Their Hearts Were Drawn to the Stranger

During their journey, the sun had gone down and the laborers in the fields had left their work. As the disciples were about to enter their home, the stranger appeared as though He was going to continue His journey. But the disciples hungered to hear more from Him. “Abide with us,” they urged. He did not accept the invitation immediately, but they pressed Him. “It is toward evening, and the day is far spent.” Christ yielded to this request and “went in to stay with them.”HH 366.5

If the disciples had failed to press their invitation, they would not have known that their traveling Companion was the risen Lord. Christ never forces His company on anyone. He will gladly enter the humblest home, but if its residents are too indifferent to ask Him to stay with them, He passes by.HH 366.6

The disciples had soon prepared the simple evening meal and placed it before the Guest, who had taken His seat at the head of the table. Now He stretched out His hands to bless the food in exactly the same way as their Master used to do. The disciples sat bolt upright in astonishment. They looked again and saw the print of nails in His hands. Both of them exclaimed, “It is the Lord Jesus!”HH 367.1

They got up to throw themselves at His feet, but He had vanished. They looked at the place occupied by One whose body had so recently lain in the grave, and they said to each other, “Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?”HH 367.2

With this great news to communicate, their weariness and hunger were gone. They left their meal uneaten and hurried back on the same path by which they had come, to tell the disciples in the city. They climbed over steep places, slipping on smooth rocks, wanting to go faster than they dared. They lost the way but found it again. Sometimes running, sometimes stumbling, they hurried on, their unseen Companion beside them all the way.HH 367.3

The night was dark, but the Sun of Righteousness was shining upon them. They seemed to be in a new world. Christ is risen—over and over they repeated it. They must tell the sorrowing ones the wonderful story of the walk to Emmaus. They must tell who joined them along the way. They carried the greatest message ever given—glad news on which the hopes of the human family depend for time and eternity.HH 367.4