Sermon: Wittenberg Academy Family Retreat – Camp Okoboji, IA (Vespers) – Apr 23, 2021

23 April 2021

Text: Luke 24:13-35

 In the name of + Jesus.  Amen.

 Christ is risen!  He is risen indeed!  Alleluia!

 “Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent.”  At the time, this was understood by Cleopas and the other disciple as a polite invitation to a fellow weary traveler – one who had Good News to tell them in the midst of the confusing and disturbing news that was all that everybody was talking about.

 Of course, this fellow weary traveler was the risen Lord Jesus Christ, but “their eyes were kept from recognizing him.”  Nevertheless, this man’s teaching was intriguing, and they wanted to hear more of His profound Word.  For “beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things” having to do with the recently crucified Jesus.

And so they asked Him to stay with them and continue the conversation.  They were hungry for more.

And of course as all travelers know, whether they are walking on foot to Emmaus, or driving or flying to Camp Okoboji, traveling makes one hungry.  And this mysterious traveler is not only about to eat with them, but He is going to share with them the best meal that they will ever eat, and the best news that they will ever hear.  For “when he was at table with them, He took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened, and they recognized Him.”  They recognized Him, dear friends, when He said, “This is My body.” The Sacrament brought the Word to life, even as the Word makes mere bread the Sacrament.  They recognized Him in the bread, in the Supper, in the Law, in the Prophets, in the Psalms, in all the Scriptures, in the Preaching, in the cross, in the resurrection, and in the Sacrament of the Altar!  They recognized Him in the Good News of forgiveness, life, and salvation.  Yes, indeed, “Lord Jesus Christ, with us abide!”

For this is the Christian life, dear friends, for we too recognize Him in the Supper.  We too hear the Good News of who He is and what He does.  We too recognize Him in all the Scriptures, and He invites us to His table as disciples on the road to eternity.    

And like the disciples on the road to Emmaus, we confess with our fellow believers and travelers, and we confess to the unbelieving world as well: “The Lord has risen indeed!”  And with these disciples and with Christians of every time and place, we pray:

Abide with us, Lord, for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent.  Abide with us and with Your whole Church.  Abide with us at the end of the day, at the end of our life, at the end of the world.  Abide with us in Your grace and goodness, with Your holy Word and Sacrament.

Stay with us, Lord, and keep us true:
Preserve our faith our whole life through –
Your Word alone, our heart’s defense,
The Church’s glorious confidence

Amen.

Christ is risen!  He is risen indeed!  Alleluia!

In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.