To whom does the risen Lord appear?
Luke 24: 13-35
To whom did the resurrected Jesus appear? To borrow Paul's words, 1 Corinthians 15 tells us that he appeared to many people.
15:3 I have passed on to you the most important thing I have been told. That Christ died for our sins, as it is written in the Bible,
15:4 that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day, as it is written in the scriptures,
15:5 After that, he appeared to many people. Christ appeared first to Peter and then again to the twelve apostles.
15:6 He also appeared to more than five hundred church members at one time, some of whom have already passed away, but most are still alive.
15:7 After that he appeared to James and also to all the apostles.
15:8 And lastly, he appeared to me as a young man.
However, today's text is a little more detailed.
On the way to Emmaus, there were two disciples. These are not among the 12 disciples, but seem to belong to the other 72 disciples. They are very heartbroken, full of anger, and in despair they turn to Emmaus. Emmaus seems to be Ammao, 6 km west of Jerusalem, now named Kiloone. Of the two, Clopas is probably the same person as Clopas in John 19:25.
When asked what the story of the resurrected Lord was, he said that the two stood still with a sad light.(17) The sadness was so intense that I made him stand while walking.
While staying in Jerusalem, I am frustrated that I am not alone in knowing what has happened there these days.(18)
In telling the story of Jesus, the two disciples say that they hoped that Jesus would be the one to redeem Israel.(21) However, these disciples' dreams were thwarted.
He also confessed that he did not believe because he had heard the testimony of the resurrection but could not see the risen Jesus with his own eyes. They were quite confused. (22-24)
It can be understood from verses 25-26 how frustrated the heart of the resurrected Jesus was.
"You are also foolish! Is it so hard to believe all that the prophets have spoken? Shouldn't Christ have to suffer like that before he can be glorified?"
To whom does the risen Lord appear? The answer comes to mind.
First, because of the Lord, He appears to those who are sad. These disciples truly loved the Lord. It was really painful and regretful that the Lord was hung on the cross. In other words, the resurrected Lord appears to those who are grieving because of the Lord's pain.
We need to look at the aspects of our lives and think about whether Jesus will be hurt. Too many. The Lord is sad because our hearts are not pure. The Lord grieves for lies, arrogance, selfishness, and envy. The Lord is sorry for our impure inside that drives us far away from Him.
Our hearts are filled with sorrow when we think of the Lord who looks at us today and hurts our hearts. This is because our fault for not witnessing the Lord of the Resurrection is great.
There are many places on this planet where inhuman life is taking place. How many people suffer from hunger, war, disease, abuse, pollution, and natural disasters. Or, there are those who, even if they can afford it, shed tears because of relative poverty and hardship. Some people do not even know whether the evil they are doing is evil or not. It is so tragic that the earth is gradually being destroyed and now it is difficult to recover. No one can be blamed for blaming anyone else. God has entrusted the whole world to us. We must take responsibility.
The Lord of the Resurrection comes when we weep and cry for ourselves because we cannot take responsibility.
Second, they thought he was the long-awaited Messiah, but when Jesus died on the cross, these disciples were disappointed. They thought that Israel was the one who would redeem them, but they disappeared somewhere, so the disciples were disappointed. The Lord of Resurrection comes to those whose dreams have been broken. The Lord is not looking for someone who can do everything on his own. The Lord did not come to call the righteous, but sinners. He did not come to call the healthy, but the sick. The Lord does not come to those who say they have fulfilled their hopes, but to those whose hopes are broken and their dreams are shattered.
The Lord of Resurrection comes to those who live with bitter hearts. In today's world, only successful people and people who have achieved their dreams can live. However, the Lord of Resurrection does not come to those who have accomplished everything like this. Are you in despair and frustration? We will see the risen Lord soon.
Third, Jesus visits those who are in confusion. It is difficult to ask if sadness is good or if disappointment is beautiful. Likewise, if you ask if your confused feelings are correct, you will not be able to answer them.
Our concern now is not right or wrong. I am thinking about who the Resurrection Lord will visit.
Confusion refers to a state of confusion and confusion. Not in good condition. But today we need it. Because it's so easy to be tidy and live. I think that you have to have money, you have to earn money, and you can live like a human only if you earn a lot of money easily. We believe that children should be raised by sending them to the best schools in the best school districts. However, we need to think about whether these thoughts really come from the right mind. You have to find your true life with a little bit of confusion.
In a life where you think that everything is set and you can enjoy the joy of success and achievement if you fulfill the plan one by one, when you throw everything away and want to check your life again, our Lord, the risen Lord, comes to you.
Although they were not apostles, the disciples on the road to Emmaus were all prominent among the disciples. Where were they headed, grieving, disappointed, and writhing in confusion? It was Emmaus, not Jerusalem. In that Emmaus, I wanted to find joy again, hope, and go on a clear path to life.
Then the resurrected Jesus appeared. They did not know the Lord who was with them. It was not something I believed and knew because I had seen it with my own eyes. You can recognize the Lord only when the Lord comes to you and opens your eyes. When they meet the Lord who is with them through the sacrament, their eyes are opened and they can recognize the Lord. Their hearts, which were heated through the sacrament, were opened.
(It is important for children to partake of the sacrament. As they prepare to receive the sacrament, they also want to have the presence and eyes of the Holy Spirit on them.)