Open Minds

There is an interesting phrase in the Gospel reading for last Sunday, Easter 3: “then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures.” I wonder why he hadn’t done it sooner? I mean throughout their time together, the twelve are often pictured as failing to understand, or misunderstanding, or bumbling along with only partial understanding. Wouldn’t it have been easier on everybody if Jesus had open their minds at the very beginning? Or maybe at the Last Supper? Or at least somewhere along the way?

The more I thought about it, the less literal I decided to take this. I think maybe Luke was using a metaphor. Then I remembered a story that might help it all make sense. It’s a story told of an explorer who a century ago had just returned to his country from the Amazon.

The people at home were eager to learn all about the vast and mighty river and the country surrounding it. But how he wondered, could he ever describe it to them - how could he ever put into words the feelings that flooded into his heart when he saw the exotic flowers and heard the night sounds of the jungle. How could he communicate to them the smells the filled the air and the sense of danger and excitement that would come whenever he and his fellows explorers encountered strange animals or paddled through treacherous rapids?

So the explorer did what all good explorers do - he said to the people, "go and find out for yourselves what it is like," and to help them he drew a map of the river pointing out the various features of its course and describing some of the dangers and some of the routes that could be used to avoid those dangers.

The people took the map and they framed and hung on the wall of the local science museum so that everyone could look at it. Some made copies of it. After a period of time many of those who made copies for themselves considered themselves experts on the river – and indeed they knew its every turn and bend, they knew how broad it was and how deep, where the rapids were and where the falls were. They knew the river and they instructed others in what it was like whenever those people indicated an interest in it. But the reality was, of course, they had no idea what the area was like—they had no frame of reference.

Until Jesus was actually resurrected and the disciples actually saw him, could they really understand what he had been saying? I think it would be a lot like looking at that map. Or maybe, to use a more contemporary example, it would be like watching a Discovery Channel story on the pyramids of Egypt and think you really understand how big they are.

Maybe the question for us is that: are we looking at an ancient map or a TV program when it comes to our faith in Jesus’ resurrection? Or have we too had actual living encounters with him? In Luke, the disciples first thought Jesus was ghost or apparition, insubstantial and unreal. Luke is at pains to point out that Jesus is very substantial. Jesus shows his wounds and invites them to touch him. Then to top it off, he eats some fish. What more proof could he give that this Jesus was the same Jesus they had spent time with before the crucifixion? That he had really come back from death?

But what about us? How do we see Jesus two thousand years later? Please forgive my abruptness, but it’s by opening our eyes. Jesus said we would encounter hungry people, thirsty people, people in prison and if we would pay attention, we would notice it was him. When we have looked through our tears into the eyes of a friend who is comforting us, we can see Jesus. Jesus knew the dark of night and the pain of abandonment, so when we face our darkest nights and feel most alone, if we open our eyes we can see him standing with us. And though we may not be able to touch him, we can actually feel his strong arms and rough, but gentle hands touch us.

And perhaps, for many of us, the Collect for Sunday reminds us of a most meaningful way. “O God, whose blessed Son made himself known to his disciples in the breaking of bread…” When I take the cup and feel the warmth of the wine trickle down my throat, it is a moment when I am very aware of his presence in my life, warming me and strengthening me. And the rest of the Collect of the Day is a prayer that can be ours everyday if we want an encounter with the living Christ: “Open the eyes of our faith that we may behold him in all his redeeming work”--including his redeeming work that has made us his.

Peace,

Jerry+