Road to Emmaus ... the way to go! Luke 24:13-3

Luke 24:13-35 The road to Emmaus Gospel reading for Sunday 8th May 2011

 I rate this story as one of the most profound, reassuring and liberating pieces of scripture for us as we go about our work in Lutheran Schools in these days of the 21st century.  I commented briefly on this last year when writing on the topic of  Post Easter wisdom for schools  " ...we have a rare opportunity to peer in through this very special post-resurrection window. Here we have Jesus speaking to us with "runs on the board". This is not just Jesus the amazing prophet and good bloke, this is the Jesus who has become the Christ, Jesus the risen Lord, Jesus the Messiah, Jesus now revealed to us completely as God from the other side of the cross!"

There are some interesting observations and twists in this passage:

1. The two people mentioned are referred to as disciples of Jesus. On closer inspection however, we note that they cannot be part of the chosen group of twelve. In a sense they represent ordinary people just like you and I!
2. The two are downcast and walking AWAY from Jerusalem (symbolic of humans walking away from God?)
3. They (like us at times?) are completely oblivious to the fact that God revealed in Jesus is walking right beside them.
4. Is there a hint in verses 25-27 of Jesus showing his annoyance? What do we make of that?
5. Verse 16 "But they were kept from recognizing Him", reminds us that we cannot come to know (recognize) Jesus by our own efforts.
6. What is it that opens our eyes to Jesus' presence? The breaking of bread!  

So let's look at some implications of this passage for us today:

In this story,there is a sense in which we are being introduced to the concept of the ongoing incarnation - the mysterious right now presence of God with us, in us and around us. Yes God is with us every step of the way, even though for much of the time we may be totally oblivious to His presence.

But specifically in relation to point 6 above, the really profound and liberating implication for us in Lutheran Schools these days, I think comes out of verses 30 and 31. Is this the first celebration of Holy Communion after Jesus introduced the concept at the Last Supper? It was only when God came to them through the breaking of bread that their eyes were opened and they were capable of knowing him. So too for us to recognize God, His Spirit needs to be at work in us. One of the key ways that He comes to us is in the celebration of His holy meal. It is important therefore, that we regularly celebrate the Lord's Supper together. Could the staff rooms of our Lutheran Schools be poised to become the cradles of refinement and redefinition of what it means to be a follower of Jesus?

This story is a catalyst for us to be led into the exciting challenge of defining and shaping what is really a new paradigm for church. I'm suggesting that this reading liberates and encourages us to celebrate his holy meal together in small groups and certainly in our staff groups within our school communities. This is not to discourage or replace existing opportunities for us to commune in the setting of our own congregations, but rather to open up new doors to those who (for whatever reason) do not have or take that opportunity ... and let's not be judgemental about what those reasons may be.

Religion somehow over the years has managed to tie up the ordinary yet special, mysterious and holy meal of Jesus and surround it with a whole series of rules and regulations. Is it likely that Jesus had in mind having to be a member of some special institution or indeed be a believer? Were these guys on the road to Emmaus members of any "club" and/or believers? The detailed description tends to suggest that they were anything but, yet in almost every invitation to attend Holy Communion that I have come across in our churches there have been conditions attached.

In closing I want to share an anecdote of a wonderful example of the new paradigm that occurred at a whole staff retreat with one of our schools not so long ago.When introducing our celebration of communion the pastor used some amazing words which automatically made every staff member regardless of their background feel included and welcome to participate. He started out in fairly standard manner. It went something like this ...

"Anyone who is baptized, who believes that Jesus is their Lord and Saviour and that he comes to us in this holy meal is welcome to take part."

But then he paused and added something like ...

"OR  ... anyone who is struggling to believe or would like to believe or would like to receive strength from God  ... you are all invited to meet Jesus in this Holy meal."

Lord give us courage to explore new ways of unleashing your mystery, power and blessing as we meet you through Word and Sacrament in our school communities.

Nev