The story of the two disciples returning to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35) is well known to all Christians. The theme of the story has even become the foundation of Christian education. For example, Dr. Francis Chan Nai Kwok advocates a "Pedagogy of Emmaus" while he develops the religious curriculum of the Hong Kong Catholic Diocese. It is based on the interaction between daily experiences and Christian stories. From there, daily experiences and Christian stories enrich each other and hence, the life of our students.
The story shares a common aspect in all post-resurrection apparitions. The disciples were unable to recognize Jesus at first (24:16; John 21:4, 12). Why?
The first possibility is that after resurrection, Jesus' body has undergone a transformation so much so that the disciples are unable to recognize him. Theologians in subsequent centuries have developed the opinion that after resurrection, our body will attain its perfection. Therefore, if you die of full age, you will rise again in your youthful vitality. In the case of Jesus, his body is even able to pass through rocks, closed doors and windows without breaking them down!
The second possibility is that the risen Jesus did not fit into their expectations. The Jews, including his disciples, expected the Messiah to be a Davidic king to drive out the Romans (Luke 24:21). Yet, Jesus the Messiah died on the cross instead. Though Jesus raised a few people during his public ministry, his disciples did not expect him to be able to come back to life on his own. "Physician, heal yourself!" (4:23; 23:35, 37, 39) It is this second possibility that block the sight of the disciples and us.
Despite Isaiah's warning that God's thoughts are not our thoughts (Isaiah 55:8), we have a tendency to confine God into our frame of mind. We impose our requirements and criteria on God, demanding God to do our wills, to pass our tests. God just doesn't play our games. He follows his own rules, not ours. His rules are love, love and love. Out of love, he created the known universe for us to live in. Out of love, he sent his only son to die for us to redeem us. Out of love, he continues to stay with us and provide for us until the end of time.
Many times, we complain that God has forsaken us. Yet, he is always there for us to call. If only we can put away our preconceptions of what God should do for us, we will never be able to see him. When we are sick, we expect God to heal us and to relieve us of our suffering. Yet, we are not aware that the sickness is a blessing in disguise. There is a lot of grace for us to uncover through the sickness. The same goes to other failures in relationships and works. What we need is to have our eyes opened. Of course, only God can open our eyes. The eyes of the two disciples were opened when Jesus blessed and broke the bread in front of them. Immediately, they were able to see Jesus in this stranger (24:30-31) Therefore, it is important for us to be familiar with the stories of Jesus (24:32) so that we will be more able to recognize Jesus in strangers we meet in our life. Be assured that Jesus is always there.
Dear Lord, open our eyes and inflame our hearts. Amen.
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