First Lutheran Church
April 18, 2021 + The Third Sunday in Easter (B)
Luke 24:36b-53
36bJesus himself stood among [the disciples] and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 37They were startled and terrified, and thought that they were seeing a ghost. 38He said to them, “Why are you frightened, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? 39Look at my hands and my feet; see that it is I myself. Touch me and see; for a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” 40And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. 41While in their joy they were disbelieving and still wondering, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” 42They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43and he took it and ate in their presence.
44Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you—that everything written about me in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled.” 45Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, 46and he said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, 47and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48You are witnesses of these things.”
49 And see, I am sending upon you what my Father promised; so stay here in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”
50 Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and, lifting up his hands, he blessed them. 51 While he was blessing them, he withdrew from them and was carried up into heaven. 52 And they worshiped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy; 53 and they were continually in the temple blessing God.
Sermon
“Encounter, Explain, Eat, Enlighten, Exit”
Pastor Greg Ronning
Today’s appointed Gospel for the Third Sunday in Easter tells us the story of how the risen Christ suddenly appears to the disciples, - terrifying them as if he were a ghost. In that moment the disciples are filled with doubts and fears. However, Jesus speaks a word of peace, reveals his wounds, eats some fish, opens up the scriptures to them, and inspires them to faith. And then he departs, as mysteriously as he appeared, “carried up into heaven.”
The pattern in today’s Gospel story might sound familiar to you, in fact the same pattern is found in the story that precedes today’s story, the “Emmaus Road” story. (I would argue that they are actually the same story told in two parts!) Professor Lucy Lind Hogan, of Wesley Theological Seminary, names the pattern repeated in these verses; “Encounter, Explain, Eat, Enlighten, and Exit.”
The pattern begins, in the preceding verses, with two disciples traveling down the road to Emmaus after the death of Christ. They are lost in deep despair, wandering away in confusion, mourning the death of Jesus. They have heard the women’s report that Jesus has risen from the death but believe it to be nothing more than “an idle tale.” As they journey down this road, they “encounter” a stranger, who joins them in the journey. In their grief, in their despair, in their confusion, they do not recognize that the stranger is actually Jesus. As they travel down the road the stranger “explains” how the tragic events of the last few days, the death of Jesus, is connected to the holy scriptures and the promises of God. As the day of traveling ends, the disciples invite the stranger to stay with them. And as they share a meal, as they “eat” together, as they practice hospitality, their eyes are opened up and Jesus is made known to them. Suddenly they become “enlightened,” all the words spoken by the stranger come to life and burn in their hearts. Their faith finds that moment of understanding, it becomes real. And then, in an instant, Jesus “exits.”
The Gospel of Luke describes what happens next, “That same hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven and their companions gathered together. They were saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and he has appeared to Simon!” Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread.”
And that’s where today’s Gospel reading begins, and we discover the same pattern repeats itself, “Encounter, Explain, Eat, Enlighten, and Exit.”
As the disciples sit gathered together, discussing stories of the risen Jesus, suddenly they actually “encounter” Jesus, he appears standing before them. They are confused and afraid, terrified and filled with doubt, they do not understand what is happening. They think he is a ghost! Jesus then begins to “explain,” he shows them his wounds, he bears witness to the resurrection. And then, as he did in Emmaus, he “eats” a piece of fish. He is not a ghost, he is alive. And slowly but surely the disciples become “enlightened,” their minds are opened up to the promises of scripture, the word of God made alive. And they are transformed, they are made ready for the coming of the Spirit; they are ready to bear witness to the resurrection, to the good news of the gospel, the forgiveness of sin and life abundant and everlasting. And then Jesus leads the disciples out to Bethany, he blesses them, and he “exits” into the heavens.
“Encounter, Explain, Eat, Enlighten, and Exit.” A repeating pattern in the Twenty Fourth Chapter of Luke, and a pattern still repeating even today; the reoccurring pattern of faith, and the story of our faith.
It always begins with the “Encounter.” Each and every day “Jesus” is present seeking out an encounter with each of us. Motivated by grace and love, God in Christ Jesus, is out there, hoping and waiting to be discovered. The problem is that we, more often than not, are not aware of the divine presence. We miss understand the encounter. And perhaps we’re afraid of a true encounter with Jesus! In our busyness - we don’t take the time to really look, in all the noise - we don’t hear the still small voice, and in all the distractions - we are looking in the wrong places. More often than not, we are somehow deaf and blind to the very thing we desire.
Yet God is relentless, and blessed by the Spirit we are gathered up, and offered a variety of opportunities for an “explanation.” We are gathered together in worship with the risen Christ. And in the hearing of scripture and the Word preached, the good news proclaimed, the promises and the presence of God is “explained.” We gather in small groups, sharing in scripture and sharing our own experiences, and in this good work, in holy conversations, the Spirit begins to “explain,” opening up our minds and our hearts to the love of God. In these moments of “explanation” the work of transformation begins, our sense of identity and mission become clear. Our faith is seeking understanding, and our understanding comes to faith.
And then we move from our minds seeking “explanation” into an embodiment of the experience; We “eat,” we share in the meal, we “eat” with others, we practice hospitality. We gather around the altar, the table of Christ, and Jesus is present in bread and wine, and in the sharing of this meal we become the body of Christ. We gather to experience the truth of the psalmist, “Taste and see that the Lord is good.” In bread and wine, bread and wine received in faith, we experience the unconditional sacrificial love of God. And we remember, we re-member, we are made whole, we are made holy. And after this meal, we practice what we have received, opening our doors to our neighbors experiencing food insecurity, to our neighbors who need more than just a can a food, but also a heart eager to serve.
And in all this “enlightenment” happens. Suddenly we see Jesus, present in our life together, present in “the least of these” that we serve, present in scriptures suddenly becoming the Word made alive in our hearts. Present in the love that we share with each other, and the love that we share with the world. Our eyes are opened up and our hearts are set on fire, we understand who we are and what we are all about, we are saved and we are empowered to save others.
And then, this time, the “exit” belongs to us, as we step out in faith into the world as bold witnesses to the grace of Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit.
“Encounter, Explain, Eat, Enlighten, and Exit.” This is the story of the Easter Gospel, the story of faith, the grace filled story of our faith. May the story be repeated in - with – and through each of us and in our life together. Amen.