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From The Morning Call


How the Emmaus experience applies

May 21, 2005

Luke's gospel (24:13-35) reports that on the day Jesus rose from the
dead, two of his followers were walking to Emmaus, a village seven
miles from Jerusalem.

They spoke of their sadness and as they discussed the past week in
which Jesus was betrayed, arrested, tried and executed. They also
expressed confusion over the accounts of some women followers and
that Jesus' tomb was empty, and that angels said Jesus was alive.
They even claimed to have seen Jesus.

As they walked, Jesus approached and joined their conversation. But
they didn't recognize him. After listening for a while, this
supposed stranger chided them for their unbelief: ''How foolish you
are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have
spoken! Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then
enter his glory?''

Jesus then explained how the scriptures explained the meaning of the
Messiah and these very events. When they arrived in Emmaus, they
pleaded with Jesus to stay with them because it was evening. He
agreed. But it was only when Jesus was at the dinner table, took
bread, gave thanks, broke it and offered it to them that ''their
eyes were opened'' and they recognized Jesus. In a moment, he
disappeared from their sight, but they said, ''Were not our hearts
burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the
Scriptures to us?'' They immediately rushed back to Jerusalem where
they found the others assembled together. ''It is true! The Lord has
risen!'' they explained as they recounted the way to Emmaus, and how
they recognized Jesus in the breaking of the bread.

When I visited the Holy Land, I discovered that at least four
separate towns claim to be ''Emmaus.'' Perhaps this is fitting.
Several points can be made about how the Emmaus experience applies
to each of us as we make own way in life.

First, their confusion and unbelief seems incredible. They certainly
knew Jesus, heard his teaching, preaching, and predictions about
death and resurrection. They knew about the empty tomb.

Yet even Jesus commented upon their foolishness. But then, our own
unbelief is also incredible. Human history has been shaped by God's
mighty acts. Millions of transformed lives have witnessed to the
positive value of religious faith in dealing with daily trials and
tribulations, as well providing hope for eternal life. And yet so
many of us remain unconvinced!

Second, they didn't recognize Jesus until he was made known to them
in the breaking of the bread. For Christians the Word of God and
sacraments reveal God's promises. Just as few recognized Jesus'
incarnation his unknown presence on our journey through life also is
typically unrecognized. Christians believe that God is revealed
through the Word of Scripture, the sacraments of Baptism and Holy
Communion, faithful obedience and acts of love towards others.

Third, the resurrected Jesus immediately transforms their fear and
despair to faith, hope and joy. This powerful transformation drives
them all the way back to Jerusalem where others are also transformed
by the presence of Christ and the gift of spiritual peace.

As the public role of religion continues to be debated in our
society, let us remember the positive value of religious faith in
shaping our world.

Healthy religious convictions necessarily engender self respect and
positive growth, as well as charity toward others.

Trying to force religion on other people is akin to the members of a
symphony orchestra convincing people that music is beautiful by
beating them with their instruments.

Religion, like fine music, is best expressed by living it through
integrity, sharing the transforming beauty of faith by wholesome
values, peacefulness and the widespread expression of love.

The Rev. Christopher Hershman is pastor of St. James Evangelical
Lutheran Church, Allentown, and a licensed psychologist at the
Marriage and Family Institute, Wescosville.
Copyright © 2005, The Morning Call