On the Road to Emmaus by Gary Gocek

On the Road to Emmaus by Gary Gocek - Return to "Gary's Personal Creed."

I was working on this article and wondered which Bible verses I should refer to, in what order, and how long a paper to write. A nice, young man saw me scratching my head and offered to help. As we started, he asked, "So what's this all about, anyway?"

I replied, "Haven't you heard about Jesus the great prophet and teacher whose lessons taught us to live fully every day and love fully every day? His teachings so radically broke with the status quo that He was executed by the authorities. His followers had hoped that He would lead everyone to a world of justice and peace."

At that, the nice, young man said, "Peace be with you." Then my eyes were opened, and I recognized him; and he vanished from my sight.

Jesus pushed my mouse as surely as He broke bread with the two followers in Emmaus. I believe that I had my experience because, while researching for this article, I encountered a new way of thinking about resurrection. My experience came while studying what Jesus taught, but I think that we usually have resurrection experiences while living as Jesus taught. Hmmm, maybe I should shut down my computer and live fully, love fully, and use my God-given gifts to spread the news of Jesus' notion of a kingdom of peace and justice on earth...

Luke 24: ¹³Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, ¹⁴and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. ¹⁵While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, ¹⁶but their eyes were kept from recognizing him. ¹⁷And he said to them, "What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?" They stood still, looking sad. ¹⁸Then one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answered him, "Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place there in these days?" ¹⁹He asked them, "What things?" They replied, "The things about Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, ²⁰and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be condemned to death and crucified him. ²¹But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things took place. ²²Moreover, some women of our group astounded us. They were at the tomb early this morning, ²³and when they did not find his body there, they came back and told us that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who said that he was alive. ²⁴Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but they did not see him." ²⁵Then he said to them, "Oh, how foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared! ²⁶Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?" ²⁷Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures. ²⁸As they came near the village to which they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going on. ²⁹But they urged him strongly, saying, "Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over." So he went in to stay with them. ³⁰When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. ³¹Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight.