Worship Preview 5.4.25 "Resurrection Stories: In Breaking"

This Sunday: 10:30am –  3rd Sunday of Easter – Resurrection Stories: In Breaking

Rev. Christopher Eshelman preaching. Scriptures: Proverbs 9:1-12 and Luke 24:13-35

Today’s Gospel reading happens on the first day of the week. The Jewish Sabbath begins at dusk on Friday and continues to dusk on Saturday. On Easter Sunday, we heard of the women who went to the tomb to anoint the body and found the tomb empty – they went at dawn, as morning broke on “the first day of the week.” This connection to the good news of the empty tomb and Resurrection is a major reason why Christians gather for worship on Sunday morning.  Today we hear of 2 disciples who have travelled from Jerusalem to the town of Emmaus. They are talking about “everything that had happened.” They are joined by a stranger, who asks about their conversation. From the response, they knew of the women’s story, saying “some women of our group have left us stunned.”

One of these disciples, who was present to hear the women’s “idle tale” is named Cleopas. He is not one of the 12. Often we tend to think of Jesus appearance only being to the 12 named Apostles, but the ranks of the disciples was larger. In a scene in Acts 1, around 120 have gathered and there is no suggestion that is all of them. This larger included women, such as those who had stood below the cross and journeyed to the tomb. Cleopas and this 2nd unnamed disciple are among the larger group.

All of them had hoped. And been crushed. And now were “stunned” at the stories of the empty tomb. After hearing their brief recap, the stranger (who they have been “prevented” from recognizing) says to them “You foolish people! Your dull minds keep you from believing all that the prophets have talked about.” He then interprets the Scriptures for them.

“You foolish people” seems to me a rather harsh response from a stranger. Yet Cleopas and the other disciple – perhaps his wife? – take it in stride. When they reach Emmaus, this stranger becomes their guest. They insist on him staying with them for a meal and to rest “since the day is almost over.” It is nearing dusk. It is at the meal when they suddenly recognize him. As he blesses and breaks the bread (notice how the guest has become the host) – their eyes are opened. They see and understand. They believe – and the begin to truly follow. Jesus – alive – having opened the Scriptures to them and  present in the breaking of the bread – “disappears” and the two disciples immediately depart back to Jerusalem to join with the other disciples and share the good news. Christ is Risen!

When they get there, they are told that Jesus “has appeared to Simon!”  Simon is Peter’s name – but there is no detailed story of this encounter in any of the 4 Gospels. In 1st Corinthians, Paul also mentions an appearance to “500” that his audience must have known but of which the story is not recorded in the Bible. Jesus is not constrained to the Gospels, but is revealed through them.

We will consider all these stories Sunday, the 3rd Sunday of the Easter season. As we do we’ll hear from Wisdom in Proverbs 9 – and perhaps gain some insight into why the disciples aren’t offended by the “strangers” words – because they are not, in fact, foolish, but are seeking wisdom. They are open to instruction. They are open to Jesus becoming their host. Even in their despair, they retain faith and hope. Sunday we will also celebrate and take the annual special offering for United Methodist Native American Sunday. We have a deep connection in Kansas. Our Great Plains UMC Bishop, David Wilson, is the first Native American to become a Bishop in the United Methodist Church. He writes, “Native Americans make up a small number of the people we call United Methodists. But their witness — and the duration of the Wesleyan tradition handed down by generations of Native peoples — is an important part of our denomination.Some of the first Methodists to arrive in the Midwest were Native people forced along the Trail of Tears to present-day Oklahoma. Both their ancestral traditions and their Christian faith, through the Methodist Episcopal Church, helped them endure. I am living proof of their resolve.

Our special offering Sunday supports mission work, scholarships, and assistance among native peoples. Half of the funds stay in the GreatPlains conference where, among other projects, we have used it to assist faculty, staff and especially students displaced and impacted in other ways by the immediate budget cuts and subsequent layoffs at Haskell Indian Nations University in Lawrence and have contributed water to the Santee Sioux Reservation in northeast Nebraska, which has its sole source of water so badly polluted that it is dangerous for health of the people there, yet they cannot seem to receive the help they need from government officials.”

I think the overlap of these Bible texts, the Communion Table on this 1st Sunday of May, and Native American Sunday is an opportunity for us to have our eyes opened. To look at systems of oppression and injustice, but also resilience and hope. Are we willing to let the stranger become the guest, and even the host? Are we willing to hear hard truths and learn? Are we willing to recognize that Christ appears to others? That we may not – and do not need to – know the full story? Are we willing to bear witness to what we have heard, seen, and experienced - and to connect more deeply with Christ and all of God’s peoples? Christ is Risen!

Christ is Risen, indeed! You are invited to join in hearing, sharing, and experiences these Resurrection Stories. Whatever binds you, whatever locks you up, whatever keeps you from the life for which you were created…can be rolled away, opened, released… for we believe our stories can be rewritten each and every day. It is noteasy or quick, but let this Easter be a vision of your life unlocked –

your life resurrected.

Upcoming Events: 

Wednesday, May 7th Feeding Families in His Name:  This “to-go” meal is distributed under the portico at 301 S. National. This free meal is available to everyone without obligation. A reminder: Please do not block nearby driveways while waiting. Thank you. If you would like to support this ministry, you can make donations online at: www.firstumcfortscott.org/onlinegiving. 

Friday, May 23rd – our next Aging Forward session– each 4th Friday afternoon at 1pm we’ll offer a chance for retired adults (and anyone else interested) to hear from local speakers about all sorts of topics and share a time of conversation and fellowship. Light refreshments provided. Mark your calendar and join in the fun!