Are You On A Jesus Journey?
Good Morning Friends,
This Sunday at Moorings we will have a sermon on today’s scripture. And I imagine it will be about how through the breaking of bread and the reading and interpretation of scripture that two disciples’ eyes were opened to receive the risen Christ. I imagine it will be about how we all face, at times, a discouraged walk to Emmaus, but can also experience something along the way to help us. So, with some anticipation and in the hopes that the message then will help us who hear to have a proper perspective on the Body of Christ in us, I still ask you, as both a statement of encouragement and invitation…Are You On A Jesus Journey?
Scripture: Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking, and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, but their eyes were kept from recognizing him. And he said to them, “What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?” They stood still, looking sad. Then one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place there in these days?” He asked them, “What things?” They replied, “The things about Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be condemned to death and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things took place. Moreover, some women of our group astounded us. They were at the tomb early this morning, and when they did not find his body there, they came back and told us that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who said that he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but they did not see him.” Then he said to them, “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. As they came near the village to which they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going on. But they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over.” So, he went in to stay with them. When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight. They said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?” That same hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven and their companions gathered together. They were saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and he has appeared to Simon!” Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread.
Luke 24:13-35 (NRSV)
Message: There is much to for our souls to learn from a walk with the risen Savior Jesus on the road to Emmaus and it needs to be shared with others whose hearts are waiting to be freed. As we read today’s scripture it might dawn on you as it does me that it is really is one of the greatest texts for sharing about how our hearts can be opened to experience Jesus. It really validates the power of the eucharist and gives insight into brokenness of the body as our journey in life as well as of Christ’s. And I probably do not need to tell you of the importance of sharing this relationship with all its hunger for knowing and visions and insights and passion for living the Christian life. But first, let us put ourselves in the shoes of these two men as they set out on the journey and its maze of emotions. They were still living in the events of Good Friday. They were trapped in their misery. They had erected a wall of hopelessness. We can sympathize with their bewilderment for we too, two thousand years later have been in the same position…too preoccupied to notice that Jesus is walking with us. Here we discover that being lost in a heart-breaking experience is not the end of the story. Weary travelers that we are, we are to lift our eyes and minds out of the dust of the earthly road we travel. We are to have a heart-searching experience that helps us to become aware of our predicament. And here the maze of symbols and scripture comes together in the cosmic struggle between life and death revealed in the glory and strength of Jesus’ presence with us. Here we revisit our anticipation of Jesus’ triumph over death and believe. Here as our heart burns with emotion our experience is balanced with reason and purpose. Here we discover the solution to the problem of the cross. That the Christ who died for us on the cross is now present in us. Here we confront our free will as we invite the risen Jesus to guide our lives. Friends, when one encounters Jesus will, one’s soul can be better fed on both scripture and in a communal meal with our Risen Lord. Friends, the next time you take communion, the next time you read scripture, let your Soul and the Spirit join in worship as you remember a walk with Jesus and how your eyes were opened to see…how your heart became passionate…how your very soul comes alive to share the Good News.
Pray we recognize Jesus as the courteous companion in whom hope is found. Pray we allow the truth of the Holy Spirit to apply the truths of the Word made flesh in our daily walk with Jesus. Pray we take, eat. Pray we move beyond heart break and heart searching to the heart cleansing experience of fellowship with risen Christ. Pray we have a desire to connect with scripture and each other. Pray we have a desire to commune with Jesus. Pray we have a spiritual hunger to linger with Jesus. Pray we not take it for granted the honor to have Jesus reveal himself to us. Pray we have hearts set on fire with a passion for sharing the truth of our encounter. Pray our very souls come alive with an encounter with Christ. Pray we learn how to increase our endurance and outlast the struggles in life. Pray we walk and not grow faint. Pray we run and not grow weary. Pray we filter our desires through Jesus so we might be helped to recognize the relationship we have with the divine. Pray in our relationship with Jesus we learn to walk and talk and eat and see the way of the Jesus journey.
Blessings,
John Lawson
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