The Third Traveler

Beyond believing God can bring utter, unexpected hope even in the face of the world’s deepest darkness – literally life out of death, the most remarkable aspect of the Easter story for me is how very honest it is about doubt. When confronted with an empty tomb and reports of encounters with the risen Christ, no one believed. They all needed physical proof; they needed to see and touch and talk with Jesus. They needed personal knowledge of the risen Christ.

That fact raises an alarming question that was on the minds of the faithful Bible seekers at Seneca Presbyterian Church when we gathered this week. One in our midst, an attorney by profession, reminded us that a witness in order to be credible has to have personal knowledge of an event. Hearsay evidence – even reliable hearsay – is not sufficient. So how can we, who live 2000 years removed from that first Easter, come to faith? Who can be our “witness” or must we rely on the hearsay evidence of the Church passed on from generation to generation to generation for 2000 years? Granted, that hearsay evidence is substantial. A lot of people have believed, and their testimony is strong. But is it sufficient to inspire faith in others?  

          It is a question that must have been on the minds and hearts of the gospel writers, too. Their gospels were not finally written down until late in the first century, years after Jesus. It was during a time when the eye witnesses were dying. How could new generations come to faith? John simply commended those who did. In his story of “doubting” Thomas, Jesus says: “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen, yet have come to believe”. But Luke goes one step further. Luke gives us the amazing story of Emmaus.

          There are some Bible stories that have to be heard every year. Certainly Luke’s Christmas story with its angels and shepherds is one of them. The story of women encountering an empty tomb is another. For me, the story of two disciples journeying away from Jerusalem on the first Easter day is another “must tell” story. That’s because it’s a story for us.

          It’s a story that says the living, real presence of the risen Christ can come to us even when we don’t see him; even when our sorrow and doubt cloud the physical seeing of our eyes and the spiritual seeing of our hearts. It’s a story that says the risen Christ will linger with us until we do see. He will be our companion on the journey, teaching us along the way. Then he will give us an unmistakable sign, and when we see it, our eyes will be opened, and everything will make sense. Everything will be new.

          We’ll examine just how all that happens when we gather for worship on the Sunday after Easter at Seneca Prez. If you don’t know this story, you can find it in Luke 24:13-35. There you will see what Christians have been doing ever since that first Easter – in order to create more “witnesses” for every generation that followed. We have gathered to study the scriptures, trusting in the presence of the Spirit to guide us. And we have gathered for worship – for the “breaking of the bread” – trusting it is there we meet the risen Christ. Even today.