Sermon: Elijah Toppo
Sermon reflection: Samuel David
Today’s message draws inspiration from the Resurrection of Christ.
We tend to ignore lessons from passage we know. This story pans from the gospel according to St. Luke chapter 24, Jesus meets on the road to Emmaus.
Warner Sallman’s portrait of Jesus, Head of Christ, of which more than 500 million copies have been sold. Note: this picture is so different to the picture of Forensic facial experts reconstructing Jesus Christ’s face using ancient skulls.
Often, we can think of Jesus as someone else totally different and are blinded by a set of suppositions which keeps us from recognising the true Jesus.
Let’s read Luke 24:13-32
13Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. 14They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. 15As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; 16but they were kept from recognizing him.
17He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?”
They stood still, their faces downcast. 18One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?”
19 “What things?” he asked.
“About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. 20The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; 21but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. 22In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning 23but didn’t find his body. They came and
told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. 24Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see Jesus.”
25He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken!26Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?”27And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.
28As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. 29But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them.
30When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. 31Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. 32They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” – Luke 24:13-32
A key word to note is Redeem. The Jesus disciples understood redemption from their history of how Yahweh recued the Israelites from the Egyptians by redeeming them with an outstretched arm and mighty acts of judgment. Additionally, I Maccabees 4, accounts, The battle at Emmaus and the redemption.
25 Then he said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the Prophets have spoken! 26 Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” – Luke 24:25,26
Jesus brings a downside-up perspective and sets an example for all of us to follow. In the Gospel we find Jesus teaching us (Christians) to turn the other check.
“You have heard that it was said: ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But I say to you: Offer no resistance to someone who is wicked. If someone strikes you on your right cheek, turn and offer him the other cheek as well. 40 If anyone wishes to sue you to gain possession of your tunic, give him your cloak as well. 41 If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him for a second mile. 42 Give to anyone who begs from you, and do not turn your back on anyone who wishes to borrow from you. – Matthew 5:28-42
“Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” – Matthew 10:39
Are we looking at Jesus with the set of eyes of the Gospel, which challenges us to live the downside up life? We can be people who will let others take advantage of us, to serve, we have a God who has set an example. With a hope of eternal life. New bodies. New Jerusalem. Let us determine to truly know Jesus. Let’s allow Jesus to infiltrate our lives. Let’s commit ourselves to Him. We are called to carry the cross and deny ourselves in following Jesus. Let us nourish and cherish to this. Amen.
