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Humble Hero
Christ talked in this way to His disciples to help them understand
the Scriptures. As He told them of the overthrow of Jerusalem,
they wept as they looked on the doomed city. But little did they
suspect yet who their traveling Companion was, for Christ referred to
Himself as though He were another person. He walked as carefully
as they did over the rough stones, stopping with them now and then
for a little rest.
Their Hearts Were Drawn to the Stranger
During their journey, the sun had gone down and the laborers
in the fields had left their work. As the disciples were about to
enter their home, the stranger appeared as though He was going to
continue His journey. But the disciples hungered to hear more from
Him. “Abide with us,” they urged. He did not accept the invitation
immediately, but they pressed Him. “It is toward evening, and the
day is far spent.” Christ yielded to this request and “went in to stay
with them.”
If the disciples had failed to press their invitation, they would
not have known that their traveling Companion was the risen Lord.
Christ never forces His company on anyone. He will gladly enter
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the humblest home, but if its residents are too indifferent to ask Him
to stay with them, He passes by.
The disciples had soon prepared the simple evening meal and
placed it before the Guest, who had taken His seat at the head of the
table. Now He stretched out His hands to bless the food in exactly
the same way as their Master used to do. The disciples sat bolt
upright in astonishment. They looked again and saw the print of
nails in His hands. Both of them exclaimed, “It is the Lord Jesus!”
They got up to throw themselves at His feet, but He had van-
ished. They looked at the place occupied by One whose body had
so recently lain in the grave, and they said to each other, “Did not
our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and
while He opened the Scriptures to us?”
With this great news to communicate, their weariness and hunger
were gone. They left their meal uneaten and hurried back on the
same path by which they had come, to tell the disciples in the city.
They climbed over steep places, slipping on smooth rocks, wanting