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Tuesday, May 20, 2014

EXPERIENCING THE RISEN LORD: EMMAUS STYLE


Luke 24:13-35

Introduction

The background of the text went back to a time when the Israelites were under the rule and oppression of the Romans. So when Jesus appeared at that very period of history, his followers believed, or rather wanted to believe (?) that he would be the Messiah, who would redeem them from the rule and oppression of the Romans. But, the one in whom they had put all their hope for the redemption of Israel was no more. He’s dead. Therefore, it is no surprise that his two disciples, one of them named Cleopas, became downcast and hopeless because of the death of Jesus. However, their sorrow was to turn into joy. On the third day of Jesus’ death, the women reported that they saw him; he’s alive. Like other disciples, these two disciples, too, were amazed by this news. Could it be true? They did not know. They had no prove. As they were walking from Jerusalem to Emmaus, talking about the events, the risen Lord himself came and walked along with them. But they did not recognize him. The three of them talking all the way, they arrived in Emmaus. As it was already evening, the two men invited their fellow traveller to be their guest. At the dinning table, Jesus opened the eyes of the disciples. Immediately they recognized that it was Jesus their Lord. They were overjoyed and could not wait to tell other disciples their experience. They could not wait till the next day. They got up and returned to Jerusalem the same night.


We see here how the experience of the risen Lord can change people’s lives. The downcast, hopeless and doubtful disciples became joyful, hopeful and eager to proclaim the gospel of the life, death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. There are several important messages in this story of resurrection in and around Emmaus. We shall discuss some of them.

1. Jesus is present when and where he is spoken and thought of (vv 14-15)

The two disciples were talking about Jesus, his life, death and the news of his resurrection, as they walked from Jerusalem to Emmaus. They were not 100% sure of his resurrection. This can be seen from the fact that their faces were downcast. We can also see from their doubtful words in vv 20-24. However, even though they had some doubts, one thing is very clear here – they were seriously talking and thinking about Jesus. In Matthew 28:16-20, the Great Commission text, we see how the disciples who doubted, too, were included in Jesus’ commission to go and make disciples of all nations. This is good news. Even if we have some doubts, fears and questions, if we are serious about Jesus, he will be present with us. He will also clear out doubts and fears, and increase our faith. In Matthew 18:20, we read that when two or three are gathered together in Jesus’ name, he is with them there.

In 2 Timothy 2:23, Paul strongly warns us not to have foolish and stupid arguments because this can lead to a quarrel. And if we quarrel, our Lord will not feel at home to be with us. Therefore, if we want our Lord to be with us, to be present in our midst, then we should rather talk and think about him and his ministries in our families, schools, colleges, universities, work places, gatherings, and in our personal life?

2. The whole Old Testament is the testimony about and to Jesus (vv 25-27)

The phrase in verse 27, “Moses and all the prophets,” is a way of designating the whole of the Old Testament scriptures. This tells us that the Old Testament is the scripture for Jesus and so is the scripture for us, as well. In other words, we should not neglect the Old Testament. Both Old and New Testaments are equally important, authoritative and living scriptures for us.

As a student of Old Testament myself, I really envy these two disciples. Although the 10th of the Ten Commandments says, we shall not covet or envy, I hope the Lord will forgive me for this one envy. For what do I envy these two disciples? Here’s my envy. I studied the Old Testament as a full-time student for nearly ten years; yet I still have so much to learn and to know. But here on the road to Emmaus, the two disciples were taught the Old Testament by Professor Jesus himself. Within a few hours, course completed and students understood. What an opportunity!

What do we learn from this for our Christian life today? We learn that the Holy Spirit is our best teacher for us to understand the Scriptures. If we seriously and prayerfully read, study and meditate the Scriptures, the Holy Spirit will help us understand it and apply its teachings to our daily Christian life. Of course, this does not proscribe reading commentary, dictionaries and other study materials.

3. If he or she were Jesus, what would I do (WWID) (vv 28-29)

The two disciples invited a stranger to be their guest for the night. The stranger later turned out to be Jesus, their Lord (v 31). Had they not invited that stranger, Jesus would have passed over them, and they would have missed seeing and experiencing the risen Lord. They would have missed the opportunity and joy of proclaiming his resurrection. In Genesis 18:1-33, we read about Abraham receiving three strangers to his home who later turned out to be angels. The picture is vividly captured by the writer of Hebrew when he says, “Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it” (Hebrews 13:2)

What does this mean to us today? Are we intentionally to invite strangers to our homes all the time?  Not quite. The incidence of the two disciples receiving a stranger took place in a rural setting in the first century Palestine or Middle East in today’s term, where hospitality to strangers was more of a must rather than a may or a choice, as there were usually no hotels. Even then, some could still chose not to provide hospitality to strangers. In rural areas of North East India today as well, many families continue to provide hospitality to strangers. But it is becoming more and more risky in the face of ever-increasing crimes. The situation is compounded by poverty. Many families simply could not afford to provide hospitalities frequently. When it comes to cities and urban dwellers, the need for space and privacy become the biggest enemy for the ministry of hospitality, let alone receiving strangers to our homes. Urban house setting, life-style and program do not help the situation either. Therefore, receiving strangers to our homes is not in our thinking and culture. If then, how do we read this text of receiving strangers to our homes?

Sometimes, it maybe necessary to receive strangers to our homes, if that is what we must do in a given circumstance. But, for the most part, what the teaching means for us today is this – to be sensitive to the needs around us. We are to be compassionate to the poor, the needy, the weak, the oppressed and the sick.

We know about the movement of WWJD (What Would Jesus Do?). But I think, this WWJD needs to be completed by WWID (What Would I Do to him or to her if he or she were Jesus?). WWJD has some room for excuses. Yes, I know Jesus will do this, but I am not Jesus, I am not perfect like him, I have my weaknesses and shortcomings, so I cannot do like Jesus, I hope Jesus will understand me. Therefore, to think the other way round will help us, especially when it comes to our relationship with and attitude towards fellow human beings. If this person were Jesus, what would I do to him or to her? Of course I would like to be good to Jesus.

4. Jesus is the head of our family and the owner of our movable and immovable properties (v 30)

How would you feel, if I come to your house one evening, go to your kitchen, set the table and serve you food and tell you to feel at home, to not be shy, to eat more? You will feel that the behavior of this friend of us has become strange. So you will probably call my wife and plan to send me to a mental hospital, isn’t? But that was what Jesus exactly did. The stranger guest became the host to the two disciples. He broke the bread and gave it to them.

An old wall piece read: “Jesus is the head of this family, the unseen guest of every meal and the silent listener to every conversation.” There is something wrong in the logic of this popular wall piece. If he is the head of the family, why should he be treated as guest? So when realized the illogical, it has been changed to: “Jesus is the head of this family, the unseen host of every meal ….”

What the risen Lord did that night in Emmaus clearly tells us that he is indeed the head and owner of our family and properties. He is indeed our host in our houses. In other words, whatever we have in our family belongs to the risen Lord Jesus Christ and we should let him use them in any way he wants.

5. Our spiritual eyes need to be opened to see and experience the risen Lord (v 31)

The amazing thing here in this verse is this: Jesus did not say a word that he was Jesus. He just opened the eyes of his disciples. The disciples then immediately recognized that he was Jesus. Many people in the world today, including the wise and educated people, do not know who Jesus is because they are spiritually blind. Many people would not mind following Jesus as their human hero like Mahatma Gandhi, Lenin, or Abraham Lincoln, but not as God, the risen Lord. Their approach to Jesus is anthropocentric (as a good man), not theocentric (as God).

Paul in his letter to the Corinthians testifies that resurrection is the foundation of our faith. Therefore, we need to pray hard and open our hearts so that we may see and experience the risen Lord. When we ourselves have seen and experienced the risen Lord, we can then pray for those whose eyes are spiritually blind so that the risen Lord may open their eyes to see him and to know him.

6. Message is the preacher himself: The preacher’s life need to reflect the Word of God (v 32)

The disciples’ hearts were burning while that stranger taught them the Scriptures. They were yet to recognize that he was Jesus. The disciples might have heard the Old Testament teaching before. But this time, it’s different, because the words of the stranger were the very words of Jesus himself, which came with power. This is a challenge for those of us, who preach the Word of God. In order to have power in our preaching, our life need to be like Jesus. We need to live a Christ-like life.

“Action speaks louder than words.” Even if many of us may not be preaching the Gospel verbally all the time, we all can preach through life and deeds all the time. Our Christ-like life will attract people to the risen Lord. When people see the beauty of the Lord Jesus Christ in our lives, they too will like to be his followers.

7. The urgency of the Gospel proclamation (v 33)

Emmaus was some 11 kilometers distance from Jerusalem. And it was already late evening when the eyes of the disciples were opened. It was already dark. But they could not wait till the next day. They immediately went to Jerusalem to proclaim the good news of the resurrection. They went, not by a vehicle, but by walking, some three hours journey. This feeling of the urgency of Gospel proclamation is what believers possess when they experienced the risen Lord; when they found a new life. So, if a Christian does not feel and see the need and urgency of the proclamation of the Gospel, then something must have been wrong with his or her Christian life. Both as individuals and as a church, we are to proclaim the Gospel by word and deed both to city/urban centers and rural areas.

Prayer:

Let us pause a moment and examine ourselves:

Have my spiritual eyes been opened? Have I seen and experienced the risen Lord? Have I been talking and thinking about Jesus, his life and ministries in my family, school, college, university, work places, gatherings, and in my personal life? Am I seriously and prayerfully reading, studying and meditating the Scriptures? Am I seeking the help of the Holy Spirit to help me understand the Scriptures and apply its teachings to my daily Christian life? Do I see and relate to the needy person in the way I would relate to Jesus? Is Jesus the head and owner of my family and properties? Am I living a Christ-like life? Do I feel the urgency of Gospel proclamation?

If your answers to the above questions are positive, then, continue the good work and make a fresh commitment to do more. If it is negative, pray to God that he may meet you at the point of your need.

The Lord bless you!







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