HE APPEARED TO THEM
Third Sunday of Easter, Year A
Luke 24:13-35
Analysis by Timothy Hoyer
13Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, 14and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. 15While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, 16but their eyes were kept from recognizing him. 17And he said to them, “What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?” They stood still, looking sad. 18Then 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?” 19He 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, 20and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be condemned to death and crucified him. 21But 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. 22Moreover, some women of our group astounded us. They were at the tomb early this morning, 23and 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. 24Some 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.” 25Then he said to them, “Oh, how foolish you are and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared! 26Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?” 27Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures.
28As they came near the village to which they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going on. 29But 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. 30When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. 31Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him, and he vanished from their sight. 32They 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?” 33That same hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem, and they found the eleven and their companions gathered together. 34They were saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and he has appeared to Simon!” 35Then they told what had happened on the road and how he had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread.
The Pilgrims of Emmaus on the Road
From Wikimedia Commons
“We have his promise that because he is risen, we will be raised; because he is risen, God forgives us; because he is risen, we are given his Holy Spirit. His rising changes our lives.”
DIAGNOSIS: We Had Hoped
Step 1: Initial Diagnosis (External Problem): Death Is Always The End
Grounding: The women shared the good word from angels who said Jesus was alive. But the two walking to Emmaus still had lost hope in Jesus. Better to know Jesus was dead than to believe he was alive.
Tracking: Death does end our hopes, our joys, and our lives. Death also ends the lives of those who harm and hate and divide. Death ends all things.
Step 2: Advanced Diagnosis (Internal Problem): Slow of Heart
Grounding: The two disciples walked away. They continued the deserting of Jesus. He was dead and was now useless. They no longer believed him or in him. Death put an end to Jesus’ promises. Death put an end to what Jesus could do for them. He certainly was not going to be healing people anymore, or forgiving them. To believe differently was impossible.
Tracking: As death ends all things, we say, “We had hoped.” Our hearts have seen and heard about death every day. To be told that Jesus is alive, well, our hearts just won’t go from despair to hope, from anxiousness to assurance, or from fear to peace. Our hearts have stiffened from experience and are slow to dare hope again.
Step 3: Final Diagnosis (Ultimate Problem): Their Eyes Were Kept From Recognizing Him.
Grounding: It was not enough to know Jesus was risen. What benefit is there for us if Jesus is risen? If Jesus is risen back into this life, then nothing has changed. Our life keeps going on as it is. Death, faith in other things, and condemnation have to be overcome and replaced. Otherwise, we cannot see who Jesus is for us.
Tracking: Listen to how people talk about death. “It is what it is.” “It’s all part of nature.” “You live; you die. Get used to it.” Some may add, “I hope I have been good enough to get into heaven.” Some may fear a judgment. Others may try to ignore the judgment altogether. “People die; Cows die.” I know one thing that does not die – the judgment on us all.
PROGNOSIS: Their Eyes Were Opened
Step 4: Initial Prognosis (Ultimate Solution): He Appeared To Them
Grounding: Women were told Jesus had been raised. They told Jesus’ followers. But they walked away. Death was still final to them. But how can one overcome death except by dying? And look! There is Jesus walking along with those who “had hoped.” Then at supper, they see it is Jesus! While their hearts burned while Jesus showed them it was necessary for him to suffer and then enter his glory, it was seeing him that convinced them Jesus was risen. It was Peter seeing Jesus that convinced others. (As the story keeps going, all of them suddenly get to see the risen Jesus.)
Crossing: We have the testimony of those who saw Jesus risen from the dead. We have Jesus’ promise that he would rise on the third day. We have his promise that because he is risen, we will be raised; because he is risen, God forgives us; because he is risen, we are given his Holy Spirit. His rising changes our lives.
Step 5. Advanced Prognosis (External Solution): New Hearts of Faith in Jesus
Grounding: People saw Jesus alive and got excited. Seeing him alive was how God assured us that God had appointed Jesus to be the judge of the living and the dead. Jesus’ judgment is that all who believe in him are forgiven (Acts 10.42-43).
Crossing: The testimony of those who saw Jesus risen from the dead, and their telling us Jesus’ promises is how the Spirit gives us faith in Jesus. Thus, we preach Christ crucified and risen.
Step 6: Final Prognosis (External Solution): We Have Been United With Him In A Death Like His, So That, As Christ Was Raised By The Glory Of The Father, We Too Might Live A New Life.
Grounding: When the two on the road saw Jesus risen from the dead, they ran back to tell others. They joined them to live in Jesus’ life and love and the way of forgiving one another.
Crossing: We trust Jesus gives us new life by his rising from the dead. It is new life now. That new life now we call faith in Jesus. Living by faith in Jesus, we put aside (crucify) condemning others and live by forgiving in Jesus’ name; we put aside judging who is deserving and live by using grace – giving good that is not deserved. And when our bodies die, that new life of faith is wrapped up in a new body of Jesus’ resurrection. “Those who believe in me, though they die, yet shall they live” (John 11.25). Your death is overcome. God’s judgment of you is Jesus. So, Jesus says, “Peace be with you.”
