Daily Devotion – April 14, 2020 – Larry Papenfuss

Daily Devotion – April 14, 2020 – Larry Papenfuss

During holy week, I re-read Borg and Crossan’s The Last Week: What the Gospels Really Teach About Jesus’s Final Days in Jerusalem. Many of you may know that Marcus Borg was a progressive Christian (and a Concordia alum/former faculty member) who made a name for himself in the historic Jesus movement. Drawing from the gospel accounts and scholarly knowledge of the time period, the authors paint a picture that both complicates how Jesus’s death and resurrection is commonly understood and challenges us with a deeper understanding of what it means to be a follower of the way of Jesus.

In the days following Easter, Luke offers as proof of the resurrection the story/parable of Jesus appearing to two travelers on the road to Emmaus. The travelers don’t initially recognize him but ask him to stay with them. Then that evening after they break bread together, the scripture says their eyes were opened and they recognize him. Borg and Crossan call this story marvelous for what it illustrates for us:

“That the risen Jesus journeys with us whether we know it or not. There are moments in which we do come to know him and recognize him. Whether the story happened or not, Emmaus always happens. Emmaus happens again and again – this is its truth.”

At St. John, we are familiar with the hymn Stay With Us in the With One Voice (blue book) hymnal. It takes its title from this scripture. After traveling for hours with him, Jesus is about to leave the two travelers but, overwhelmed by his presence, they implore him to stay. The lyrics of the first verse are:

Stay with us till night has come
Our praise to you this day be sung
Bless our bread
Open our eyes
Jesus be our great surprise

We are all on the road to Emmaus and Jesus does journey with us whether we know it or not. And, indeed Jesus and his resurrection is our great surprise. I am so thankful for those moments that have opened my eyes. Emmaus does happen again and again.