"The Second Coming?" - Luke 24:36-48 - April 30, 2006

On interstate 75, north of Sidney, there is a sign along the road that says, "Jesus is coming soon, are you ready?" On the sign is a clock and the time is 5 minutes until noon. The implication is that Jesus will be coming back to the world in a very short time. Just in case you are wondering, the sign has been there for about 7 years.

In the gospel of Luke, the scripture that refers to the "second coming," is Luke 21:25-36. It reads "They will see the Son of man coming in a cloud." Both Mark and Matthew say something very similar. Our focus today, however is on Luke. If you go on to read the rest of chapter 21, you will note that it says in verse 32, "This generation will not pass away before all these things take place." This implies that Jesus would have come again in the very near future.

So, if Jesus has already come again, why do some in the church keep talking about the second coming? Theologians refer to the second coming as the Parousia. Parousia is a Greek word that means "arrival" or "coming." There are several passages of scripture that allude to the second coming, although the actual phrase, "second coming" did not surface until many centuries later in the time of Justin Martyr.

Scholars are divided about the timing of the Parousia. Some suggest it is the end of time. Others believe it had to do with the outpouring of the spirit on Pentecost. Some think it is synonymous with the death of the believer. And, then there are those who believe it happened with the appearances, following the resurrection. It is this last theory that I am inclined to agree with. I believe that because the word Parousia also means "presence."

My purpose today is not to suggest that the other theories are wrong. Let’s be honest, if God wanted to have Jesus return to the world that would not be beyond God’s ability. What disturbs me is that some churches use the possibility of Christ’s return as a scare tactic to convert them. By focusing on the notion that Jesus is coming soon, people are coerced into thinking that this is a ride they don’t want to miss. Meanwhile, they do nothing. Instead of advocating love of neighbor, building the church or working for peace and harmony in the world they stand idly by, waiting for the end of time.

The key word for me is "meanwhile." Whether or not Jesus is coming again is really not the issue. The issue is what we are to be doing during the time before that might happen, if it happens at all. For me, the best place to find that answer is to listen to Jesus’ words when he reappeared to the disciples a second time in Jerusalem.

In the gospel of Luke Jesus appeared to the disciples on the first day of the week, following his death. He appeared several more times also, before his ascension into heaven (Luke 24:50). Jesus arrived as a comforting presence. "While they were talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, "Peace be with you.’" (vs. 24:36) He was empathetic with the disciples. He shared their grief and disbelief. This is also true in John, when Jesus appeared to the disciples, who were hiding behind closed doors. "Jesus came and stood among them and said, Peace be with you."(John 20:19b)

It is my understanding and belief that Christ is there for us anytime we experience a crisis. But like the disciples, we don’t always recognize him. Perhaps we don’t make the connection that the loving presence we experience is none other than Jesus Christ himself. He makes his presence known, but we either ignore his presence or don’t believe it is really Jesus who is with us. Jesus came with a calming presence, reassuring them that God had not deserted them. They were afraid, uncertain about the future. Nevertheless, Jesus was with them.

Carl Coleman was driving to work one morning when he bumped fenders with another motorist. Both cars stopped, and the woman driving the other car got out to survey the damage. She was distraught as any of us would be. It was her fault, she admitted, and her car was brand new. She dreaded what her husband would say. Coleman was sympathetic; but he had to pursue the exchange of their licenses and registrations. The woman reached in her glove compartment to retrieve the necessary paperwork. They were in an envelope and there was a note written in her husband’s handwriting. It read, "In case of an accident, remember, Honey, it’s you I love, not the car." (from More Stories for the Heart, Alice Gray)

The woman was distraught over the accident and worried about how her husband would react. But, he was there for her and reassured her in her time of need. In her moment of despair, Christ had come.

Will Christ come again? Yes, again and again and again. When we experience forgiveness, Christ has come. When we are afraid, Christ comes. I feel sad for those who are waiting for Jesus to come again because they miss those moments when Christ has already come. Whenever we experience a calming presence, Jesus has come.

In our reading from Luke 24, Jesus does in fact, come again. Two of the disciples were on their way to Emmaus, having a conversation. Jesus appeared and walked with them, but they didn’t recognize him. He continued to walk with them and the disciples invited him to dinner. It was finally during dinner that they recognized him. Two things happened that helped them to realized Jesus’ presence.

First, he told them the stories from scripture. "Beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures." He reminded them of all those times in history when God was with His people. Whenever we retell the stories and remember, Jesus has come. I believe the calming presence of God will come every time the stories are told. But to believe in a second coming, we first have to believe in the first coming. The disciples were closer to Jesus than anyone, but even they did not recognize him. They had to hear the scriptures, to reaffirm their faith. Likewise, so do we.

Secondly, the disciples realized Jesus was with them in the breaking of bread. "When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Their eyes were opened, and they recognized him."

Jesus also comes whenever we share a common meal together, hence the ritual of the reenactment of the Lord’s Supper and the Eucharist. It’s no accident that churches over the centuries have had countless carry-in dinners. Those meals have enabled them to remain bonded together. It is during meals where we share the stories of the faith community. It is also during those times when we laugh, cry and remember.

When believers share a meal together there is a mysterious presence of the risen Christ. We also tend to recognize one another in a truer light than we do on other encounters. We see each other more clearly, on a deeper level. Not only do we receive nourishment for our bodies, we receive nourishment for our souls.

The last two weeks I have been eating leftovers. For lunches I have had ham sandwiches and for breakfast I have been eating hard-boiled eggs. When I eat those two foods I remember our family Easter dinner. I hear the grandchildren, playing together, and I hear the voices of the adults engaged in conversations. It was no less true for the disciples. When they gathered for dinner, Jesus came.

Perhaps Jesus hasn’t arrived in your life lately because you no longer share a common meal with other people of the faith. Or, perhaps you haven’t taken the time to read the key stories of the faith. Jesus will come. He will come when we gather together for a common meal. He will come when we hear the stories of the faith. He will be present with you in your moments of despair. "Peace, be with you."

Dr. Keith Wagner, St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, Sidney, Ohio