엠마오의 식사 교제에 대한 신학적 고찰

Theological Reflections on the Emmaus' Table Fellowship

Table fellowship with a meal motif has been a significant literary theme in the studies of Luke since R. Karris suggests that every single chapter of Luke is relating to the food. The Emmaus story(Lk 24:13-15) as a unique Lukan source functions not only to witness Jesus' resurrection as a bridge to the Acts, but also to conclude the entire Lukan messages concerning the table fellowship scenes such as inclusivity, the teaching of the Kingdom of God, and the advent of the new age etc. In the Old Testament tradition, meal is a sign of the covenant between God and Israel and a metaphor of the Messianic banquet in the eschatological Kingdom of God which provides comfort and reward. Jesus also partially practices this banquet, especially with the outsiders including tax collectors and sinners while doing his mission. The Emmaus' table fellowship is Jesus' first banquet after his resurrection. It implies several signigicant theological messages. First, it is a sign that the new covenant for the new creation is initiated now. Jesus is invited as a guest but changes soon his role as a host while enjoying the table fellowship. He breaks the bread reminding the two disciples the new covenant and reveals him as the Christ. Second, it shows a way to meet Jesus after his resurrection for today. Jesus comes to us as a stranger. When we provide hospitality to the stranger, we become to serve Jesus. Third, it teaches the importance of partnership which is a co-participation to the plan of God's salvation work. Jesus accompanies the two disciples on the road to Emmaus. One is known as Cleopas, the other is unanimous. However, we can assume that the other one is Cleopas' wife, Mary(Jn 19:25) and they are partners. In the Emmaus' table fellowship, this couple shares the partnership with Jesus as well as each other, then, they go down together to Jerusalem to be witnesses. As we have examined in the Emmaus' table fellowship, the common meal or the sacrament is the matrix to remind us the new covenant, to provide hospitality to the strangers for serving Jesus today, and to make a partnership to participate in God's new creation process. The Korean churches have to practice this spirit of the Emmaus' table fellowship for the kingdom of God, now and here.