"FEEL THE BURN"

 

      Our Scripture text this morning is rather lengthy.  However, I felt drawn to this particular reading in our Lectionary for Easter.  We are all familiar with the Gospel accounts of our Lord's Resurrection and it is always "right," as righteous, to celebrate this capstone of our faith.  We are also familiar with the cliché, "Feel the burn."  And that is what I would like to consider together on this wonderful Easter morning for a few minutes.  Some would probably like it to be very few; yet let's join in a spiritual workout here.

      Our text tells a story about two men walking what must have been a familiar road on another Easter.  This road is familiar because they know where they are going, as we learn later; when they arrive at a favorite inn to remain overnight.  We read that they are discussing some amazing and troubling events that took place earlier over the past week.  We know that the familiar road is about to become a gloriously unfamiliar one.   This is a somber walk and talk, when they are approached by a man who observes that they are saddened.  At this point, we should note that these two men must have had some knowledge and faith or they would not have been downtrodden by the events surrounding an infamous prophet's premature death.  This assumption proves true when one of the men answers their new companion querying him about knowing any news of Jesus' death at the hands of religious and political leaders.  This gives a stronger meaning to the term 'conspiracy theory,' doesn't it?  Indeed, Cleopas, as he is identified, states an amazing affirmation to this new sojourner that they were hoping that the recently crucified prophet could have been the "one to redeem Israel."  And then Cleopas reveals that some women in their group have found that prophet and teacher's empty tomb that very morning.

      Let's pause for a bit right now in this narrative and consider some things.  Another in their group, at least an adjacent member; less than three days before had denied knowing this, Jesus.  And we recall Jesus' inner circle of friends had abandoned him in fear when he was arrested.  Now we see some of the expanded group, these two men on a road to Emmaus, open themselves up completely in verbal support of this rebel prophet to an unknown person that had just joined them.  Indeed Christ was hidden from them, their eyes as yet unopened by the Holy Spirit.  Imagine how dangerous this could have been in this unsettled time of a reported grave robbing at the very least.  We can only imagine the stories and the soldiers that were searching for any co-conspirators that accompanied this Christ or any with knowledge of his body.  And as the women in their group had reported, there was a growing glorious hope that this prophet and teacher had not been stolen in death but raised from it as he predicted.  This very same preacher who had raised Lazarus had now beaten death himself.  There were even reports that, "The tombs were also opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised.  After his resurrection they came out of them and entered the holy city and appeared too many."  This Christ had not just raised himself, but some of their old dead friends as well.

      Additionally, I would imagine that in this narrative, Cleopas and his companion had already begun to encounter a burning feeling which opened their hearts to this unrecognized man who had joined them.  Even while their eyes remained unseeing they had begun to 'feel the burn.'  And unlike any physical burn, this was a yearning and seeking in recognition of the true Messiah through the Holy Spirit.  The glory of Christ burned into their hearts and opened a new road before either of them recognized Jesus' physical form.  And we should recognize that our faith exceeds any sense which could remain a hindrance for us.  Indeed, the Holy Spirit can burnish itself within us to show us what is truly real, when our own sinful senses would block it.  I would suggest that Cleopas and his friend are beginning to burn with refined fire of spirit and faith, well before Christ begins to tell of Moses and the stories of their shared Hebrew heritage.  A new and glorious covenant is being established here.  This new covenant emphasizes the faith as one of God's powerful mercy, love, and grace.

      Now, as we return to this Easter story, we hear this stranger begin to talk about how Jesus had fulfilled every prediction within their readings and prophecies.  He begins with Moses and relates every prediction that tells of the Messiah and reveals to these two men that they are completed.  He even agrees to stay with them at their favorite stopover.  And here this burning sensation within them is fixated as their eyes and other senses see Jesus as the truth that he is.  As he repeats the communion of the Last Supper, just a few evenings before; he is fully transformed in their sight.  And just as quickly as he appeared on the road to Emmaus, Christ vanishes.

      With hearts emblazoned by the Holy Spirit, the two men race back to Jerusalem and join the many that attest to the truth of what has happened to Jesus.  They are now witnesses to the Truth of Easter and how the tomb became empty.  These believers join the beginning of the new covenant that will establish our true relationship with God through his risen Son, Jesus Christ of Nazareth.

      And to consolidate and verify these many tidbits from many sources by many believers; Christ appears to them in Jerusalem.  Destroyed now is the conspiracy plot of the religious leaders and political opportunists.  The Holy Spirit burns into ashes the contrived story that this insignificant rebel's body was stolen by his followers.  Jesus stands before them and calms their fear asking them to see, feel, hear, and believe the Truth.  He eats with them to dispel any doubt that this is just a spectral ghost or product of their imagination.  Then he promises them the gift of the Holy Spirit and tells them that they will be clothed in it.  They will be clothed in the majesty and power of the Holy Spirit.  He explains the fulfillment of all the Scriptures of prediction again, and what they are to do with this additional knowledge.  He reminds them of the many times, before his resurrection that he had told them to watch and learn and hear and pray for understanding while he taught them.  Their calling is to preach repentance and God's glory to all nations, right now.  They are to spread the Good News to every people.  And now we all realize the darkened and empty tomb could never hold the Light of the World.  Death has been breached forever by the Son of Man who is the Son of God who is the Brother of all that receive him Risen.  Can we still feel the burn as when we first were saved?  Oh God, Let us feel the burn renewed.  Amen.