Yes, this post is very late. Life got in the way, as it sometimes does. Our meeting on May 4 focused on the disciples walking on the road to Emmaus, a follow up on the previous week's discussion about what it takes for us to believe that Christ rose.
In this story Jesus is equipping the disciples with the tools they will need to carry The Message out into the world. They have learned what to say during their time in ministry with Jesus on Earth. How many times did he sit the group down for a parable or two? After his resurrection they seem in need of focusing. He re-instructs them on the scriptures of the Old Testament that will allow them to connect with the Jews in their audience, but also provide prophecy that anyone could see fulfilled in Jesus. He eats the fish so they can honestly, believingly claim they saw his risen body. He hides his identity from them until they break bread together to give them the understanding that not everyone will recognize him at the same time in the same way. He is teaching them how to say the what.
The infamous "they" say that it takes 21 separate encounters with Christ before a person is ready to make a commitment. This knowledge gives us the opportunity to reflect not only on our own experiences, but how we provide those opportunities for others through the ministry of our congregation. We do a good job of knowing the "what", but I think the "how" is more important. Looking back at how Jesus equipped the people who had walked with him in the flesh helps me remember to be more open and diverse and accepting of the world views I encounter in our community. As "they" say, "God does not call the equipped, he equips the called."
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