Acts 3:12-19
Psalm 4
1 John 3:1-7
Luke 24:36b-48
All of our readings today show forth the Easter joy that we share because Jesus is risen. In our reading from the Book of Acts, Peter and his team have just healed a lame man, and Peter makes it very clear that this healing has been done through the power of the risen Lord. Referring to Jesus, Peter says, “And by faith in his name, his name itself has made this man strong.” We, too have faith in the name of Jesus and in his presence.
In our epistle today, John writes, “See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God, and that is what we are. Beloved, we are God’s children now.”
During the Great Fifty Days of Easter, ending with the feast of Pentecost, we are reliving with the apostles and other followers of Jesus the joy of meeting our risen Lord.
Our gospel for today comes from Luke. In order to put this passage into context, we need to realize that this portion of the gospel is preceded by the walk to Emmaus. Two of Jesus’ followers have been in Jerusalem and they have seen the crucifixion in all of its horror. They have remained with the others. The women have gone to the tomb and found it empty. Two angels have told them that Jesus is risen.
That same day, these men are walking to Emmaus, a village about seven miles from Jerusalem. While they are walking on the road and discussing all these things, a stranger appears and begins walking with them. He asks them what they are talking about, and they tell him they are discussing Jesus of Nazareth who has been crucified, and they say that some women of their group have said that Jesus is risen.
They still have no idea that the person walking with them is Jesus, but he begins to teach them the meaning of the scriptures. When they reach their destination, they invite Jesus to stay with them. When he takes the bread and breaks it, they realize who he is, and he vanishes. They rush back to Jerusalem and find the eleven and their companions gathered together, and they tell them how Jesus has become known to them in the breaking of the bread.
Today’s gospel follows these events. Once again, Jesus is with them. He extends his shalom, “Peace be with you.” They think they are seeing a ghost. The reality of the crucifixion is so strong that they cannot comprehend that he has gone through that and come out on the other side. the side of new life. He shows then his wounds and assures them that it is he. He even invites them to touch him. Their terror and doubts begin to melt away.
And then, he says something that would completely dissolve any doubt that it is really Jesus. It’s such a homey, human, ordinary question, Do you have anything to eat around here? Ghosts don’t eat. Ghosts don’t need food. They give him a piece of broiled fish and he eats it.
Then Jesus sits down with them and opens their hearts to a deeper and deeper meaning of the scriptures, a deeper meaning of his life among them and us. He then calls them and us to spread the good news.
Jesus is not some historical figure of the past. Jesus is not merely a great teacher or a great prophet. Jesus is alive. He has gone through the worst that distorted power and hate can do to a human being. He is with us now to lead us and guide us.
Risen Lord, Thank you for your presence among us. Give us the grace to follow where you lead. In your holy Name, Amen.
Filed under: Reverend Janet Brown, Sermons | Tagged: 1 John 3, Acts 3, Emmaus, Luke 24, Psalm 4 |
Grace Episcopal Church (Sheldon, VT) 