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From Heaven With Love
must live as He lived, and work as He worked, with persevering
effort.
Thus Christ discoursed to His disciples, that they might under-
stand the Scriptures. As He told them of the overthrow of Jerusalem,
they looked on the doomed city with weeping. 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 over the rough stones, now and then halting with them 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 would continue His
journey. But the disciples hungered to hear more from Him. “Abide
with us,” they urged. He did not seem to accept the invitation, but
they pressed Him. “It is toward evening, and the day is far spent.”
Christ yielded to this entreaty and “went in to tarry with them.”
Had the disciples 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. Gladly will He enter
the humblest home, but if men are too indifferent to ask Him to stay
with them, He passes on.
The simple evening meal was soon prepared and placed before
the Guest, who had taken His seat at the head of the table. Now
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He put forth His hands to bless the food in exactly the same way as
their Master used to do. The disciples started back in astonishment.
They looked again and saw in His hands the print of nails. Both
exclaimed, It is the Lord Jesus!
They rose to cast themselves at His feet, but He had vanished.
They looked at the place occupied by One whose body had lately
lain in the grave, and said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn
within us, while He talked with us by the way, and while He opened
to us the Scriptures?”
With this great news to communicate, their weariness and hunger
were gone. They left their meal untasted and hurried on the same
path by which they had come, to tell the disciples in the city. They