“Recognising The Risen Lord II!”

“Recognising The Risen Lord II”(Lk.24:13-35).
On the day Jesus arose, two of the disciples were going to Emmaus. They were low-spirited because their hopes were dashed with the death of Jesus. Jesus joined them in their walk but they did not know him. He wanted to know what they were talking about. They wondered if he was the only stranger in Jerusalem who did not know what had happened in Jerusalem in the last few days.
According to the two, the crucified Jesus was “a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people…” And they “had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel.” At the birth of John the baptist Zechariah, filled with the Holy Spirit prophesied: “Praise be to the LORD, the God of Israel, because he has come and has redeemed his people”(Lk.1:68). Cleopas and his colleague, like many other Jews considered that to redeem Israel meant “to set the Jewish nation free from the bondage of Rome and to usher in the kingdom of God.” For them redemption was more political. Political redemption however moved hand in glove with the spiritual as during the Davidic era when king David also prophesied through hymns – psalms. Maybe some went past David to the theocratic era when God ruled through prophets until the people requested for a king.
The two on the Emmaus road were further amazed by the report of the women who had told them that they saw the risen Lord. Jesus considered them to be “foolish and slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken. The Christ had to suffer and then enter his glory.”
It appears that even after explaining scriptures to them, they still did not recognise him. When they sat at table for a meal that evening, Jesus “took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him…”
Some points to ponder upon: Self-interest, the food gospel and becoming witnesses of the good news.
Firstly, all along, the two disciples, just like the others were never interested in Jesus’ heavenly kingdom. They were expecting some top positions when Jesus became king of the Jews. They had great expectations! Ordinary people suddenly holding top positions in governemt! Vain ambition should not be the reason for following Christ Jesus!
Secondly, if not for food, they would not have recognized the risen Lord. God forbid that the food gospel should be the reason for recognizing the risen Lord Jesus Christ!
That notwithstanding, recognition of the risen Lord Jesus Christ must bring a complete turnaround – from doubt and refusal to believe and testimony; from disbelief to belief! Wherever the two were going to, and whatever had been their mission, they cut it short to return to Jerusalem where they told the Eleven and those with them: “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.” Earlier on the two had not believed the story of the women. But now they had seen him themselves.
Only the Holy Spirit can open our spiritual eyes for us to see and recognize the risen Lord Jesus Christ. And when we recognize him we have a mission to tell the others so that they too can join the band of pilgrims to that fair and better land where hope is fulfilled.
Prayer: Holy Spirit open my eyes of faith to know the risen Lord Jesus Christ and to tell the good news to others. Amen!
Have a blessed day! Peace be with you!
Rev Babila Fochang.