Bible Reading
Luke 24:13-35:
13And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs.
14And they talked together of all these things which had happened.
15And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them.
16But their eyes were holden that they should not know him.
17And he said unto them, What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad?
18And 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?
19And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people:
20And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him.
21But 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.
22Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulchre;
23And when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, which said that he was alive.
24And certain of them which were with us went to the sepulchre, and found it even so as the women had said: but him they saw not.
25Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken:
26Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?
27And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.
28And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went: and he made as though he would have gone further.
29But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them.
30And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them.
31And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight.
32And 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?
33And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them,
34Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon.
35And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread.
Devotional
We confess that Jesus Christ rose from the dead. He himself tells us, "I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen." And He also says, I live, and ye shall live also. We, who by nature are dead in sin, shall live for ever and ever. How we shall rejoice and praise the Lord!
The resurrection of Christ is such a stupendous fact; men have always doubted it. Even the disciples could not believe it when it actually did take place. Thomas said, I will not believe. To the other disciples the words of the women, who had seen Christ, seemed as idle tales, and they believed them not. And Christ upbraided them with their unbelief. The Sadducees did not believe in a resurrection, and there were some in Paul's time who said, "There is no resurrection."
Yet the resurrection of Christ is clearly proven. He repeatedly appeared unto his disciples, and "shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs." He ate and drank with them after his resurrection. At one time he was seen of more than 500 brethren at once. Should we still doubt that Christ arose from the dead? No. We should believe and rejoice and praise the Lord. For we are assured that Christ's sacrifice is valid; we are reconciled unto God. Death, Satan and hell are conquered, and we have righteousness and life. "O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? .... Thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."
Prayer
We thank Thee, our heavenly Father that death, that dread enemy, is conquered; that Christ obtained the victory over sin and death and Satan. In all our sin and misery, and in the hour of death, help us to remember that Jesus Christ was raised from the dead, and because He lives, we shall live also. Thanks be to God now and for ever. Amen.
Scripture in Devotional: Rev. 1:18; John 14:19; 20:25; Luke 24:11; Mark 16:14; Acts 23:8; 1 Cor. 15:12; Acts 1:3; 10:41; 1 Cor. 15:6, 55, 57.
