Scripture Passage
Luke 24:13-35
13 Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. 14 They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. 15 As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; 16 but they were kept from recognizing him.
17 He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?”
They stood still, their faces downcast. 18 One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?”
19 “What things?” he asked.
“About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. 20 The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; 21 but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. 22 In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning 23 but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. 24 Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see Jesus.”
25 He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.
28 As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. 29 But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them.
30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. 32 They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”
33 They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together 34 and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.” 35 Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.
Sermon Script
When you think about worship, what comes to your mind? Actually, you don’t even have to picture it. Look around you. What do you notice?
At worship, you usually see a gathering of people. Tens, hundreds, and even thousands. You can say that about most, if not all, religions. People come and gather at a place of worship. Even for us, it is worship that brings us all together every week.
It is a blessing to be able to gather like this. I still remember when the pandemic happened. We worshipped online, but we couldn’t meet together physically. The fact that we can worship together like this is a gift.
All kinds of people gather at worship. You will see people like Cleopas, his friend, and Peter. Those who had a real and unforgettable experience of the risen Jesus in their lives. You will also come across those who only have heard and know about the good news of the resurrection. Like those who were with Peter and other disciples in Jerusalem. Even in a place of worship, we see that not everyone is in the same place in their journey of faith. It’s the same for us as well.
In fact, you may relate more to those who were listening. Trying to imagine what it might be like to experience God’s presence like those that did. And at the same time wondering why some people get to have those special experiences and not you. You may have certain questions and doubts.
But listen to what Jesus once said—
For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I with them.
Matthew 18:20
After the resurrection, Jesus didn’t appear to just a few people. He appeared to lots of people over a period of time. We reflected on St. Paul’s story a few weeks ago. You see that he often appears where people are gathered together. Even for those who were in Jerusalem, Jesus appeared to all of them, right after today’s passage—
While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”
Luke 24:36
In the same way, the spirit of Christ is still present when we gather for worship each week. God reveals his presence through his word and the breaking of bread. That means, through the preaching of the Word and the giving of Sacraments (Communion). They are the two main pillars of our worship.
When we experience the divine presence in our midst, we are changed like those who felt the power of the resurrection. We are encouraged. We grow closer to God and to each other. We become inspired and empowered to share our experience. Some people invite their friends to church for that reason.
Jesus will reveal himself to you. I believe that. No one knows when that will be. The Spirit goes where it goes, like the wind. But there is something we can do. Gather.
Let us make every effort to gather for worship every Sunday. Some of you are probably tired from Mission Dinner last night. You worked very hard all evening. Yet, you still decided to come to worship today. You are very blessed.
Gathering for worship is a way of preparing ourselves. We prepare ourselves for a wonderful, indescribable and extraordinary experience of encountering the risen Jesus. That’s why we live the six days of the week for the sabbath. We wait eagerly to gather together before God.
Last Monday was the day of total solar eclipse. There was a lot of talk about it in the days leading up to it. People went and bought special sunglasses. Some schools even cancelled their school day. People didn’t watch the eclipse alone. They all gathered to witness the extraordinary event together. The bright sky turned dark momentarily, then turned bright again.
Imagine if we had that kind of attitude to our worship. How different would it be? No two worship services are the same. Each worship is special and unique in its own way. We are gathering to witness an extraordinary moment together. It is more extraordinary and powerful than the solar eclipse.
We don’t know how God will reveal himself to us. But when he does, we will experience the darkness of our hearts being removed and the light of hope shining brightly again. So let us gather each week with great excitement and anticipation!
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