Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1924-05-09

sVsAkMA~ww are prevente d
from recognizing Him: Their eyes
were holden. that they should not
know him." 1t was all In His plan
that He might disclose to them, and to
you and me. His method of making
Himself real to His people. We can
not henr His voice nor see His face,
yet Is He as real to US as though We
could
Breaking In upon their conversation,
He asked. eWhat manner Of eommuni
cations are these that ye have one
with another, as sc walk and are sad7"
And they, surprised that even a stran
ger In Jerusalem could be ignorant OF
all that had Just happened there. told
Him OF the crucitixion and Of what the
others Of their company had seen and
heard al the empty tomb, and of how
their hopes were buried In that grave
Patiently listening until they finished,
BE said, 20, foolish men, 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 glory7 And beginning at Moses
and all the prophets. he expounded un.
to them In all the scriptures the things
concerning himself"
No fear that Moses and the prophets
shall not receive due honor from the
Son Of God, though Il is but scant con.
sideration they receive today from
some who profess to follow Him.
Here. then. though still unknown, He
Is teaching them about Himself from
the Old Testament Scriptures and
thus meets their need. Their doubts
are changed to triumphant faith and
their sorrow TO Joy. Witness their tes-
tlmony: did not our heart burn with
10 US. while he talked with us by the
way. and while he opened to US the
scrIpturesf"
This is His way still. 1t is not that
we should know Him after the flesh,
but that He should make Himself
known by the ministry of the Spirit
through the Word. And thus He shuts
US up to "all the scriptures" to listen
to that one Voice that spoke them at
the beginning and that speaks them
still to every opened ear. The Impor-
lance of this narrative IN its applica-
ton to all the saints will be seen at
once by those who have observed how
Scripture constantly emphasizes the
knowledge Of Christ, gained in this
way, as the supreme attainment Of the
Christian life. THAT I might know
him." cried the apostlei 1t Is the
greatest thing in all the world. "YeG,
doubtless. and count ali things but
loss for the exeeIleney OF the knowl-
edge Of Christ Jesus my Lord" is the
outpourlng Of the heart that knew Him
best. oh, soul, have you esteemed that
knowledge as n thing so excellent that
you are willing to lose everything to
gain tit BE wants you to know Him,
and is drawing near to speak to you
through His Word.
And this gives the Christian minis.
ter his clue for teaching and preaching.
He is not to waste the precious Sunday
hours in discussing world affairs. He
is to open the Word and expound to
the people the things concerning
Christ. oh, Christian minister, do not
preach to me upon the topics Of the
day; tell me about my lovely Lordl
Begin at Moses and all the prophets
Pass by nothing, omit no word. and
show Him to me from those blessed
pages. shall ask no other credentlal
Of you, but with a glad heart will
sit at your feet and hang upon your
every word For II is this that makes
my heart burnt Nothing else can dc
so.
Thus, too, does the Lord, on this first
day Of His resurrection. reveal His own
pattern Of the Christian life. 1t Is a
walk with Him by those who are at
one with Him. for How shall two walk
together except they be agreed?" 1t is
a walk apart, for the world knows not
this way 1t is the anticipation Of
heavens Joys when we shall be with
Him forever. Oh, disciple of His. He
would be your companion on every
walk in llfe's way. Wait for Him. He
is drawing near still to go with you II
you will permit Him. You need never
walk alone.
And at the end Of the way He re-
yeals the Christian home. As "they
drew nigh the village whittier they
went" He made as though he would
have gone further" But they con
strained him, saying. Abide with US T;
for II Is toward evening, and the day
is far spent. And he went In TO larry
with them" He intended to stop in
that home, but must walt for their In
vitation. He will not .intrude nor be
an unwelcome guest. II the home is to
be modelled after His pattern, He must
be there, welcome guest, sitting at
the hreside, sitting at the table. And
then. as at Emmaus, He will become
the Host and find His blessing in bless
ing others: His rest, in giving rest.