(Luke 24: 13-35)
I remember growing up in the late 50s and early 60s watching all my favorite programs, in black and white, especially the cowboy shows like Roy Rogers, Gunsmoke, and Rawhide, but my favorite was The Lone Ranger. Some guy riding around the countryside on a big white horse, wearing a fancy outfit and a black mask, accompanied by an Indian, and nobody thought that was odd, especially the mask thing. But, hey, here we are, wandering around the countryside wearing masks and nobody thinks a thing about it. What was cool about the Lone Ranger was that he was also a master of disguise. He could assume some other identity, blend in to the crowd, do his thing, right some wrong, and then ride off into the sunset before anyone got a chance to thank him, leaving the people to wonder; Who was that masked man, and then to be told, well, that was the Lone Ranger! Great! Who is going to believe I saw the Lone Ranger?
And that’s where we find ourselves in our scripture reading for today, one of those close encounters that others would only believe if they saw it themselves. The Apostle Luke tells us that on that same day, two of them were going to a village called Emmaus. The day Luke is talking about is Sunday, the day of Jesus’ resurrection when the stone was rolled away, and Jesus appeared to the women who had come to prepare his body for burial. The two men, one identified as Cleopas, were followers of Jesus who had been in Jerusalem for Passover and had witnessed the crucifixion and were now headed back to their home in Emmaus, a few miles from Jerusalem. We’re told that the two men were walking along and discussing all these things that had happened, probably wondering what was next. While they were walking and talking Jesus came near and joined them and, we are told that their eyes were kept from recognizing him. As they were walking along Jesus asked them what they were talking about. That stopped them dead in their tracks as Cleopas sadly asked; “Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place in these days?” They had to have been really puzzled by this question, as the crucifixion dominated the Passover celebration and was all people were talking about. How could anybody who had been in Jerusalem that weekend not know about it? Jesus asked; What things? Confounded, the men went on to explain what had happened to this Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people. They explained how their chief priests and leaders handed him over to be condemned to death and crucified. They explained that they had hoped Jesus was the one to redeem Israel. And, besides all of this, it has only been three days since all of this has taken place. And, inexplicably, they said some women of their group astounded them when they told them they had gone to the tomb only to find he was not there. These women also said they had seen the vision of angels who said he was alive. Some of those who were with them went to the tomb to check it out for themselves and returned to report it was just as the women said, he was not there. So, apparently, it was about this time that these two followers decided it was time to go home, perhaps before the round up started.
At this time Jesus 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 glory? At this point, Jesus begins with Moses and all the prophets, interpreting to them the things about himself in all the scriptures, essentially laying out the fact that Jesus was the long-expected Messiah. When they got to Emmaus, Jesus began walking ahead of them as if he was going on further. The two men urged Jesus to stay with them and spend the night as evening was approaching. Jesus accepted their offer and sat down to eat with them. When they were seated at the table, Jesus took the bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. We’re told their eyes were then opened, and they recognized him; and he abruptly vanished from their sight. Astonished, they looked at each other and said; “Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?” Without waiting for the next day, they returned immediately to Jerusalem to tell the eleven and the others gathered at the house about their close encounter with Jesus on the road. They were told by the eleven that the Lord has risen indeed, and that he had appeared to Simon Peter, at which point they related their story about breaking bread with Jesus.
Wow, I thought when I read that. They had a close encounter with Jesus and didn’t even know it until it was too late. Like the Lone Ranger, Jesus disappeared before they had a chance to thank him. It made me ask myself; How many times has Jesus walked right beside me, tried to talk to me, and I didn’t even realize it? I can see Jesus getting frustrated with me like he did with the two disciples, and saying; “Oh, how foolish you are.” So often, we’re just like the two disciples, so preoccupied and focused on our problems and disappointments, that we don’t see Jesus right there walking beside us, ready to talk to us and help us work through our problems. And, ironically, the two disciples were going in the wrong direction. They were running away from the problem in Jerusalem, and away from the fellowship of believers. Jesus had to turn them around and set them back on the right path, going in the right direction. I mean, it’s a natural reaction. It’s the flight or fight response to a threatening situation. You can run if you want to, but if you want to stay and fight for what’s right, Jesus has your back. He’s telling the two disciples to go back to Jerusalem and be with the other believers who are huddled behind locked doors. They need your support as there is strength in numbers.
I’m reminded of another passage that this encounter brings to mind. The author of the Book of Hebrews in chapter 13, verse 2 says; Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it. As I was writing this sermon on Tuesday, I had a homeless man come by the church for assistance. This is not unusual as we have cultivated the reputation of being a church that will do what it can to help the homeless in our community. My many years as a police officer and an attorney practiced in criminal law, has made me skeptical at times, and I like to think I have a pretty good sniffer for a con job, but then I remind myself it is not my position to judge another person’s circumstances. If they beat me out of a $25.00 QFC gift card, good for them. In any event, I like to spend time visiting with them, learning more about their situation to see what needs, if any, we can meet or where else I can refer them. This gentleman looked to be around 70 years old. He was pleasant enough and we had a good visit. Suspecting he was going to ask for some nights in the local motel or a gift card, I asked him what we could do for him. He told me he had heard we might have a clothes-closet and, if we did, he could really use some clothes. I said we certainly did and took him down the hall to do some shopping. He was taken aback at how well stocked our closet was and I asked him what all he needed. By the time we were done, he had picked out a pair of shoes, a coat, a vest, some shirts, a hat, a couple of pairs of new socks and underwear, a pair of jeans, and a belt. I asked him if there was anything else, thinking now would come the request for money. He said he’d like something to read so I fixed him up with a couple of Upper Rooms and book on Dietrich Bonhoeffer. He then said he wanted to see our sanctuary, so I gave him a tour. He asked if it would be okay if he just sat for a while, so I left him to his thoughts and, after a while, he quietly left walking down the driveway with two bags of clothes, wearing his new hat. I wondered if I had entertained an angel without knowing it. Had Jesus dropped in for a visit to see if I was going in the right direction?
With all that’s going on in our world today, we are likely to miss Jesus and withdraw from the strength found in other believers when we become preoccupied with our own dashed hopes and frustrated plans. Somebody comes to us for help and we tell them now is not a good time, we’ve got our own problems, I’ll get back to you. It’s only when we are looking for Jesus in our midst that we will experience the power and help he can bring. It’s when we have that outward focus on others rather than ourselves, that we can embrace those close encounters and do what we can to represent Jesus Christ right here, right now, doing for the least, the last and the lost.
Please pray with me.
All loving and merciful Father, how grateful we are that you sent your Son, Jesus Christ, to live and walk among us. We thank you for the gift of the Holy Spirit that guides us in your ways, showing us where we are needed and helping us to recognize those opportunities for service. There is so much going on we can’t take it all in and process it. Everything is moving so fast and we don’t know what awaits us around the next corner. Slow us down and calm our frayed nerves so that we can turn our attention to the needs of others. Help us to see those opportunities to do your work and your will. Help us to see Jesus in our midst so we can experience the power and help he can bring through us to the hopeless and helpless. Move us to be the living and breathing embodiment of your loving Son to those who so need to experience his love and compassion. We pray for the peace of Christ that passes all understanding. In Jesus’ name, we pray, Amen.