Easter 3A
"Emmaus" by Robb McCoy
Article referenced: “Prepare for the Ultimate Gaslighting” by Julio Vincent Gambuto
Richard Bruxvoort Colligan, Psalmimmersion.com, @pomopsalmist, Patreon
Laura Patterson, Fredricktown UMC
Musician - Jonathan Rundman, “As You Did Lord At Emmaus” from his album A Heartland Liturgy
Tasty Wafer:Gallup Poll reveals that amongst church goers, the sermon is most important. Gallup asked church going people about several factors that could be factors for why they attend church. The number one and two answers had to do with the sermon. “The sermon teaches about scripture” and “The sermon helps connect religion to your own life” were a dead heat at the top.
Exegetical Notes
Luke 24:13-35
Initial Thoughts
Year A and B - weird lectionary
Unnamed apostle, Cleopas and another
We are the unnamed apostle - how do we experience the risen Christ?
general themes of post-resurrection
familiar yet mystery
known yet unknown
Bible Study
Literary Context
Reset the story
This is still Easter Sunday
There have only been reports of an empty tomb.
“Their eyes were kept from recognizing him” - perhaps their grief has clouded their vision, perhaps the ministry of Jesus to restore sight to the blind did not end with his death, perhaps they cannot see God where they don’t expect her to be.
First the could not hear the words of the women, now they cannot see Jesus
Journey- not understanding
How many of us get stuck in Good Friday of depression and grief or Holy Saturday of waiting and hopelessness, never making it to Sunday.
Trying to make sense of the death without accepting the crucifixion - one cannot be understood without the other
“You idiots!” Jesus says, according to Mark Davis
“The first words of the risen Christ in Luke’s gospel are, “What are you two talking about?” The second: “You idiots!”
Cleopas recounts the life and death of Jesus
“Cleopas is an unidentified follower, who may be a woman.” (Amy-Jill Levine, The Jewish Annotated New Testament, p. 166)
What would you include in your telling? What would you leave out?
They begin as blind, and end with sight.
Blind even though they know the story
“We had hoped” - saddest sentence of the passage.
What had they hoped for? For the political liberation of Israel? For the violent overthrow of Rome? For a return to the Davidic Kingdom (a Kingdom marked by abuses of power and the enslavement of indigenous peoples)?
Had they hoped to “Make Israel great again? Or to Make Israel first?
Perhaps it’s time to reexamine and reorient our hopes
Jesus disappoints
When people don’t live up to our “hopes” and expectations we become disappointed- everyone disappoints. Parents disappoint children and vice versa, pastor’s disappoint their congregations and vice versa, spouses disappoint and vice versa- the question is what do we do with that disappointment?
Perhaps there is a freedom in the ability to be honest with Jesus about their disappointment and that honestly allows them to see Jesus as he truly is, not as who they hoped he would be
Jesus’ response
He opened the Scriptures to them - but even that is not enough.
“Knowing of Jesus” and “experiencing Jesus” are two different things
Table sharing
“Furthermore, the resurrected Christ shows up to the disciples not in the breaking of the bread, but in the proclamation of the Word as they tell each other Jesus is risen! Finally, when Jesus first gives them the bread, it is not after the breaking but after the distribution that their eyes are opened. They had to know that Jesus was for you in order to know Christ.” (Rob Myalis, Lectionary Greek)
Eucharistic: took, blessed, broke, gave- Last Supper, Feeding the multitudes, etc
They recognize Jesus in the living like Jesus: radical hospitality and table sharing
Was Jesus truly present with them or was Jesus present in the fellowship of opening their hearts and homes to another
It was not in the talking or discussing, but doing the ministry of Jesus was Jesus was revealed in their midst
Experiencing the risen Christ does not come at the end of a lesson, no matter how well planned, or even a sermon, no matter how well delivered. There is something about faith that is “made known” outside the normal ways of knowing. It is in the breaking of bread that the disciples finally “see.”
“According to thebible.org, the verb κατακλίνω is only found in Luke. The typical meaning is ‘to sit at a table,’ but Luke uses it to describe how the people in the feeding of the 5,000 reclined in groups of fifty. I suppose, then, that it refers to the posture of eating, table or no table” (Mark Davis, Left Behind and Loving It)
“The Word of God is not mere words, nor even ideas. It is always an action in which someone acts in self-revelation and self-giving. The Word of God is this Someone the Christ, the living Word of God.” Louis Bouyer, quoted in Justo Gonzalez, Luke, p.279
“Revelation is connected with the breaking of bread in a fellowship meal; faith comes through revelation, not Bible study or logic or even a vision of Jesus.” ( Amy-Jill Levine, The Jewish Annotated New Testament, p. 166)
“The ‘recognition’ scene (anagnorisis) was conventional in Greek and Roman literature as were sudden appearances and disappearances of the (presumed) dead (e.g. Plutarch describes how the [dead] Romulus appeared to a friend outside the city of Rome, announced, ‘I am your propitious deity, Quirinius’ and disappeared.” (parenthesis and brackets are the author’s original, Amy-Jill Levine, The Jewish Annotated New Testament, p. 166)
Jesus leaves
Doesn’t just leave - disappears - further adding to the mysterious nature of the Resurrection (appears in locked rooms, etc.)
Once again we are left- but not the same, we are transformed.
Jesus’ advent in our lives, like resurrection transforms us, it is not simple a redo or an undo, but a complete change.
Even though the day was almost over, they ran back to the disciples “right then”
This would be a dangerous journey to do at night
“The church is composed of those who have been led beyond disbelief to faith by the gracious revelation of God. Their repeated telling of and listening to the foundational story empowers them in anticipation of their mission to all the nations.” (Charles Cousar, Texts for Preaching, Year A. p. 281)
“Christ “vanished out of their sight” as an indication that visible apprehension could not sustain enduring faith; holy presence would remain, but not in the form they had known.” Marshall, M. T. (2010). Theological Perspective on Luke 24:13–35. Feasting on the Word: Year A Vol. 2, p. 420). Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press.
The disciples become apostles
They return to Jerusalem to share the good news, not only that Christ has risen, but they Christ is still with them in the breaking of the bread
This good news is the foundation of the new community - one that was fractured by crucifixion will be resurrected.
Thoughts and Questions
Field of Dreams - when Annie is debating with the school board about the banning of Terrance Mann’s books. She argues that the books are about love, peace, and understanding, and says to the indignant woman, “If you had experienced just a little bit of the sixties, I think you’d understand.” Woman replies, “I experienced the sixties.” Annie: “No, I think you had two fifties and moved right into the seventies”
What is the difference between knowing Jesus and experiencing Jesus?
Article on HuffPost that we talked about: People Disguised As Homeless Ignored By Loved Ones On Street In Stunning Social Experiment
How do we reveal the presence of Jesus in our midst?
Do we allow ourselves to be changed by the risen Christ or do we return to business as usual?
Are we just talking about Jesus in church or are we being Christ/doing the work of Christ?
Blog post from Robb - Walk of Shame, Interrupted
1 Peter 1:17-23
Initial Thoughts
Universal or Catholic letter written to an early, marginalized (and often persecuted) Christian community
A message of hope, endurance, encouragement and resilience to a community living through a very difficult time
Bible Study
Living in reverence in a strange land
Strange land - the land is not strange because they have moved or relocated, but is strange because, due to their faith and participation in the Christian community, they view their environment with a new lens.
We too are living in a “strange land” - we are (to steal from Stanley Hauerwas) resident aliens, living in this land while being committed to the unfolding Kingdom of God
The questions for these followers of the way, was what do we do now? When everything seems changes and we are suffering- what should we do? Be reverent
Reverence is living with the confident knowledge of our relationship with God
Relationship of God - Unearned grace
Our relationship with God does not depend on external factors. You don’t need to have been born to the right family, nation, people because God shows no favoritism (v.17), you don’t need to be wealthy (v.18)
Your relationship with God was established before the creation of the world (v. 20)
Just as the blood of the lamb brought liberation to the the Israelites from slavery in Egypt (through no effort or action fo thier own), so too has Jesus brought liberation to us from slavery to sin. (v. 19)
Just as suffering and death did not keep God from Christ, neither will suffering and death keep God from you.
Our faith and hope are in the God who is with us and within us.
Set yourself apart - be holy as God is Holy (see v. 14-15)
“It means that Christians not withdraw from the dominant culture but engage those in it while maintaining their social and moral difference.” Jannette OK, Working Preacher
Obedient to truth - what truth - the truth revealed in Jesus Christ: God’s radical love for all people from wealthy Pharisees to Roman Centurions, to sinful tax collectors, to poor blind beggars, to demon possessed gentile - all are invite to live in the Kingdom of God.
Obedience shows itself in love for yourself (seeing yourself as a child of God, forgiven, redeemed, recipient of grace), Love of others (as fellow children of God, forgiven, redeemed and recipients of God’s grace), and love of God (acknowledging all God has done for you and the world through the life, witness, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ)
What do we do?
Be reverent - focusing on God’s unwavering love and presence with us
Be hopeful - knowing that death and suffering do not keep us from God and are not the end
Be faithful - stay true to the way of Jesus Christ, continue to set yourself apart
Thoughts and Questions
What does it mean to be reverent in these times?
Has our calling to be obedient changed?
What does love look like when we must be physically separate? How does love respond to hoarding?
The question for these early Christians was not how to withdraw from the world, but how to engage with the world without succumbing to fear and insulation. How can we as the church engage in our communities without falling to the temptation of one-upping each other, falling prey to consumer culture, etc but instead reaming true to our Gospel calling to love and support everyone?
Remember that Christianity is counter-cultural - but this doesn’t mean withdrawing or isolating ourselves from culture but transforming it from within. This process will make us feel uncomfortable - as strangers and aliens in our own homes and communities - that’s ok.
Acts 2:14a, 36-41
Initial thoughts
The lectionary includes the first line, last line, and response to Peter’s sermon.
Example: “Once upon a time... they all lived happily ever after.”
Addressing a particular Jewish audience, and makes generalities that should be understood. Both the writer of Luke, and Peter himself, would know that not all of Israel should be held responsible for Jesus’ death. Peter, at this point, would consider himself to be a part of Israel.
Universality of sermon evidenced by v. 39 “For the promise is for you, for your children, and for all who are far away, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to him.”
Bible Study
Thesis statement: v. 36: “Therefore let the entire house of Israel know with certainty that God has made him both Lord and Messiah, this Jesus whom you crucified.”
There were two responses to Jesus
The people crucified him
God made him Lord and Messiah
Now we have a chance to right the wrong.
Repent
Common English version explains “repent,” in the text. Peter says, “Change your heart and lives” more precisely describes meaning of metanoia, which is often thought of as simply “being sorry.”
In this case, the repentance called for is a Christological one, not simply behavioral. Repent from old understanding of who Jesus was, and to a proper response to who he is.
Jesus offers a new way of seeing and living in the world - a whole new world view - the Kingdom of God and we are invited to have eternal life (i.e. live fully as God intended) in the Kingdom of God.
Step one: of entering this world view = changing your heart and mind toward God
Step Two: Marking the change in our life through Baptism:
dying to the old, rising to the new.
Dying to the self-centered, guilt-ridden, never-enough, vengeance-seeking way of life, and
Rising to the interconnected community-centered, grace-accepted, abundance-celebrated, forgiven & forgiving, loved and loving way of Christ.
Step Three: Opening yourself to the Holy Spirit to guide
To be forgiven of sins can also be understood to “released from sins”
Those who are captive to sin are released
2. Be baptized for forgiveness of sins.
Baptism is always linked to metanoia (repentance)
Mark 1:4; Luke 3; Acts 13:24; Acts 19:4 - “a baptism of repentance”
Matthew 3:11 - “baptize with water for repentance”
Baptism is an invitation to a new life - metanoia -changed in heart and mind, soul and strength
Strong argument for believer's baptism
Why do we baptize?
To mark the change in people's lives
To celebrate God’s forgiveness and grace
Why do we baptize infants (do they need to repent or change their hearts and minds)?
No biblical evidence of infants being baptized
But the promise of grace and love, according to Peter, is for you children and all people
Is Baptism a gift, a response or an invitation?
Forgiveness and grace is a gift from God
We are invited to change our hearts and minds toward God
We respond by being baptized and thereby publicly accepting God’s gift and covenanting to enter into a new way of life
“We are not merely born to better ethical and moral behavior. We are born to life in Christ, joined to Christ's body the church. We need a transformed mind to begin to see through Christ's eyes, and to guide our transformed lives participating in his mission of reconciliation and justice.” - Gary Neal Hansen (Feasting on the Word: Preaching the Revised Common Lectionary - Feasting on the Word – Year A, Volume 2: Lent through Eastertide).
Baptism moved beyond metanoia - beyond liberation to relationship with the Holy Spirit.
Cf. Acts 19:4
Liberated from sin
Liberated for love and forgiveness
Connected immediately to the life of the church, and the community.
Life, death, and resurrection of Jesus are connected to people through baptism. (cf. Romans 6, Acts 19, 1 Cor. 1)
3. Receive Holy Spirit
Ambiguity of the Holy Spirit- frustrating in its inability to be contained.
This sermon actually occurs immediately after this has already happened.
Baptism may facilitate receiving the Holy Spirit but the two are not directly linked:
Some receive the Holy Spirit without being baptized
Some are baptized and don’t receive the Holy Spirit
How do we facilitate the acknowledgement and/or reception of the Holy Spirit in and through Baptism?
Makes it clear that the giving of the Holy Spirit was not a one-time deal. It continues to be available.
Recognition of God not just working without you (God’s grace), but being open to God working within you (Holy Spirit).
“Save yourselves” may not be best way to understand Peter’s final step. Instead, it should be “‘Let yourself be saved!’ Here is salvation, not as earnest human striving but salvation beyond such striving, salvation which only comes as the call and work of the Spirit which both testifies and enacts salvation among the crowd” (Will Willimon, Interpretation: Acts, p. 37).
Thoughts and Questions
This passage begs a sermon on Baptism- what is it? Why do we do it? Why is it important? It is a religious act or a cultural one? How is it connected to the Spirit?
How do we facilitate the acknowledgement and/or reception of the Holy Spirit in and through Baptism?
Are we able and willing to hold one another accountable (ex: this Jesus whom You crucified”) in a loving way- that doesn’t condemn but invites to a new way of living?
How often do we allow a sermon to be the beginning of a dialogue? We miss much of this sermon if it were not for the crowd being allowed to respond. How could this look in context of preaching today?
How does Holy Spirit offer release from sin? How does release from sin allow the follower to proceed? The very next scene is a description of the community. The community - those who hear, those who respond - is integral to Peter’s understanding of the Gospel. The good news does not occur outside the context of the community.
Even if we have been baptized, how might person today follow the same path which Peter lays out? How can believers follow a different path? This is not a prescription for coming to belief.
THANK YOU FOR LISTENING AND GET IN TOUCH:
Thanks to our Psalms correspondent, Richard Bruxvoort Colligan (psalmimmersion.com, @pomopsalmist). Thank you to Scott Fletcher for our voice bumpers, Dick Dale and the Del Tones for our Theme music (“Misirlou”), Nicolai Heidlas (“Sunday Morning”, "Real Ride" and “Summertime”) and The Steel Wheels for our transition music(“Nola’s First Dance” from their album Lay Down, Lay Low) and Paul and Storm for our closing music (“Oh No”).