And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.
(Luke 24:27)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Christ is risen! He has risen indeed. Allelu-ia! Easter has come. Jesus’ disciples are still in the dark. They heard the mes-sage that Christ has been raised but they did not believe it. Why not? The chief priests and our rulers hand-ed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. (Luke 24)
Here's Jesus, walking on the road with them, keeping them from recognizing Him, but Christ is teaching them how everything in the Bible was written to point to Him. What's the Old Testament about? Jesus. They should have known He would rise from the dead.
Jesus confronts their unbelief. “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. (Luke 24)
So it is with us. We won't recognize Jesus until we learn His Word. How can you learn about your Savior un-less you learn it from His Word? Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ. (Romans 10)
So your pastor teaches you the Bible and the Catechism. Then what? Eating and drinking Jesus' body and blood. This little trip along the road to Emmaus teaches us that we are totally dependent on Christ for every-thing. They learned the Word, then they ate the Supper.
That's how you know this Jesus who is risen. After He was risen, Jesus showed Himself to His Disciples. That was so they could recognize and see that it was really Him. Now He comes to us in His Word and Sacra-ments. By water and the word, by body and blood. In the Scriptures is where we will recognize Jesus.
These are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. (John 20) The risen Lord Jesus makes sure we know right where He is, right where He is present to forgive and save us: in the Baptismal Fount, in the breaking of the bread, Holy Com-munion. Jesus brings Easter to you. Jesus is right where He promises to be in His Holy Word and Blessed Sacraments serving you. Christ is risen! He has risen indeed. Alleluia! In the Name of Jesus. Amen.
-Pastor Berndt
474 Alleluia! Jesus Is Risen
Walking the way, Christ in the center
Telling the story to open our eyes;
Breaking our bread, Giving us glory:
Jesus our blessing, our constant surprise.
Jesus is risen and we shall arise:
Give God the glory! Alleluia!