The Emmaus Road.

'Christ' by Roy Henry Vickers.

Image Link:  http://www.civilization.ca/gods/themes/divinities/



THE GOSPEL. St Luke 24. 13.

BEHOLD, two of his disciples went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs. And they talked together of all these things which had happened. And it came to pass, that while they communed together, and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them. But their eyes were holden, that they should not know him. And he said unto them, What manner of communications are these that ye have with one another, as ye walk? And they stood still, looking sorrowful. But one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answered and 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? And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word, before God and all the people: and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him. But 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. Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulchre; and when they found not his body, they came, saying that they had also seen a vision of angels, which said that he was alive. And 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. Then he said unto them, Foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? And beginning at Moses, and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. And they drew nigh unto the village whither they went; and he made as though he would have gone further: but they constrained him, saying, Abide with us: for it is towards evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them. And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them. And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight. And 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? And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them, saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon. And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in the breaking of the bread.

Gospel Link:  http://prayerbook.ca/the-prayer-book-online/164--the-collects-epistles-and-gospels-page-94#eastermon

"Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the Scriptures?"

We also are Christians on our own walk of faith. We have heard the Word preached, we have seen men living it to the best of their ability, but we are unsure about its impact on our own lives. Our hearts do not yet "burn" with the Words of Christ. We, like Thomas, seek personal proof. We look for the nail holes in the hands, and the thrust of the spear into the side. Christ has given us a living example for our own lives. More than that, He has presented us with the opportunity to believe on Him and to be saved through Faith. He also comes to us at the 'breaking of the bread'. He feeds us spiritually the 'bread of life'. His blood 'washes away our sins'. Let us be partakers in Christ.

"O Christ, the light of men, Who on the third day didst arise from the grave and shed Thy bright beams upon the darkness of the world; grant, we beseech Thee, that, enlightened by Thy presence, we may walk as children of the day, to the glory of Thy Name Who livest and reignest, world without end. Amen."

(From: The Prayer Manual. For Private Devotions or for Public Use on Divers Occasions.

By: F.B. MacNutt.  A.R. Mowbray & Co. Ltd.  page 115)