Chapter 83—The Walk to Emmaus
This chapter is based on
Luke 24:13-33
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Late in the afternoon of the day of the resurrection, two of the
disciples were on their way to Emmaus, a little town eight miles from
Jerusalem. These disciples had had no prominent place in Christ’s
work, but they were earnest believers in Him. They had come to the
city to keep the Passover, and were greatly perplexed by the events
that had recently taken place. They had heard the news of the morning
in regard to the removal of Christ’s body from the tomb, and also the
report of the women who had seen the angels and had met Jesus. They
were now returning to their homes to meditate and pray. Sadly they
pursued their evening walk, talking over the scenes of the trial and
the crucifixion. Never before had they been so utterly disheartened.
Hopeless and faithless, they were walking in the shadow of the cross.
They had not advanced far on their journey when they were joined
by a stranger, but they were so absorbed in their gloom and disap-
pointment that they did not observe him closely. They continued
their conversation, expressing the thoughts of their hearts. They were
reasoning in regard to the lessons that Christ had given, which they
seemed unable to comprehend. As they talked of the events that had
taken place, Jesus longed to comfort them. He had seen their grief; He
understood the conflicting, perplexing ideas that brought to their minds
the thought, Can this Man, who suffered Himself to be so humiliated,
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be the Christ? Their grief could not be restrained, and they wept. Jesus
knew that their hearts were bound up with Him in love, and He longed
to wipe away their tears, and fill them with joy and gladness. But He
must first give them lessons they would never forget.
“He said unto them, What manner of communications are these
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?” They told Him of their
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