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 24:13-35. 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 1:36). 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.