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of Christ Himself。
How many are still doing what these disciples did！ How many echo Mary's despairing cry； 〃They have taken away the Lord； 。 。 。 and we know not where they have laid Him〃！ To how many might the Saviour's words be spoken； 〃Why weepest thou？ whom seekest thou？〃 He is close beside them； but their tear…blinded eyes do not discern Him。 He speaks to them； but they do not understand。
Oh that the bowed head might be lifted； that the eyes might be opened to behold Him； that the ears might listen to His voice！ 〃Go quickly； and tell His disciples that He is risen。〃 Bid them look not to Joseph's new tomb； that was closed with a great stone； and sealed with the Roman seal。 Christ is not there。 Look not to the empty sepulcher。 Mourn not as those who are hopeless and helpless。 Jesus lives； and because He lives； we shall live also。 From grateful hearts； from lips touched with holy fire； let the glad song ring out； Christ is risen！ He lives to make intercession for us。 Grasp this hope； and it will hold the soul like a sure； tried anchor。 Believe； and thou shalt see the glory of God。
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Chapter 83
The Walk to Emmaus
Late in the afternoon of the day of the resurrection； two of the disciples were on their way to Emmaus； a little town eight miles from Jerusalem。 These disciples had had no prominent place in Christ's work； but they were earnest believers in Him。 They had come to the city to keep the Passover； and were greatly perplexed by the events that had recently taken place。 They had heard the news of the morning in regard to the removal of Christ's body from the tomb； and also the report of the women who had seen the angels and had met Jesus。 They were now returning to their homes to meditate and pray。 Sadly they pursued their evening walk； talking over the scenes of the trial and the crucifixion。 Never before had they been so utterly disheartened。 Hopeless and faithless； they were walking in the shadow of the cross。
They had not advanced far on their journey when they were joined by a stranger； but they were so absorbed in their gloom and disappointment that they did not observe him closely。 They continued their conversation； expressing the thoughts of their hearts。 They were reasoning in regard to the lessons that Christ had given； which they seemed unable to comprehend。 As they talked of the events that had taken place； Jesus longed to comfort them。 He had seen their grief； He understood the conflicting； perplexing ideas that brought to their minds the thought；
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Can this Man； who suffered Himself to be so humiliated； be the Christ？ Their grief could not be restrained； and they wept。 Jesus knew that their hearts were bound up with Him in love； and He longed to wipe away their tears； and fill them with joy and gladness。 But He must first give them lessons they would never forget。
〃He said unto them； What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another； as ye walk； and are sad？ And the one of them； whose name was Cleopas； answering said unto Him； Art Thou only a stranger in Jerusalem； and hast not known the things which are come to pass there in these days？〃 They told Him of their disappointment in regard to their Master； 〃which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people；〃 but 〃the chief priests and our rulers；〃 they said； 〃delivered Him to be condemned to death； and have crucified Him。〃 With hearts sore with disappointment； and with quivering lips； they added； 〃We trusted that it had been He which should have redeemed Israel： and beside all this； today is the third day since these things were done。〃
Strange that the disciples did not remember Christ's words； and realize that He had foretold the events which had come to pass！ They did not realize that the last part of His disclosure would be just as verily fulfilled as the first part； that the third day He would rise again。 This was the part they should have remembered。 The priests and rulers did not forget this。 On the day 〃that followed the day of the preparation； the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate； saying； Sir； we remember that that deceiver said； while He was yet alive； After three days I will rise again。〃 Matt。 27：62； 63。 But the disciples did not remember these words。
〃Then He said unto them； O fools； 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 glory？〃 The disciples wondered who this stranger could be； that He should penetrate to their very souls； and speak with such earnestness； tenderness； and sympathy； and with such hopefulness。 For the first time since Christ's betrayal； they began to feel hopeful。 Often they looked earnestly at their companion； and thought that His words were just the words that Christ would have spoken。 They were filled with amazement； and their hearts began to throb with joyful expectation。
Beginning at Moses； the very Alpha of Bible history； Christ expounded in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself。 Had He
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first made Himself known to them； their hearts would have been satisfied。 In the fullness of their joy they would have hungered for nothing more。 But it was necessary for them to understand the witness borne to Him by the types and prophecies of the Old Testament。 Upon these their faith must be established。 Christ performed no miracle to convince them； but it was His first work to explain the Scriptures。 They had looked upon His death as the destruction of all their hopes。 Now He showed from the prophets that this was the very strongest evidence for their faith。
In teaching these disciples； Jesus showed the importance of the Old Testament as a witness to His mission。 Many professed Christians now discard the Old Testament； claiming that it is no longer of any use。 But such is not Christ's teaching。 So highly did He value it that at one time He said； 〃If they hear not Moses and the prophets； neither will they be persuaded； though one rose from the dead。〃 Luke 16：31。
It is the voice of Christ that speaks through patriarchs and prophets； from the days of Adam even to the closing scenes of time。 The Saviour is revealed in the Old Testament as clearly as in the New。 It is the light from the prophetic past that brings out the life of Christ and the teachings of the New Testament with clearness and beauty。 The miracles of Christ are a proof of His divinity； but a stronger proof that He is the world's Redeemer is found in comparing the prophecies of the Old Testament with the history of the New。
Reasoning from prophecy； Christ gave His disciples a correct idea of what He was to be in humanity。 Their expectation of a Messiah who was to take His throne and kingly power in accordance with the desires of men had been misleading。 It would interfere with a correct apprehension of His descent from the highest to the lowest position that could be occupied。 Christ desired that the ideas of His disciples might be pure and true in every specification。 They must understand as far as possible in regard to the cup of suffering that had been apportioned to Him。 He showed them that the awful conflict which they could not yet comprehend was the fulfillment of the covenant made before the foundation of the world was laid。 Christ must die； as every transgressor of the law must die if he continues in sin。 All this was to be； but it was not to end in defeat； but in glorious； eternal victory。 Jesus told them that every effort must be made to save the world from sin。 His followers must live as He lived； and work as He worked； with intense； persevering effort。
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Thus Christ discoursed to His disciples； opening their minds that they might understand the Scriptures。 The disciples were weary； but the conversation did not flag。 Words of life and assurance fell from the Saviour's lips。 But still their eyes were holden。 As He told them of the overthrow of Jerusalem； they looked upon the doomed city with weeping。 But little did they yet suspect who their traveling companion was。 They did not think that the subject of their conversation was walking by their side； for Christ referred to Himself as though He were another person。 They thought that He was one of those who had been in attendance at the great feast； and who was now returning to his home。 He walked as carefully as they over the rough stones； now and then halting with them for a little rest。 Thus they proceeded along the mountainous road； while the One who was soon to take His position at God's right hand； and who could say； 〃All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth；〃 walked beside them。 Matt。 28：18。
During the journey the sun had gone down； and before the travelers reached their place of rest； the laborers in the fields had left their work。 As the disciples were about to enter their home； the stranger appeared as though He would continue His journey。 But the disciples felt drawn to Him。 Their souls hungered to hear more from Him。 〃Abide with us；〃 they said。 He did not seem to accept the