Luke 24 - Recognising Jesus on the Emmaus Road

Quentin Bell, "The Supper at Emmaus" (Berwick Church mural)

TFG's service this week was based on this theme. It included images of the reading with extracts on our new big screen, accompanied by music. Much of the service was summed up in the opening reflection's challenging first question 'Risen Lord Jesus, what is it that keeps us from recognising you?'

The talk looked more closely at the account of the Emmaus Road, reminding us that Jesus approached the 2 disciples on their journey, a journey which was actually taking them away from Jerusalem where the Resurrection had taken place that very day. They were going in the wrong direction, but Jesus was there with them. The 2 friends had lost all hope since their idea of the Messiah was very different from that Jesus showed them was actually in the Scriptures.

On reaching their destination they did finally respond to his presence and invited him to stay with them, so that 'he was known to them in the breaking of bread' – a reference back to the Last Supper a few days before. Surely this also reflects the experience of the first Christians as they continued to meet together to follow his command. Is it ours?

That very same hour, quickly, they rushed to tell the other disciples the good news of their meeting with Jesus - a reminder of how the Christian faith has always been passed on. Is this a challenge to us?

Judith Platt

Well – Did He or Didn’t He?

Copyright Gospel Communications International, Inc - www.reverendfun.com

That was the question we explored today - about The Resurrection that is! So we searched the Old and New Testaments, examined the symbolism surrounding the portrayal of the evangelists in the Book of Kells, considered the depths of the Lion, Witch and Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis and studied eye-witness accounts of The Resurrection in the Gospels. We thought about God’s own tears when Jesus was nailed to the Cross and looked at our own sinfulness that put Him there. We also spoke of counter arguments and then when the exploration had stopped, we split into small groups to speak of our personal responses. And this is where, we found, that talking and thinking stops and faith steps in and takes over.

Our music today was ‘Jesus is Lord’, ‘How deep the Father’s love for us’, ‘Jesus Christ, I think about your sacrifice’, ‘I am the Bread of Life’ and closed with ‘Colours of Day’ to remind us that Jesus is not supposed to be kept secret, but that we are meant to share our faith.

Closing with the fundamentals of our faith, we prayed through Jesus’ own words: “I am the Resurrection and the Life; he who believes in me shall not perish but have eternal life”.

It was an illuminating and hope-filled morning; especially as we are all at a different part of our spiritual journeys, and so I sincerely hope and pray that it was a fulfilling time for all present.

So did He or didn’t He?

Of course Jesus rose from the dead – and thanks be to God for his immeasurable love.

And now we wait another two weeks for the Easter Acclamation!

Deacon Olivia

Why Believe ?

Singing songs such as ‘Lord of all hopefulness’; ‘I am a new creation’; ‘I’m building a people of power’ and 'Go tell it on the mountains', among several others this morning, we looked at …

Apologetics! Nothing whatsoever to do with being sorry – but it does mean that we are called upon to “defend our faith”! This Lent we are looking at the fact that we are called upon to be witnesses for Christ and indeed how we are to do that.

Our first loyalty must be to Christ – He must have our allegiance and so we thought about honour and holiness; “honour Christ as holy” (1 Peter 3:15). Jesus is worthy of respect, worship and esteem – so we too must be holy – separate from evil, showing that we and our behaviour are different; we must therefore be in the world and not of it; and have a personal relationship with Jesus. “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”

We examined the coins in our pockets – and found inscribed F.D. – fidei defensor – defender of the faith – which is a daily reminder to us of what we are to do; to stand up for Christ and to give an account of the hope that is within us. We also reminded ourselves that we only serve, but that it is only God who makes us and other people grow. We thought about being “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvellous light” (1 Peter 2:9), for since Christ came, ministered, died and rose again for each one of us, we are all special – indeed “royal”.

We thought about being prepared – knowing the scriptures, through each other and worship, and spoke about the challenge that brings courage, humility and love.

Lastly we looked at ‘Why’ through one of the best known verses in the Bible.

“For God so loved the world that He gave his only Son; that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16).

If Love could ever be measured, then God’s love could not be greater for He gave his only Son – He came and He acted on our behalf; .He could not love any more than that – and the object of his love? – The world – Us – You and Me.

That’s why.

Deacon Olivia

God's Unfailing Love

Matt 6:33 Seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness

John 3: 16 God so loved the world that He gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him, will not perish but have eternal life.

We had a very lively morning! It seemed that events were stacked against us, which included a 5 mile emergency dash to Hastings, to collect our beloved, but stranded musician. Still, we got back within 5 minutes before I was due to begin the service.

So what about the Kingdom? We looked at the nature of Kingdom, both in the ‘Now’ and the ‘Not Yet’. We split into discussion groups and discussed the fact that Jesus’ Kingdom is one of love and not power and status, bearing a Cross and thorns as throne and crown. We talked about what is authentic and false love. One mother decided that authentic love is a mother’s love when she copes with all things, bears all things and loves in spite of it all. One very young person (8 years) said that false love was saying that she would clear her room when asked, but had no intention of doing so. It’s always rewarding to see all ages involved and contributing. We moved on to think about how we can make God’s Kingdom real in our time, as we have a part in the building of it.

Our songs included many about love and incorporated all the aspects of our mornings worship and discussion; The love of God comes close, Let there be love shared among us, When the music fades and worship songs; Majesty, Come on and celebrate.

It was an exciting and rewarding morning. But here are two questions for you to think about this week

How do you see authentic and false love ?

How can you build God’s Kingdom in our time?

Every Blessing Deacon Olivia