“Known in the Breaking of the Bread”

(Luke 24:13-35)

Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened.  While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, but their eyes were kept from recognizing him.  And he said them, “What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?”  They stood still, looking sad.  Then one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place there in these days?”  Jesus asked them, “What things?”  They replied, “The things about Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be condemned to death and crucified him.  But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel.  Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things took place.  Moreover, some women of our group astounded us.  They were at the tomb early this morning, and when they did not find his body there, they came back and told us that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who said that he was alive.  Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but they did not see him.  Then Jesus said to them, “Oh, how foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared!  Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?”  Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures.

As they came near the village to which they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going on.  But they urged him strongly saying, “Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over.”  So he went in to stay with them.  When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them.  Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight.  They said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?”  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.

              Today’s wonderful story about the Risen Christ walking, talking and eating with 2 of his followers is REALLY something to hear and appreciate—and cherish.

              Here we are 1 week after Easter, and, for me, this story shows us what needs to be front and center about Christ’s resurrection.  So, though the day of Easter has come and gone, today’s reading is a good reminder that Christ is risen, and the Easter season and message continue to give life and meaning to our lives. 

On the road to Emmaus two of Jesus’ followers unknowingly tell Jesus his own story right back to him because they had not yet recognized him.  He, then, continuing to be anonymous, commented on what they had told him and interpreted Moses and the prophets in light of his own life and death.

              Clearly, those two guys wanted to hang around with the man they had met on the road.  That’s when these two followers invited Jesus to stay with them because it was almost evening.  He agreed to stay, and then, it was in the breaking of bread that they recognized their Risen Savior. 

              Now, the Gospel writer Luke recalled this wonderful post-resurrection story to us.  That he includes it in his Gospel lets us know clearly that his community of followers of Christ were determined to remember how the Lord Jesus was continually present with them.

              As we prepare to eat the Lord’s Supper together in a little while, we have been reminded in the scripture reading that Christ is present with us whenever we share the bread and the cup.  We don’t have to force ourselves to remember Christ in just the right way, nor say just the right words nor get our minds all straight about how we should talk about him.  No, we are like his friends in that we recognize him, we remember him, and he is present with us IN the breaking of the bread.

              Taken a bit further, the Risen Christ broke open the scripture for them in the same way.  He was present with them as they read the Holy Word.  Christ is present when we do what he asks of us.  Listening to and proclaiming scripture and eating the Holy Meal together are ways that we can feel Christ’s presence.  Christ told them and us to do this in remembrance of him.

              Eating is really a very central act for all of us.  In my house it is a topic of much conversation and the focus of much energy.  This is a sample of what Rick Bohan talks about: “Lea, let’s talk about the best places to eat in Akron….  Now, when do we eat next?  Let’s have a conversation about our favorite foods growing up.  What are we going to make for dinner?  Let’s talk about Farmer’s Markets and produce auctions.  …I think it’s time to eat.  …I’m gonna make bread now.  …Let’s talk about the best meal Rick ever prepared.” 

              Well, when Rick and I were first hanging around together, I was concerned about all this food talk, but I’ve mostly made peace with it.  Rather than fussing that we’re making too big a deal about food, I remember that “breaking bread” with someone is just another way of saying “enjoying the presence” of that person.  “Breaking bread” is more than eating; it is being present.

              Jesus took bread; he blessed it; he broke it; and he gave it to the two men he had joined on that dusty walk from Jerusalem toward Emmaus.  And then, only then, did they recognize the Risen Christ.  Only in the breaking of the bread.

              Again, Jesus took bread, he blessed it and broke it and gave it to them saying, “This is my body which is given for you.  Do this in remembrance of me.”  In the re-membering, he is present with us in the breaking of the bread.  That’s how being the Body of Christ works.  That’s how church works.

              We could be walking the road with a stranger, not aware that our risen Lord walks with us.  And many times we fail to recognize Christ until Christ becomes bread…or flesh…or person…or event…or justice…or peace.  There is a part of each of us that is afraid to believe that the Christ has a present tense, that he is with us even now.

              And Natalie, I’m going to retell your story of walking along with your friend a few weeks ago and coming upon a man who was lying on the path.  He had passed, there was his faithful dog stretched out beside him.  I would like to reframe that for you by declaring that the Risen Christ was present with you and Pat and the deceased Bert as well as his dog.  I know that once you were at his Memorial service this was made real for you.    

But there is that part of us that resists knowing that Christ is with us, that keeps us from being mindful of the presence that carries us through the very hard times in life.  Christ’s presence helps us to bear the burdens that we carry.  Resistance to Christ’s presence keeps us holding grudges against those in our lives.  Resistance to Christ’s presence keeps us feeling the weight of putting up barriers so that we don’t have to make ourselves vulnerable in accepting God’s love in Christ, that keeps us being afraid about the future.  It keeps us living without hope.  All for the want of sitting down and breaking bread together and experiencing the Risen Christ in the breaking of the bread.

              This bread is at the heart of our Christian fellowship.  It is at the heart of our reaching out in love to the world.  It is the healing touch, the challenging word, the forgiving assurance.  It is the body of Christ.  WE are the body of Christ. 

Folks, let us allow Christ to be present with us.  Do be present with each other and everyone in your life in whatever way possible, do feel the forgiveness and grace of our Lord, do remember what it feels like to see Christ in each other’s eyes…  Amen.