Walking with the risen Jesus (Luke 24) - the journey, the scripture, the meal, the mission

On the first Easter Sunday, Jesus appeared to two disciples walking home to a village called Emmaus.
They were walking with the risen Jesus, and they didn't realise it.
Jesus encounters them in four ways: the journey, the scripture, the meal, the mission.
The Journey: Jesus meets them where they are at, in the midst of their grief and pain. He listens to their story. Likewise, the risen Jesus meets us on our own journeys. His presence is often only discernable in hindsight, especially in the traumatic and difficult times. But he meets us where we are at, not demanding that we be something we are not.
The Scripture: Jesus opens the Scripture to them. Afterwards they say 'Weren't our hearts burning within us as he talked with us and opened the Scriptures to us?' Likewise, the risen Jesus encounters us through the Scripture, by the power of the Holy Spirit.
The Meal: Jesus invites our invitation. He won't force himself on us or coerce us. In hospitality, we often encounter the risen Jesus. Yet he becomes our host, feeding us with the great Meal of Holy Communion.
The Mission: the disciples rush back to Jerusalem to tell others the good news that Jesus is risen. We get to share in the joy of spreading the news to others!

Our new Lutheran church in Pakenham will be based around the journey, the scripture, the meal, the mission. We will walk with the risen Jesus in daily life.
This sermon MP3 includes the Gospel reading from Luke 24. It was preached at the gathering of Lakeside Community Lutheran Church in Pakenham on Easter Sunday morning.