The Drama – The Postlude: Luke 24:13-27 and 28-35

Introduction

Have you ever had your eyes so focused on a goal, your spirit so driven by a mission, that once you reach it, you find yourself asking, “what now?” Over these last 40 days we have been so focused on preparing ourselves for last Sunday, did you find yourself wondering this past week, “what do I do now?” Well, today we are going to conclude this nine week series entitled The Drama. Each week we have looked at our role in Jesus' crucifixion, the roles of others in his crucifixion, and last week we looked at how people responded when he rose from the dead. Today we are going to continue that walk as we look to how two travelers on the Road to Emmaus responded when Jesus walked with them and what we can learn from that encounter.

The Journey

It was Sunday afternoon on that first Easter day. Scripture tells us that two followers of Jesus were walking a slow and sorrowful seven miles from Jerusalem to the village of Emmaus. By our usual view of things, they were not famous or important people. One is identified simply as Cleopas, and the other is not even named. But they apparently had loved Jesus very much and followed him earnestly in their own way. They thought he was the one who had come to redeem Israel but now he was dead crucified like a common criminal. They were afraid and unsure of themselves and of the future.

I can picture them in my minds eye, walking slowly along the dusty road, reminiscing and questioning. They recalled those happier days when Jesus was among them, teaching and healing. They poured out their grief to one another, pondering the mystery and pain of the last few days as Jesus was killed and buried. They had no answer for the meaning of all that had happened to them. They were also mulling over some disturbing news they had received earlier in the day. Some of the women had been to the tomb early in the morning. Jesus’ body was not there. Instead they encountered an angel who said that Jesus was not dead but alive. What could all this mean? Who could have stolen his body from his grave? What should they and the disciples do now?

As our lesson opens this morning, these two men were walking and talking between themselves, and a stranger joined them and walked along side them. Breaking in on the conversation, he asked, "What is it you are talking about?" I imagine after the two travelers exchanged a puzzled look between themselves, one replied "Could you be the only visitor to Jerusalem, who does not know the tragic events that have occurred there the last few days?" Then one of the men shared with this stranger all that had taken place, who Jesus was, what had happened to him, as well as their present grief and confusion.

Then the stranger said, "Oh, how foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared! Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?’ Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures” (Luke 24:25-27, NRSV).

As they neared Emmaus it became evident that the stranger intended to journey farther, beyond the little village. They begged him to stay with them for the evening to share some more of these wonderful new insights into God's plan and purpose. So he stayed. That evening, when they were gathered around the table, he took the bread and blessed it, and broke it, and gave it to them and at that moment they knew who this stranger was. It was Jesus! The story of the women was true. He is alive!

Immediately Jesus was gone from them. They were amazed that they hadn’t recognized Jesus before when they were walking and he was teaching them about the Scriptures. But they got up and returned to Jerusalem, immediately because they had great news to share with the disciples about all that they had seen and experienced.

He's Out!?!

Now what I love about this story is the reactions, the stir, that Jesus caused. While he slips into these situations very inconspicuously, he leaves behind an enormous wake.

This first day of the week, the same day his tomb is discovered empty, Jesus is on the move. There is no time wasted. Cleopas and his companion are walking down the road and Jesus just sort of “joins” them. He just eases into their conversation. But he does it in such a way that these two men are hooked. We know this because as they come to end of their journey, Jesus makes as if he is going to continue. But they stop Jesus, and as Scripture says, strongly urge, him to stay. This traveler that just happened upon them has moved them so much, in just these few hours of walking, they cannot bear the thought of parting company. Now they do not realize it is Jesus so that has no bearing on their desire for Christ to stay. They are enamored with the man himself. The passion that he is exuding, the wisdom he is imparting as they discuss Scripture, has captured these two men.

Then as they are sharing a meal, as they are breaking bread, they recognize him, and he vanishes. Now these men do not waste an instant. They agree that, “our hearts [were] burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the Scriptures to us” (Luke 24:32, NRSV). They were not just interested, or entertained. Their hearts were burning!

Burning to the point that these two men felt a need to return to Jerusalem, quickly. Scripture says, that same hour. They did not wait until the next day, or until they had cause to go back. That same hour, that was almost evening. That same hour, immediately, they got up and returned to Jerusalem to tell the apostles and their companions what they had seen and who they had been with.

In one interaction Jesus caused intense attraction, he caused hearts to burn, and he caused immediate actions. In one interaction. In one interaction where he identity was not known. And I believe that is what we as Easter people, we as disciples of Jesus Christ are called to do as well. We are called to be contagious, infectious...dangerous. One of the major concerns I have about United Methodism is that we are no longer dangerous.

John Wesley, the founder of our denomination, felt the same way. He once said “I am not afraid that the people called Methodists should ever cease to exist either in Europe or America. But I am afraid lest they should only exist as a dead sect, having the form of religion without the power. And this undoubtedly will be the case unless they hold fast both the doctrine, spirit, and discipline with which they first set out.”

We've lost our heritage. We've lost that discipline. We've lost that passion for small groups. We've lost that emphasis on Bible Study. We've lost the practice of accountability groups. We've lost that understanding of our liturgy and our hymns. We've lost entire generations from the body of Christ. We've have become comfortable and lost our edge. Jesus brought thousands to God because he held fast to the principles of God. John Wesley brought thousands to God because he held fast to Scripture and was always striving on to perfection.

But there is hope. Our faith tradition is rich and storied. Full of established methods for us to be in this world but not of this world. Ideas for us to thrive, as we once did. Ways for us to love people into the Kingdom and render the ways of this world weak and ineffective. It begins with Scripture, flows through community, and manifests itself in how we treat one another.

Be Dangerous!

So my challenge for all of us...be dangerous! Equip yourself with a means for Christian growth and accountability. Make your faith the basis for your life. Attend church weekly, go to Sunday School weekly and study your Bible daily. Make this community and its impact a priority. Find ways to expand your knowledge and gain your edge. Find ways to live your faith publicly and boldly. Be consistent in your daily walk. Find ways to make this world a better place because you were in it.

And all of this can begin right here. Use this rail, wear this rail out. This place is a place of healing, of strength, of peace. There is no judgment here. There is no ridicule here. Just God. For whatever you need, you can give it over to God here.

Jesus was dangerous. Jesus preached acceptance in a world of division. Jesus preached humility in a world of power. Jesus preached love in a world of fear. Let us follow his example, let us regain our edge, let us be dangerous once again.