Supper at Emmaus
When I was a local church pastor, I often featured Caravaggio's masterpiece Supper at Emmaus as a key visual tool for training spiritual leaders. I'd love to share why.
Supper at Emmaus captures a climactic moment uniquely described in the gospel of Luke, chapter 24. Earlier in the day, before this scene, two disciples were journeying from Jerusalem to Emmaus while discussing the unconscionably traumatic event they had just experienced: Jesus's crucifixion. Imagine their devastation: these were fully devoted Christ-followers who had every reason to believe that Jesus was the Messiah they'd been waiting for. Instead, they experienced the opposite: they bore witness to his unimaginably bloody and brutal execution on Rome's version of death row. Understandably, these disciples were now engulfed in sorrow, confusion, and despair. To them, the triumphant story they had hoped Jesus was writing had come to an abrupt and tragic end.
Supper at Emmaus — Caravaggio | 1601
But then, a stranger appeared. He walked with them and joined their discussion. As they shared their harrowing experiences and desperate attempts to make sense of everything, this stranger slowly began to shed light on their situation. With every word spoken about the true meaning of the Scriptures, pieces of the puzzle fell into place. Gradually, their eyes were opened to the truth: "Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?" — Luke 24:26.
That evening, while having dinner together, the stranger took bread, gave thanks, broke it, and served them. At that moment, their eyes were opened, and they recognized that it was Jesus himself who had been with them all along. He had been present in their suffering, their confusion, and their journey. He was there.
It is no secret that so many LGBTQ+/SSA disciples have withstood trauma, disappointment, and significant confusion about their place in God's story. This masterpiece serves as a clarion reminder that Jesus has been with you throughout every moment of suffering. Although God's plan may be unfolding differently than you imagined, God is actively writing a larger cosmic story in which you play a crucial role.
As a movement, Revoice has also experienced its fair share of painful moments. We have been misunderstood, misrepresented, rejected, and, yes, even publicly maligned. Yet, we take solace in the fact that Jesus endured similar ordeals. He remains with us, actively shaping the contours of our story—and what a brilliant story it is.
As I wrap up my first several months as Executive Director, I'm so encouraged by all that Revoice has accomplished thus far. I stand in awe that we have reached 30 chapters across the country, with more to come. Through discipleship initiatives like Reach, we are consistently raising up and releasing strong sexual minority leaders for kingdom ministry. We are providing pastoral care and equipping to Christ-followers in mixed-orientation marriages, in ministry leadership, on college campuses, in local churches, and beyond. The Revoice staff is a constant witness to beautiful testimonies that are emerging from these ministries and beyond.
Yes, we have endured suffering. Yes, we have experienced confusion. But God is still writing his story. Today, may this masterpiece remind you of the burning-heart reality that Jesus is with us—and always has been.
