The Walk to Emmaus

This chapter is based on Luke 24:13-33.

Late in the afternoon on the day of the Resurrection, two disciples were on their way to Emmaus, a little town eight miles from Jerusalem. These disciples had come to keep the Passover and were greatly perplexed by the events that had taken place. They had heard the news about the removal of Christ’s body and also the report of the women who had seen the angels and had met Jesus. Now returning home, they were talking over the scenes of the trial and Crucifixion. Never had they been so completely discouraged.HH 365.1

On their journey, they were joined by a Stranger, but they were so absorbed in their gloom that they did not observe him closely. They continued expressing the thoughts of their hearts, discussing the lessons Christ had given, which they seemed unable to comprehend. Jesus longed to comfort them. He understood the conflicting, perplexing ideas that brought to their minds the thought, Can this Man, who allowed Himself to be so humiliated, be the Christ? They wept. Jesus longed to wipe away their tears and fill them with joy and gladness. But He must first give them lessons they would never forget.HH 365.2

“He said to them, ‘What kind of conversation is this that you have with one another as you walk and are sad?’ Then the one whose name was Cleopas answered and said to Him, ‘Are You the only stranger in Jerusalem, and have You not known the things which happened there in these days?’” They told Him of their disappointment in regard to their Master, “who was a Prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people,” but “the chief priests and our rulers delivered Him to be condemned to death, and crucified Him.” With quivering lips they added, “We were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel. Indeed, besides all this, today is the third day since these things happened.”HH 365.3

Strange that they did not remember Christ’s words, that He had foretold that He would rise again the third day. The priests and rulers did not forget!HH 365.4