In the Beginning was the Meal

Luke 24:1-31a.

. . . but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them . . .

The women’s testimony about going to the tomb and not finding the body of Jesus—their testimony that Jesus is risen!—these are the words that the disciples of Jesus think are nonsense.

Their words seem to them an idle tale. . . an unlikely story . . . just plain nonsense. When you put someone in a tomb, that is that. Right? You don’t wait around for the person to reappear so you can take up where you left off. That’s nonsense.

These words seem an idle tale, because the disciples know what they know. They do not remember the words Jesus spoke to them while he was still with them. Well, I guess the women don’t blame them too much. For they had themselves gone to the tomb earlier on this day looking for Jesus’ dead body!

They arrived at the tomb with spices in their hands, and when they did not find his body, they were confused. They stood there puzzled. They did not as yet remember the words Jesus had spoken to them while he was still with them.

And then, while standing there in the empty tomb with spices in their hands, two men in white asked them why they were looking for the living among the dead. Why? Why are they looking for Jesus’ body? They are looking for his dead body because they watched him die.

“But, my dear Sisters,” the men said, “Jesus is not here; he is risen. Remember —remember—what he told you when he was still in Galilee: that the Son of man was destined to be handed over into the power of sinful men and be crucified, and rise again on the third day.” And with this gentle reminder, the women remembered—they remembered the words of Jesus.

But, the disciples to whom they tell these things—to them, their words seem an idle tale—an unlikely story—just plain nonsense. They do not remember the words of Jesus. Now, their story just might have ended right there. But, Luke tells us it did not.

Later on this same day, two of these same disciples are trudging their weary way down the seven dusty miles from the city of Jerusalem to the village of Emmaus. These two have been a part of the grand adventure of following Jesus. But, now, that is over, Jesus is dead, and they are walking back to their home. All of their hopes have proven empty.
They had hoped that he was the one who would set Israel free. But, with his death, their hope for freedom died also.

A stranger catches up to them on the road, a stranger with a face like all faces. This stranger is, of course, the Risen Jesus, the bright morning star of God’s new day, but in the dimness of their own discouragement, they do not know him.

When he asks them about their sadness, they are so absorbed in their sorrow that they cannot believe that he does not know all about what has happened in Jerusalem. So, they tell him about their experience over the last few days. They tell him about his own ministry and his death. They even tell him about the women’s idle tale—that unlikely story—that bit of nonsense about Jesus being raised from the dead.

Then Jesus engages them in his own story in the pages of the scriptures—starting with Moses and going through all the Prophets. And although their hearts are warmed by the telling, they still do not remember the words of Jesus that he spoke to them while he was with them.

Soon they come to the village that is their destination, but Jesus appears to be continuing his journey. So, they urge him to stay with them. “The day is almost over,” they say. “The day is almost over.” Oh, how little they know!

This day is Easter! It is the first day of God’s new creation. It is just the beginning of God’s new world. But, to these disheartened followers of Jesus, Easter has not come yet. It is just another Sunday afternoon—the first day of just another week like all other weeks—an endless string of days where nothing changes, everything goes on just as it is.

“The day is almost over,” they say, “Come eat with us, and rest, and be safe.” And so it is that the Risen Jesus sits down at table with them, and bread is placed before them. Just an ordinary loaf of bread baked this very day. And Jesus takes it up in his hands, before the eyes of the weary, hungry travelers. He dips the bread into the salt. And he gives thanks:

Baruch atah adonai Eloheinu melek ha-olam ha-mitzvah lehem mi-ha-eretz.

Blessed is the Lord our God, King of the universe, who causes bread to come forth from the earth.

Who causes bread to come forth from the earth—

And the Risen Jesus breaks the bread and he hands it to them.

—and the earth shifts on its axis— time stands still—and they remember his words—they remember the words of Jesus—those strange, mysterious words he spoke on that last night—

This is my body which is given for you; do this, and remember me.

And they remember— And the eyes of both of them open and they know—him.

Easter rises! He lives! It is the first day of God’s new creation. It is the beginning of God’s new world. And from Jesus’ own hand they receive the bread of its first meal. The meal that opens their eyes to know him who is life.

In the old world, the first meal was the moment when Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit. And the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked. The direct result of the eating of that first meal was new and unwelcomed knowledge—knowledge that led to death—to the expulsion from the garden of God’s presence and denied access to the tree of life.

Now, this other couple are at table in God’s new world. The direct result of the eating of this first meal is new, also; but it is greatly welcomed knowledge: And the eyes of both of them are opened and they know him. This is the meal that signifies that the long exile of the human race is over at last. At the entrance to the garden of God’s presence, the mighty winged cherubim have withdrawn with the fiery flashing sword, and the way is open at last to the tree of life. This is the ultimate redemption. This is the start of the new creation.

In the beginning was the meal—

Baruch atah adonai—

Blessed is the Lord our God, King of the Universe, who causes bread to come forth from the earth!

Amen!