Toward evening of that very day in which Jesus Christ
resurrected and appeared to Mary Magdalene, Mary, mother of James, Peter, and
two disciples of Christ from the Seventy, Cleophas and Luke, were going from
Jerusalem to a village named Emmaus. Emmaus was situated about seven
miles from Jerusalem.
On the road, they were talking to each other about
all the things that had recently happened in Jerusalem, about the suffering and death of the Saviour. While they
were talking about all that had happened, Jesus Christ Himself drew near and
went with them, but their eyes were kept from recognizing Him. Jesus Christ
said to them, "What is this conversation you are holding with each other
as you walk, and why are you so sad?"
Cleophas answered Him, "Are you the only
visitor to Jerusalem, who does not know the things that have happened there in
these days?"
Jesus Christ said to him, "What things?"
They said to Him, "Concerning Jesus of Nazareth,
Who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and
how our chief priests and rulers delivered Him up to be condemned to death and
crucified Him. 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 even seen a vision of angels who said that He was alive. Some of
those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had
said; but Him they did not see."
Then, Jesus Christ said to them, "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?"
And beginning with Moses and all the prophets, He
interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself. The disciples were amazed as everything became
clear to them. As they drew near to Emmaus, Jesus Christ appeared to be going
further. But they constrained Him, saying, "Stay
with us, for it is toward evening, and the day is now far spent." So Jesus
Christ went in to stay with them. When He was at table with them, He took the
bread, and blessed it, and broke it, and gave it to them. Then, their eyes were
opened, and they recognized Him, but He vanished out of their sight. This was
the fourth appearance of the resurrected Christ. Cleophas and Luke in great
joy said to each other, "Did not our hearts burn with joy within us while
He talked to us on the road, while He explained to us the Scriptures?"
They rose that same hour and despite the late time of day, returned to Jerusalem where they found ten disciples gathered together, all
except the Apostle Thomas, and those who were with them. All of them joyfully
met Cleophas and Luke and said, "The Lord has risen indeed and has
appeared to Simon!" Then, Cleophas and Luke told what had happened on the
road to Emmaus, how the Lord Himself had walked with them and talked, and how
they recognized Him in the breaking of bread.
Note: See
the Gospels of Mark 16:12-13; Luke 24:13-35.
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