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"The Lost Road"April 14, 2009Luke 24:13-27 13Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. 14They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. 15As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; 16but they were kept from recognizing him. 17He asked them, "What are you discussing together as you walk along?" They stood still, their faces downcast. 18One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, "Are you only a visitor to Jerusalem and do 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. 20The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; 21but 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. 22In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning 23but didn't find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. 24Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see." 25He said to them, "How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?" 27And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. Our scripture this week occurs three days after Jesus' death on the cross. Two of Jesus' disciples were walking alone on a road from Jerusalem headed toward a town called Emmaus. Along the way they meet an unexpected stranger who inquires about their downcast manner. The disciples share that the hopes and dreams they had in their leader Jesus were gone with his recent death and they didn't know what to do next. It had been three days already and nothing made sense anymore. After listening to them in their confusion, Jesus proceeded to interpret scriptures for them. Many of us know this scripture as the "road or walk to Emmaus." Another appropriate title for this scripture would be "The Lost Road." Have you ever been lost? I don't mean lost in the physical sense. Have you ever been lost spiritually? This scripture reminds us that even those followers closest to Jesus had times of disbelief and despair. When difficult times came, they struggled to hold onto their faith. The disillusionment they were experiencing didn't make them bad disciples; it made them human. All too often Christians think that we have to have all the answers all the time. When something bad happens, we want to call it God's will because the thought of doubting God shakes our very core. We forget that even the most devoted religious figures have all had times of doubt. It is nothing of which we need to be ashamed; rather, doubt coexists with faith. The second observation from this scripture has to do with the appearance of Jesus. Jesus appears to those walking down the lost road. Although he's right before their very eyes, they don't know that this stranger is the one for whom they mourn. Many times when we are in the deep pit of despair we are unable to see the light before us. We focus our energy on the hurt inside us rather than the hope before us. We must remember that even in the darkest times, Jesus will appear to us when we need him most. It might not be in the way we expected him to, but if we open our eyes and pay attention to what God is doing we will see the path before us. We won't be on the lost road anymore. We will be found. Prayer: Loving Savior, Although at times I feel lost, I know that you will find me. I pray that you meet me along my journey and show me the way into deeper communion with you. Amen. For more informationRev. Leigh Martin |
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