Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1914-04-09

We turn aside today to consider as
the Easter lesson a well-known event
In connection with the several appear
ances of our Lord after his resurrec-
ton; one Of the many infaldble
proofs, Acts 1:3; I Cor. 1854. b
narrative of this journey is one Of
the most beautiful post-resurrection
stories, simple, clear and of great
value. It is related, evidently, by an
Eye witness. The Cleopas mentioned
is not the son of Mary, John 1925.
The name of the second pilgrim Is but
a conjecture, though we somehow feel
it was Luke himself. The journey
was about seven and one-half miles
and most likely they were returning
to their homes after the Passover.
Somewhere on the way a stranger
joined them who asked the nature OF
their conversation, and the cause OF
their evident sadness ". I'D. In
establishment, Cleopas answers, but
the stranger continues and adroitly
draws out their entire story.
Interesting Progression.
l.. Their Disappointment, Wv. 1924.
It is all too evident that they did not
expect a resurrection and that, filled
with perplexity and encouragement
they were on the verge of despair. It
is interesting in this lesson to observe
the progression ~ "and they talked
v. Il; (2) and they found not" v.
%; 60 'and they saw not" v. "a;
(4) "and they constrained him." v.
20; (5) 'and they knew him." v. 81;
(6) and they said the Lord
is risen," Wv. 80, "a; CD "and they
told" v. "a. AS they talked" it was
revealed that their loving hearts were
full Of sadness and empty Of faith, yet
to talk is often the only way to find
relief from the gnawing Of grief.
There seem ". Is R. W to have
been two opinions and in their slow
ness of heart and unbelief they did
not recognize their new companion. In
response to his query they told how
this Jesus had been delivered, con-
demned, ,crucified, and then revealed
that this was to them the end Of all
things, for said they, eve had hoped
that it was he" Are we willing he
should have part in Jul every CONVEX
sation? Continuing they told the
amazing tale related by the women
and, moreover that their statement
Of an empty tomb had been verified
by,certain women who had gone to in
vestigate, but, in conclusion, they
again reverted to their sadness by
saying They found his body"
Cause Of Sadness.
II. His Appointment, w. ~25-35.
Evidently the journey was continued
and he gently rebukes them FOL their
slowness Of heart to believe the rec
ord of their own prophets. All sad
ness, practically, arises from unbe-
lief in the Word of God, Phil. 4:6. z;
Rom. 8:28-32. He interpreted to them
the true Messianic teaching Of their
own scriptures. He charges them with
folly not to believe "alI" of the record
". 25). True wisdom is not that OF
skepticism which cuts out portions
Of the word, but, according to Jesus,
it consists in believing all Of the
Scriptures. At last they reach En-
maus, still, let us remember, not
knowing who it is walking with them.
The road beyond was dangerous and
they constrained him" to accept their
hospitality. AS he sat at the table
partaking of the ordinary evening
meal, he assumed the place Of the
host, took the bread, blessed it and
broke it. Instantly those old familiar
acts and words revealed to them who
it was that had walked by the way.
III. Teaching Points. This nara
tive is SO full of teaching and yet
SO clear and simple that it is hard tc
suggest any ordinary deductions
therefrom. The story does, however
reveal the interest of the risen Lord
in the doubt of these two disciples
That they were probably not of the
twelve is. evident by the fact that
when they returned to Jerusalem they
found the eleven assembled ". 33)
Thus we see him going tc those out
side Of that inner circle, also, two who
loved him seeking a solution of the
mystery and consolation for their SAD
hearts. First hiding his identity, he
drew from them their story. He
then took them back to their Scrip
lures, with which they must have
been familiar, and revealed to then
that this mystery was according tt
those holy writings.
Again the picture of his disciples
is interesting. The progress of de
velopment in their faith above al
luded to, the evidence of their faitf
and love in him, their tender affection
and the death of their hope. He ha(
not, SO they thought, been able tt
accomplish that which they had ex
pected he would accomplish. In com
pany with all of his disciples they die
not apprehend the real meaning of hi!
mission.
His teaching is manifested in theil
urgent hospitality for they must hav,
, remembered his words, Il was
stranger, and We took me in"