Sermon Snippet for April 23, 2023

Text:  Luke 24:13-35

In this odd resurrection story about Jesus meeting two disciples on the road, it’s not really that surprising that at first they failed to recognize Jesus:  he wasn’t where he was supposed to be – dead or alive.  The tomb was empty, but these two hadn’t seen him alive in Jerusalem either.

Which raises a question for us here today:  when we imagine (if we imagine) Jesus, where is he?  And what is he doing?  Do we picture him as still being on the cross; or teaching, healing, and feeding people; or in heaven, whatever that looks like?

If we see him on the cross… can we recognize him among those who suffer injustice?

If he is still teaching… will we see him among those who are seeking?

If he is still healing… do we find him among those who are broken in body, mind, or spirit?

If he is still feeding… will we recognize him among the poor?

If we have difficulty recognizing Jesus in the places we MOST expect him to be, what will it take to open our eyes and our hearts so that we can recognize and follow Jesus intocircumstances and among people we LEAST expect him to be?  

Jesus is alive… and he is on the move!  Thanks be to God!