It's important to remember that we don't just stop with Easter and wait for the next "big Sunday" of the year. Did you know that there are actually seven Sundays of Easter? The lectionary scriptures in regards to Easter lead all the way up to Pentecost and the birth of the church. The New Testament scriptures within that time frame include (but are not limited to) Jesus talking with disciples after the resurrection, Thomas and his doubt, Jesus walking on the road to Emmaus, and Jesus ascending to God. The road to Emmaus in Luke's gospel is one of my favorite texts between the resurrection and the ascension:
Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, but their eyes were kept from recognizing him. And he said to them, “What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?” They stood still, looking sad. Then one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place there in these days?” He asked them, “What things?” They replied, “The things about Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be condemned to death and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things took place. Moreover, some women of our group astounded us. They were at the tomb early this morning, and when they did not find his body there, they came back and told us that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who said that he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but they did not see him.” Then he said to them, “Oh, how foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared! Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?” Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures. As they came near the village to which they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going on. But they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over.” So he went in to stay with them. When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight. They said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?”
~Luke 24:13-32
These two are on the road to Emmaus but really have no clue where they are going or what they ought to be doing. They are in a sense on the "road to nowhere." They are recounting the events that changed the world and they say they had "hoped that Jesus would be the one that would redeem Israel." But the Jesus' death has dashed their hopes. They are lost both physically and spiritually...and then Jesus comes along beside them. Jesus begins to talk with them and allow them to work through their disbelief. He doesn't just walk up to them and say: "I'm Jesus, I'm the Messiah." I think that is important because it shows that Jesus has genuine compassion and understanding for these two who are walking along the road trying to make sense of what has happened. This event that even Jesus' closest friends are doubting. By walking with them Jesus offers hope. So what is the hope? The hope that Jesus is sharing with them along the road is hope for those who are struggling to believe. They are struggling with what has happened and doubting, just like Thomas. Jesus opens up the minds of these two to the scriptures. Jesus opens up the scriptures to them by explaining about himself and the scriptures to help their unbelief.
Jesus then breaks bread with them and "their eyes are opened." Jesus has transformed their lives. It's important to remember now that Easter Sunday is past that we don't put Jesus "back in the tomb." (credit to Wade Killough for the not putting Jesus back in the tomb quote). If we put Jesus back in the tomb has Jesus really transformed our lives? The two on the road to Emmaus go and spread what they have experienced through the presence of Christ and we are called to do the same. Spread the news that has transformed our lives. Spread the good news of the gospel by when we break bread and fellowship with one another. If, or better yet when, we do that then we can continue to be Easter people.
Grace & Peace
Kevin
