Easter Sunday

Today's Scripture

Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. As they talked & discussed these things with each other, Jesus Himself came up & walked along with them; but they were kept from recognizing them. He asked them, "What are you discussing together as you walk along?"

They stood still, their faces downcast. One of them, named Cleopas, asked Him, "Are you only a visitor to Jerusalem & do not know the things that have happened there in these days? "What things?" He asked.

About Jesus of Nazareth," they replied. "He was a prophet, powerful in word & dead before God & all the people. The chief priests & our rulers handed Him over to be sentenced to death, & they crucified Him; but we hoped that He was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning but didn't find His body. They came & told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said He was alive. Then some of our companions went to the tomb & found it just as the women had said, but Him they did not see." 

He said to them, "How foolish you are, & how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Christ have to suffer these things & then enter His glory?" And beginning with Moses & all the Prophets, He explained to them what was said in all the Scripture concerning Himself.

As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus acted as if He were going farther. But they urged Him strongly, "Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over." So He went in to stay with them.

When He was at the table with them, He took bread, gave thanks, broke it & began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened & they recognized Him, & He disappeared from their sight. They asked each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while He talked with us on the road & opened the Scriptures to us?"

They got up & returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven & those with them, assembled together & saying, "It is true! The Lord has risen & has appeared to Simon." Then the two told what had happened on the way, & how Jesus was recognized by them when He broke the bread.  (Luke 24:13-25)

Disruption & Recognition

If you're like our family, our traditional Easter celebration has been disrupted. Our children & grand-children were not here to celebrate with us. There was no Easter sunrise service, no Easter breakfast, no Easter egg hunt. It just didn't feel the same.

The two disciples on the road of Emmaus have suffered a shattering disruption. They had joined with many other disciples in seeing Jesus as a great prophet, "powerful in word & dead before God & all the people." Isn't it interesting that they didn't confess the Messiah as a Lord & Savior.

And then Jesus appears with them on the road. They do not recognize Him. "And beginning with Moses & all the Prophets, He explained to them what was said in all the Scripture concerning Himself." We have every reason to believe that they saw Jesus in a new light.

Jesus accepts their dinner invitation. As He breaks the bread, He is revealed to Him, & then He is no longer with them. In astonishment & joy they race back to Jerusalem & share their experience with the Eleven. The have seen & recognized the Savior.

Our pastors have announced that we will be celebrating Holy Week later in May. Hopefully the social distancing & quarantining will be done by then. In the meantime, amidst the disruption in our lives, we recognize that Jesus is our Sovereign King, the Lord & Savior of all. He is risen! He is risen indeed!

Today's Prayer

We confess, O Lord, that You are our Lord & Savior. We praise You & give You thanks for Your great sacrifice on the cross. We praise You & give You thanks for Your glorious resurrection. You are truly risen indeed! Alleluia! Amen!

NOTE:  I'm publishing devotions during Holy Week instead of my usual blog topics. My prayer is that these devotions would glorify God & edify those who read them.