Friday of Easter Week

And their eyes were opened, and they knew Him. – Luke 24:31.

In the afternoon of Easter Day, two of the larger circle of disciples went from Jerusalem to a village called Emmaus, about a three hours’ walk. And they talked together of all these things which had happened. And it came to pass that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus Himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were held so that they should not know Him. And He said to them: “What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another as ye walk, and are sad?” (Luke 24:13-17). And one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering, said to Him: “Art Thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are come to pass there in these days?” (v. 18). And He said to them: “What things?” (v. 19a). And they said to Him: “Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered Him to be condemned to death and have crucified Him. But 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. Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulcher; and when they found not His body, they came, saying that they had also seen a vision of angels, which said that He was alive. And certain of them that were with us went to the sepulcher and found it even so as the women had said, but Him they saw not” (vv. 19b-24).

Then He said to 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?” (vv. 25-26). And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, He expounded unto them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself. And they drew nigh unto the village whither they went, and He made as though He would have gone further. But they constrained Him, saying: “Abide with us; for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent” (vv. 27-29a). And He went in to tarry with them (v. 29b). And it came to pass, as He sat at meat with them, He took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them. And their eyes were opened, and they knew Him. And He vanished out of their sight (vv. 30-31). 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?” (v. 32).

Should anything be added to this beautiful account, which is ever new? No, indeed! Do but always seek your living Savior in His Word; then will your eyes be opened ever more, and ever better, and ever more clearly will you know Him, and ever more firmly will you believe in Him.

PRAYER. – Dear Lord Jesus Christ, who didst reveal Thyself to the two disciples on the road to Emmaus, I pray Thee also to illumine my heart by Thy Word and the Holy Spirit, working through Thy Word, that I may grow stronger and firmer in faith, continuing faithfully, steadfastly in Thy Word, gladly speaking of it, and diligently seeking Thee in it, to the end that I may continue to have true comfort here on earth through Thy Word, until, after this life, by Thy grace, I may be raised to enjoy eternal bliss. Amen.

Abide with me, fast falls the eventide; the darkness deepens, Lord, with me abide;

when other helpers fail and comforts flee; Help of the helpless, oh, abide with me!

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Not a brief glance I beg, a passing word; but as Thou dweltst with Thy disciples, Lord;

familiar, condescending, patient, free; come not to sojourn, but abide with me.

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Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes; shine through the gloom and point me to the skies;

heaven’s morning breaks, and earth’s vain shadows flee; in life, in death, O Lord, abide with me!

(Hymn 552, st. 1, 3, and 8; TLH)