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 didn’t 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.
It is always interesting to me how we choose a church and worship there – or choose one and change until we get to where God wants us.
It was close to time for the service to start so we didn’t get to tour the building, but a number of people said hello on the way in.
The church has impressive woodwork ceiling and stained glass with a prominent cross on the wall. An interesting facility, I hope if we are led back we get to tour a bit.
I gathered the sermon was part of a longer series, but today delved into why the disciples didn’t recognize the Risen Christ when He joined them on their travel to Emmaus. They didn’t see Christ because He was hidden in their sadness, He was hidden in His normalness, and most importantly, He was hidden in their bad theology. He wasn’t the king and savior they thought they needed. I wonder how many of us miss out because He isn’t the savior we think we need, and how many are eternally grateful at having been completely overwhelmed by Christ.
It was great to hear the enthusiasm of the choir with the offertory “To God Be the Glory,” a fitting introduction to Communion.
The Communion elements were offered aloud, but I did not detect the wine till I dipped the wafer. I was surprised by the musical selection “As the Deer,” because the hymn was a favorite of our son’s and was sung at his memorial service…a great hymn that is now difficult to hear.
We had a friendly conversation with a soon-to-be pastor with a good speaking voice whom I hope to hear preach.
We had the opportunity to meet the senior pastor and also spend some time with a visitor greeter.
This facility is beautifully decorated, immaculate, handicapped accessible, with intricate stained glass and excellent signage.
When a church has more than one service it is generally easy for visitors to be mistaken for someone who attends another service. The handful of folks who greeted us before and immediately after the service gave friendly nods and smiles. We had a warm, pleasant conversation after worship with a member of the staff, the senior pastor, and especially the woman staffing the information desk.
The bulletin was worthy of note: one legal-sized sheet folded lengthwise with the order of worship on the front and back sides and announcements inside the fold.
The projection screen was used throughout the service to display the words for the music, Scripture, prayers, and liturgy.
The choir sang with enthusiasm and the congregation applauded at least twice.
The untitled message was part of the series “The Bible From Beginning to End.”
The first question echoed my own long-standing one, “How could the apostles not have recognized Jesus on the road to Emmaus?” The answer was that He was hidden in several ways: He was hidden under their sadness (Luke 24:17)…it is possible to be just so sad that you cannot see who is in front of you; He was hidden under His normalness (Luke 24:17…it is possible to have Jesus right with you but He looks ordinary so you simply don’t recognize Him; and He was hidden under bad theology (Luke 24:20-21)…the disciples HAD HOPED Jesus would redeem Israel, but after His death they no longer held that hope, not realizing that sin was an even deeper and more pervasive slavery than that of the Romans.
I was deeply touched by the pastor’s point that at the table Jesus blessed the bread, broke it, and gave it…the same thing God the Father did to Christ: blessed Him, broke Him, and gave Him.
Communion was served by intinction with spoken reminders of its meaning, which always heightens the solemnity for me.
Dear Lord, we hope You continue to open the eyes of this church to who You are and lead them to where You need them to be. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
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