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Christ's first work on earth after His resurrection was to convince His disciples of His undiminished love and tender regard for them。 To give them proof that He was their living Saviour； that He had broken the fetters of the tomb； and could no longer be held by the enemy death； to reveal that He had the same heart of love as when He was with them as their beloved Teacher； He appeared to them again and again。 He would draw the bonds of love still closer around them。 Go tell My brethren； He said； that they meet Me in Galilee。
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As they heard this appointment； so definitely given； the disciples began to think of Christ's words to them foretelling His resurrection。 But even now they did not rejoice。 They could not cast off their doubt and perplexity。 Even when the women declared that they had seen the Lord； the disciples would not believe。 They thought them under an illusion。
Trouble seemed crowding upon trouble。 On the sixth day of the week they had seen their Master die； on the first day of the next week they found themselves deprived of His body； and they were accused of having stolen it away for the sake of deceiving the people。 They despaired of ever correcting the false impressions that were gaining ground against them。 They feared the enmity of the priests and the wrath of the people。 They longed for the presence of Jesus； who had helped them in every perplexity。
Often they repeated the words； 〃We trusted that it had been He which should have redeemed Israel。〃 Lonely and sick at heart they remembered His words； 〃If they do these things in a green tree； what shall be done in the dry？〃 Luke 24：21； 23：31。 They met together in the upper chamber； and closed and fastened the doors； knowing that the fate of their beloved Teacher might at any time be theirs。
And all the time they might have been rejoicing in the knowledge of a risen Saviour。 In the garden； Mary had stood weeping； when Jesus was close beside her。 Her eyes were so blinded by tears that she did not discern Him。 And the hearts of the disciples were so full of grief that they did not believe the angels' message or the words of Christ Himself。
How many are still doing what these disciples did！ How many echo Mary's despairing cry； 〃They have taken away the Lord； 。 。 。 and we know not where they have laid Him〃！ To how many might the Saviour's words be spoken； 〃Why weepest thou？ whom seekest thou？〃 He is close beside them； but their tear…blinded eyes do not discern Him。 He speaks to them； but they do not understand。
Oh that the bowed head might be lifted； that the eyes might be opened to behold Him； that the ears might listen to His voice！ 〃Go quickly； and tell His disciples that He is risen。〃 Bid them look not to Joseph's new tomb； that was closed with a great stone； and sealed with the Roman seal。 Christ is not there。 Look not to the empty sepulcher。 Mourn not as those who are hopeless and helpless。 Jesus lives； and because He lives； we shall live also。 From grateful hearts； from lips touched with holy fire； let the glad song ring out； Christ is risen！ He lives to make intercession for us。 Grasp this hope； and it will hold the soul like a sure； tried anchor。 Believe； and thou shalt see the glory of God。
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Chapter 83
The Walk to Emmaus
Late in the afternoon of the day of the resurrection； two of the disciples were on their way to Emmaus； a little town eight miles from Jerusalem。 These disciples had had no prominent place in Christ's work； but they were earnest believers in Him。 They had come to the city to keep the Passover； and were greatly perplexed by the events that had recently taken place。 They had heard the news of the morning in regard to the removal of Christ's body from the tomb； and also the report of the women who had seen the angels and had met Jesus。 They were now returning to their homes to meditate and pray。 Sadly they pursued their evening walk； talking over the scenes of the trial and the crucifixion。 Never before had they been so utterly disheartened。 Hopeless and faithless； they were walking in the shadow of the cross。
They had not advanced far on their journey when they were joined by a stranger； but they were so absorbed in their gloom and disappointment that they did not observe him closely。 They continued their conversation； expressing the thoughts of their hearts。 They were reasoning in regard to the lessons that Christ had given； which they seemed unable to comprehend。 As they talked of the events that had taken place； Jesus longed to comfort them。 He had seen their grief； He understood the conflicting； perplexing ideas that brought to their minds the thought；
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Can this Man； who suffered Himself to be so humiliated； be the Christ？ Their grief could not be restrained； and they wept。 Jesus knew that their hearts were bound up with Him in love； and He longed to wipe away their tears； and fill them with joy and gladness。 But He must first give them lessons they would never forget。
〃He said unto them； What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another； as ye walk； and are sad？ And the one of them； whose name was Cleopas； answering said unto Him； Art Thou only a stranger in Jerusalem； and hast not known the things which are come to pass there in these days？〃 They told Him of their disappointment in regard to their Master； 〃which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people；〃 but 〃the chief priests and our rulers；〃 they said； 〃delivered Him to be condemned to death； and have crucified Him。〃 With hearts sore with disappointment； and with quivering lips； they added； 〃We trusted that it had been He which should have redeemed Israel： and beside all this； today is the third day since these things were done。〃
Strange that the disciples did not remember Christ's words； and realize that He had foretold the events which had come to pass！ They did not realize that the last part of His disclosure would be just as verily fulfilled as the first part； that the third day He would rise again。 This was the part they should have remembered。 The priests and rulers did not forget this。 On the day 〃that followed the day of the preparation； the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate； saying； Sir； we remember that that deceiver said； while He was yet alive； After three days I will rise again。〃 Matt。 27：62； 63。 But the disciples did not remember these words。
〃Then He said unto them； O fools； and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken： ought not Christ to have suffered these things； and to enter into His glory？〃 The disciples wondered who this stranger could be； that He should penetrate to their very souls； and speak with such earnestness； tenderness； and sympathy； and with such hopefulness。 For the first time since Christ's betrayal； they began to feel hopeful。 Often they looked earnestly at their companion； and thought that His words were just the words that Christ would have spoken。 They were filled with amazement； and their hearts began to throb with joyful expectation。
Beginning at Moses； the very Alph