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The Spirit of Prophecy Volume 3
Long might these disciples have perplexed themselves over the
mysteries of the past few days, if they had not received enlightenment
from Jesus. He, disguised as a stranger, entered into conversation with
them. “But their eyes were holden that they should not know him.
And he said unto them, What manner of communications are these
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that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad? And the one of
them whose name was Cleopas, answering said unto him, Art thou
only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are
come to pass there in these days? And he said unto them, What things?
And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a
prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people.”
They then recounted to him the facts of the trial and crucifixion
of their Master, together with the testimony of the women in regard
to the removal of his body, the vision of angels which they had seen,
the news of the resurrection, and the report of those disciples who
had gone to the sepulcher. “Then he said unto them, O fools, and
slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken; ought not
Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? And
beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in
all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.”
The disciples were silent from amazement and delight. They did
not venture to ask the stranger who he was. They listened to him
intently, charmed by his intelligence, and drawn toward him by his
gracious words and manner, as he opened the Scriptures to their un-
derstanding, showing them from prophecy how Christ must suffer, and
after suffering enter into his glory.
Jesus began with the first book written by Moses, and traced down
through all the prophets the inspired proof in regard to his life, his
mission, his suffering, death, and resurrection. He did not deem it
necessary to work a miracle to evidence that he was the risen Redeemer
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of the world; but he went back to the prophecies, and gave a full and
clear explanation of them to settle the question of his identity, and the
fact that all which had occurred to him was foretold by the inspired
writers. Jesus ever carried the minds of his hearers back to the precious
mine of truth found in the Old-Testament Scriptures. The esteem in
which he held those sacred records is exemplified in the parable of
the rich man and Lazarus, where he says, “If they hear not Moses
and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rose from