The Light to See

Luke 24:13-35

Where is Emmaus?  It is seven miles from Jerusalem according to Luke, but it must not have been an incorporated town, for there is no hard evidence for its position.  Luke is however not concerned with the town but rather that these two have left the scene of the day.  The reality of the past three days had gotten to these two disciples.  They needed out and it seems that the woman’s witness was the last straw, for they can share the story up to that point and they left for Emmaus.  Did they have to be there for a reason?  Perhaps, but it seems more likely that even if there was a reason it was a weak excuse to get away from the reality.  Emmaus for all intention is a place of escape. 

For us it may be a movie, a book, a vacation, it can even be church.  It is the place or mindset to escape the harsh reality of the world.  A harsh reality where we are not able to see the resurrected Jesus.  These two could not see Jesus right in front of them and please note that Jesus does not rebuke them about their journey to Emmaus, rather their understanding of the prophecy.  Jesus does not tell them to go back but it is the obvious reaction when they experience the revelation of Jesus at the table.

The table is the pivotal point of this scripture.  They know the New Testament Gospel in that they experienced it, and even heard of the resurrection from the women.   They couldn't handle it but when they met this “stranger” they shared the story.  Yet they did not come to believe when the Hebrew Prophesies were revealed to them by Jesus, Himself. 

The Lord’s Table set for us each Sunday has us remember Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection.  We know the name of this Table as the Lord’s Table (as I referred to it above), which makes sense since it is Jesus our Lord who invites us to this table.  We will also here it called communion table, and it is true we are in communion with God at this table but also with each other. 

The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? 1 Cor. 10:16 KJV

I believe this idea of coming together around the table for to remember and find the revelation of Jesus is perfect.  Of course Jesus would leave the perfect rite to remember and know Him.

Think about what the everyday table is to you.  Who do you eat with?  We know the criticism of Jesus was often included stating who He ate with. 

Think about who taught you your table manners.  If you are like me many of your table manners were taught to you by your mother.  My mom taught me what side the silverware goes on, that elbows were not allowed on the table, don’t talk with your mouth full, and many other important rules.  Those rules I named fulfill etiquette, which are very important, but etiquette is simply  cultural rules.  Rules that change over time and geography.  For example the fork as a utensil did not start making it to the table in Europe about a thousand years after the Last Supper. 

Etiquette is important, but ethics is even greater.  I believe there are ethics to table fellowship that really has never changed.  My mom taught me gathering for a meal is not simply to eat, but to enjoy each other’s company and to share with everyone in the experience.  This was emphasized by many things, especially the conversations and the laughter, but also the etiquette that we had to be dismissed. 

Another ethic value was that everyone should have enough or a fair share of what was presented.  The exception would be if there were guests.  Leading me to share the third ethical value of table fellowship and that is hospitality.  That sharing a meal is the greatest sign of hospitality.  What I learned from my mother that it wasn’t only when we planned to have special dinner party, but even when one of my friends stopped by unannounced.  Always the table was open.

Those three values have been the ethics of table fellowship.  It is not just about the food, but about the fellowship, everyone should get what they need, and it also the greatest sign is hospitality. The Lord’s Table is no exception, and it upholds the three key ethics greatly.  The table is not simply about food but is a communal relational experience between people and the Divine.  Grace goes equally to all as they accept it at the table.  Everyone is invited and we need to keep inviting people to His Table.

This is why they see Jesus at the Table.  They demonstrated great hospitality and were in communion with each other and of course God.  Of course, Grace is given equally and they see Jesus.  But only for an instant, for Luke is making it clear that when we see Jesus we must act as those two did.  They were on an escapist path when they went to Emmaus but as soon as they saw Jesus again in the breaking of the bread, they were back, within the hour, to evangelize. 

All off us need a chance to get away from the world, but once we experience Jesus at the table (or wherever) we realize that Jesus is in control and we are to follow Him.

April Newsletter

April 2011

Jesus celebrated the His last Passover with His disciples in an Upper Room. Passover is the celebration of the Exodus from Egypt; freedom from slavery. The scriptures would require them to get rid of all leavening, in order to recall how the Hebrews in Egypt had to leave so quickly, and feel in solidarity with those who escaped Pharaoh’s rule. The ritual to this day does not simply recall the events of Moses and the Hebrews when God saved them from slavery, rather the Passover ritual is worded as if the participants are there. The reality is that Jesus and the other Jews present at The Last Supper where remembering God’s salvation of their ancestors from Pharaoh’s slavery, as if they were the ones that walked through the parted Red Sea.

In the 22nd chapter of Luke’s Gospel, Jesus says, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; for I tell you, I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” (vv 15-16) As they celebrated God’s deliverance from slavery to freedom, they did not simply remember the historical miracle, they reenacted the miracle; they tried to experience it through the ritual. “Then he took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.’ And he did the same with the cup after supper, saying, ‘This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.’” (vv 19-20)

The word that is used in this scripture for “Remember” is the Greek word anamnesis which means more than to simple recall, like what was written on a grocery list; it includes the idea of re-presentation and thus the real here and now. Such it is when we smell our favorite comfort food; we do not simply remember when it was prepared but are brought back to all the feelings and reality, for at least an instance. This is what is meant when we break bread in remembrance of Jesus’ body, we recall what he did on the cross and what Jesus’ presence has done in our individual lives. Barnett Blakemore states it well in The Revival of the Churches (1963) “The role of remembrance is not that it brings the Lord into our presence, but that remembrance opens our eyes to him into whose presence we have already been brought by faith.”

We remember not simply historically that Jesus died on the cross; we remember Jesus is saving us via that cross. Every Sunday we center our worship upon this important remembrance, additionally I invite you to participate in a Special Holy Thursday Service at 7 pm on April 21 to remember Jesus’ Last Supper.

In Christ’s Service,

Pastor JC