Two Friends Talk With Christ

Luke 24:13-21, 25-31

GOLDEN TEXT: “And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?”—Luke 24:32

COMBINING the statements of the four Gospels, we understand that Jesus made at least five appearances to his disciples upon that first day of the week, early in the morning of which he rose from the dead. He appeared to Mary as she turned from the tomb after finding that his body was not there; to women returning from the sepulcher; later in the day to Simon Peter; to the two disciples on the way to Emmaus; and finally to the assembled disciples in Jerusalem after the two had returned from Emmaus with the thrilling account of their Master’s visit with them on the way, and their recognition of him when he blessed the bread, broke it, and gave to them—as he had probably done many times before in their presence.—John 20; Luke 24; Matt. 28

Try as we may, it is doubtless impossible to realize what the evidence that He was alive again meant to the disciples who had followed Jesus and had witnessed his crucifixion and burial. The relief and joy to know that he was able to communicate with them again; and the revival and enlargement of their hopes for the restoration of Israel and the establishment of the kingdom of Heaven in which he had promised them a share must have produced a tremendous flood of emotion. The resurrection of Jesus from the dead has always been a momentous event to all of his disciples; but its paramount importance can be grasped only by those who understand God’s plan. Such realize that there the evidence was given that the divine purpose would be carried out to “judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.”—Acts 17:31

The Apostle Paul, speaking of the death and resurrection of Jesus, says that he “was delivered for our offenses, and was raised again for our justification.” (Rom. 4:25) And Peter, speaking of Jesus on the day of Pentecost, declared, “Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.” (Acts 2:24) These and many other texts enable us to see clearly the momentous implications of Jesus’ resurrection. For him, it was the blessed assurance that he had successfully passed the crucial test; that he had been faithful in laying down his human life as a voluntary sacrifice in the carrying out of his Father’s plans; and that he was now to be restored to intimate fellowship in the spirit realm, and with the glory of the highest, the divine nature—immortality, “life in himself.”—John 5:26; Phil. 2:7-11

For Jesus’ followers, as Paul explains, his resurrection is the assurance that his sacrifice for sin was acceptable; that he has appeared in the presence of God for us; and has accomplished the justification of those who believe fully in him and his message and in accord with it have presented themselves in consecration to follow his steps of self-denial and sacrifice in carrying forward God’s program. (Rom. 12:1,2) And, while the world does not yet realize it, the resurrection of Jesus is of tremendous importance to them. As Paul explained to the unbelieving and scornful Athenians, it is the blessed assurance “unto all men” that the world will have a trial time, a judgment day, an opportunity to learn of God’s love and his holy principles under the most favorable conditions. They will also have an opportunity to unlearn the selfish, unrighteous habits in which they have lived and died, and, if they will, to walk up the highway of holiness to human perfection.—Isa. 11:1-10; 35

In our lesson for today we are reminded again that the disciples who followed the Lord failed to understand and appreciate what the Master meant when he repeatedly told them of his coming trial and death. It seems remarkable that their minds were unable to comprehend his words. Luke says, “They understood none of these things.” (Luke 18:31-34) It required the “opening of the Scriptures” to the two sad and perplexed disciples to dispel their despondency.

As with those who walked with Jesus in the flesh, so, many others of the Lord’s dear people have likewise failed to apprehend the true and full meaning of his words recorded for their instruction. Often they have needed some new experience designed in the Lord’s kind providence to awaken them to see the implications of the truths which they have heard and believed but have failed to grasp in their true perspective. Is this not true of our reaction to some of the wonderful truths we have been given in the end of the age? How earnestly we need to consider this possibility, and to ask for wisdom and grace that our eyes of understanding may be opened to see and realize our “high calling”; what it means to be dead with Christ, to suffer with him; what it means to be conformed to our Master’s own image in our thoughts, ambitions, and objectives.

QUESTIONS:

On what occasions did Jesus appear on the day he arose from the dead?

What did the resurrection of Jesus indicate for him; for the church; and for the world?

What lessons may we gain from the account of the two disciples on the road to Emmaus, and their conversation with the Lord?

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