For the Travelers
Here is possibly my favorite Easter story:
It’s three days after Jesus has been crucified. Two guys are walking down a road to a village called Emmaus, discussing what has happened. I imagine they are mourning, consoling each other, trying to make some sense of it all. Another man (Jesus) draws near to walk with them, but they don’t recognize him. He asks them what they’re talking about. They stop short, incredulous. “How can you not know what’s happened?” they ask. Jesus replies “Tell me.” So, with sorrow and confusion in their voices, they explain, “Our mighty prophet was betrayed by the priests and rulers and crucified. We really thought he was the one to save Israel. Even more, some women in our group went to the tomb and couldn’t find his body! They said they saw angels, that he might be alive. Some of the men went to look, too, but they didn’t see him.” In response, Jesus proceeds to explain Old Testament prophecy about the Messiah, how everything that has happened was in the plan, but he doesn’t reveal himself. Intrigued, they invite him to dinner, and when he breaks the bread, they finally realize—it’s Him! Suddenly, he vanishes. “Didn’t our hearts burn while he was talking?” they ask each other. Hurrying to the disciples, they discover Jesus has appeared to others. Resurrection hope has come!
~My paraphrase of Luke 24
There is so much to love about this story. The suspense—when will they know it’s Jesus? The surprise—what a wonderful shock they get. This year, I’m pondering those dear disciples and the twisty road they had to take to get to Easter. Three days of fear, dashed hopes, and sadness. Mysterious stories and confusion. A walk with a “stranger.” They had no idea what was waiting for them at the end of the road.
What has your travel toward Easter been like?
Maybe you’re coming at it full speed on a newly paved road—chocolate bunnies, new Sunday outfits, painted eggs. Maybe you’re still at the starting line, not so sure that a resurrected Jesus makes any sense. Maybe you’re approaching Easter by way of Lent—a sensitive season of confession, denial, and self-reflection. Maybe this is your first Easter (welcome!), and you are celebrating a new life, a brand new road.
This year I did not participate in Lent. It was a year of loss (not only my own), and I could not bear to give up anything else. I did not want to explore the sufferings of Jesus or my personal shortcomings. My journey to Easter this year has felt like a dry dirt path, with some rocks thrown in to twist your ankle. Like the men on the road to Emmaus, I have questioned and doubted and mourned.
For our Lord, the road to Easter was also one of incredible suffering. It was a lonely, terrifying road. It meant carrying a heavy cross on bloody shoulders. Because he walked that road, we are not alone. Like the men on the road to Emmaus, we may not recognize Him, but the resurrected Jesus is right here, a man fully acquainted with our grief. As he did for those men, he is offering empathy and explanations. He is offering His presence and offering joy.
And when we get to Easter, Jesus IS there. Risen. Alive. All-powerful and unstoppable. When we get to Easter, there is a breath of new life for us. There is “Alleluia!”. There are things unexpected and glorious to behold. There is hope. Our hearts will burn and we will say, “Wasn’t He there with us all along?!”
No matter how you get to Easter Sunday, Jesus is there, without a doubt. He is waiting for you to come celebrate in whatever fashion you are able—leaping over hurdles or crawling on your knees. In exhausted tears or dancing with your hands high in the air. No matter the road you have traveled, this is certain—you have left behind a prison. You have come to a new day. A new story. Resurrection.
Yes, just keep on the path. Easter is right up ahead.
