“. . . but their eyes were kept from recognizing him.” – Luke 24:16

“Who was that masked man?” As did many of you, I watched the “Lone Ranger” as a youngster. I’ll not forget his “Hi-ho, Silver! Away!” And, he always left a silver bullet. The Lone Ranger always did good. He was there when help was most needed. And never did he shy away from tough circumstances. With his faithful sidekick, Tonto, the Lone Ranger was ever vigilant to fight against injustice, corruption, and injustice. Reminds me of another “unrecognizable” guy.

Who might that be? Well, Cleopas and his unnamed friend didn’t recognize the stranger who joined them as they trudged from Jerusalem on their return trip to their home in Emmaus. For all they knew, the man was just some trav-eling salesman, and if so, they probably hoped they could avoid his sales pitch. That didn’t work so well for them. Oh, the “salesman” did “sell” them something, but it wasn’t what they might have expected. Instead, he shared the scriptures to them.

Would we recognize Jesus if he came among us? I’ve often wondered. How might he be received? Would he be welcomed in the church today? What might he think about what happens our churches? Would he be pleased? Disappointed? Angry? The church (and that’s the greater church of any denomination) may assume it is being “the church,” but are we? Good questions all, and they are questions that cannot be ignored, and must be addressed.

We followers of Christ, living in the first part of the 21st century, are far removed from Jesus’ death and resurrection. Thomas questioned: “Unless IL see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe” (John 20:25b). Jesus’ death and subsequent resurrection happened so long ago that it may seem unreal. Did it really happen? Even Cleopas and his unnamed companion had first-hand knowledge of Jesus, or so we can infer from the text in Luke. But, we, that’s another story.

I feel that at times I go around with blinders. I look for Christ, but I feel I can’t see him. Where do we find Jesus? To paraphrase Dr. James Cone, a professor (retired) of theology at Union Seminary, we more than likely find Jesus in the midst of the poor, the oppressed, and the marginalized of society. In fact, Dr. Cone said, and I paraphrase, “unless one does their theology in the midst of the poor, one is not Christian.” That, my sisters and brothers, is a very tough statement.

I believe it behooves the church to ponder the questions above. Where might we see the risen Christ among us? And, if we don’t, whose fault might it be? The church always should be in the process of examining itself and its mo-tives. After all, ministry is the work of the church. It is not ancillary to anything else. As Matthew might say, we serve Christ when we serve the “other” among us. When we tend to the poor, the hungry, the thirsty, the homeless, the sick, or the imprisoned. I have to reread Matthew 25:31-46 (“The Judgment of the Nations”) periodically to be remind-ed of this. It is not a work of the church. It is the work of the church. See you on the journey.

Grace and peace,

Mike

April 30, 2017