Given on Sunday, April 6, 2008

Most of the time Bible stories are about religious themes, but this story from Luke 24 is about enjoying food. Church people like to do that and for good reason. The Bible story for today shows us that something powerful can happen when believers gather at table and eat together.

This story, know as the "Road To Emmaus" focuses on something important in our spiritual life: THE PRESENCE OF THE RISEN CHRIST IS NOT SOMETHING YOU SEE, YOU FEEL IT. And you feel it through the hospitality and caring of others. Beyond that, this story shows us that just when you need the presence of the Risen Christ, he is there, very near. The challenge of a Christian is to not let the struggles and doubts of life obstruct your vision to see Christ's presence so near.

I had such an experience in the Fall of 1965. I had been at college, Southwest Missouri State in Springfield, MO, for five weeks. This was the longest I had ever been away from home. I was feeling alone and down. One Sunday morning, the speaker in the hall of my dormitory announced, "Phone call for Devin Jones." I went to the end of the hall, picked up the phone and the voice said, "Devin, this is Judy. You were one of my camp counselors this summer at Camp MOVal. Remember me? I'm the lady from Springfield. My family and I would like to come by and take you to church with us. After church, would you like to come to our house and eat lunch with us?" "WOULD I!!!!"

That was a turning point for my time in Springfield. The highlight of that day was meal time. Judy served her version of Chicken Salad. It was so good. Later I learned that she added chopped black olives and sliced grapes to her style. To this day I call it "Springfield Style" chicken salad. What I experienced at her home, at table with her family, was what the two Christians experienced that late afternoon of Easter day- the Powerful Presence of the Risen Lord .... so near, if you look past your darkness and see with faith.

Let's go back to the Bible story. The two believers are low in spirits. They are sure that all they hoped Jesus would be was gone now that he was crucified. Then, as they are walking along, he joins them. But "their eyes were kept from recognizing him". Perhaps that was because their worries and doubts were clouding their spiritual vision. He opens the meaning of the scripture to them. Then, when they come to their home, they do something transforming. They invite Him in. As they sit at their table, and prepare to eat, Jesus fills them, not with food, but with assurance. Suddenly they know it is the Risen Christ and that He will always be near to all who invite Him in. In that instant, He physically disappears from their sight. They know that they will not "see" Him as much as they will "sense" His presence.


So it is with us. Be alert that your worries, your doubts, your struggles, your sadness, your questions do not cloud your spiritual vision. The powerful presence of the Risen Christ is as near as your invitation to "stay with us". May this season of after Easter be one of taking time to make a place at the table of your heart for the assuring presence of Christ to renew your vision and transform your faith.

"Come, Lord Jesus. Be our guest. And may your presence with us be blessed. Amen"