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Last Word - News
One way of looking at the beginning of Christian faith is to look at the means by which news of the resurrection was carried into and throughout what was then the Roman Empire.
If it had happened today there might be news reports of the trial and sentencing. A public execution would be less likely - there are not many countries now where this is done. Reports of a resurrection could be taken up in the press, publicised by banner headlines and the like, or TV reports but could also be ignored as being the result of rumour-mongering by fanatics.
In New Testament times executions in public were quite usual. A slave revolt in Italy, for example, was put down with ferocity and crucifixions of recaptured slaves were carried out all alongside the Appian Way.
To the Roman authorities anyone spreading news of a resurrection would be in danger of being denounced as a trouble maker; someone acting perniciously against the interests of state security, whatever the truth might actually be. This must surely be one of the factors which made the women and the disciples so fearful when the news began to be reported to them. The reaction to the appearance of Christ to Cleopas and his friend on the road to Emmaus may well have been partly fear of being lured into accusations of spreading subversive stories.
Could reading the story today as it appears in Luke's gospel possibly obscure something else? Who are now the people who do not recognise the risen Christ? Do we know the full significance of the road to Emmaus?
I understand that the story is (rightly) a favourite subject for sermons. I suggest that the journey to Emmaus is far longer than the journey recorded by Luke. It was Christ himself who said "I am with you always...". The road to Emmaus, I suggest, is a spiritual journey, a long and eventful journey. Although at first we may not recognise Him, Christ is on that road, ready to walk with travellers. Many eyes are opened and many pilgrimages begin on that road.
Bob Mclean
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