This week, many of us in America were caught up in the wonder of the Solar Eclipse. My mom sent everyone in our family an Easter card that included the special glasses that are needed to watch the wonder. We had a rather blustery day here in Nashville, where the clouds hid the sun more than the sun was out. But I got out my glasses at the appropriate time and I watched from my window where I had watched part of the eclipse in 2017. I really couldn’t figure out if the glasses worked because I couldn’t get a glimpse of that bright light. Finally, the clouds parted, and I was able to see the beginning of the eclipse! I honestly was feeling more sad than elated because I knew that friends had traveled long distances to view it in the path of totality. One church community her in town did a weekend together to celebrate the wonder and watch for the light! Just as I was feeling a bit neglected, I got a text from a neighbor wondering if I had any extra eclipse glasses! I had two pairs total, so I ran down the street and we shared the glasses and the joy of watching the eclipse in community! Her daughter came out, and then the new neighbors next door to her including two cute little boys. We passed around the glasses and as the clouds moved out of the way and back in the way, of the sun, we all got excited about catching glimpses of this heavenly wonder. My neighbor who’d texted me, Miss Angela praised God for this amazing sight and prayed for our world. She said how much we needed this right now because it was bringing us all together, uniting us around something good and wonderful! Miss Angela gave me NEW EYES to see the wonder of the eclipse! It was a gift I needed! And a gift our country needed to bring us together!
The disciples are still in need of NEW EYES to recognize and see the Resurrection! They are still trying to come to grips with the news that Jesus is alive! READ LUKE 24: 13-35 NLT
13 That same day two of Jesus’ followers were walking to the village of Emmaus, seven miles[a] from Jerusalem. 14 As they walked along they were talking about everything that had happened. 15 As they talked and discussed these things, Jesus himself suddenly came and began walking with them. 16 But God kept them from recognizing him.
17 He asked them, “What are you discussing so intently as you walk along?”
They stopped short, sadness written across their faces. 18 Then one of them, Cleopas, replied, “You must be the only person in Jerusalem who hasn’t heard about all the things that have happened there the last few days.”
19 “What things?” Jesus asked.
“The things that happened to Jesus, the man from Nazareth,” they said. “He was a prophet who did powerful miracles, and he was a mighty teacher in the eyes of God and all the people. 20 But our leading priests and other religious leaders handed him over to be condemned to death, and they crucified him. 21 We had hoped he was the Messiah who had come to rescue Israel. This all happened three days ago.
22 “Then some women from our group of his followers were at his tomb early this morning, and they came back with an amazing report. 23 They said his body was missing, and they had seen angels who told them Jesus is alive! 24 Some of our men ran out to see, and sure enough, his body was gone, just as the women had said.”
25 Then Jesus said to them, “You foolish people! You find it so hard to believe all that the prophets wrote in the Scriptures. 26 Wasn’t it clearly predicted that the Messiah would have to suffer all these things before entering his glory?” 27 Then Jesus took them through the writings of Moses and all the prophets, explaining from all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.
28 By this time they were nearing Emmaus and the end of their journey. Jesus acted as if he were going on, 29 but they begged him, “Stay the night with us, since it is getting late.” So he went home with them. 30 As they sat down to eat,[b] he took the bread and blessed it. Then he broke it and gave it to them.
31 Suddenly, their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And at that moment he disappeared!32 They said to each other, “Didn’t our hearts burn within us as he talked with us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us?” 33 And within the hour they were on their way back to Jerusalem. There they found the eleven disciples and the others who had gathered with them, 34 who said, “The Lord has really risen! He appeared to Peter.[c]”
35 Then the two from Emmaus told their story of how Jesus had appeared to them as they were walking along the road, and how they had recognized him as he was breaking the bread.
What speaks to you today?
What do you notice from the passage that you didn’t notice before?
What questions come up for you as you listened to the passage?
How did you view the Eclipse this week or see some photos of it? Did it inspire, did you notice or care? What did you notice?
“How much joy do you get from your relationship with God? How much time do you spend relishing the wonder of who God is? These are some of the questions I ask in The Gift of Wonder that I plan to continue revisiting over the next few weeks as I reread the book. Maybe you would like to revisit The Gift of Wonder and some of its suggestions too. This week in the aftermath of the incredible solar eclipse on Monday is a great time to do that” Christine Sine
Do you feel Joy in your relationship with God/Jesus right now? Or is your relationship in need of a resurrection, a re-do, a re-up?
The disciples and followers of Jesus all got a NEW VIEW of Jesus post resurrection and they developed a NEW relationship with Him too.
Consider and Think about how these folks changed their views of Jesus…what do you notice?
Mary, mother of Jesus
Mary Magdalene
Peter
John
Thomas
The two on the way to Emmaus
These two followers of Jesus were in deep grief and despair. They were confused by all that had happened. What things are bringing you grief and/or confusion these days? Talk to Jesus about this.
Why is it so hard for us to recognize Jesus in our everyday world? What things cause you to miss Jesus?
Jesus disappears, he just leaves. Have you ever felt like you’ve seen Jesus but then lost sight of him?
These disciples don’t get discouraged by Jesus just vanishing. Instead, they rush back to tell their friends what they have seen. Who would you like to hurry back to tell about seeing Jesus? Write down their names and remember to pray for them today. Text them or send them a card just to say you are thinking of them and sending them love.
The disciples almost missed Jesus in this story. Jesus was continuing his journey, but they invited him to stay with them and come in for food. By practicing hospitality and they got to recognize Jesus. What are some ways you have experienced Jesus in the hospitality of others? How can practice hospitality in the weeks ahead in order to help people experience more of the love of Jesus and his presence?
What is helping you SEE and to recognize Jesus these days?
What do you need to practice in the days ahead to help you find new joy and/or renewed vision in your relationship with Jesus?
What can you do to recapture the wonder of nature, of God/Jesus?
READ THE POEM
Seeing God by Suellen Shay
We cannot see you
and yet in so many ways we have seen you,
We cannot touch you
but we have experienced and felt you.
You have been in the full moon and the early morning mist,
the bright blue sky
and the cool night air
after a scorching day.
You are the rock
that anchors us in uncertain times,
You are the hope
that keeps us going on a road with few signposts,
You are the presence
when we feel disoriented and estranged.
You are the compassion
that knits us even to strangers,
You are the justice
that tugs at our complacency,
You are the joy
that unexpectedly overwhelms us,
You are the love
that banishes all fear.
We praise you for revealing yourself to us in all these ways –
and for Christ, your full revelation. -SUELLEN SHAY-
ACTION: When you put on your glasses, or wear your sun glasses this week, Ask Jesus to help you recognize him in fresh ways! And pray for new eyes to see! And if you have an extra pair of sun glasses or eclipse glasses, keep them out as reminders!***
Jesus give us new eyes to see and new ears to hear your voice and experience the wonder of RESURRECTION this Eastertide! AMEN
***You can find a prayer station based on the Table at Emmaus that includes praying with Sun Glasses in AT THE TABLE WITH JESUS Sacred Space Kit