On the Road Again (with Jesus, not Willie)
One of my favorite Bible stories is set right after Easter. It takes place between two disciples of Jesus who are traveling on foot to the next town over. They are walking in the long, dark shadow of the crucifixion, disappointed at witnessing their long-expected Savior, executed by Rome alongside common criminals. There is no resistance. No public outcry. No army of the Lord’s angels sent to deliver Him. The Roman war machine rolls on, without so much as a bump in the road. These men have lost hope. The story occurs right after the discovery of the empty tomb, where the broken body of Jesus should be but is not. In this Scripture, called Jesus on the Road to Emmaus, we find these downhearted disciples on the road again, along with a stranger.
This is Luke 24: “Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from recognizing him. He asked them, ‘What are you discussing together as you walk along?’ They stood still, their faces downcast. One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, ‘Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?’ ‘What things?’ he asked. ‘About Jesus of Nazareth, they replied. He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning but did not find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see Jesus.’
He said to them, ‘How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?’ And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. But they urged him strongly, ‘Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.’ So he went in to stay with them. When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. They asked each other, ‘Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?’ They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together and saying, ‘It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.’ Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.”
How odd that these followers of Jesus don’t recognize him- not at first. The text says they are intentionally kept from seeing Him. I don’t know what Jesus intends here- is he quizzing these men to see how much faith remains? Like taking a survey or attending your own funeral to hear what people say. I don’t know, but these travelers don’t “see” Jesus for a long while, and part of the reason is because they aren’t looking. They’ve stopped believing. And according to the story, had they not offered Jesus simple human kindness, they may have missed Him altogether. The text says “Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. But they urged him strongly, ‘Stay with us, for it is nearly evening…so he went in to stay with them.” It is only after breaking bread in fellowship with Jesus, that they finally understand who he is and what it means. Communion brings them together. You and I are no different.
At the end of the story, the men are amazed at who they have been travelling with all along and ask themselves, how they could be in the presence of Jesus and not know it? How indeed. This story makes me wonder how much of the divine I miss, when I’m busy looking for something else. The song pairing is “The Stranger.” Until next time, stay safe, be brave and keep walking in the light.
The Stranger (Turn Around)
I was quick on my way
one late summer’s day
bound for town, when I turned around
and first saw the stranger.
His hair was wild like a storm
but his countenance was calm.
I offered water for his thirst
He said, you take your drink first.
The stranger.
I know you brother, he finally said,
but I smiled and shook my head.
He said truly, just the same
then he whispered my secret name.
The stranger.
He said brother, don’t you go into town
there’s trouble, turn around
there’s trouble, turn around
turn around.
Now I can recall
watching every foot fall
with no more words as we walked along
and when I looked up, he was gone.
The stranger.
He said brother don’t you go into town…
How many times since that day
I wish I heeded what he had to say
and now it’s too late to consider
but he sure did seem familiar
The stranger…