2026-04-19 Easter 3

Scripture Readings

Christ is Risen! He is Risen Indeed! Alleluia!

Today’s Gospel lesson is definitely one of my all time favourites. The Disciples on the Emmaus road. St. Luke alone records this event and he places it as the first detailed post-resurrection appearance of Jesus, immediately after the women’s report of the empty tomb and Peter’s independent fact-checking: he “rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home marveling at what had happened” (LK 24:12). The tomb was indeed empty, just as the ladies had said.

St. Luke then proceeds to tell us this account along the way to Emmaus. This story functions as a bridge between the empty tomb on Easter morning and the Jerusalem appearances of the risen Christ. It beautifully models how the early church came to recognize our risen Lord.

We recall that all of this was happening and unfolding in the aftermath of Passover in the Holy City. This small village of Emmaus was about a seven mile hike west of Jerusalem. 11 clicks or so for our metric friends. A good day’s journey or so on foot. And, they are down in the dumps. Their Messianic hopes were ultra-high. Their redeemer, who would finally liberate them from Rome was dead. Crucified by the seemingly unstoppable power of the Roman Empire. But then again, the tomb was empty, adding further confusion rather than clarity!

As we read this, there’s a bit of irony here. Suddenly, Jesus draws near to the disciples along the road. Luke tells us straight up its Him. But the disciples don’t know who this ‘stranger’ is. Cleopas is one of the disciples. Yet the other disciple is un-named. We never actually find out from the text who this is. And St. Luke does this on purpose. He’s inviting his readers to see themselves in this story. It’s like setting out an extra chair at the Easter dinner table! There’s room for you in this story.

“What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?” (LK 24:17). Jesus asks them. I hear this and suddenly I’m having flash backs to the old TV Show Different Strokes - do you remember when Arnold says “Whatchu talkin’ ’bout Willis?!” “Whatchu talkin’ ’bout Cleopas?!” The response that Cleopas gives is like a mini-creed of disappointment! Jesus as “prophet mighty in deed and word” was handed over by the Jews; their hope for redemption was crushed—yet the women’s testimony lingers as a faint spark of hope.

Jesus gives them a gentle rebuke in response. “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself” (24:25-27). This is St. Luke’s theological heartbeat: the cross is not failure but the divinely ordained path to glory! Jesus then gives the greatest Bible study ever: beginning with Moses (Torah) and all the prophets, He shows how all Scripture points to Him. He shows the Disciples how to read the Old Testament. You need your ‘Messiah Goggles’ on, seeing Christ on every page! The suffering Saviour is now glorified. This is not a new revelation, the same Scriptures they already knew are simply illuminated by the light of the living Lord.

As they reach the village of Emmaus - whose name literally means “hot springs” - we get a glimpse of the Middle Eastern hospitality at work. “Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent” (29). Come, Lord Jesus, be our guest. Stay with us, they implore. But then all of sudden, the guest becomes the host! “When He was at table with them, He took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them” (30). Automatically we know what this is all about. It’s the exact same verbs from the Last Supper! Holy Communion. The Eucharist. The Lord’s Table. “And their eyes were opened, and they recognized Him. And He vanished from their sight” (31).

Our Lord opens the Scriptures, at a place known for healing water and then He is recognized and made known in none other than the breaking of the bread! If this isn’t a full-scale, whole hog endorsement for Word and Sacrament ministry, I don’t know what is! This is where we come to know who our Lord and Saviour is. In the Scriptures. In the Sacraments. This is where the Lord is to be found. It’s exactly like that Old Lutheran bumper sticker told us: “I found Jesus! He was in the bread and wine the whole time!”

This is such an amazing Gospel reading. Jesus comes to His people, when they are in the midst of suffering and grief and sadness and, He comforts them. He assures them. He fills them with hope and healing. It is made so abundantly clear that the sacraments and the scriptures are the rock-solid places our Lord has promised to be there for us. When we need God’s blessings the most, these are the places we should run to. It’s not glitzy or even glamorous but it is truly the place our Lord has promised to be. His real presence, forgiveness, life and salvation abiding with His people.

I can just see the slogan now: “Burning hearts at the hot springs!” It sounds like a new advertising campaign for Temple Gardens, doesn’t it!? It made the disciples do a 180 degree turn and rush back to Jerusalem. And there they find their brothers and sisters rejoicing in the risen Christ. They then add their testimony about everything that had happened on the road. The “Divine Heart Burn” propels the people of God back to community and mission. “The Lord has risen indeed” they joyfully proclaim! The same risen Jesus who walked with those two walks with us. He is not distant; He is here—in Word, in bread and wine, in our love for one another. This isn’t abstract, its experiential. It’s communal. It’s sacramental. The heart-felt prayer of the Emmaus road disciples is also our prayer “Stay with us, Lord, now and forevermore!” Truly how blessed it is to receive a case of Divine Heartburn that never goes away! Christ is Risen! He is Risen Indeed! Alleluia! Amen!