Psalm 114; 1 Corinthians 5:6b–8; Luke 24:13–49
Those guys (and women) didn’t know what they were talking about! Really? The tomb is empty, and you think he’s alive? A vision of an angel? Really? God doesn’t do that anymore.
The Resurrection just happened mere hours before and the questions are already flying. Those 2 disciples on their way to Emmaus probably were not the only ones questioning things.
Why Jesus approached them is a question to ask in Heaven. It’s a good question. The Bible doesn’t say why.
The two men were convinced that Jesus had been the Messiah, but they felt that the crucifixion showed that Jesus wasn’t.
There was no question in anyone’s minds that Jesus had been tortured, crucified, died, and was buried. Alive? That’s impossible!
It is not insignificant that Jesus reinforces his resurrection around meals. First, meals were a cultural gathering time. They were often a time where identity and history would be reinforced.
Jesus’ presence on the road to Emmaus was first teaching, but then through the breaking of the bread, these 2 disciples began to not just understand, but to feel, and believe.
Yet, again, the remaining 11 had to be told. They weren’t there (again). Then Jesus shows up and eats. Tortured? Yes. Crucified? Yes. Died? Yes. Buried? Yes. Alive? YES!
※Prayer※
Almighty God, who through your only-begotten Son Jesus Christ overcame death and opened to us the gate of everlasting life: Grant that we, who celebrate with joy the day of the Lord’s resurrection, may, by your life-giving Spirit, be delivered from sin and raised from death; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. [Easter Collect, Book of Common Prayer 2019]