Sermon, Easter III, Year A, Luke 24:13-35, 30 April 2017

         If I were going make today’s Gospel into a film, the title would be, “On the Road with Jesus.” And if I were going to write a synopsis for the movie, it would read like this. “Two scared dudes flee when their leader is killed. They meet him on the road but don’t recognize him. He lets them moan about their loss and invites them to dinner. They have a “Duh!” moment and recognize him at the table. The dudes hustle back to Jerusalem and tell their friends. Then they all go do a bunch of really great stuff.         

         Here’s the thing. What Jesus did with those two dudes on the road is what we’re called to do to follow him.

         Jesus met them where they are. We’re called to meet people where they are. If we think we can wait in here and people will find us, we are sorely mistaken. A few will, but that’s it. Movies and advertising trailers and banners might make a few people notice us, but that’s about it. If doing it that way worked, we’d look like we did on Easter morning every Sunday.

         We’re called to listen to people’s stories and help them find themselves in scripture. To open this book up, (I’ve always wanted to wave a bible from the pulpit!), learn it ourselves, and then help people see themselves and God in this book and in the world. The bible is about all of us. Those stories are human stories about people like us. And, we can help others find themselves in those stories so they know they are connected through meaning and experience to the stories they hear.

         Then, Jesus gathers the two guys together for a meal. He feeds them. He takes bread, blesses it and breaks the bread. And it is in that moment that he is revealed to them as the risen Christ. That’s the other thing we have to invite people to here. Come and meet Jesus in the breaking of the bread. If that sounds too “in your face,” find some other way to say it that’s just as inviting. What is it you find when you know Jesus in the breaking of the bread? Invite someone to come and see what he or she will experience. Your invitation opens the opportunity for them to have the experience.

         The story doesn’t end there though. The rest of the story is being sent out to do God’s work in the world. Those two dudes hustle back to Jerusalem, even though it’s late at night and dangerous. They hustle back to tell the others they have seen the risen Lord and how he made himself known to them in the breaking of the bread.

         Jesus met those two dudes where they were. He listened to their story of sorrow, disappointment, and loss of hope. Jesus warmed their hearts by taking their story and showing them how their story was reflected in the grand sweep of scripture. Jesus fed them and revealed himself in the breaking of the bread. And then Jesus left and they hurried off to tell others they had seen him.

         So here’s my dream. Well, okay, I have two dreams actually. The first one some of you have heard before. I want to be arrested some Sunday for a maximum occupancy violation. I know they don’t haul you off for that, but I would copy and frame the citation!

         My other dream is this one. I deeply appreciate it when someone says to me after church, “Loved your sermon.” Or perhaps, “That was an A+ this time.” But you know what I’d really like to hear?

What I’d really like to hear on Sunday after church, or during the following week in an email or phone call or text, is something like this. “Remember when you reminded us we were called to go and do something about Jesus’ resurrection?’ Well, here’s what I did.” Or I’d get an email or a text telling me about how you’ve gathered some people together to talk about intentionally inviting people to join us in the breaking of the bread and then you went out and invited some people to come.

Church musicians dream about a church service that’s all music and no talking. Church pastors dream about people being inspired to do something because of a sermon.

         So just to remind you:

·      Meet people where they are.

·      Listen to their sorrow and their disappointment and their lost hopes.

·      Warm their hearts by opening scripture to them so they can find their story in Jesus’ story.

·      Then hurry off and invite people to meet Jesus in the breaking of the bread.

·      Oh, and by the way, offer to bring the person or people with you so they feel comfortable about coming here for the first time.

Risen Lord, you are known to us in the breaking of the bread. Now what are we going to do about it? AMEN.

The Rev Nicolette Papanek

©2017