Acts 2:14a, 36-41; Luke 24:13-35
About three months before Peter gives this speech to the
crowd gathered in Jerusalem, he promised to follow Jesus anywhere, even to death.
Then, when Jesus was arrested, he denied three times that he even knew him. After
Jesus’ crucifixion, he didn’t believe the women who said the tomb was empty; he
ran to see for himself that Jesus’ body was no longer there.
Until this moment in Jerusalem, Peter has been known as the
disciple who is us, bumbling along, putting his foot in his mouth more often
than not. Now, suddenly, Peter has become eloquent, speaking with the same
passion he has always shown, but with wisdom, because now Jesus’ life and death
makes sense. Now, he is convinced that Jesus is the long-promised messiah,
despite having been executed by those who are listening to him. Peter’s words
convict his listeners to also believe in Jesus as the Messiah, and they are
baptized right then.
… Peter and the rest of the disciples, along with some women,
have been on a journey of discovery with Jesus for some time. It could be a
year or two; it could be as long as three years. They have traveled all over Galilee,
east, west, north and south; they have sailed together in good weather and
storms. They have been in foreign/non-Jewish lands and talked with the people
who live there.
In this time, Jesus has taught them a new way of understanding
the scriptures they have known all their lives. He has taught them to love and
respect all people, young and old, foreigner and Jew, servant and leader, women
and men. He has taught them how to spread the good news of God’s realm coming
into the world. They have been sent out on internship, two by two to tell the
story, to heal, to cast out demons.
… Knowing Jesus, believing in Jesus, trusting his words,
doesn’t happen overnight. It takes time, sometimes a lifetime. Some of us in
this room were baptized before we could know or understand what was happening.
Others remember the moment with a clarity that lives still in our memories.
Some of us have had life-changing experiences: retreats,
conferences, or classes. Or life-changing conversations with others. Or
impactful books that opened our minds to new ideas, new understanding of old
messages. Or heard music or podcasts or TV shows that shook us up and gave us
new perspectives.
… Just so, the disciples who were dejectedly leaving
Jerusalem on the road to Emmaus had a conversation that opened their minds and changed
their lives. We don’t know who these disciples are; they likely are some who
have been following Jesus for a while, but are not members of the Twelve. They
know enough to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, and that their hopes for a
military leader have been dashed by his execution.
People of Jesus’ time knew how to walk, since it was the
most common form of transportation for most people. Jesus-incognito walked with
Cleopas and his companion for some time, perhaps two hours or more, on the way
to their home in Emmaus. Many people believe that Cleopas’ companion was his
wife, Mrs Cleopas.
As they journeyed, a stranger, Jesus-incognito, first listened
to the couple explain who Jesus was, and why they grieved his death. They
needed to get past the fullness of their grief before they could focus on what he
was saying. And then he began at the beginning, explaining how Jesus’ story fit
into the whole of God’s history with the people of Israel/Judah.
Mrs Cleopas and her husband invited Jesus-incognito into
their home for supper. She set the table, got out some hummus and tahini and
bread, some olives and figs, some tabouleh. And they sat down to eat. Jesus
offered to say the table prayer, and broke the bread for them all to share. It
was in that moment that they could see that the stranger with them was Jesus, alive
again after the crucifixion.
… Early in the story, Luke tells us that their eyes were
prevented from recognizing Jesus. This phrase is called a divine passive;
God prevented them from seeing that the stranger was Jesus. As they reflected
on their time with Jesus-incognito, they remembered. They realized how their
hearts had burned with joy and excitement as Jesus-incognito put the whole
story together.
They hightailed it back to the city and told their story,
and heard the stories the others told as well, including that Jesus had
appeared to Simon Peter. Together, they were able to understand the larger plan
that God had in mind, that they had been unable to comprehend until after the
resurrection. Now, Peter is ready to assume the role of leader. Now,
his passion can be used to share the good news of the realm of God coming near
to them.
… Coming to faith is a journey for us, just as it was for
the disciples. We don’t see the whole picture at once, just glimpses of God’s
presence and God’s purpose. We don’t always see what God has put in front of
our faces until later, when we can reflect on it. “Weren’t our hearts burning
when …”
So, a story. I was a young mother and went to a prayer
retreat with the women of Saron Lutheran Church. Many women from the church were
there, women I hadn’t met until that day. One of them, Ellen, looked and
sounded so much like my grandmother Alma that I was moved to tears in blessed
memories. I could say my heart burned with joy and love that morning. (and now
as I write/speak!)
When the presenter, let’s call her Sue, because I don’t
remember her name, began speaking, I was still lost in memories for a while.
Later in the morning, I recovered myself and began to pay attention. We were
supposed to be learning to pray out loud in a group, an activity even more
frightening than speaking out loud before a live audience.
Then Sue said something that made me listen, something I
have never forgotten. She said, “When your heart is beating so fast you notice
it, that’s God telling you to speak up.” I have, a few times in my life, had
the experience of my beating heart telling me to speak up. I haven’t always opened
my mouth to speak, but I am getting better at it. It’s a journey, and God isn’t
finished with me yet.
… Now it’s your turn. Where has God been on your journey so
far? Have you known it was God at the time, or was it only later when you looked
back and said, “Wow! My heart was burning then, and I didn’t realize it was God
with me!”
I invite you to spend some time this week looking for Jesus
to be with you – or reflect on times when you discovered he was there and you weren’t
paying attention. I hope you have had some moments in the past when your hearts
were burning with joy at the presence of the holy, and that you continue to
look for them now and in the future. Amen
