DR 20
December 20
Luke 24:25-35. Christ makes himself known at Emmaus.
Has anyone who loves Jesus ever read the account of the walk to Emmaus without wishing he had been there? How delightful it must have been to hear the Lord explain in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself! But has he not promised his Holy Spirit to enlighten us when we search his holy word? There are things concerning himself in all the Scriptures. In the beginning of the Bible we find him revealed as the Seed of the woman; and in the last chapter of the Old Testament, we behold him as the Sun of Righteousness; and in every intervening page we may discover him—as a suffering Lamb, or as a conquering Lion; as a tender shoot, or a strong branch; as a servant, or a king; as a child, or the Ancient of Days; now made low as a worm, and now declared to be the mighty God, the great Creator, the glorious Jehovah.
While the Lord was explaining this mysterious subject to his attentive companions, he arrived at Emmaus. This village was situated on the southern side of a fruitful hill, and commanded a view of the towers and pinnacles of Jerusalem. Lying exposed to the heat of the mid-day sun, it was refreshed by an abundance of cooling springs. Jesus would not have entered the disciples' dwelling had he not been entreated to stay. Whenever we return to our homes, let us make the prayer those disciples made, and say, "Abide with us." No home is really sweet in which Jesus does not abide. Where he is, there are peace, and love, and joy.
The Lord acted as master of the house at the table of his host. According to his custom, "he took bread, and blessed it, and broke it, and gave to them." Then the disciples knew the Lord, for their eyes were opened. God exercises supreme power over our senses. He lets us see and hear what he chooses. In the next world He can open our eyes, and enable us to know saints we have never seen, and to recognize friends we have long lost.
What must the mourners have felt when they discovered that the wonderful stranger was their own beloved Savior! But they had no opportunity of expressing their delight to him, for he vanished out of their sight. After his resurrection the Lord neither came in nor went out as before. A glorified body is very different from the houses of clay in which our spirits are imprisoned.
The two friends could not remain at home after the joyful event that had happened! They longed to make their brethren partakers of their happiness. They had left them weeping; but when they arrived at Jerusalem they found them rejoicing. The Lord had appeared to Simon Peter. Though the women's report had been disbelieved, Peter's testimony had been received.
What was the subject of that evening's conversation? Was it not the various appearances of the Lord? Every particular concerning the interviews that had been enjoyed with Him must have been listened to with the deepest interest. About what do saints above converse? Is it not about their Lord, and how they first learned to know him, and how he manifested himself to them at various seasons of their pilgrimage? Even here, when saints meet together, they delight to speak on these subjects. Like the disciples of old, they have different histories to relate.
Mary Magdalene might tell how quickly he revealed himself to her—Cleopas and his friend might describe how long he delayed to make himself known to them. She met him in the garden— they were joined by him in the way. She addressed him first—they were first spoken to by him. The dealings of the Lord with his people are still marked by different circumstances; but the end in every case will be the same. Though for a season they may lament, saying, "I sought him, but I found him not;" and inquire mournfully, "Saw you him whom my soul loves?" at length they will joyfully declare, "I found him whom my soul loves." (Cant. 3:2-4.) Those who love Jesus must find him, for He himself is seeking them.