EMMAUS always brings to the writer’s mind a certain afternoon service in the hospital ward in which he was recovering from an accident. From the text, “And Jesus Himself drew near,” the speaker sought to comfort the patients. Right well the end was attained in one case at least.
The deep unchanging interest Jesus has in His people is beautifully displayed in the seeking out of His own after His resurrection. In love and peace He visits them, soothing and restoring. That we have an interest in Him is, of course, true, but it is His interest in us, coming out so clearly in His post-resurrection activities, that, if apprehended in any measure at all, must deeply affect our hearts. Do let us pause for a moment and let some of the wonder of this blessed fact get into our souls. Jesus Himself is vitally and demonstrably interested in us — in you, in me! Are you perplexed? Are you sad? Jesus Himself will instruct and rebuke, and yet soothe.
Three conditions of heart came out in the scene brought before us in Luke 24:13-3513And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs. 14And they talked together of all these things which had happened. 15And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them. 16But their eyes were holden that they should not know him. 17And he said unto them, What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad? 18And 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? 19And 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: 20And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him. 21But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done. 22Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulchre; 23And when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, which said that he was alive. 24And certain of them which were with us went to the sepulchre, and found it even so as the women had said: but him they saw not. 25Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: 26Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? 27And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. 28And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went: and he made as though he would have gone further. 29But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them. 30And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them. 31And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight. 32And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures? 33And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them, 34Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon. 35And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread. (Luke 24:13‑35). The sad heart, the burning heart, and the heart in communion with Christ.
To two disappointed and sad hearts Jesus drew near as they plodded along that memorable road to Emmaus. What joy was to be theirs as the result of the Stranger attaching Himself to them! See how perfectly He handles their case — how His presence drew the burden from them! “Then He said unto them.” Oh! let but Jesus speak unto them and the clouds are riven and their fears dispelled. In place of perplexity, understanding; in place of sadness, burning joy. Only to His own is known the joy of communing with Jesus. To hear His voice, by the Spirit in His word, will turn sadness into gladness. The two cannot let Him go. “Abide with us,” they beseech Him “when He made as though He would have gone further.”
Constrained by them He stays and by that which is the sign of His death, the breaking of bread, He makes Himself known to them. What love is His to interest Himself in, draw near to, and abide with His own. How it truly affects the heart and draws praise from the lips!
Experiences in the world may leave us “sadder and wiser,” but experience of Christ leaves us wiser indeed but supremely joyful. Two such hearts returned that day to recount their experiences. Has He not treated us thus, blessed be His name? May our experience of the love of Christ grow deeper and deeper!
He disappears from their sight directly He makes Himself known to them, for they and we are called to walk by faith, not by sight. Yet once more He comes to them, gathered now with the eleven and others, and assures them all that it is He Himself who “saith unto them, Peace be unto you.”
What comfort it brings to the soul as we are thus assured by His word that everything is known to Him. In our wanderings, perplexities, or sadness His interest in us and love for us is unfailing, and as He “draws near” and “our hearts” are made to “burn within us,” we are compelled to seek His presence, and knowing Him now in heaven to worship Him, “with great joy”— “praising and blessing God.”
S. O. Thurston.
“Behold the Lamb of God!” (John 1:3636And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God! (John 1:36)). Of what use are ten thousand sermons if that is not their theme? Of what use are tons of theology if these five words are not at the foundation?
It is not, “Behold the great world-teacher!” When a man is drowning he does not need lessons in swimming. He needs saving. A hopeless bankrupt is not then needing lessons on the most approved and up-to-date method of book-keeping. He needs one to save him from financial ruin.
Christ came not to instruct the sinner but to save him.