Chapter 24

The work of God was done. Jesus completed everything that the father had sent him to do. In his death Jesus completed the plan that closed the gap between God and humanity. That was the message of the incarnation from the birth of Jesus to his death. Mary sang of the great equalization that was taking place. God in redeeming is people Israel and the gentile world was also equalizing the distance and was generated by the disparity between the weak and strong as well as the rich and the poor. On the seventh day God rested from all his labors. Jesus rested awaiting the completion. The event of the resurrection from the dead was God’s grand finale as on the first day of the God created a new day, a new creation.

The first encounter with the new creation was experienced by the women who came to the tomb early in the morning to complete the burial rites that had to be left undone because the Sabbath was coming. They were greeted by the angelic host as once the shepherds were greeted from the sky. They asked, “Why do you seek the living among the dead?” The angelic greeting reflected the promise that Jesus had given before his death. Don’t remember what Jesus said “that the Son of Man must be handed over to sinners, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again.” That which had been foretold by Jesus was now the dawn of new day. God had restored the life that was given up for the life of the world. The work of God in Jesus was the giving of his life for the life of the world. The work of the Father was the restoration of that sacrificial life thus validating all that Jesus said about himself.

The disciple’s reactions were mixed. Though filled with belief the women were terrified and amazed all the same time. The other disciples who received the new at the hands of the women “. . . seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them.” Impetuous Peter took the plunge and dared to look in. We’re told that he “stooped and looked.” He saw the angelic messengers.

The Road to Emmaus

Luke alone includes the story of the two walking on their way to the town of Emmaus. In the midst of discussing the events of the day they were joined by a seeming stranger. In their conversation Jesus made them tell the story of the events that unfolded. We’re told that their eyes were closed and that they didn’t recognize him. We’re told that they didn’t understand the events that they were reporting. We’re told that Jesus explained the necessity of the Messianic mission and how the prophets before them were clear about the need for these events to unfold; that the Messiah needed to suffer and then enter into glory. We’re told that Jesus “interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures.”

We’re told that they encouraged Jesus to stop on the way with them and have something to eat. At the table, “. . . he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened. . .” Luke takes this post resurrection moment to talk to his readers about the presence of the resurrected Lord in an age long past the events of that “first day of the week.” Luke opens to the church of every time and every place the revelation of the real and present Lord every time that we break the bread and lift the cup.

The church through the centuries has not only remembered the Lord’s death every time they celebrate the Eucharist, but in the celebration remembers the reality of the Jesus who chooses to remain in the world with his church even though he had ascended to the glory of the father. Luke reminds us “how he had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread.”

Jesus appears to the disciples. His message is one of peace, “Peace be with you.” Peace was the last thing on their minds. Fear, doubt, and disbelief were ripe. His presence, Luke tells us inspired terror and startlement. Jesus had to remind them again of all that had been prophesied by him. He reminded them that he told them before about the necessity of his death and the inevitability of his resurrection. Jesus also supplied them with the evidence that this was not merely and spiritual resurrection. He encouraged their physical contact – tough me. He showed them the hands and the side. John’s gospel portrays this in deeper ways through the telling of the story of Thomas the doubter. To further display the reality of the full physical resurrection from the dead, he has something to eat.

The mission: Jesus speaks to them of the validation that had come through the law and the prophets, with this end, “that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.” These disciples are called upon to give witness to what they have seen and heard. To this end, Jesus reinforces the further promise that help is coming from God in the form of the Holy Spirit that will both enable them to do what he is asking, but will bring them joy.

Wednesday, September 02, 2009