Sermon

19th April 26

We have been reading the accounts of Jesus’ appearances to his disciples as recorded in John’s gospel.  On Easter morning, we read of Mary Magdalene at the tomb.  She doesn’t recognize him immediately, perhaps her eyes are full of tears and, it is only when he speaks, that she knows it is Jesus.

Last Sunday, we read of Jesus’ first resurrection appearance to his male disciples.  They seem to have recognized him fairly quickly as, we are told, “they were glad when they saw the Lord”.   John’s gospel continues in Chapter 21 with another meeting with them, this time at the lakeside back in Galilee (I don’t think that we have this reading this year). Remember how they have returned to their boats and have gone fishing, when a voice hails them from the shore.  This time, it takes a while for the penny to drop that this is Jesus.  Although we can probably excuse them: maybe the early morning light was still poor; maybe there was a mist over the lake; or maybe they were still some distance from shore.

Today, we have read an account from Luke’s gospel.  Surely, we ask ourselves: How have these two men walked for hours with Jesus, talking about his death and an early rumour of his resurrection, and yet it is only when he breaks the bread and says the blessing that they finally recognize him?

There is no obvious answer.  Indeed, the Evangelist can only suggest that (verse 16) “their eyes were kept from recognising him” until finally (verse 31) “their eyes were opened and they recognized him”.

I wonder.  I wonder if there is a clue in verse 21 when they say that “we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel”.  Palestine was occupied by a brutal foreign army.  There were all sorts of groups fighting the hated Romans, but they were overwhelmed by brute force.  No doubt, many had had their hopes raised by Jesus.

Some, I guess, like these two men on the Road to Emmaus, had trusted him to lead them in expelling the enemy.  Now, with his destruction on the cross, all their hopes have come to nothing.

They feel gloomy, let down, perhaps even betrayed.  All the hope that they had invested in Jesus has gone.  They probably looking down at the ground as they walk, listening certainly, but not really believing what they are being told.

As for them, so for us.  We are living in difficult times.  Empires with vast forces, every bit as evil as that of Rome, are seeking to destroy weaker nations using overwhelming force.  The United Nations seems powerless.  The voices of religious and other community leaders are mocked.  We too can feel that same sense of despair, wondering what can be done.  Perhaps, we too need to hear the words of Jesus, breaking the bread, and offering his blessing, if we to have the strength to face the future with hope, as he is risen indeed.  Alleluia!

Amen