Luke 24:13-35; Psalm 30
This week I watched the programme Undercover Boss – the American
version. And then I read again about the walk to Emmaus. And I was suddenly
struck by the similarities!!
If you do not know the TV programme, the premise is this:
boss gets a disguise and is followed by a film crew while he/she visits various
of the subsidiary offices or outlets supposedly doing a documentary about the
company or the skill set.
The unsuspecting workers spend time with boss, showing him
the ropes and talking frankly about the corporation; in-disguise boss asks
pertinent questions and learns about the company shortfalls, and about the
heroic people who are the employees.
Then they are invited to come to the head office, where the
boss, dressed as himself appears and explains it was all a ruse he was the boss
all along and then proceeds to wow each employee with a gift or a promotion or
help with some family issue.
It is heart-warming and often reveals more about the boss than
was expected. It was while watching the big reveal that I got the flash of
familiarity: the stunned look on the unsuspecting employee’s face as the penny
drops and they see the co-worker suddenly appearing in a suit and with a decent
haircut… oh! It’s you… How… what…. Wha…….. etc.
I was thinking about the two travellers walking the road from
Jerusalem to Emmaus – 6 or 7 miles thereabouts; talking between them about Jesus,
about the previous week’s events, and especially about the events of this
particular day.
They talk between them, and then when the stranger joins
them, are delighted to be able to offload, to retell everything, about the
things they had thought, and the things they’d witnessed and how they really
weren’t sure of anything anymore.
And then the stranger asking the probing questions, and then
taking time to listen and explain and help them to feel valued, and his words
being familiar, and his attitude familiar, but still not recognising him for
who he was.
Until they get to sit and share a meal, and suddenly they see
him in the right context, and in the right place and it all falls into place –
oh my gosh!!! It’s you! It’s really you!!
All the way through the disciples have seen but not seen,
heard but not heard, had it explained but not understood. Again and again Jesus
told them what would happen, how it would happen, even when it would happen;
but they still didn’t get it; they still remained confused and amazed.
And even hearing that others had seen him; that others had
spoken to him, even then, they didn’t quite get it, they were still confused.
Jesus’ patience astounds me!
And maybe we would be the same in their place; maybe it would
be too much for us as well.
Even seeing him alive beside us, talking to us, would be too
much to take in, so it is just easier to not see it, so you don’t need to do
anything.
Because knowing, understanding, accepting the truth means you
have to do something about it.
In this case, ignorance really is bliss; in ignorance, you
can go on, plodding slowly; in ignorance, you can wait and see; you don’t have
to change anything.
Once you see the truth for what it is you have started a ball
rolling, and it will never stop.
It really shouldn’t have been a surprise.
They really should have known as soon as he started to quote
scripture and explain those long held prophecies that this was the start of
something.
And of course, we are told, their hearts burned within them;
the words sparked feelings and responses – how on earth did it take so long for
the penny to drop?!
Scripture is full of prophecies and turn around stories: which
is why psalm 30 is such an appropriate addition to the gospel text:
“You have turned my mourning into dancing; you have taken off my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, so that my soul may praise you and not be silent”.
The only possible response after that revelation is indeed joyful
dancing, songs of praise and the opportunity to run and share the information
with their friends.
There are so many times for us when we go blindly on; hoping
against hope; seeing but not really seeing
hearing but not really hearing.
Travelling in an amazed and confused state…
Being told amazing, wondrous good news, but doing not a thing
about it – so very often we are the disciples on the road to Emmaus; blind even
to the truth in front of us, hearing God’s word, feeling it burn within, but
not doing anything, just plodding along, one foot in front of the other.
The undercover boss rewarded his loyal employees with lavish
gifts to make their pretty difficult situations easier, more bearable; our
undercover boss – Jesus – also lavishes wonderful gifts upon us.
Not worldly wealth
Not surprise holidays or a promotion in the company – for we
are all equal in God’s kingdom.
But instead, better than that, promises:
I will be with you to the end of time
I am going to prepare a place for you – that you will be with
me
God’s Kingdom, my kingdom is for all who turn to God and call
on me
Well! That’s a gift worth having!
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| Easter Flowers in Earlston Church |
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