Items for the week of Sunday, April 19th

This past Sunday, April 19^th, was the Third Sunday of Easter and we heard the following scripture readings, introduction, and prayer of the day during the worship service:

Introduction

In Sunday’s gospel begins with two disciples walking to Emmaus, overcome with sadness, loss, and disappointment. They had hoped Jesus, who was crucified, would be the one to redeem Israel! Yet the risen Christ walks with them and then opens their eyes in the breaking of the bread. Each Sunday our hearts burn within us as the scriptures are proclaimed and Christ appears to us as bread is broken and wine is poured. The story of Emmaus becomes the pattern of our worship each Lord’s day.

Prayer of the Day

O God, your Son makes himself known to all his disciples in the breaking of bread. Open the eyes of our faith, that we may see him in his redeeming work, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Scripture
Acts 2:14a, 36-41 Receiving God’s promise through baptism
Psalm 116:1-4, 12-19 I will call on the name of the Lord. (Ps. 116:13)
1 Peter 1:17-23 Born anew through the living word of God
Luke 24:13-35 Eating with the risen Christ

Devotion for the week

The Way of Resurrection

In some Bibles the subheading for today’s gospel reading is “The Road to Emmaus.” Although this is a suitable description, we could also call it “The Way to Emmaus.” On the road or way to Emmaus, two disciples encounter the risen Christ. Notice that as Jesus accompanies them, he meets them where they are, holds their heartache, questions their assumptions, challenges their perspectives, and ultimately guides them deep into God’s word. All this happens on the way!

Only one of the two companions on the way with Jesus is named: Cleopas. Why is the other disciple’s identity a mystery? Luke may be using a clever storytelling device, one designed for readers to see themselves as part of the narrative. In that case, you may be the unnamed disciple in this Jesus story! (Aren’t we all disciples on the way, accompanied by Jesus on the journey of Easter faith?)

Eventually, after Jesus blesses and breaks bread at a meal, the two disciples finally recognize him. Their hearts are kindled with faith and activated by the word of God encountered on the way with Jesus. It is no surprise that they hit the road again, racing back to Jerusalem to tell the others what just happened on the way.

From the very beginning, the way of faith in Christ has been a movement of resurrection promise. This movement has never stopped sharing the grace and love of God with everyone it encounters along the way. We are called to join this movement, with all our heartaches, assumptions, and misunderstandings. We are not people with all the answers, but sojourners or pilgrims on the way.