28 When they came to Emmaus, he acted as if he was going on ahead. 29 But they urged him, saying, “Stay with us. It’s nearly evening, and the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them. 30 After he took his seat at the table with them, he took the bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. 31 Their eyes were opened and they recognized him, but he disappeared from their sight. 32 They said to each other, “Weren’t our hearts on fire when he spoke to us along the road and when he explained the scriptures for us?”
33 They got up right then and returned to Jerusalem. They found the eleven and their companions gathered together. 34 They were saying to each other, “The Lord really has risen! He appeared to Simon!” 35 Then the two disciples described what had happened along the road and how Jesus was made known to them as he broke the bread.
Reflection
Today’s scripture is a continuation of yesterday’s story, the famous Walk to Emmaus (see yesterday’s devotion here).
The risen Jesus is not revealed to these lesser-known disciples until the moment when he breaks bread with them. Clearly, along the road, they knew that there was something different about this stranger (“Weren’t our hearts on fire when he spoke to us…?”) But it wasn’t until he sat at the table, re-enacting the scene of fellowship at the Last Supper, that they knew it was Jesus.
The story is meant to be sacramental, pointing to the experience of the early Church as they celebrated the communion meal together. Jesus was made known in the breaking of bread. It is such a simple act, but with such profound associations and feelings connected to it.
Christians of every variety, if you spend enough time around them, will talk about their potlucks, and say something along the lines of, “You know how we {Methodists, Baptists, or insert your denomination here} love to eat!”
I think the point is, it’s not just a thing your tribe likes to do together. Honestly, it’s not even something just Christians love to do together. All of us love to eat. We love to sit down at the table because it brings us together.
And maybe that’s the thing that’s most genius of all about Jesus’ approach to faith and community: he takes this thing that is the most natural, normal part of what it means to be human and he blesses it with his presence. By doing so, he makes the commonplace holy.
So the next time you hear someone making fun of how church folks love their potlucks, remember this: that potluck is every bit as holy as anything that happens in the sanctuary. Why? Because Jesus makes himself known at the table.
by Joe Monahan
For Pondering & Prayer
When have you experienced a meal as a time to build relationships and grow closer to people you care about? Why do you think Jesus gave us a meal as the central element of Christian worship?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, let our mealtimes today be moments where you are made known. Help us to see you around the table, in the faces of those we love. Help us to sense your presence and your care for us through the food and the connections. Amen.
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