The Divine Optometrist

Introduction

Today...the second Sunday of the 50-day Easter season...has many names. Some call it “low Sunday” because of the typical drop off in attendance after easter.

It has also been called Bright Sunday or “holy humor Sunday” which Christians have often celebrated by sharing jokes...joy...and laughter. Why?

Because, as the old monk once said of Easter… “I get it! I finally get it! It was all a big joke!” God played the world’s greatest practical joke on the devil...by rising from the dead! Indeed he did.

Rev. Jennie Hemrick writes:

“Today, I hope you enjoy a few laughs as we continue celebrating God’s ultimate joke. Laughter is good for the soul. Many theologians have spoken about the need and usefulness of humor. Augustine of Hippo said, “The Christian should be an alleluia from head to foot.” Juliana of Norwich said, “"The fullness of joy is to behold God in everything." And, from Martin Luther we hear, "If you're not allowed to laugh in heaven, I don't want to go there." And he advised, "You have as much laughter as you have faith." So -find time to laugh a little...as we continue the celebration of God's triumph over sin and death.

Way to Emaus

Today’s scripture from Luke 24 begings Luke 24:13

Luke 24:13 ESV

That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem,

The same days as what? The resurrection!

I saw a cartoon this week of two Roman guards sitting beside the tomb of Jesus and we barely see Jesus foot as he’s walking out of the frame. One soldier says to the other “What do you mean you didn’t say anything? Then who just said “Good morning!”

Soldiers could not believe Jesus was resurrected. We discussed last week how even the women and Peter were simply astonished and told by the angles to remember...and they did. But the text did not say they believed in the resurrection yet...they were trying to sort it all out.

For many in our day...they too are trying to figure out the resurrection of Jesus. Because the mere possibility of the truth of his resurrection...literally makes a world of difference for humanity. People wrestle with it because...if it’s true...and we believe it is....it changes everything.

So the disciples do not yet believe...and that includes two disciples...who are not even willing to wait around Jerusalem and started heading back to their homes in Emaus. Emmaus was a small village west of Jerusalem and two disciples...Cleopas and an unnamed disciple...were talking about what had happened. Luke 24:15–17

Luke 24:15–17 ESV

While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. And he said to them, “What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?” And they stood still, looking sad.

In our Sunday morning Bible study...we’re still working through the gospel of John. In John 3, Jesus told Nicodemus...a curious Jewish leader....trying to understand Jesus and his ministry. Jesus said to him…John 3:3

John 3:3 ESV

Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

This means that unless we are born again or born from above...we cannot even see...we cannot comprehend the kingomd of God. In other words we need help outside of ourselves. That’s exactly where these two disciples were. And that is exactly where Jesus shows up. He’ll show up for you too. Right smack dab in the middle of a situation or experience you cannot even comprehend.

Divine Optometrist

So these two disciples...who were kept from seeing the risen Jesus...on the very day of his resurrection...proceed to tell Jesus everything that happened to Jesus. It’s amusing sometimes...annoying other times...when other people try to tell our stories. They are doing the best they can and they think they are acurrately relaying information to this stranger...but their ability to see the truth of it all...and its ramifications...is limited.

By the way...your sight and mine....our ability to comprehend what God is up to...is limited at best...without divine intervention.

Enter the Divine Optometrist! That’s right the one who helps us see. Jesus says Luke 24:25-27

Luke 24:25–27 ESV

And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.

So boom...right after Jesus gave the greatest exposition of scripture ever...they immediately believed and were the first to recognize Jesus! Right? Well they were the first to recognize the risen Christ...but it wasn’t because of their newly acquired Bible knowledge. It was because of what happened next.

Luke 24:28–31 ESV

So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He acted as if he were going farther, but they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent.” So he went in to stay with them. When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight.

When we share in Holy Communion, I will often use this scripture as a welcome to the Lord’s table. It wasn’t in Jesus’ teaching that the power to recognize him as the messiah...the resurrected son of God...it was in the breaking of the bread. A remembrance of Jesus offering himself for his disciples. Their eyes were opened through the power of God...in the remembrance of Jesus' sacrifice...first mentioned at the last supper.

Closing

Jesus opened their eyes to the truth of scripture...and demonstrated the meal of remembrance of his sacrifice of himself for the sins of the world. What did the angels tell the women at the tomb? Remember his words.

When did the Emmaus disciples recognize Jesus...after Jesus reminded them how all of scripture speaks about him...and in the meal of remembrance in the breaking of the bread. How did the disciples respond?

Luke 24:32–35 ESV

They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?” And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.

The Lord Jesus is a divine optometrist. He opens the eyes of the blind...when you and I are slow of heart to believe...he opens our eyes .

When we are fearful/anxious about our life and world...he opens our eyes to his presence with us

When you and I are at our wits end...when life has sucker punched us good....He opens our eyes to the reality of resurrection.

With God in Christ...resurrection is right around the corner of every tomb. Be filled with joy my sisters and brother in Christ.

Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!

Hallelujah! Amen!