The Winslow mail., 1923-03-30
|. The Walk of Two Discouraged
Disciples wv. 13-15).

l. he Walk of TWO Discouraged
Disciples wv. 13-15).
Emmaus was seven and one-half
miles northwest of Jerusalem. Just
why they were walking this way we do
not surely know. Perhaps their home
was there, or they were merely walk
ing to seek relief from their stunning
sorrow. If they had believed what
Jesus told them about His death and
resurrection they would have escaped
this great disappointment. Unbelief
causes many heartacheS and diSap-
pOintments. One of these disciples was
CleOpas, but the other is unknown.
The topic of conversation was the
tragedy of the cross and the resurrec-
ton rumors. SO little had His teach
ing about His resurrection impressed
them that the reports which the wom-
en- brought were as idle tales to them
If they had believed what He said
about coming forth from the grave
they would have been expecting to
hear just such reports as We're being
circulated.
II. The Unrecognized Companion
wv. 1924.
1. Who He Was. Jesus. While they
reasoned together on the wonderful
events of the last few days on this
journey, Jesus joined them. Even when
He questioned them concerning their
sadness they did not recognize Him.
Many times we are so taken up with
our sorrows and disappointments that
we do not recognize Jesus though
walking by our side. How grieved
He must be to be unrecognized as He
walks by us in our sorrows and trials.
2. His Question ". 10. Perceiving
their sadness and perpleXity He sought
to help them by calling forth state
ment of their grief. This question sur
priSed them and caused them to infer
that He was a stranger in Jerusalem.
The condemnation and crucifiXion of
the great prophet of Nazareth were so
recent and notorious that no one they
thought, who had lived in Jerusalem,
could be ignorant of them. One valu-
able aspect of the unbelief of the dis
ciples was that it revealed the fact
that they were not credulOus enthusi-
asts but hard to convince. Out of this
incredulity developed the unshaken
faith in the word of the resurrection.
Ill. The Scriptures Opened (vv %
35).
1. His Rebuke ". 25). He did not
rebuke them for not believing the
strange stories they had heard, but for
ignorance and lack of confidence in
the Old Testament Scriptures. They
had accepted only such parts of the
Old Testament as suited their notions.
Men and women who do not believe
all that the Scriptures say, especially
about the work of the blessed Savior,
are entirely blameworthy. The very
center and heart of the Old Testament
Scriptures is the death and resurrec-
ton of Christ. 1t is ignorance of the
Scriptures and unbelief of the wonder
full and complete redemption wrought
by Christ that rObs US of many joys,
and power and efficiency as workers
for Christ. Christ will be the teacher
of all who will open their hearts unto
Him.
2. Jesus Recognized (v. 81. While
sitting at meat with the disciples their
eyes were opened as they saw Him
bless the bread and distribute it TO
them. We, too, can see the Lord on
such common occasions as eating a
meal if we have open eyes. Indeed
we ought to see Him when eating, sell
ing, buying and in our recreations for
He has promised us His presence.
~. The Effect Upon the Disciples
wv. 32-35). They were so filed with
joy over this revelation of the Savior
that they hastened back to Jerusalem
to tell the other disciples of the word
of His resurrection. Those who have
had the Scriptures opened to them
touching the death and resurrection of
Christ cannot help but hasten to make
it known to others.