The Fly on the Wall

¹³ Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, ¹⁴ and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. ¹⁵ While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, ¹⁶ but their eyes were kept from recognizing him. ¹⁷ And he said to them, ‘What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?’ They stood still, looking sad. ¹⁸ Then one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answered him, ‘Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place there in these days?’ ¹⁹ He asked them, ‘What things?’ They replied, ‘The things about Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, ²⁰ and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be condemned to death and crucified him. ²¹ But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things took place. ²² Moreover, some women of our group astounded us. They were at the tomb early this morning, ²³ and when they did not find his body there, they came back and told us that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who said that he was alive. ²⁴ Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but they did not see him.’ ²⁵ Then he said to them, ‘Oh, how foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared! ²⁶ Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?’ ²⁷ Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures.  ²⁸ As they came near the village to which they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going on. ²⁹ But they urged him strongly, saying, ‘Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over.’ So he went in to stay with them. ³⁰ When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. ³¹ Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight.  Luke 24:13-31

I have heard many times from many people asking, “Were you the fly on my wall this past week?”  Apparently, the words I spoke just a half hour before, made a connection for someone and I was preaching to “them.”  I am flabbergasted every time this happens, because I was never the fly on the wall or even aware of what a person was going through.  How could I have known about the crisis or the problem or the situation you were going through, let alone have any kind of answer or solution to the problem? The Truth is I have crisis and situation to deal with.  I always try to politely thank them for the kind words, but also try to shift the attention from me speaking to Christ Jesus speaking.  I am pretty sure He was there in whatever the mire was you were stuck in, and He was the one making a connection, not me. 

I am truly blessed and privileged to be a minister of Word and Sacrament, but the good news and at time challenging news is that Jesus is the real Master of Word and Sacrament.  I might come near and walk with God’s people for a short time, but it is Jesus who truly walks with his disciples, while they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them.  Do I live in your hearts and therefore experience and accompany you in every crisis, joy, and situation?  I can share a space for a time, but it is Christ who shares all space and time with you.  He is really the fly on your wall, I am in another room completely. 

But why should He be there in our hearts to begin with?  We are exactly like the two disciples travelling to Emmaus, completely overwhelmed by the events of Holy Week and the death of Jesus as well as being astounded by the reports of the women of an empty tomb and an encounter with the risen Jesus.  But they don’t get it, they don’t understand, and they don’t believe it, oh, how foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared!  That’s when Jesus shows up.  Not when the disciples have it together, but precisely when the disciples need Jesus most.  Jesus graces his people in the crisis, the problem, and the situations when we need him most: when we are most fools, most slow of heart, or most in need of faith-help.  Jesus comes near.  Jesus, the fly on the wall.

Then he starts to work, explaining the scriptures and connecting the dots between what was promised and foretold and how he filled it all, then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures.  Jesus explains, Jesus interprets, Jesus connects, and Jesus preaches.  Jesus is the real minister that every Sunday Sermon or Thursday evening service, preaches himself to you.  So, who is really talking to you every sermon?  Who is really connecting the dots for you every homily?  Who is comforting you and who is challenging you?  Who is your real Minister of the Word?  That is why you can get it, that is why you can understand, that is why you can be comforted in your sorrows and challenged in your apathies.  Jesus is your Minister of the Word; and your hearts burn because of Him.

But how many of us also get tired on our Emmaus journeys?  How many of us ask Jesus to stay for supper, as they came near the village to which they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going on. But they urged him strongly, saying, ‘Stay with us, because it is almost evening, and the day is now nearly over.’ So, he went in to stay with them.  When the Church celebrates the Lord’s Supper or Communion or the Eucharist, who is really presiding at the table, who is really feeding or watering, who is really blessing?  I might break bread, but it is Jesus who is broken.  I might pour a cup, but it is Jesus who is poured.  I might mumble a few words, but when Jesus serves from His table, then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him.  Who is the real Minister of the Sacraments?

Friends, as I have been recently extended a call to serve as both Trinity’s and now Eastside’s permanent Minister of Word and Sacrament, I would be amiss if I didn’t remind everyone that Jesus is really your Minister, I am his quite human assistant.  He is the one who comes near and walks with you.  He is the one who ministers His Word to you, as the fly on the walls of your hearts.  He is the one who serves Himself at His table.  He is the one who ignites your hearts, and opens your eyes.  He is the Head to which we are all part of His body.  Remember that Jesus is the Living Lord and not I.  Let us all follow and depend on Him and no other.  Alleluia!  The Lord is risen.