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| Abraham Bloemaert, 1622 |
Two of Jesus’ disciples are walking away from Jerusalem—where Jesus had just been crucified, died, and was buried. They are on a seven mile walk to Emmaus. They are talking about what they thought was the tragic end of Jesus of Nazareth. That’s when Jesus shows up. They’re prevented from recognizing him. Jesus asks what they’re talking about. They stop walking, overcome with sadness. They are amazed this stranger from Jerusalem would not know about what just happened. Jesus plays along. “What things?” The disciples of Jesus use his earthly name: Jesus of Nazareth. “We had hoped,” they said. “We had hoped that he was the Messiah—the one to deliver God’s people from Roman occupation.” Their hopes were dashed. Instead, Rome and the Judean authority crucified Jesus. But there are rumors from the women who saw angels who said he is alive. All throughout this conversation they do not recognize Jesus. Jesus has been walking right next to them, talking to them, and totally alive all along.
Jesus still does not reveal himself. They still do not recognize that it is Jesus. Instead, Jesus reveals himself through a seven mile walk through the Bible. It probably took them several hours reach Emmaus. Beginning in the beginning, Jesus shows how all Scripture in Hebrew Bible points to Jesus as the Christ. Jesus shows that he is not merely Jesus of Nazareth. He is the Eternal Christ. He is the Alpha and Omega. He is the beginning and end. He is the Christ for all time and in all places. Jesus is the eternal Word. “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of all people.” Jesus is the light that came before the “Let there be light” moment. Jesus is the Christ who walks in the Garden after Adam and Eve eat the forbidden fruit. He pursues them after they disobey God. He comes and promises the Christ who will one day crush the serpent’s head, defeat sin, evil, and death. Jesus is the Christ who appears to Abraham and Sarah and promises them their people will become a great nation and through them bless all the families of the earth. Jesus is promised descendent of Judah, the promised descendent of King David, and the promised suffering servant that the prophet Isaiah talked about: “All of us like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to their own way, but the Lord has caused the iniquity of us all to fall upon him.” So the Old Testament spoke of him who would die and rise again for the life of the world. Everywhere we look in the Old Testament, we will recognize Christ.
In a poem by Mary Stevenson, she shares a dream of her walking on the beach with the Lord. Her life flashes across the sky. In every scene of her life, she sees footprints in the sand. In some scenes there are two sets of footprints—hers and the Lord’s. She is alarmed that in the most difficult periods of her life she sees only one set. She cries out to God. “You promised to walk with me always. In my most difficult days there were only one set of footprints in the sand. When I needed you most, you were not there for me!” The Lord replied, “The times when you have seen only one set of footprints, is when I carried you.” So Jesus walks with us. So Jesus carries us through our difficulties by his Word and Spirit and by his Body and Blood. I want all of us—I pray that all of us experience this burning deep within the core of our souls—that our hearts would attune and resonate with the eternal Christ—that he who dwells in all creation—all history—will dwell richly in our hearts.
Our road to Emmaus is right here and now. Though we do not immediately see him, Christ joins our conversations about faith and life. He intercedes with his prayers. He brings Holy Scripture into our lives. He sends the Holy Spirit to open our minds and hearts so that our hearts will burn with joy and love for him. He sets a table before us in the presence of our enemies. He anoints our heads with oil. Our cups run over. He blesses and breaks the bread. He says, “Take eat, this is my Body, broken for you.” He blesses and passes the cup. He says, “Drink of it all of you, this is the New Testament in my blood given for the forgiveness of sins.” So we recognize Jesus—the Christ. He lives to fulfill all of Scripture. He lives since before his creation of the Universe. He lives throughout all redemptive history. He lives in our fellowship. He lives in the Word read and preached. He lives in our prayers. He lives in our celebration of Holy Communion.
Alleluia! Christ is risen!
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