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April 6, 2008 - 3rd Sunday of Easter
Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles
from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened.
While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, but
their eyes were kept from recognizing him. And he said to them, "What are you discussing
with each other while you walk along?" They stood still, looking sad. Then one of them,
whose name was Cleopas, answered him, "Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not
know the things that have taken place there in these days?" He asked them, "What things?"
They replied, "The things about Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and
word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over
to be condemned to death and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem
Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things took place.
Moreover, some women of our group astounded us. They were at the tomb early this morning,
and when they did not find his body there, they came back and told us that they had indeed
seen a vision of angels who said that he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to
the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but they did not see him." Then he said
to them, "Oh, how foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets
have declared! Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then
enter into his glory?" Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to
them the things about himself in all the scriptures.
As they came near the village to which they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going
on. But they urged him strongly, saying, "Stay with us, because it is almost evening and
the day is now nearly over." So he went in to stay with them. When he was at the table
with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were
opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight. They said to each other,
"Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he
was opening the scriptures to us?" That same hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem;
and they found the eleven and their companions gathered together. They were saying, "The
Lord has risen indeed, and he has appeared to Simon!" Then they told what had happened on
the road, and how he had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread.
-- Luke 24:13-35
We pray: 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
Lessons for the 3rd Sunday of Easter:
- Psalm 116:1-4, 12-19
- Acts 2:14a, 36-41
- 1 Peter 1:17-23
- Luke 24:13-35
Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible,
copyright © 1989, Division of Christian Education of the
National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America.
Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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