The Gospel of Luke-Part Three

On the evening of Jesus’ resurrection day, two disciples head out from Jerusalem for Emmaus. We are not told why. We are only told how they feel. They are sad. As they walk they discuss “all these things” that have taken place. While they walk Jesus comes along side and asks what they are discussing. They are surprised that this stranger does not know “all these things” that have taken place in Jerusalem. By the sound of it, everyone knows “all these things” that have taken place—except the stranger, whose identity is hidden from the men.

As the three of them walk, the one named Cleopas (the other remains unnamed) unfolds the fullness of the Gospel. That Jesus of Nazareth, a prophet mighty in word and deed, was handed over to be crucified. This is why the two men are sad. They had hoped Jesus would be the one to redeem Israel. And now he is dead. But wait! Not quite! For now it has been three days and there is word that the tomb in which he was laid is empty. There was word that angels had proclaimed Jesus raised from the dead. But they had not seen Jesus.

So, in short, the two men on the way to Emmaus are disciples who know “all the things” about Jesus of Nazareth. They know that he was a prophet. That he was mighty in word and deed. That he was crucified. That he is reported raised from the dead. They are practically a walking apostles’ creed. And yet they are sad.

Do they remind us of anyone? Is there anyone else we can think of who has been instructed in “all the things” concerning Jesus? Perhaps our friend Theophilus?

When the day is spent the two men invite Jesus to stay with them. While at table he breaks the bread and blesses it and gives it to the men and their “eyes were opened” and they recognized him. In that moment he vanishes from their sight.

Now we have no idea if Theophilus was sad or not. But I am asking that we consider the parallel between this story—unique to Luke among appearance stories—and the dedication to Theophilus—also unique to Luke. Remember how Luke expressed his intent for this writing: that Theophilus might knot the "truth" of the "things" about which he had been instructed.

Is it possible that Theophilus represents a contemporary problem Luke wants to address? Namely, that there is a lot of knowledge about Jesus floating around, but very little genuine community in Jesus' name. For Luke there is an essential need for the “things” of Christianity to translate into the “presence of Christ” in the hearts of the community. Jesus offers three things to the men on the road. He reminds them of the importance of the heart. He opens their minds to the scriptures (it is not an either/or between the mind and the heart) and he becomes fully known to them—not in the heart and mind alone—but in the community that shares table fellowship in his name.

In chapter 17 of Luke, Jesus offers an observation on the nature of the Kingdom of God. The Pharisees ask him when the Kingdom of God is coming. Jesus responds “The Kingdom of God is not coming with “things” that can be observed, nor will they say ‘Look, here it is!’ of ‘There it is!’ For in fact, the Kingdom of God is among you.” The Kingdom will not be composed of things, even “all these things”. The Kingdom is a relational reality, and Jesus is present, not by sight, but by sign—the sign of table fellowship and of the burning heart which knows that truth can, indeed, be distinguished from things. Truth transcends mere knowledge.

Such is the literary genius of Luke. From the first verse to the last, the story weaves in and around this common theme. Knowledge of the Christian story does not the Christian make. And, as we can see, knowledge alone leads to sadness, despair, the absence of hope. Rather, when the mind’s acquisition of the scripture and the heart’s burning desire to live in communion come together, there Christ is. Vanished perhaps, but never absent. Hidden only from those not yet blind enough to see.

But wait, you say. That is not the end. There is another chapter. And so there is. I wish there wasn’t. :-) Tomorrow I will share why.