the desire of ages-第192章
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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 invitation； but they pressed it upon Him； urging； 〃It is toward evening； and the day is far spent。〃 Christ yielded to this entreaty and 〃went in to tarry with them。〃
Had the disciples failed to press their invitation； they would not have known that their traveling companion was the risen Lord。 Christ never forces His company upon anyone。 He interests Himself in those who need Him。 Gladly will He enter the humblest home； and cheer the lowliest heart。 But if men are too indifferent to think of the heavenly Guest； or ask Him to abide with them； He passes on。 Thus many meet with great loss。 They do not know Christ any more than did the disciples as He walked with them by the way。
The simple evening meal of bread is soon prepared。 It is placed before the guest； who has taken His seat at the head of the table。 Now He puts forth His hands to bless the food。 The disciples start back in astonishment。 Their companion spreads forth His hands in exactly the same way as their Master used to do。 They look again； and lo； they see in His hands the print of nails。 Both exclaim at once； It is the Lord Jesus！ He has risen from the dead！
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They rise to cast themselves at His feet and worship Him； but He has vanished out of their sight。 They look at the place which had been occupied by One whose body had lately lain in the grave； and say to each other； 〃Did not our heart burn within us； while He talked with us by the way； and while He opened to us the Scriptures？〃
But with this great news to communicate they cannot sit and talk。 Their weariness and hunger are gone。 They leave their meal untasted； and full of joy immediately set out again on the same path by which they came； hurrying to tell the tidings to the disciples in the city。 In some parts the road is not safe； but they climb over the steep places； slipping on the smooth rocks。 They do not see； they do not know； that they have the protection of Him who has traveled the road with them。 With their pilgrim staff in hand； they press on； desiring to go faster than they dare。 They lose their track； but find it again。 Sometimes running； sometimes stumbling； they press forward； their unseen Companion close beside them all the way。
The night is dark； but the Sun of Righteousness is shining upon them。 Their hearts leap for joy。 They seem to be in a new world。 Christ is a living Saviour。 They no longer mourn over Him as dead。 Christ is risenover and over again they repeat it。 This is the message they are carrying to the sorrowing ones。 They must tell them the wonderful story of the walk to Emmaus。 They must tell who joined them by the way。 They carry the greatest message ever given to the world； a message of glad tidings upon which the hopes of the human family for time and for eternity depend。
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Chapter 84
〃Peace Be Unto You〃
On reaching Jerusalem the two disciples enter at the eastern gate； which is open at night on festal occasions。 The houses are dark and silent； but the travelers make their way through the narrow streets by the light of the rising moon。 They go to the upper chamber where Jesus spent the hours of the last evening before His death。 Here they know that their brethren are to be found。 Late as it is； they know that the disciples will not sleep till they learn for a certainty what has become of the body of their Lord。 They find the door of the chamber securely barred。 They knock for admission； but no answer comes。 All is still。 Then they give their names。 The door is carefully unbarred； they enter； and Another； unseen； enters with them。 Then the door is again fastened； to keep out spies。
The travelers find all in surprised excitement。 The voices of those in the room break out into thanksgiving and praise； saying； 〃The Lord is risen indeed； and hath appeared to Simon。〃 Then the two travelers； panting with the haste with which they have made their journey； tell the wondrous story of how Jesus has appeared to them。 They have just ended； and some are saying that they cannot believe it； for it is too good to be true； when behold； another Person stands before them。 Every eye is fastened upon the stranger。 No one has knocked for entrance。 No
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footstep has been heard。 The disciples are startled； and wonder what it means。 Then they hear a voice which is no other than the voice of their Master。 Clear and distinct the words fall from His lips； 〃Peace be unto you。〃
〃But they were terrified and affrighted； and supposed that they had seen a spirit。 And He said unto them； Why are ye troubled？ and why do thoughts arise in your hearts？ Behold My hands and My feet； that it is I Myself： handle Me； and see； for a spirit hath not flesh and bones； as ye see Me have。 And when He had thus spoken； He showed them His hands and His feet。〃
They beheld the hands and feet marred by the cruel nails。 They recognized His voice； like no other they had ever heard。 〃And while they yet believed not for joy； and wondered； He said unto them； Have ye here any meat？ And they gave Him a piece of a broiled fish； and of an honeycomb。 And He took it； and did eat before them。〃 〃Then were the disciples glad； when they saw the Lord。〃 Faith and joy took the place of unbelief； and with feelings which no words could express they acknowledged their risen Saviour。
At the birth of Jesus the angel announced； Peace on earth； and good will to men。 And now at His first appearance to the disciples after His resurrection； the Saviour addressed them with the blessed words； 〃Peace
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be unto you。〃 Jesus is ever ready to speak peace to souls that are burdened with doubts and fears。 He waits for us to open the door of the heart to Him； and say； Abide with us。 He says； 〃Behold； I stand at the door； and knock： if any man hear My voice； and open the door； I will come in to him； and will sup with him； and he with Me。〃 Rev。 3：20。
The resurrection of Jesus was a type of the final resu
