Road to Emmaus ... Contemporary hymn for Easter season

I think that of all the resurrection appearances of Jesus, my favorite is the story of the encounter on the road to Emmaus. These two followers, in their grief and sadness, are returning home. Their lives have changed; they don't understand; they have so many unanswered questions; they feel despair and hopelessness.

Jesus comes along beside them. They don't recognize him because they can't. They're so caught up in what they've been through and what they are going through now that they can't see him for who he really is. They can't believe that he doesn't know all that's gone on these past days. After all, everyone in Jerusalem must have known. It was the talk of the city and of all the pilgrims there for the holy festival. So they explained it all to him. And he listened to their lament even though he was all too aware of what went on.

Jesus then re-told all the stories of their faith, from the prophets of old on. He reiterated that God had promised that a Messiah would come and bring salvation and redemption. But that wouldn't happen without suffering, pain, death and even grief. But God's glory would prevail.

As they reach Emmaus, it looked like this fellow traveler on the road was going to journey on further down the road. It was late, why not stop and spend the night with them. The conversation was good; they were enjoying the fellowship and the reflecting together, even if they didn't really get what he was saying to them. He knew so much; he was so well informed. There was something about him.

Jesus did stay, at least for a brief period of time. And in that time he did what needed to be done for them to recognize him for who he was. He sat at the dinner table with them; he broke bread with them. At that very moment they recognized and knew him for who he was. It all now made perfect sense. That's why they were so taken with him and all he had to say to them.

But, they couldn't keep it to themselves, and they weren't supposed to. They knew they had to tell the story to the others. They needed to indeed celebrate and rejoice because Jesus wasn't dead; he was very much alive; and, he had appeared and journeyed along the road with them.

We too need to recognize the presence of the risen Christ with us on our journeys through life, whatever the name of the roads we take. How profound it is when we too break bread and know that real presence that brings joy in the midst of sadness; healing in the midst of brokenness; light in the midst of darkness; hope in the midst of despair.

Thank God for the disciples on the road to Emmaus; thank God for their story, for it is our story too.

These thoughts inspired me to write this hymn, "As they Walked Along Emmaus Road" sung to the tune Kingsfold (CMD).

As they walked along Emmaus road, full of grief and in despair,
This stranger came along with them who would help them be aware.
Jesus was dead, there was no hope, he was buried in his tomb.
But they’d find new life for there was hope even in the midst of gloom.

Imagine if they recognized the risen Christ with them.
But the time had yet to be fulfilled when they’d see the valued gem.
All the things they could have said to him, all the things his death had bought.
They really didn’t understand despite the things he’d taught.

So he opened up the Word for them, a word to set them free.
The Messiah had to suffer, into glory then he’d be.
Open up your eyes, your ears, your hearts; believe and be made whole.
Learn the story of God’s glory; let freedom fill your soul.

At the edge of town they asked him, come with us and spend the night.
Come to dinner, come and sleep well; til the morning light is bright.
So he sat with them at supper, and he took and he broke the bread,
It was then the truth revealed itself, he was risen from the dead.

To stand on holy, sacred ground, spirit fed and hearts aflame.
What a privilege to walk this road! What a faith and hope to claim!
Alleluia, Christ is raised indeed, made known in breaking bread!
Alleluia! God’s true promise; a message to be spread.

As we gather at your table, Lord, fill our hunger, quench our thirst.
May we now relive the story trusting death has been reversed.
Break the bread with us and pass the cup; through this mystery amaze.
Yes! The tomb is empty and we live. Boldly now proclaim God’s praise!

Text: copyright, The Rev. Mark Kinghan, 2009. Not to be reproduced or redistributed in any form without the express written permission of the author.