Easter Sunday

Discipleship Group Questions for

March 27, 2005

Scripture:

Luke 24:13-35

Luke 24:13 Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. 14 They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. 15 As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; 16 but they were kept from recognizing him.

Luke 24:17 He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?”

They stood still, their faces downcast. 18 One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you only a visitor to Jerusalem and do not know the things that have happened there in these days?”

Luke 24:19 “What things?” he asked.

“About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. 20 The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; 21 but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. 22 In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning 23 but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. 24 Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.”

Luke 24:25 He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.

Luke 24:28 As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus acted as if he were going farther. 29 But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them.

Luke 24:30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. 32 They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”

Luke 24:33 They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together 34 and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.” 35 Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.

Discipleship Questions:

1. The Lenten fast has ended and the Easter feast has begun! Death has been defeated! As St. Paul so aptly put it: “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death is your sting?” (1Cor 15:55). Do you really believe in the message of Easter that death has been defeated? What does Easter “really” mean to you?
2. Are you convinced that, as a Christian, you really do have eternal life? What is it that convinces you? What is it that keeps you in a state of uncertainty? Please discuss.
3. At the end of the day actual historical facts about Christ’s existence and resurrection aren’t always able to carry the day. Our personal inhibitions, prejudices, and even our world-views seem to stubbornly avoid the rational consequences of this fundamental historical fact! How then do we become convinced of the reality of our personal eventual resurrection?
4. Please read the Gospel reading in preparation for this next question. At the end of the day actual historical facts aren’t always able to carry the day!

In this incident we meet two distraught disciples of Christ who are heavy with a sense of defeat all over them. Christ had just been brutally crucified and all seemed lost. All that they had been expecting was shattered. Palpable depression lay heavily upon them when suddenly they met a fellow wayfarer who joined them on their journey. When was it that they recognized Him? Please discuss

5. The Holy Eucharist is the thing “that will carry the day.” It, above historical evidence carries Christ’s presence to us. It is God’s gift to us to help us maintain “remembrance” of who we are and the gift we have already received i.e., eternal life. Please discuss.