There is an ancient story about 3 demons who were overheard planning how they might go about capturing the most souls for their master. How might they deceive the most people? The first demon suggested, “Let’s tell them that there is no God.” "No, that won’t work," the other two replied. "There are simply too many convincing proofs. After all the church just celebrated Easter and the empty tomb." The second demon proposed, “Let’s tell them that there is no heaven.” To which the other two replied, “No they won’t work either. So many have read that book about the 4 year old, ‘Heaven is for Real.” The third demon finally offered what might prove the most effective approach. "Let’s tell people that there is no hurry."
Today we read a pleasant story. Ends quite nicely. But there are parts of this story that bother me, alarm me. Here we have two men, faithful people, aware of what is happening in God’s world. God in the flesh stands right before them, walks with them, talks with them and for some rason they do not see. Why could they not recognize Jesus? Was Jesus playing a trick on them? Or was it something in them that kept them from seeing?
But the all-important question today is this. Could this happen to us today? Could God be right there in front of us and we not see? You probably notice my affinity for history. As we look back I at some of the decisions our forefathers and foremothers made, I cannot help but ask - what in the world were they thinking? Ministers in the south - Christian people, devout, sincere people - stood in the pulpit and defended slavery as an institution ordained by God. Our own Constitution, without question an inspired document, recognized African American people as less than fully human. Alexander Campbell, a fabulous theologian and so important in the history of our denomination, had slaves and died a slave owner.
Less than a hundred years ago men stood in pulpits just like I do today, and declared that giving women the vote would jeopardize the fabric of society. How could sincere, God-fearing people get it so wrong? How could they be so ignorant of what I consider such obvious truths? And yet it always brings me back to the question. Is it possible in our day that Jesus is walking right beside us and we do not see clearly? Is it possible that 200 years from now generations will look back on us and think, “What in the world were they thinking?” A reminder for all of us - we do not know who discovered water but we can pretty well guess that it wasn’t a fish. It's difficult to see a situation clearly when you're right in the middle of it.
I want to pay attention to the structure of the story. Two men walk down the road saddened by what they had experienced in Jerusalem. Life has not turned out as they anticipated. Anybody here relate to that? Has any body here’s d had dreams that were suddenly, maybe even violently dashed? Maybe it was the unfairness of it all that got them down. Then Jesus shows up, right there in the road. These men knew the scriptures, could probably recite them word for word. Yet in spite of all that they knew in their heads the revelation of God did not make sense to them. They did not get it. .
And here is the most disturbing part of the story to me. These two men almost miss it. Their hearts had burned as Jesus spoke to them, but it didn't quite get through to them. Apparently Jesus plans to go on by them, and the only reason he doesn't is because these men decide to practice hospitality. They invite Jesus to share a meal with them. It is in this context - the context of sharing a meal with a stranger - that the men experience Jesus' revelation. Their eyes were ready to be opened because their hearts were already opened - in the sharing of food. .
These men begin with feeling depressed and lonely, experience a warming and opening of their hearts, and then a joyous opening of their eyes. They are finally ready to see and be part of God's kingdom. Can we say the same for ourselves? What do we do when our heart warms within us, encouraging us to reach out with mercy or compassion to someone we don't know? Do we allow our hear to lead us, and move in hospitality? If we will we might discover God has a revelation in mind for us as well. Maybe even this week we can invite a stranger into our lives and treat them with kindness and generosity. But then again we’re probably pretty busy. What’s the rush? We can do it some other time.
Reflection: We find ourselves on that dusty road to Emmaus, reasoning and praying together, trying to make sense of Easter's promise. Others join us on the way, adding their hopes, their dreams, their struggles. But finally we come to the table, where we fall silent. Words fail us now; now we must live into truth. Just as the disciples' eyes were opened when Jesus broke the bread, so may the eyes of our hearts be opened as we are fed from this, God's table. May our hands too be opened to offer to the world the gift of our love and our resources. Our hearts burn within us; it is time to live in faith.
Sermon for May 8, 2011
