In the Breaking of the Bread

Ephesians 1:7-9, 15-18; Luke 24:13-35

Today our Gospel text takes us on a walk.  It tells the account of a couple of Jesus’ followers who, after Jesus crucifixion and the announcement of the women that the tomb was empty, are walking to a village called Emmaus.  As they walk they are talking with each other about everything that had happened.

We can understand what is happening during this walk, can’t we?  Most of us have lost a loved one and have had to face the next day and try to function.  I know when my Mom died the next few days were a blur.

Even when other events have happened such as 9/11 and even during a divorce, people go about living but our minds are trying to absorb all that has happened while doing what is needed at that time.

This is where these disciples are.  They are caught up in all that has happened and their minds are focused on simply trying to understand what has happened over the last week.  So when a stranger comes up to walk along with them, they are not as much concerned about who it is but about the fact, he doesn’t seem to even know what happened.

Again this would be like talking to someone on September 13, 2001 and having them not know what had happened in NY City 2 days before.

So they don’t recognize it is Jesus with them but then again why would they?  Jesus had died, they knew that.  They had heard His body was gone but he was still dead.  So, in not expecting Jesus to come along side them, they simply walk with this stranger and as they talk about the distress they are feeling he opens the scriptures to them – explaining what the scriptures say about the Messiah from Moses to the Prophets

I had never thought of this before but what do you think Jesus was feeling or thinking?  He has come to these disciples to show them He is alive and they don’t recognize Him.  They listen and they are kind but they don’t recognize.

As they come to the village where they are going to stay, they are kind enough, or maybe intrigued enough to ask Him to join them.  Whatever it was that motivated them, their hospitality opened the door and invited the Savior in to share a meal and find rest.

As they sit down to eat, Jesus takes on the position of host giving thanks and breaking the bread.  Although this could have been an awkward situation because Jesus was supposed to be the guest, there is something more important that happens.  As Jesus gives thanks and breaks the bread, the eyes of the disciples are open and they know that it is Jesus who has been with them.

They recognize Him in the familiar moment of the breaking of the bread.  Just as they finally understand Jesus is gone – He has vanished.

The disciples look to each other in astonishment and ask,  “Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?”

John Wesley (founder of Methodism) described his eye-opening experience in a similar way:

In the evening I went very unwillingly to a society in Aldersgate Street, where one was reading Luther’s preface to the Epistle to the Romans. About a quarter before nine, while he was describing the change which God works in the heart through faith in Christ, I felt my heart strangely warmed. I felt I did trust in Christ, Christ alone, for salvation; and an assurance was given me that He had taken away my sins, even mine, and saved me from the law of sin and death.

This heart-warming experience opened the eyes of the disciples and John Wesley, and in reality all of them had the same reaction – to run and tell others that Jesus is alive.  It is what you do when your heart experiences the TRUTH.

In our daily walk do we see Jesus, in the stranger who walks with us?  Are we hospitable and invite the stranger in?

Maybe if we truly show hospitality we too would have our eyes opened to see that Jesus is among us.

Today we celebrate the sacrament of Holy Communion and in this time we are reminded who Jesus is and that in this sacred moment he is with us – sharing His love and saving grace.  Take this time today to welcome Jesus into Your life – into your space – open yourself up to Him and He will come to you, fill you with grace and will encourage you to share the message that He lives forever more!