David Bahn – Reflections

That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, ¹⁴ and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened. ¹⁵ While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. ¹⁶ But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. ¹⁷ 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. ¹⁸ Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” ¹⁹ And he said to them, “What things?” And they said to him, “Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, ²⁰ and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. ²¹ But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened. ²² Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning, ²³ and when they did not find his body, they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive.  ²⁴ Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.” ²⁵ And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! ²⁶ Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” ²⁷ And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.

²⁸ So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He acted as if he were going farther, ²⁹ 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. ³⁰ When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. ³¹ And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight. ³² 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?” ³³ And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, ³⁴ saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” ³⁵ Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.

My world for the past 10 years or so has been a sea of faces and a tapestry of names – all of which only occasionally come together in a timely manner. To make matters worse, there are some faces I should be able to attach names to, and others I’m not certain whether or not I should know. I will often ask, “Have we met?” Sometimes I fake it, smiling and greeting them warmly. But it’s not the way I’d like to live. I’d like to know who I know and what are their names.

My name and face challenge is partly a matter of age and distance from St. John since I retired 4 years ago. And in my defence I interface with many different people in various congregations these days in my work for the Texas District of The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod. But once in a while the name, face and context align, and it’s a beautiful thing.

It’s not a matter of time and distance or aging that gets in the way of these disciples on their way to Emmaus. Spiritual blindness and slowness of heart prevented them from recognizing Jesus. The spiritual blindness was at least somewhat understandable. They had just experienced the most dramatic disappointment of their lives. Jesus had been taken from them, subjected to horrific treatment and hung on a cross. They had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. But now all is lost. They were blinded to Jesus’ presence by disappointment and death. 

Add to that their slowness of heart. Jesus had told them that he would suffer and die, then rise again. He had made it clear that this was going to happen. They were slow to believe. So they did not recognize Jesus for who he is. That means not only that he was alive and with them. They did not recognize that he is Lord and Savior, the Son of God.

Next time you have difficulty remembering someone’s name, rejoice that Jesus knows your name, he has your name written in the book of life. And keep your eyes open for his presence among his people as he has promised – and especially in the breaking of the bread of the Lord’s Supper. He is our loving and living Lord and Savior.