Luke 24: 12-17
On that same day two of Jesus' followers were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and they were talking to each other about all the things that had happened. As they talked and discussed, Jesus himself drew near and walked along with them; they saw him, but somehow did not recognize him. Jesus said to them, “What are you talking about to each other, as you walk along?”
The two people on the road to Emmaus were just ordinary folks trying to make sense of their world. They had such high hopes that Jesus would change their world for the better and now, well now, there was nothing only shattered dreams and broken hearts. They had seen amazing things when in his company and heard even more fantastical things about Jesus. He was an influencer, a voice speaking out against injustice, caring for the sick, welcoming the outsider, treating women, children, the poor, the disabled with dignity. Wherever he went people followed and hung on his every word. Giving him a hero’s welcome into Jerusalem joy filled the air and hope for freedom from cruel invaders lifted hearts.
But behind the celebrations of ordinary people a dark plot was hatched by leaders and politicians. To them Jesus was dangerous, upsetting the status quo. He must be removed – permanently.
Finding a quiet out of the way place, away from the noticeable tension between the opposing parties, Jesus eats a special dinner with his friends, known as the Last Supper. Following the meal, a short walk in the evening air gives his friend Judas the opportunity to betray him to the aforementioned plotters. Jesus is arrested on false charges and in court, firstly before the Jews, and then before Pilate the Roman Governor. Despite the fact it is obvious to Pilate that Jesus is innocent, he decides, in order to avoid a riot, that Jesus is sentenced to death – the cruellest imaginable type of death at the time. Nailed to the cross Jesus hangs struggling to breathe. As the Friday afternoon sky darkens unusually early it mirrors the light of hope being extinguished in the hearts of those who thought Jesus was the one. Crucified amongst other criminals Jesus prays and draws his last breath. Laid in a borrowed tomb the cave is sealed and with it comes the grief and overwhelming hopelessness.
Yet, Jesus knew he would die. He tried to tell his friends that he would have to die. He even tried to tell them that three days later he would rise from the dead. But to be fair that is hard for anyone to comprehend. And when our world collapses, when death happens, when what we thought was true is shattered, when our friends hurt or betray us, when our church seems bogged down and even crushed, when the tunnel seems inordinately long, when no one believes us…we can struggle to find hope. And we all need hope.
Sometimes, if we could just see a little further ahead we might not be so downhearted. When Jesus explained to our wandering friends the truth of it all, they felt such an explosion of hope. But it wasn’t just hope for here and now. They realised it was about so much more than fixing our problems in this life. It was hope for life after death. It was for hope to burn brightly even when all around descends into chaos. Faith in God shifts our focus from ourselves, from now to seeing the bigger picture – that with God, one day all will be well.
They felt hope like a fire burning in their heart. Hope warms us and blossoms into courage which gives us strength to put one foot in front of the other. The two people who walked with Jesus, when they realised who he was ran all the way back to Jerusalem in the dark, probably breaking all their personal bests for running. The explosion of hope blossomed into courage giving them the strength to go back and say we met Jesus. The explosion of hope lifted them up and gave them confidence, purpose and even their lives back.
Jesus will meet each of us where we are and as we are -whether we are hurting, angry, disappointed, scared, anxious or full of questions. We don’t need to be perfect first. And maybe when you recognise Jesus in his resurrected glory, you too will feel that explosion of hope that blossoms into courage and strength. Remember we are people of the resurrection, people of the light and followers of the way. Let’s live in the light of his sacrificial love and be generous with all.
Christ is risen. He is risen indeed. Hallelujah
Love Sarah
(Based on material I wrote for Calderglen High Easter Assemblies)
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