The Unexpected Companion

Albert Bogle April 01, 2018 0 1

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Luke 24: 13-32

13 Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles[a] from Jerusalem. 14 They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. 15 As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; 16 but they were kept from recognising him.

17 He asked them, ‘What are you discussing together as you walk along?’

They stood still, their faces downcast. 18 One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, ‘Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?’

19 ‘What things?’ he asked.

‘About Jesus of Nazareth,’ they replied. ‘He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. 20 The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; 21 but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. 22 In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning 23 but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. 24 Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see Jesus.’

25 He said to them, ‘How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?’ 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.

28 As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going further. 29 But they urged him strongly, ‘Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.’ So he went in to stay with them.

30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognised him, and he disappeared from their sight. 32 They asked each other, ‘Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?’

This month we’re exploring further the idea of hospitality as a significant aspect of Christian spirituality. All over the world today families and friends will be gathering together to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. Many will attend church services and share in an act of fellowship around bread and wine. Feel free to join us for our service later this afternoon either in person at Falkirk Trinity at 3.45pm for light refreshments, or from 4.15pm for the live streaming of the event from our site.

As we begin to engage with the stories around the resurrection it’s interesting to note how food seemed to play an important role in the stories. In today’s passage Jesus walked with the 2 disciples for nearly 2 hours explaining the scriptures to them, yet  it wasn’t until they stopped and gathered around a table, sharing food that they began to recognise the stranger as Jesus. 

Perhaps we should gather more often around our tables and discover the presence of the risen Christ joining us.

Unrecognised Lord,

Come break bread with us

This Easter Day

Break through the barriers of doubt and unbelief

You are so welcome

If only we knew how to say it

Forgive the meagre spread

And the impromptu invitation 

But we never expected the stranger to be you

We never expected you could be recognised

Through bread and wine.