W.I.J.D.? ~ Luke 24::13-35 ~ Third Sunday of Easter

During my teenage years, these WWJD wristbands were showing up on just about everyone who was a Christian—and even many who were not.  These four letters, asking “What would Jesus do?” functioned as a kind of moral compass for living in a world full of temptations.  For once, it was “cool” to love Jesus!

But the question “what would Jesus do” wasn’t really on the minds  of his disciples in the days after his death.   They were simply trying to make sense of the fact that he was now dead.  They were trying to make sense of his teachings, his deeds of power, and their hopes that “he was the one who would redeem Israel.”  So there was no shortage of disappointment and anguish here.  And then, the women came along and told them that Jesus’ body was gone from the tomb, and that angels told them he was alive.  For them, that was just too outrageous to believe.

Then, as two of them walked along on the road to Emmaus, they meet a man who asks them what they’re talking about.  It’s Jesus—but they don’t know it’s him.  That is, until Jesus begins to explain what had been written of him in the Scriptures.  Later, they sit down, break bread together, and the instant that they realize that the man is Jesus, he disappears from sight. 

Later on, they go to the eleven disciples and tell them the big news—and Jesus appears again!  Still, they cannot believe what they’re seeing.  It must be a ghost; a spirit; anything but Christ in the flesh  Then, Jesus says, “why are you scared?  Why do you doubt?”

Are we any different from them?  Do we believe Jesus is alive—and just as importantly, do we believe he’s with us?  Closer to us than a bright-colored wristband, or a cross on our neck?  And are we really mindful of him as he walks with us?

There is always, of course, the problem of simply not believing that he’s with us.  Fears and doubts speak so loudly, in the wake of disappointments, heartbreaks, and unanswered prayers.  How often it is that we’re desperate for that “peace that passes understanding” that only Jesus can give, but still we tremble, anxious and afraid.

But there’s another reason why we do not experience his presence.  Look at how busy we are: how much we have to do with so little time we have to do it.   We multi-task just about everything we do, turning our cars into offices and living rooms.  TVs, cell-phones, other portable electronic devices constantly call out for our attention.  We rush about with expectations to meet, plans to keep, and hopes to squeeze what little fun out of life we possibly can.  We simply don’t make time for Jesus. 

So, the real problem here is not the question of whether or not Jesus is with us.  The problem is our mindfulness of Jesus; or rather, or lack of mindfulness of Jesus and his Word.

But this doesn’t stop Jesus from showing up, and making his presence known.  The doubt and disbelief of the disciples was no match for Jesus.  He opened their eyes to see him.  Immediately, they became mindful of how their hearts burned as he spoke with them on the road. 

You see, Jesus doesn’t stand at the door of your life and knock.  Jesus walks right through it, fully determined that you know him and live in relationship to him.  He knows the tremendous power of fear and doubt.  He knows how noisy the world can be.  And he loves us too much to exist as an afterthought or a faint hope.  He is with us to forgive our sins and turn our hearts to God; to calm our fears and bind up our brokenness; and to draw us into the peace that passes understanding.  Jesus is reclaiming this world and its people as his own.  Death and the devil aren’t going to destroy it.

So how can we become more mindful of Jesus?  How can we live so that he’s truly the Lord of our lives and our days?

Surely the question “what would Jesus do” can help to guide us through life’s temptations.  But today’s Gospel calls for a much bigger question than that…  What is Jesus doing?  We know he’s here!  So what is he doing in love for you ad for your neighbor?  What is he doing to reveal his compassion and mercy to the world?

Today, Jesus challenges us all to consider how we can be more mindful of his presence in daily life.  This isn’t easy.  It takes time.  It takes commitment.  It takes surrender, in confessing how desperately we need him.  But Jesus wants to be known.  This can be done.

We have to be people of the Word.  We must read it, learn it, and know it, through and through. 

We must eat at his table—because he reveals himself in the breaking of the bread.  We don’t partake of holy communion each week because it’s tradition.  We come because of his promises.

Thirdly, we must come together as Christ’s Body.  We each have an important role to play in each other’s lives.  We build each other up in faith—which we do as we pray, we encourage, and we support.

But there’s more Jesus invites us to do then these.  We must pray.  And as we pray, we must think back other the day, and ponder the good that he’s given to us.  We must pray with a readiness to do good by him in the future. 

I’m including a prayer I love to pray every night that keeps this in focus—which comes from the Night Prayer service in our hymnal, which goes like this:

Gracious God, we give you thanks for the day, especially for the good we were permitted to give and to receive; the day is now past and we commit it to you. We entrust to you the night; we rest securely, for you are our help, and you neither slumber nor sleep; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

There is always good to do and to receive—because Jesus is with us.  We cannot control of influence how Jesus will show up or what he will do.  But still, what comfort that comes in knowing he’s with us.  Mindfulness of Jesus begins by trusting Jesus—and being prepared to do good in his name when he calls you by yours.