Jesus is alive...Jesus has risen! Jesus spends hours with them revealing how the scriptures had been pointing all along to the sacrifice he would make in giving his life away.
They walked and listened but were slow of heart to believe. Their eyes were restrained from recognizing him. It wasn't until he ate with them and broke bread with them that they realized who had been with them all along!
As I anticipate preaching on this passage in the Table worship service on Sunday, May 8th, I wonder how you respond to this passage. Are there times when your eyes are restrained from recognizing the presence of Jesus in your life? Do you ever feel stuck in the despair of Good Friday, unable to grasp the living hope of Easter? What questions do you have? Of Luke? Of Jesus?
As we enter into this Easter season, I pray that our eyes would be opened to recognize Jesus' abiding presence with us on the road of life. Amen.
Happy Easter to you and your family Pastor Chris. We are looking forward to hearing your sermon later today at noon. Your passage brings to mind a few years that I spent much time "Stuck in the despair of Good Friday" I now spend most time "Living the Hope of Easter". Thanks for the reminder. It will help me help others make the journey that brought me closer to God.
ReplyDeleteOur love to you!
Kim
P.S., I have no idea why my comment shows up under "Tungalamenga" - although it's a good reminder to keep praying for our partners in need every day!
ReplyDeleteSo now it is Easter morning: What I've been hearing today strikes to what my deep "hope" I had for what I might hear. How about others? What is the deep hope in your life for the kind of message your heart needs to hear on EASTER Sunday?
ReplyDelete-Randy B
Having technical issues.
ReplyDelete"I wonder how you respond to this passage."
Easy! I would have LOVED to be able to have the walk and dinner conversation with Jesus. If we believe being almost 2000 years removed from the events, how much would it below your mind to have that kind of conversation. Talk about QUALITY TIME....
"Are there times when your eyes are restrained from recognizing the presence of Jesus in your life? "
Yep, when I keep looking for what **I** want to see; not what **He**wants me to see. I think of in better in terms of **hearing** instead of **seeing**; I fail to HEAR what He is saying to me (or asking of me) when I am doing all the talking and don't stop to listen.
"Do you ever feel stuck in the despair of Good Friday, unable to grasp the living hope of Easter?"
Not lately. I'm feeling a lot of Easter joy. Thanks be to God!
"What questions do you have? Of Luke? Of Jesus?"
Why did the two folks on the road to Emmaus give up hope after only 3 days? Did they have a reason to expect a timeline for His resurrection? It seems like they all bailed on Him from the Last Supper on. Good 'ole Thomas was the most confusing. Not only did he give up hope of Jesus' return, but he didn't believe his closest friends when they told him of His earlier visitation.
Also having issues with the ID that is attached to my comments. It shows me as "1" for some reason.
ReplyDeleteTim C