Scriptures: Acts 2:14a,36-41; Psalm 116:1-3, 10-17; 1 Peter 1:17-23; Luke 24:13-35
Reflection by Kit Allgood-Mellema, Worship Leader
19 April 2026, 3rd Sunday of Easter, Yr A
The Apostle Luke really knows how to tell a story – the best kind of story, one that leaves you waiting for more, that begs you to ask questions and look deeper. In today’s gospel, Luke tells a story about a mystery but he leaves the mystery for us to explore. So I began to look at today’s gospel in the spirit of that storytelling expertise.
In today’s reading, there were two disciples on the road. Who were they? One was named Cleopas. Or maybe Clopas. There is debate about his identity. His wife might have Mary who was present with Jesus’ mother Mary at the crucifixion. He might have been the brother of Joseph. His companion’s identity is lost to us, but they must have been good friends, friends who were on what might have been a deserted road going to a village called Emmaus, about 7 miles from Jerusalem. Emmaus means ‘hot springs,’ and there were several hot springs around Jerusalem. The exact location is a mystery.
I guess the walk would have been about 2 ½ hours. But in those fear-filled days, what were they doing out on the road? Why were they not in hiding with the others? Were they going home and planning to hide with their families? They were so engrossed in their grief and sadness, in deep conversation about the events of the past few days, they barely realized there was someone walking alongside them! Fortunately, it was not a Roman soldier who might have arrested them, or someone who meant them harm. When the stranger asked about their discussion, they willingly shared their story about the death of the teacher, the messiah they had been hoping for, the prophet who had died. But, they shared, some of the women of our group claim to have seen his tomb empty earlier in the day. Maybe he had risen and is alive? Maybe there is still hope?
The stranger listened to them, and then they listened to him as he began to tell them the things they should have remembered from the scriptures, the stories they had forgotten in their grief, the stories and lessons of the prophets that were about the teacher they were mourning. And the three continued walking.
As was common hospitality in those days, when they arrived at the village, the two men invited the stranger to come home with them, to stay them and share a meal. The story of the two disciples suddenly recognizing Jesus as he began to bless and share their meal is awesome and startling, as is the image of Jesus suddenly disappearing from their sight. As shocked as they were, they knew this was a story to be shared. The two immediately began a hurried 7-mile journey back to Jerusalem as night was falling. When they arrived and began to tell the others Jesus had appeared to them in the breaking of the bread, they heard that others had seen Jesus too.
This was the last we heard of Cleopas and his companion in the gospels, but these two leave us with a lot of questions. As I thought about some of the mysteries – and clues - Luke gave us, I realized Cleopas and his companion were more than just two people in a short passage of the Bible. These two left us a blueprint for discipleship!
Our faith, our being disciples of Jesus, doesn’t happen in a vacuum, and Cleopas and his companion show us that. Even in their grief and later in their amazement, they were sharing the words that would bring Jesus to the world, the good news, the hard news, the news of love. When a stranger appeared, they openly and honestly shared with him. And then they listened!! They didn’t assume the stranger had nothing to say about Jesus. They listened to the words the stranger offered and they learned from him. They offered companionship and a meal. And when they realized their companion was the risen Christ, they immediately returned to share the story.
Our baptismal covenant could have been written from the story of Cleopas and his companion. Let’s take a look at the covenant - I invite you to turn to page 293 of our prayer book and follow along.
The covenant begins: ‘Will you continue in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of the bread, and in the prayers?’ Cleopas and his friend lived this promise as they walked, shared words of good news, and shared a table, a home, a meal with a ‘stranger.’
And the covenant continues: ‘Will you persevere in resisting evil, and, whenever you fall into sin, repent and return to the Lord?’ The two disciples did not give in to the snare of fear and grief, or to the idea that they might know everything about Jesus. They allowed their eyes to be opened to the presence and blessings of Jesus.
‘Will you proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ?’ In all their actions, Cleopas and his friend showed us what sharing the Good News looks like.
‘Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself?’ Greeting strangers and showing hospitality, sharing a meal and a safe refuge are some of the many ways we can show love to our neighbors.
‘Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being?’ Not knowing who he was, the disciples treated the stranger on the road as an equal, as someone who deserved to be heard, fed and given sanctuary. They didn’t question his beliefs, his origins, or his intentions. They saw someone like themselves, with needs to be met and a story to tell.
They showed us how to be disciples.
Thanks be to God!