APRIL 15, 2018 - "OPENING OUR EYES TO HIS MYSTICAL PRESENCE"

Fascinating post-resurrection story tells of two of Christ’s disciples walking home of the first Easter evening. They had been in Jerusalem, talking with the followers of the Lord. But they were all sad and dejected because Christ was dead & buried in a tomb.

The two men (thought to be Luke and Cleopas) sadly set off for their home in Emmaus. As they walked along the dusty road, a Stranger came up and started to walk with them. He listened to their gloomy conversation. (It was the Risen Christ, but their eyes were kept from recognizing Him.)

The Stranger asked, “What is this conversation?” The two stopped, looked sadly at each other, and then Cleopas answered, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know of the things that have happened there in these days?” “What things: the Stranger asked? Then the two told of Jesus of Nazareth, “a prophet might in deed and word before God and all the people.” They said . . .”our chief priests and rulers delivered Him up to be condemned to death, and crucified Him. But we had hoped that He was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since this happened. Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning, and did not find his body; and they came back saying that they had seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive . . .”

The Stanger then said, “O foolish men, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken. Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into His glory?” Then He interpreted to them all the prophecies of the Old Testament concerning the Christ. By this time they had come close to home. The Stranger started to walk on, but they stopped Him saying, “Come and stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent.” So the Stranger accepted the invitation.

The 3 men sat down to supper and a simple meal it must have been, for they didn’t have time to prepare anything elaborate. The Stranger “took the bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened and they recognized Him! And He vanished out of their sight.” It was the Risen Lord! Oh, the joy that the men felt that night! Surely some of that glorious feeling must be ours as we celebrate today!