Sunday Worship
Welcome to Sunday Worship in Leesfield Parish on the Third Sunday of Easter. Our Church Services this morning are at the usual times of 9.15 at St Agnes' and 11.15 at St Thomas'.
If you are unable to be with us in person, you will find resources below to worship at home.
Our first hymn this morning is "Jesus, Stand Among Us"
Today's Gospel
Luke 24:13-35 The Road to Emmaus
Now on that same day two of Jesus' disciples 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 to 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?” He 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 he 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 us 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.
Reflection
Today’s passage is full of emotion. Grief, sadness, hope, fulfilment and joy.
As we begin, we encounter the disciples, dejected and forlorn. They have are leaving Jerusalem, the place where they had hoped their friend Jesus, who they believed was the Messiah, would lead them into glory and overthrow the ruling Roman empire.
Instead, they wander away in a state of loss, discussing what has happened over the recent days, since Jesus triumphant entry on Palm Sunday. Can you put yourself into their state of mind? They have lost both a dear friend and also hope for the future.
When they are joined by Jesus, like Mary earlier in the day, they don’t recognise Jesus as he offers to walk with them. They are astounded that this stranger seems oblivious to the momentous events of the last few days – they question how can that even be? Then Jesus gently prompts them to explain everything to him as they journey together. They pour out their hearts to him as they lament the loss of their friend. Jesus allows them to go over everything in detail, even telling Jesus that there were some who claimed to have seen the Messiah alive earlier that day.
Still Jesus does not reveal who he is, he just listens patiently, allowing them to offload all their pain and disappointment. Then he says, “Oh, how foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared!” In my mind I don’t picture this as a remark of rebuke or scorn, rather something that is softly out of compassion, he understands their sorrow and loss. He doesn’t admonish them for interpreting the scriptures wrongly, rather he takes time to explain and unpack all the prophesies of people like Malachai, Isaiah, Samuel and Jeremiah, gently explaining how all the events that had happened were totally necessary and that the true Messiah was destined for suffering. Even before he reveals himself, he fills their hearts with fire, expectation and hope once again.
Looking back, what does this tell us about how Jesus showed love for these disciples. He chose not to reveal himself straight away, but he chose to walk alongside them in their grief, and he chose to let them vent their frustration and sorrow, maybe how we might come alongside others who are suffering loss and disappointment. He was also showing us how, at times of sorrow in our own lives, God will be by our side, whether that is in our thoughts, or in the presence of a stranger or friend who is willing to listen and let us pour out our grief and other emotional feelings. Perhaps you have looked back on a time of sadness and realised that God was with you all the time.
The same goes for times when, like the disciples, we lose hope because of set-backs in our lives or on a bigger scale we begin to lose hope for the world. If we offer our concerns and frustrations to God and read scripture, God will help us to find new hope, and our hearts also may burn within us in the knowledge that God is with us always. Paul
