January 2

Luke xxiv.—13. And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs.

14. And they talked together of all these things which had happened.

15. And it came to pass, that while they commenced together, and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them.

16. But their eyes were holden that they should not know him.

17. And he said unto them, What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad?

18. 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?

19. And 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;

20. And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him.

21. But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel; and, besides all this, to-day is the third day since these things were done.

22. Yea, and certain women also of our company

The news of the resurrection had spread eagerly among the disciples; but, as yet, Jesus had been seen only by the women and by Peter. Toward evening, as two of the disciples were on the way to a village a few miles from the city, Jesus overtook them, and, accosting them as a stranger, drew them into conversation concerning himself. His purpose was not only to manifest himself anew as the risen Lord, but to give them the key to his sufferings and death as the true redemption of Israel. It was important to the whole body of believers that the death and the resurrection of Jesus should be interpreted by the prophecies concerning Christ, so as finally to correct the

made us astonished, which were early at the sepulchre.

23. 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.

24. And 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.

25. Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken!

26. Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?

27. And beginning at Moses, and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.

28. And they drew nigh unto the village whither they went; and he made as though he would have gone farther.

29. But 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.

30. And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them.

31. And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight.

32. 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?

delusion of a temporal Messiah. These events, which, taken alone, seemed so strange and portentous, were shown to be the conclusion toward which the purpose of God in man's redemption had been shaping itself in the prophetic ages. Thus did our Lord honor the Holy Scriptures; and, by kindling in the hearts of the disciples an enthusiasm for the word of God, he prepared them to accept in the most natural manner the crowning miracle of the resurrection. It is in the Word that we must still seek Christ; and, as with faith and love we read, a sudden fervor of devotion may attest his presence, and with our believing eyes we shall see the Lord.

APPROPRIATE HYMNS.]

Prayer.

[Nos. 33, 35, 199.

O God our heavenly Father! we draw near to thee in the name of Jesus Christ our Saviour, and present unto thee our evening sacrifice of prayer and praise.

We bless thee for the rest of thine own day. We thank thee for the sound of the gospel which we have heard; for the comfort and instruction provided for us in the house of prayer. May we be built up and strengthened in our most holy faith! Have pity, O Lord! upon those who have spent this sabbath in sorrow or suffering or sin; upon those who have had no opportunity of hearing the gospel of thy grace, and have been taught nothing of a Saviour. Teach us the more to prize our privileges and mercies; and, in the spirit of our Master, may we seek and save the lost!

Water with the dew of thy grace the seed so widely scattered by thy servants this day. Cause it to take deep and abiding root. Confirm the wavering; comfort the sorrowful; bind up the broken-hearted; give unto them the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness.

And now, O Lord! may we lie down upon our beds at peace with thee! May the blessing of the Saviour tarry with us, and his peace be upon us! May thy statutes be our songs in the house of our pilgrimage! May sabbaths on earth, improved and enjoyed, fit us for a happier rest above! Grant this for the sake of Jesus Christ our risen Lord and Saviour. Amen.