Luke 24:13-35
He is Risen!
Feelings and expectations. I remember speaking with a man and his adult son about what they had been told by the son’s doctor. What they were told isn’t important here, but the two of them each told me what they heard and it was like hearing about two different visits to the same doctor; it was kind of like listening to the politicians talking about what their experts told them about COVID-19; they may have heard the same reports but the politicians hear what their minds let them hear. Anyway, the one who was going to his own doctor for his appointment, the son, told me that he was doing well though he might need some minor treatments; his father, told me that his son’s condition was very serious and that it would be a long road to recovery. They were both in the same examination room at the same time; they both heard the same explanation from the same doctor, but they both heard very different reports. Feelings and expectations. The son heard every word that sounded good and the father heard every word that confirmed his deepest concerns. The truth of the diagnosis was actually somewhere in between; the son was okay, though he did have some serious issues with some difficult treatments and was laid up for a few months.
All too often we hear what we let ourselves hear; we see what our minds allow us to see; we block out our greatest hopes for fear that they will not be realized; and we ignore what might confirm our greatest fears. This is what kind-of happened to the two men spoken of in today’s Gospel; these two disciples (though they were disciples who are not usually listed among the disciples), were accepted by Jesus and the 12 as disciples; well, they were walking along the road to Emmaus and talking and they were joined by a third man and this third man entered into their conversation. They had been talking about all the events surrounding Jesus’ life and death and about the (apparent) unfounded report of a couple of the female members of their group, who went to Jesus’ tomb and told the group that they found it empty and that they told them that they were told by angels that Jesus was alive again. More than anything the disciples (including the two walking along the road) wanted to believe the story told them by the women, but how could they; how could they let their hopes rise up again; wouldn’t they just be setting themselves up for a greater grief?
Feelings and expectations.
Well this man who joined in their conversation, kind of took over; he told them that they were being foolish and that they were being slow to believing what the prophets had said about Jesus. I sometimes wonder why they didn’t push this man away; they didn’t. This stranger went on to interpret the prophecies that showed how Jesus needed to suffer as he did, before he could enter into his glory. He interpreted one story after another from Scripture for them, beginning with Moses. Their hearts were burning within them, burning with a sense of recognition, respect and love, but they would not let it come to the surface; they would not admit to what they felt; their expectations had been crushed once, already. But they certainly could not let this man continue his journey away from them. When they reached their destination, they invited him to stay with them and share a meal with them. Again, this stranger took over. It was in the blessing, the breaking of the bread and his giving it to them that their eyes and ears and hearts were opened and they finally recognized him; they realized that they were with Jesus, the risen Jesus and they could no longer allow their feelings and expectations to keep them from the truth. And just as Jesus first came to them along the road, he vanished, but their feelings and expectations were not crushed as they had been before, Jesus had explained to them all that they needed to know, so that they could now move forward.
Their feelings were that of joy and love and happiness; their expectations were that they would move forward in proclaiming a new message, the good news of Jesus Christ, who died for our sins and who was raised from the dead, the first fruits of the future resurrection. Their expectations were not that all would by rosy and comfortable; they saw what had happened to Jesus, the flogging, the abuse, the crucifixion and his death; they could expect a difficult life, but that did not keep them from their current excitement. They needed more than anything to immediately return to their upper room and the others; they needed to share with the others all that they had seen and heard from Jesus. And, so they did; when faced with the truth, like they were then, they had to share it. We likewise can’t help but to want to make the truth known. With the truth our feelings and expectations change and open up new directions. But remember, they would not have an easy path, and we might not have an easy path; there were always those who tell false truths to fight against the truth. Times never change; the truth, like it or not, is always the truth, but we always have those who want to make up lies and tell them with force and commitment. But, be assured, we have the good news of Jesus Christ; we know that our purpose is about love and forgiveness and sharing that good news in word and by action with those who are sick, and poor, and lonely, and feeling guilty, and struggling without work, struggling with work with the public and those who are different, and stranger and those without faith. We have the truth that is needed by all humanity, whether or not they know it, whether or not they want it. It is not up to us to make others see the truth about Jesus and love; it is up to us only to share it with others. Go and share!