“Connecting the Dots” – Luke 24:36-48 – April 26, 2009
The disciples were "startled and frightened" when Jesus appeared in their midst. They thought they had seen a ghost. I can’t honestly say that I never saw a ghost, but I can say that I have experienced many things in my life that are a mystery. It’s hard to accept those things we can’t explain. We are so conditioned to think logically and scientifically that embracing the irrational is not part of our common experience.
No Church historian or theologian can systematically prove the resurrection of Jesus. Ultimately the believer accepts it based on faith, not facts. When Jesus appeared to the remaining eleven disciples in John, he did however provide evidence to support his resurrection from the dead. He gave them visual proof as evidenced by showing them his hands and feet. Then he invited them to touch him. He further explained his appearance by eating a piece of broiled fish. Then he spoke to them and told them the story of the scriptures.
Following his convincing demonstration Jesus then challenged the disciples to go into the world and preach “repentance and forgiveness of sins.” We know they did because we now have the gospel and the Church which grew from their witness. The key phrase in this story is the phrase, “You are witnesses of these things.” In other words, the disciples had first hand knowledge of the resurrection and whether or not anyone would believe their story depended on their personal testimony and the willingness of their listeners to believe.
Before Jesus sent them into the world he first provided comfort for their anxiety. In the midst of their brokenness and confusion he inspired them and extended a greeting of “peace.” They were struggling for hope and assurance and striving for identity in a cruel and hostile world. Jesus had empathy for them as he shared their grief and disbelief.
I believe that Jesus is here for us anytime we experience a crisis. But like the disciples, we don’t always recognize him. Perhaps we don’t make the connection that the loving presence we experience is none other than Jesus Christ himself. He makes his presence known, but we either ignore his presence or don’t believe it is really Jesus who is with us. Jesus came with a calming presence, reassuring the disciples that God had not deserted them. They were afraid, uncertain about the future. Nevertheless, Jesus was with them.
Perhaps what really happened that day is that the disciples were able to connect the dots. First, Jesus was a calming presence, an experience the disciples would have fondly remembered on many occasions. Take for example the time Jesus calmed the storm while the disciples were on the Sea of Galilee. Or more recently, when they were hiding behind closed doors, for fear of the Jews. “Peace be with you,” he announced as he appeared to them. He could have just as easily have said, “Have no fear, it is I.”
One time a man was vacationing in the Bahamas. He went sightseeing one afternoon and noticed a crowd had gathered at the end of a pier. He went closer to investigate and discovered that a young man was making his last minute preparations for a solo journey around the world in a home made sail boat. Without exception, everyone was trying to talk him out of his voyage. One said, “The sun will broil you.” Another said, “You don’t have enough food.” And another said, “Your boat won’t make it in a storm.”
In spite of their dire warnings, the young sailor pushed away from the dock. As he sailed away, the tourist ran to the end of the pier with both arms waving wildly. Then he shouted, “Bon Voyage! You’re really something. We’re with you and we’re proud of you. Hurry back!” The crowd then stared at the man with looks of disbelief. “Do you really believe that?” one man asked. The tourist replied, “I don’t know. But if he gets into trouble, I hope he remembers my words, not yours.”
Jesus wants us to remember his words as a calming presence. When we hear, “have no fear” or “the Lord is with you,” we connect the dots to the calming presence of Jesus.
Secondly, Jesus asked the disciples for food. This was not the first time he had made that request. Remember when he challenged them to feed the 5,000? They brought two fish and five loaves of bread and distributed it to the crowd who had gathered. They would have easily made the connection between Jesus’ request for a piece of fish and the miracle of the feeding of the 5,000. They likely connected the moment to the Passover meal in the upper room too.
The last two weeks I have been eating leftovers. For lunches I have had ham sandwiches and for breakfast I have been eating hard-boiled eggs. When I eat those two foods I remember our family Easter dinner. I hear the grandchildren, playing together, and I hear the voices of the adults engaged in conversations. It was no less true for the disciples. When they gathered for dinner, they remembered.
One time a businessman called his wife to get her permission to bring home a visiting foreigner for dinner. At the time his wife had three children in school and a preschooler at home, so she had a full workload. But, she consented and prepared a delicious dinner for their guest. The foreigner was an important official from Spain. He had a delightful time and thanked the couple for their hospitality and especially the man’s wife for a wonderful dinner.
Years later, some friends of the same family went to Spain as missionaries. Their work came to a standstill however because of some government regulations. The Spanish official who had eaten dinner with the family in the US got word that the missionaries were friends of the family that had hosted him. He then proceeded to use his influence to clear the way of government restrictions so the missionaries could continue their work. A new church now exists today in that province of Spain because one person was invited to dinner.
We connect the dots when we see the power of the common meal. Whether 5,000 have been fed or disciples have gathered for a Passover meal, breaking bread keeps the faith alive and well.
Third, “Jesus opened their minds to understand the scriptures.” He retold the story of their faith and reminded them of his death and resurrection. Once again the disciples connected the dots since they were intimately familiar with the stories of their faith and the lessons they had learned during their three years with Jesus.
Jesus taught them in parables or stories. Stories are easy to remember and with a story it is much simpler to retain a lesson. What do we do when we gather for family meals, reunions or even in the classroom? We tell stories. I once had an 84-year-old woman in my first parish who attended our weekly bible study. One day she stood up and said, “You know, I have been reading my bible all my life. Today I have come to realize that the bible is not prose. The bible is a series of stories that teach us about faith.”
A young, Thomas Wilson attended all the best schools in Augusta, Maine. He had a superior education. But Thomas attributed his real education to his father who was a pastor. Every Sunday, his father would sit him on the floor and tell him stories that had to do with world affairs, literature and theology. Thomas eventually earned a doctorate degree at Princeton University. He was later elected the governor of New Jersey. Thomas Wilson, better know as Woodrow Wilson, became president of the United States. He credits his knowledge to all the stories he had learned from his father.
Perhaps people don’t connect the dots since they do not share a common meal with other people of the faith. Or, perhaps some haven’t taken the time to read the key stories of the faith. Jesus will come. He comes when we gather together for a common meal. He comes when we hear the stories of the faith. He is always a calming presence in our moments of despair. "Peace, be with you."
Dr. Keith Wagner