Resurrection is a Road

By Inés Velásquez-McBryde

June 5, 2024

Scripture — Luke 24:32 (NRSV)

They said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?”

Focus

I am a resurrection believer and we are resurrection people. I don’t want the season to end without walking and looking for resurrection again and anew. I don’t know about you but the world continues to burn. I need resurrection in my soul, in my workplace, in my neighborhood, in my newsfeed. We are all still walking our long Emmaus roads looking for resurrection. Some days resurrection feels kind of dusty and rusty.

Devotion

As we step away from Pentecost Sunday, I would like us to return to an old road in the story. The slowness of Eastertide lingers long after the tongues of fire have become quenched. I love that Eastertide lasts longer than Lent and that it celebrates that Jesus appears to individuals and the masses. I want to pause and reflect about that again. As we slip into Ordinary Time, I remember an ordinary road that invites us to step into resurrection in ordinary ways. Again and again.

Cleopas and his partner have walked the road to Emmaus with Jesus without recognizing him on the way. An ordinary walk on an ordinary day. Jesus is raised from the grave, the tomb is empty and the first thing he does is to come and find his friends as they are walking. Jesus is with them on long walks, in gardens, making fish tacos on the beach. Jesus is with them on the way even as he is the way, the truth, and the life. He walks the 7 miles slowly revealing himself to them. He takes his time. Resurrection takes time.

I am a resurrection believer and we are resurrection people. I don’t want the season to end without walking and looking for resurrection again and anew. I don’t know about you but the world continues to burn. I need resurrection in my soul, in my workplace, in my neighborhood, in my newsfeed. We are all still walking our long Emmaus roads looking for resurrection. Some days resurrection feels kind of dusty and rusty.

Resurrection is a long road that can hold our lamentation, our dashed hopes, our grief, our pain, our unanswered prayers, confusion, and disorientation. Jesus stayed in his body so that he could also stay in yours and understand yours. This is still good news today. Wherever the road finds you today, friends and leaders, look for the places on the road where you feel your heart burn with resurrection. Look for it in the beauty of chasing sunsets or watching the moonrise. Look for it in the face of a friend that reminds you, “You got this. You can do this. Let me have hope on your behalf.” Look for it in ordinary strangers who smile at you or in random acts of kindness.

Stay on the road to resurrection, even if it’s a dusty road. He will be with you until the end. And Jesus will love you until the end.

Reflect

In what ways could I be attentive to and looking for resurrection to happen around me in ordinary ways?

Act

Go on a walk with a friend. Walk and talk until your hearts are opened up to beauty, love, and light.

Pray

God of resurrection, you are still walking alongside us on our roads to Emmaus. Open our eyes so that we may see you. Clear our ears from the noise so that we can distinguish your voice. Let us be attentive to the burn in our hearts that ignites the spark of your ever-loving presence and steadfast love. Walk with us as we walk with you and by your grace may the road lead us to back to you and back to our true selves. Amén.

Find all Life for Leaders devotions here. Explore what the Bible has to say about work at the unique website of our partners, the Theology of Work Project’s online commentary. Reflection on today’s Life for Leaders theme can be found here: The Road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35).


Inés Velásquez-McBryde

Chaplain at Fuller Theological Seminary & Pastor, Preacher, Speaker

Inés Velásquez-McBryde is a pastor, preacher, reconciler and mujerista theologian. She is the lead pastor and co-founder of The Church We Hope For. She is originally from Nicaragua, a third generation pastor, and the first pastora in her family. Inés earned her MDiv at Fuller Theolo...

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