Jesus on the Road to Emmaus

February 25, 2018 Elaine Poproski Download: Audio

Sunday Scripture Reading: Luke 24:13-35 (NRSV)

¹³ Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles^[a] from Jerusalem, ¹⁴ and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. Read more…

Looking to Sunday: Preparing to Hear From God

by Elaine Poproski

We are a full week into the season of Lent. Traditionally, Christians have set aside the 40 days (not including Sundays, but that’s another article) leading up to Easter as a time to focus intentionally on Jesus’ crucifixion. It’s a time to meditate on the cost of our redemption and salvation.

At Walmer we are taking the time of Lent to rest in the realities of loss while also remembering that God does not abandon us to our loss. This Sunday we’ll be hearing a story from Luke 24 set on the day of Jesus’ resurrection, but before the news of that resurrection had spread. The story begins at verse 13:

Two of Jesus’ disciples are walking the road away from Jerusalem, toward a town called Emmaus. They’re talking about everything they’ve witnessed the last week. They meet a stranger on the road and the stranger inquires about their sadness. They are sad because they loved Jesus and He died. They are sad because they believed Jesus was going to save their people from Roman oppression, but then the Romans killed Jesus. The story goes on until it is suddenly revealed to the disciples that the stranger is Jesus. He’s been with them this whole time and they didn’t even know it.

This story cautions me whenever I feel like God has abandoned me or forgotten me or is just too busy for me. It reminds me that regardless of whether or not I feel His presence or hear His voice or see evidence of His Spirit in the goings on of my life, He is there. God who is perfect love, peace, goodness, truth, hope, and joy is in this life with us. Even when everything seems dark and foreboding, He is with us. It’s like David (an Old Testament poet and king) wrote in the 23^rd Psalm: “Even though I walk through the darkest valley I will fear no evil; for You [meaning, God] are with me.”

As you prepare for our worship service on Sunday, I invite you to spend some time with the 23^rd Psalm. Read the whole thing slowly and carefully. Maybe read it out loud so you hear the words as well as see them. Sit for a time with each of the images painted by this masterful poet. If there are words, phrases, or images that resonate, spend more time with them. Let them fill you as you breathe in and out deeply. Rest in the assurance that God is with you.