Joshua owns a ranch with thousands of sheep and lambs. He divides his flocks into groups of one hundred. He personally names each of the lambs right after birth. He never forgets a single name of any of his sheep. He loves each of his sheep equally. He loves Ben who is a gentle sheep who likes to cuddle with Joshua. He loves Molly who is an ornery older sheep who tries to ram Joshua in the rear end any time he turns his back on her. He loves Jack and Jill, two-year-old twins who will find any hole in the fence and run away. Joshua will leave the other ninety-eight to find those two.

A thick fog has settled along the road from Jerusalem to Emmaus. It is difficult for the two disciples to move with any kind of urgency. Every step is slow and plodding as they head home.

The minds of these two disciples are clouded with disappointment and dashed hopes. Their vision is hazy with fear and uncertainty. The road to Emmaus is a grim place to be on this spring Sunday afternoon.

Peter, one of the first witnesses of Jesus' resurrection, speaks about the significance of Jesus’ resurrection: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy he gave us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (1 Peter 1:3). Amen.

The disciples had big plans after the Passover holiday was over. James and John were planning to go fishing with their dad, Zebedee, on the Sea of Galilee. Peter was looking forward to his mother-in-law’s delicious lamb and legumes. Matthew was going to walk his children to school so they could sit at the feet of their rabbi. Andrew and Nathanael were going hiking across the Judean countryside. Thomas was planning to help his twin brother plant spring crops.

Then, within a few days, everything changed!

What fears do you, like the two Marys, carry with you this Easter Sunday morning?

Fear of the spread of the pandemic. Fear that the economy is irreparably broken. Fear that your small business isn’t going to make it. Fear of those not wearing masks and gloves. Fear of social isolation. Fear that there are no children’s athletics to attend, no sports to watch, no vacation or prom or graduation to enjoy.

The Jewish remnant had returned to Jerusalem. It has been fourteen years since the people had been released from their Babylonian captivity. They were fourteen long, difficult and discouraging years.

The people are not able to attend worship services at the temple. The temple had been destroyed decades earlier. Their efforts to rebuild it have been at a standstill.

The people are apprehensive of unseen enemies. The Syrians, Phoenicians and the Philistines who all live around the Judean countryside can launch an unseen attack at any time.

Ezekiel was standing in the valley. The valleys was gray and colorless, barren and dry. There was no life in the valley. No grass growing. No flowers blooming. No birds singing or critters skittering.

The decay of death hung heavy over the valley.

Jake stole his father’s estate from his older brother. When his brother found out, he threatened to kill Jake.

To save his skin, Jake ran away from home. He ran all the way to a different country. There he fell in love with a beautiful woman. Jake wanted to marry his true love. But his father-in-law tricked him. Jake ended up marrying his love’s sister, instead!

Joseph was a farmer near Hebron in the hill country of Judea. He heard the prophet Isaiah was traveling through the Judean countryside sharing God’s message of judgment and promise.

When Isaiah stopped in Hebron, Joseph invited Isaiah to have dinner with his family in his home. After their meal of roasted lamb, wheat bread, vegetables and goat’s milk, they sat together in Joseph’s family room to talk.

Abram had every right to be skeptical. He had already made a major move from Ur to Haran - a trip of 600 miles (Acts 2:3). They had settled down in Haran. Abram’s father had died and left him with a large inheritance. Abram was a wealthy rancher. He had livestock, servants, real estate, investments and even well-trained soldiers.

Abram’s only poverty was that he and his wife, Sarai, remained childless.

Rocky Marciano is the only undefeated world heavyweight boxing champion. His record is an amazing 49-0. He was small for a “big fellow” standing only 5’10”. His equalizer was his right hand.

Marciano began his boxing career in March 1947 with a knockout of Lee Epperson. He retired in April 1956 at the age of 31. 49 victories. 43 of them by knockout. Sportswriter John Schulian, who grew up following Marciano, said, “He was brutally strong. When you get hit you stayed hit.”