THE SUNDAY SCHOOL

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Apr 17, 1901

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 27, No. 16.

THE SUNDAY SCHOOL

INTERNATIONAL SERIES

LESSON 3.—APRIL 21.—THE WALK TO EMMAUS.

Lesson Scripture, Luke 24:13-35, R.V.

13. “And behold, two of them were going that very day to a village named Emmaus, which was threescore furlongs from Jerusalem. And they communed with each other of all these 14 things which had happened. And it came to pass, while they 15 communed and questioned together, that Jesus Himself drew 16 near, and went with them. But their eyes were holden that 17 they should not know Him. And He said unto them, What communications are these that ye have one with another, as 18 ye walk? And they stood still, looking sad. And one of them, named Cleopas, answering said unto Him, Dost Thou alone sojourn in Jerusalem and not know the things which are 19 come to pass there in these days? And He said unto them, What things? And they said unto Him, The things concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed 20 and word before God and all the people; and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered Him up to be condemned to 21 death, and crucified Him. But we hoped that it was He which should redeem Israel. Yea and beside all this, it is 22 now the third day since these things came to pass. Moreover certain women of our company amazed us, having been early 23 at the tomb; and when they found not His body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, which said 24 that He was alive. And certain of them that were with us went to the tomb, and found it even so as the women had 25 said; but Him they saw not. And He said unto them, O foolish men, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets 26 have spoken! Behooved it not the Christ to suffer these 27 things, and to enter into His glory? And beginning from Moses, and from all the prophets, He interpreted to them in 28 all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself. And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they were going; and He 29 made as though He would go further. And they constrained Him, saying, Abide with us; for it is toward evening, and the 30 day is now far spent. And He went in to abide with them. And it came to pass, when He had sat down with them to meat, He took the bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave 31 to them. And their eyes were opened, and they knew Him; 32 and He vanished out of their sight. And they said one to another, Was not our heart burning within us, while He spake to us in the way, while He opened to us the Scriptures? And 33 they rose up that very hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with 34 them, saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to 35 Simon. And they rehearsed the things that happened in the way, and how He was known of them in the breaking of the bread.”

Golden Text: “Did not our heart burn within us, while He talked with us by the way?” Verse 32.

SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.

(1) To what place did two disciples of Jesus go on the day of His resurrection? Verse 13. (2) What was the subject of their conversation? Verse 14. (3) As they journeyed, who joined them? Verse 15. Note 1. (4) Why did they not recognize Him? Verse 16. (5) What did Jesus say to them? Verse 17. (6) Who answered? and what did he say? Verse 18. (7) How did Jesus further draw them out? Verse 19, first clause. (8) How did they reply? Verses 19-23. (9) In what language did Jesus reproach the disciples? Verse 25. (10) With what query did He continue His reply? Verse 26. Note 2. (11) How did Jesus proceed to enlighten the disciples? Verse 27. Note 3. (12) As they neared the end of their journey, what did Jesus do? Verse 28. Note 4. (13) With what words did the disciples urge Him to stop with them? and with what success? Verse 29. (14) What did Jesus do when they sat down to supper? (15) What was the effect of this action? and what did Jesus immediately do? Verse 31. Note 5. (16) What did the astonished disciples then say? Verse 32. (17) What was their next proceeding? Verse 33. Note 6. (18) What report did they hear from the brethren in Jerusalem? Verse 34. (19) Then what testimony did the two from Emmaus give? Verse 35.

NOTES.

1. Jesus Drew Near.—What caused Him to join the two travelers?—It was because they had been disappointed, and were discouraged and sad; and because in their trouble their conversation was of Him. They were in need of His counsel; and He knew their hearts could be reached by the truth. He appeared to them for the same reason that He showed Himself to Mary Magdalene that morning,—to comfort and to encourage them, and to make them witnesses of the truth.

2. Ought not Christ to Have Suffered?—The Scriptures had plainly stated that He would suffer. Ps. 22:16-18; 69:20, 21; Isaiah 53. “And to enter into His glory.” See psalm 24.

3. See article on page 7 of this paper, entitled, “Beginning at Moses.”

4. “Would Have Gone Farther.”—Here Jesus tested the interest of His companions in the truth He had been presenting to them. Had they not urged Him to stop with them, He would have passed on, and they would have missed the blessing of a personal recognition. “Be not forgetful to entertain strangers; for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” Heb. 13:2. To feel one’s need of Christ, and to seek Him thru His Word, is to assure His presence and help. “Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you.” James 4:8.

5. The Recognition.—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!—“Desire of Ages.”

6. “They Rose up the Same Hour.”—The Lord has disappeared, and the two disciples are left with their precious fund of knowledge fresh from the Lord Himself. They are no longer sad and discouraged; for they know, both from the infallible Word and their own sense of seeing, that their Master is risen from the dead. But the news is too good to keep from their brethren in Jerusalem. Tho it is night, and the way is rough and dangerous, they must go at once to Jerusalem to comfort and encourage the brethren there. The spirit of love and sympathy that caused the Master to accompany them to Emmaus and cheer their hearts, now actuates them to make the return journey to bring like cheer to others.