Middletown transcript., 1920-04-03

]. Two Disciples Journeyino to EN-.
maus wv. 13-1O).
| !. Who they were. One was Cleopas
(see v. 18); some think the other was
Luke, whose modesty forbade him to
give his name; but it is not definitely
known. Why they were going we can
only conjecture; perhaps they were
only walking away from Jerusalem to
relieve their anxiety and drown their
sorrow. The ordeal through which
they had passed left them somewhat
stunned; they needed the physical ex-
ertion and quiet Of the country to calm
their nerves. They were sad (see '.
~.
2. What they talked about ". 14).
"All the things which had happened"
Strange and wonderful things had
taken place and they could not but
commune together concerning them.
s. Jesus joins them wv. Is. 16). It
was while they communed togther and
reasoned about Jesus that he appeared
to them. He never leaves those in
doubt who sincerely seek the light; he
promises to meet even with two or
three who gather in his name (Matt.
18 :20). Those gathered in his name
have their heart toward him in love,
and their talk is concerning him. II
we would have Jesus draw near to US
more frequently then let US more fre-
quently commune together concerning
him.
u. The Conversation on the Way.
wv. 17-2T.
1. Jesus question ". ~. Though he
was stranger to them his question
did not provoke resentment; there
must have been something in his man
ner and tone which unlocked their
hearts.
2. The disciples answer wv. 1924.
Though surprised that there should be
a single man in the confines of Jcrusa-
lem unacquainted with the things
which had recently come 10 pass they
spoke fully and freely Of what they had
communed about.
(1) 1t was concerning Jesus Of Naza-
reth ". 19). This Jesus was mighty
in word and deed before God and the
people. (2) Delivered, condemned and
crucified by the chief priests ". 20).
(3) Shattered hopes of the disciples ".
Ply. They had reposed their hope in
him as the Redeemer Of Israel. az
Their bewil6erment wv. 22-24). The
story Of the women concerning the
empty sepulchre reminded them of
Christ's words that he would arise on
the third day. A new hope seemed to
be arising in their hearts, yet they
were too timid to take their stand up
on it. (5) Jesus expounding the Scrip
lures to them wv. 25-27). He chides
them for their unbelief Of the prophet
ic Scriptures ". 25). What sorrow
and perplexity they would have es-
capped had they believed what God had
recorded! Jesus showed them that
what had happened was exactly what
the Scriptures had foretold concerning
the Messiah and that it behoOved
Christ thus to suffer and to enter into
his glory. They would have been glad
for the way things had turned out If
they had believed what God had re-
vealed. He brought the disciples - the
written Word to prove his resurrection
To the Word and to the testimony
should be our way always; such rrac-
tice saves from fanaticism and from
imposition of false teachers. Christ
will be the interpreter Of the Scrip
lures to all who will hear him.
III. The Lord Reveals Himself wv.
2S-35).
/. Nearing the end OF the journey
wv. %, 29). He made as though he
would go farther, but they constrained
him to abide with them. It would have
been great loss to them if he had not
been Constrained"
2. Sitting together at the table wv.
80, 31). His blessing Of the bread and
breaking it were so familiar that they
knew him. Then, too, they may have
seen the nailprints in his hands while
he broke the bread. They now knew
FOR certainty that the Lord whom
they had mourned as dead was alive
and in their very presence. If we had
eyes to perceive we could see Jesus
daily walking and talking with US.
What a different life would be ours II |
we would but see him!
3. The disciples convinced wv. So
35). They at once returned to Jerusa-
lem and reported to the eleven what |
things We're done and how the Lord |
had revealed himself to them in the |
breaking of the bread. They ex-