Luke 24

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Luke 24:30-32,  When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”

After the resurrection, some of Jesus’ disciples head home, sorrowful and dejected.  They are walking to the town of Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem.  They have dedicated the last few years of their life to following Jesus and now it’s all over.  He’s been killed.  They’ve heard that the tomb is empty but at this point, they don’t understand what’s happened.  I picture them walking slowly, dragging their feet a bit, shoulders slumped over.  They have no idea what’s next, as their whole lives have now been turned upside-down. 

A man approaches them.  It’s Jesus but they don’t see it yet.  They tell the man all about Jesus of Nazareth and what had happened to him over the past several days.  The man spoke boldly, teaching them all about the Scriptures and how they point to how the Messiah must suffer and die.  When the man acts as if he needs to head in a different direction, these disciples insist that he come a stay the night with them.

It’s that evening, as Jesus breaks bread with these men, that their eyes are opened and they see the resurrected Lord.  It’s clear now.  I love how it’s in the table fellowship, in the breaking of bread, in communion, that they see Jesus Christ. 

When we celebrate communion together as a family of faith, we also have the opportunity to see the resurrected Lord, to experience his presence in a powerful way, to allow the power of God to break into our lives and church.  Think about the last time you received communion.  Did you think about it this way?  The presence of the resurrected Lord is there.  He is there.  Do we choose to see him?

Let’s pray…Jesus, Help us see you.  Help us experience the power of the resurrection.  More of you and less of me.  Amen.