Posted on Monday, April 13, 2009
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EASTER MONDAY

13 April Anno + Domini 2009

 "He Is Made Known in the Breaking of the Bread”

Luke 24:13-35

In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

He is Risen!  (He is Risen indeed!  Alleluia!)

The two disciples from Emmaus were distraught.  They had hoped that Jesus of Nazareth was the Messiah for whom they had been waiting.  But, He was dead.  He let them down.  And, even though they had received the report that His body was not in the tomb and that He had been raised, they were skeptical and found it too difficult to believe.  They're walking back to Emmaus in utter disappointment.  They're hopes have been dashed.  Or so they think. 

But, Jesus Himself joins them as they walk.  They think He's a stranger; their eyes are kept from recognizing Him.  And, they find it hard to believe that this apparent stranger is so uninformed.  When Jesus joins them and asks what they're talking about, they stop their walking and stand still, looking sad.  "Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?”  Think of the irony of that question.  Jesus is really the only visitor to Jerusalem who does know exactly what has happened.  But, He plays along with them.  "What things?” He asks.  They go on to tell Him about the events and how their hopes were dashed by the death of Jesus.  They include the story of the women and other disciples regarding His missing Body from the tomb, but they're not buying that Jesus has risen. 

Jesus' response?  "O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken!”  He goes on to catechize them in the Scriptures, beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, showing them how all that has just happened in Jerusalem was to fulfill what had been prophesied about the Christ. 

Evidently, these two Emmaus disciples are enjoying this Bible Study thoroughly.  They don't want it to end, so they invite this Stranger to have dinner with them.  They want to hear more.  They're hungry.  There is great comfort in His words.  He speaks with authority.  This Man knows His stuff!  Their hearts are burning within. 

And then, it happens.  As the Stranger breaks the bread, blesses it, breaks it, and gives it to them, their eyes are opened and they realize that this is no Stranger at all, but Jesus Himself, resurrected in the Flesh, just as the others had said.  And, when that realization comes upon them, Jesus vanishes from their sight. 

The hopes of the Emmaus disciples are no longer dashed.  They're filled with joy.  They get it now.  The Scriptures were fulfilled in Jesus.  He is the Messiah for whom they had been waiting.  The events they witnessed in Jerusalem were necessary for Him to win salvation for the world.  So, they rush back to Jerusalem to share the news with the other disciples, how Jesus was made known to them in the Breaking of the Bread. 

That's the significant part of this account, dear friends.  Jesus is made known in the Breaking of the Bread.  This is still true to this day.  You want to know Jesus?  You want to see Him?  Touch Him?  Feel Him?  Receive the Holy Supper.  That's how He's made known to us.  That's why He vanishes before their eyes when He breaks the Bread and gives it to them.  He will not be known to them in the same manner as He was known when He walked the earth during His public ministry much longer.  He is ascending into Heaven soon.  But, He leaves Himself behind in the Holy Eucharist.  There, in that Breaking of the Bread, is where He will be made known to His disciples throughout the New Testament era, until He returns again in great glory on the Last Day. 

Thus, come to the Table, dear friends.  Come in repentance and faith.  Receive His crucified and resurrected Flesh and Blood.  This is how He is made known to you in the most intimate way.  This is why the Holy Supper deserves, indeed, demands, our reverence and awe.  Jesus is in His Supper.  Really there.  His Flesh is Real Food; His Blood is Real Drink.  He is Really given to us to eat and to drink for the forgiveness of our sins, and for the strengthening and preservation of our faith.  Come, receive Him and know Him in the Breaking of the Bread!  In His Name.  Amen.      

Now the peace of God that passes all understanding will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, unto life everlasting.  Amen.