Today’s selected reading continues in and concludes the New Testament gospel narrative of the life and ministry of the Lord Jesus as it was written and recorded by the beloved physician Luke. More specifically today’s passage is found in verses thirteen through fifty-three of the twenty-fourth chapter. “And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs. 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 Holden that they should not know him. And 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? 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: 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, to day 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 sepulchre; 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 which were with us went to the sepulchre, and found it even so as the women had said: but him they saw not. Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all the prophets have spoken: Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? 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. And he went in to tarry with them. 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. 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? And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them, saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon. And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread” (Luke 24:13-35). “And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit. And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? And why do thoughts arise in your hearts? Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet. And while they believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat? And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb. And he took it, and did eat before them. And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, and said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: and that repentance and remission fo sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of these things. And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high” (Luke 24:36-49). “And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy: and were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen” (Luke 24:50-53). When you come to this particular portion of Scripture you will encounter the miracle and supernatural work of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. With this being said I am absolutely convinced that in order to truly understand the words and language that is found and contained within it we must first turn and direct our attention to the words which are found in the opening twelve verses of this twenty-fourth chapter. If you begin reading with the first verse of this chapter you will find that it opens up by speaking of and describing the first day of the week—and not merely the first day of the week but very early in the morning. It would be very early in the morning on the first day of the week there would be certain women which came with a man by the name of Joseph of Arimathaea and followed him unto the place where he had placed the body of the Lord Jesus after His death. Turning your attention back to the words which are found in the twenty-third chapter you will find that beginning with the forty-seventh verse you read of a centurion who beheld the darkness that covered the face of the earth and the death of the Lord Jesus and those things which were done and glorified God emphatically proclaiming that this was a righteous man. What’s more is that all those who were present on this particular day would behold the sight and those things which were done and would smite their breasts and returned unto their homes. The beloved physician Luke goes on to write how all the acquaintance of the Lord Jesus and all the women that followed Him from Galilee stood afar off beholding the events which had taken place. Beginning with the fiftieth verse of this passage of Scripture you will read of a man named Joseph who was a counseller and a good man and a just who had not consented to the counsel and deed of those who had killed and crucified the Lord Jesus. This Joseph of Arimathaea would come unto Pilate and entreat and beg the body of Jesus that he might properly bury it. Once he had secured permission from Pilate he went unto the cross and took the body of the Lord Jesus down from the cross and wrapped it in linen and laid it in a sepulchre hewn out of stone wherein never before a man had been laid. As you continue reading the words which were found in this passage of Scripture you will find how in the final verses of the twenty-third chapter of this New Testament book you will how the women also which came with Joseph of Arimathaea from Galilee followed after and beheld the sepulchre and how the body of the Lord was laid. These same women would return and would prepare spices and ointments and would rest on the sabbath day according to the commandment. It is in this context we find the twenty-fourth chapter of this New Testament gospel unfolding and those women who journeyed with Joseph from Galilee coming unto the tomb after having prepared ointments and spices that they might anoint the lifeless body of the Lord Jesus. It is this particular concept of preparing ointments and spices to anoint the lifeless body of the Lord Jesus that is actually truly astonishing and remarkable for although their intentions might have been pure and even noble they would never get the chance to anoint the body of the Lord Jesus. If you read the words which the beloved physician Luke wrote in this particular passage of Scripture—and not only what Luke himself wrote but also what the apostles Matthew and Mark wrote as well as John Mark—you will find that before the women could ever return to the tomb with the spices and ointments they had prepared something supernatural and miraculous would take place. It would be very early in the morning on the first day of the week a second earthquake would strike the earth—this earthquake which would not only cause the stone to be rolled away from the entrance of the tomb but would also cause the guards who were stationed at the tomb to fall down as dead men. Although the twenty-fourth chapter of this New Testament gospel begins and opens up with the same women who came from Galilee with Joseph of Arimathaea returning with spices and ointments it would not be so that they would actually be able to anoint the lifeless body of the Lord Jesus. With all of this being said I am absolutely convinced that in order to truly understand that which is found in this particular passage of Scripture—beginning with that which is found in the final verses of the twenty-third chapter it is absolutely necessary to consider the three other accounts of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. What’s more is I would also dare say there are two other passages of Scripture which need to be carefully examined when attempting to understand the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. In the opening chapter of the New Testament book of Acts we find a powerful declaration of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus and those things which would transpire after He had indeed risen from the grave. What’s more is I would dare say we must also consider the words which were written by the apostle Paul and are recorded for us in the opening verses of the fifteenth chapter of the first epistle written unto the Corinthian saints. There is a great need for us to see the whole picture of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus side by side and next to each other that we might indeed be those who truly understand the events which took place on this first day of the week. It is having said this I find it imperative to call and draw your attention to the following words which are found in each of the other three gospels as well as the New Testament book of Acts and the first epistle written by the apostle Paul unto the Corinthian saints: “Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, and came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many. Now when the centurion and they that were with him watching. Jesus saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God. And man women were there beholding afar off, which followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto him: among which was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee’s children” (Matthew 27:50-56). “When the even was come, there came a rich man of Arimathaea, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus’ disciple: He went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered. And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed. And there was Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary, sitting over against the sepulchre” (Matthew 27:57-59). “Now the next day, that followed the day of the preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate, saying, Sir, we remember that the deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again. Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the first. Pilate said unto them, ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can. So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch” (Matthew 27:60-66). “In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first days of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre. And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: and for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as a dead men. And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you. And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy: and did run to bring his disciples word. And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him. Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me” (Matthew 28:1-10). “Now when they were going, behold, some of the watch came into the city, and shewed unto the chief priests all the things that were done. And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers, saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept. And if this come to the governor’s ears, we will persuade him, and secure you. So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day” (Matthew 28:11-15). “Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted. And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen” (Matthew 28:16-20). Consider now if you will the following words which are written in the final chapters of the New Testament gospel narrative which was written by John Mark concerning the death, burial and resurrection of the Lord Jesus and those events which transpired thereafter: “And Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost. And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom. And when the centurion, which stood over against him, saw that he so cried out, and gave up the ghost, he said, Truly this man was the Son of God. There were also women looking on afar off: among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome; (who also, when he was in Galilee, followed him, and ministered unto him;) and many other women which came up with him unto Jerusalem” (Mark 15:37-41). “And now when the even was come, because it was the preparation, that is, the day before the sabbath, joseph of Arimathaea, an honorable counseller, which also waited for the kingdom of God, came, and went in boldly unto Pilate, and craved the body of Jesus. And Pilate marveled if he were already dead: and calling unto him the centurion, he asked him whether he had been any while dead. And when he knew it of the centurion, he gave the body to Joseph. And he bought fine linen, and took him down, and wrapped him in the linen, and laid him in a sepulchre which was hewn out of a rock, and rolled a stone unto the door of the sepulchre. And Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of Joses beheld where he was laid” (Mark 15:42-47). “And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him. And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto t he sepulchre at the rising of the sun. And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre? And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great. And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted. And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him. But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you. And they went out quickly, and fled from the sepulchre; for they trembled and were amazed: neither said they any thing to any man; for they were afraid” (Mark 16:1-8). “Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast out seven devils. And she went and told them that had been with him, as they mourned and wept. And they, when they had heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not” (Mark 16:9-11). “After that he appeared in another form unto two of them, as they walked, and went into the country. And they went and told it unto the residue: neither believed they them” (Mark 16:12-13). “Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they say at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen. And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; tThey shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover” (Mark 16:14-18). “So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen” (Mark 16:19-20). With those words being presented which were written in the New Testament gospel narrative written by John Mark I find it necessary to call and draw your attention to the following words which were written and recorded in the New Testament gospel narrative written by the apostle John. Consider now the following words which are found in this gospel narrative beginning with the thirty-first verse of the nineteenth chapter: “The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day, (for that sabbath day was an high day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that their bodies might be taken away. Then came the soldiers and brake the legs of the first, and of the other which was crucified with him. But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs: But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water. And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe. For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken. And again another scripture saith, They shall look on him whom they pierced” (John 19:31-37). “And after this Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him leaves. He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus. And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes about an hundred pound weight. Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury. Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulchre, wherein was never man yet laid. There laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jews’ preparation day; for the sepulchre was nigh at hand” (John 19:38-42). “The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto thee sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre. Then she run the, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him. Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulchre. So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre. And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying: yet went he not in. Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeeth the linen clothes lie, and the napkin that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself. Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed. For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead. Then the disciples went away again unto their own home” (John 20:1-10). “But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping; and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre, and seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. And they say unto her, Woman, why weepiest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him. And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepiest thou? Whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away. Jesus saith unto her, Mary, She turned herself, and saith unto Him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master. Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascended unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God. Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her” (John 20:11-18). “Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesu sand stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord. Then said Jesus to them again, peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith u not them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained” (John 20:19-23). “But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe. And after eight days again his disciples were within and, Thomas was with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said Peace be unto you. Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen men, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed” (John 20:24-29). “And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this books: but these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name” (John 20:30-31). Here are the words which the beloved physician Luke wrote in the first and opening chapter of the New Testament book of Acts which describes the life and ministry of the body of Christ as separate from the Head which was the Lord Jesus after He ascended unto the right hand of the Father: “The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen: to whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God: And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which saith he, ye have heard of me. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost parts of the earth. And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven” (Acts 1:1-11). Here are the following words which are found in the opening eleven verses of the fifteenth chapter of the first New Testament epistle written by the apostle Paul unto the Corinthian saints beginning with the first verse: “Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; by which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; but which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: and that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: after that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. For I am the least of the apostle, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I labour Ed more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. Therefore whether or were I or they, so we preach, and so ye believed” (1 Corinthians 15:1-11).

It is absolutely necessary we recognize and understand the words which are found in these passages of Scripture for they call and draw our attention to the different descriptions and narratives of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. The gospel narrative of the apostle Matthew was the first of which we find the account of the resurrection of the dead which would be followed by the account written by John Mark, the account written by the physician Luke and finally that which was written by the apostle John. What makes these narratives so incredibly unique and powerful when you consider them is as you read that which the apostle John wrote you will find the Jews coming unto Pilate and entreating him to break the legs of those who were hanging upon the crosses that their bodies might not remain there on the day of the preparation. What we find in the New Testament gospel narrative which was written by the apostle John is the Jews wanting to prepare themselves for the sabbath and it was for this reason the Jews were unwilling to have the bodies of those who were crucified remaining on the cross. What’s more is that when you read the words which are found in this passage of Scripture you will find the apostle John adding something quite interesting concerning the bodies of those which were hanging upon the cross. It would be in the gospel narrative written by the apostle John we find him writing how the Jews besought Pilate that he might have the legs of those crucified men broken that their deaths might be expedited and their bodies taken away. Oh it is this concept of their bodies being taken away that is truly interesting—particularly when you think about what would have been done with the bodies after those who had been crucified had been killed and put to death.

Within the four gospel narratives I find it absolutely incredible to think about and consider the tremendous and incredible truth surrounding the Jews’ desire and intention of having the legs of those who were crucified being broken that their deaths might be swift and quick that their bodies might not remain upon the cross and might be disposed of. This is something we must needs recognize and pay close attention to this for when we think about it Joseph of Arimathaea would also come to Pilate entreating and begging the body of the Lord Jesus. Scripture is unclear what happened to the lifeless bodies of the two thieves who were crucified together with the Lord Jesus and we aren’t given any indication whether they were simply discarded in a mass grave or whether or not they had family members who came to lay hold of the body. What we do know, however, is that Joseph of Arimathaea would come unto Pilate entreating and begging the body of the Lord Jesus that he might properly care for it and bury it in a proper tomb and grave. Oh I have often found this to be truly astonishing and amazing when you take the time to think about it for it calls and draws our attention to this righteous and just man who was not only a disciple of Jesus but one who also waited for the kingdom of God who would come unto Pilate entreating him for the body of the Lord Jesus. Undoubtedly Joseph desired the body of the Lord Jesus that it might not be discarded and simply cast aside as though it were some scum or filth in the eyes of the Romans. Joseph would indeed come and entreat Pilate for the body of the Lord Jesus that he might take it down from the cross, wrap it in linen clothes and place it in a tomb which was hewn from the rock of the earth. Pilate would indeed consent to this request and would permit Joseph to take the lifeless body of the Lord Jesus down from the cross that he might do with it what he desired.

I have to admit there is something truly astonishing and captivating about this when you think about it for when you read of the death of the Lord Jesus prior to His resurrection you will find this Joseph of Arimathaea seeking the body of the Lord Jesus that he might properly care for and bury it in a tomb which was hewn from the earth. Moreover you will find Nicodemus who had at first sat down Ai with and spoke with Jesus by night concerning the kingdom of heaven coming with an hundred pounds of spices and ointment and myrrh. It would this Nicodemus who would bring with him some of the same spices which were presented unto the Lord Jesus earlier on his life when the wise men from the East came and presented their gifts unto Him. The gifts which were presented unto the Lord Jesus Christ there in Bethlehem after He was born were gold, frankincense and myrrh and it would be myrrh which would be one of the spices which would be brought by Nicodemus after the lifeless body of the Lord Jesus would be taken down from the cross. What a truly beautiful and captivating reality this is when you take the time to think about it for there is something we must needs recognize concerning the request of Joseph of Arimathaea as well as the actions of Nicodemus and the women who desired to come to the tomb early in the morning on the first day of the week. It would be Joseph of Arimathaea who would take the lifeless body of the Lord Jesus down from the cross and perhaps even clean it before wrapping it in clean linen and placing it in the tomb where it would remain.

While it is indeed true that Joseph of Arimathaea would take down the lifeless body of the Lord Jesus from the cross, and while it was perhaps true that he would undoubtedly remove the crown of thorns from His brow and clean all his wounds and the blood from His body before wrapping it in clean linen clothes it is also true that Nicodemus would bring a hundred pounds in weight of spices, of aloes and of myrrh that he might anoint the body of the Lord Jesus that the body itself might not see decay. It would be Nicodemus who would perhaps infuse the linen garments with the myrrh, the spices and the aloes before the lifeless body of the Lord Jesus would indeed be buried in the midst of the tomb where it would remain unto the first day of the week when the stone would be rolled away and His lifeless body would receive life by the Spirit and He would be raised from death to life. What we must also recognize and understand when reading the words which are found in each of the four gospels is that these women who beheld the place where the lifeless body of the Lord Jesu would lie did in fact depart from that place that they might buy spices and ointments that they themselves might anoint the body of the Lord Jesus. Although this was indeed true, however, it’s important to note that these women would never have the chance to anoint the lifeless body of the Lord Jesus. If you read the words which are found in the gospel narratives you will find the wonderful and powerful description of the stone being rolled away very early on the third day and the lifeless body of Jesus being raised from death to life. It would be on the third day that the Spirit of the living God would indeed breathe life into the nostrils of the Lord Jesus Christ and would cause Him to rise from the dead. Not only this but the stone which was in front of the entrance of the tomb would be rolled away and removed and Jesus would emerge from the grave completely and utterly triumphant and victorious over death, hell and the grave.

I sit here today thinking about the words which are found in the opening verses of the twenty-fourth chapter of the New Testament gospel narrative written by Luke and I am captivated with the fact that the women who had beheld the place where the lifeless body of the Lord Jesus was laid would indeed seek to come very early in the morning on the first day of the week seeking to anoint the body of Jesus with those spices they had brought.This is something which is truly astonishing and interesting when you take the time to think about it for as you read the words presented in this passage of Scripture you will find that very early in the morning these women would come unto the sepulchre bringing the spices which they had prepared with them and would arrive to a sight they had neither anticipated or expected. If there is one thing I can’t help but think about and consider when reading each of the gospel narratives it’s that even though the women would seek to come to the tomb and place where the lifeless body of the Lord Jesus would be buried there seemed to be no one who expected or anticipated His being raised from death to life. The more you read the words presented in each of these gospels the more you will be brought face to face with the wonderful truth surrounding the events which took place on the first day of the week. It would be on the first day of the week—before the women would arrive with their spices and ointments—when an angel of the Lord would descend from heaven and roll away the stone before the entrance of the tomb. On this first day of the week—very early in the morning even before the women would arrive—there would be a great earthquake which would strike the ground and would cause the guards which stood watch at the site to fall as dead men before the living God. Moreover an angel of the Lord would sit upon the stone which had been rolled away from the entrance of the tomb. Early in the morning on the first day of the week the stone would be rolled away from the entrance of the tomb—although the stone would not be rolled away that the women who came to the tomb might anoint the lifeless body of the Lord Jesus.

I have previously written concerning the accounts of the women who would anoint the body of the Lord Jesus while He was still alive. Each of the four gospel narratives present us with an account of a woman who would come into the presence of the Lord Jesus and anoint Him with a very costly ointment and perfume. In two of these accounts we find Jesus sitting in the house of one named Simon as this woman would show up with an alabaster jar filled with precious and costly ointment which she would pour out upon the body of Jesus while He was yet still alive. Within these four gospel narratives we find accounts which seem to suggest that there might have been two women who came into the presence of the Lord Jesus and anointed His body while He was still alive. With this being said it’s important for us to recognize that in two of these accounts Jesus would respond to those who would criticize her actions by instructing them to let her alone for she had wrought a good work upon Him. Jesus would indeed declare unto those who would dare question and criticize the actions of this woman by declaring that her actions would indeed prepare Him for His burial. This is something we must needs recognize and understand for the anointing of Jesus’ feet and head with the precious ointment and perfume would indeed be that which would prepare Him for His burial and for that time He would spend in the tomb after He would be killed and crucified. Oh we must needs recognize and understand the tremendous truth that is found within these passages of Scripture for they call and draw our attention to the wonderful reality of the Lord Jesus’ body being anointed with ointment and perfume as a means of preparing it for the burial. Moreover it would be Jesus Himself who would declare unto those who were present and would dare criticize this woman’s actions how she had indeed prepared His body for the burial which would indeed further confirm and speak of His death.

If there is one thing I find absolutely incredible when thinking about and considering this it’s that the living and eternal God would allow the body of the Lord Jesus to be anointed with ointment and perfume while He was still alive and yet would prevent it from being anointed after He had been killed and crucified. Although the women would indeed seek to come to the tomb very early on the first day of the week thinking they would be able to anoint the body of Jesus they would not get the chance to do so. THEY WOULDN’T GET THE CHANCE! Oh I sit here today thinking about the words which are found in the four gospel narratives and I am confronted with the truth surrounding those who walked with and followed the Lord Jesus and how His resurrection would not give them the chance to do those things which they would seek to do. As you read the words which are found in the four gospel accounts you will encounter the tremendous truth that Jesus’ resurrection would indeed alter the agenda and that which the disciples and that which His followers would seek to do in light of the knowledge that He was dead and was no longer alive. When reading the words presented in the four gospels you will find the resurrection of the Lord Jesus preventing the woman from anointing His body with the spices and perfumes they had bought and prepared. These women would indeed come to the tomb with t he expectation and anticipation of anointing the body of the Lord Jesus with the ointments and perfumes they bought and yet His resurrection would entirely and altogether prevent them from doing so. Jesus would be raised from the dead very early in the morning on the first day—even before the women would arrive with the spices and perfumes they had prepared. Before they would even get to the tomb and before they would even seek to figure out a way to have the stone rolled away and remove Jesus would already be raised from death to life and would already be out of the tomb. HE’S ALREADY OUT OF THE TOMB! THE STONE WAS ALREADY ROLLED AWAY!

I am sitting here today thinking about and considering the words which are found in this passage of Scripture and I am brought face to face with Jesus’ resurrection and how it would completely alter the course of life for those who had walked with and followed Him. What’s more is that the resurrection of Jesus would indeed alter the course of the lives of the soldiers who stood guard at the tomb and they would come to the chief priests and the religious leaders making them aware of what had happened. It would be those soldiers who would report unto the chief priests of the earthquake that struck the ground, the stone being rolled away and everything that would happen on that morning. Oh there is a part of me that can’t help but wonder if those soldiers and guards which were present at the tomb would see the angels themselves when they had rolled away the stone and/or even the Lord Jesus Himself being raised from the dead and emerging from the tomb. We know that the stone was rolled away—not so much that Jesus could be able to come forth from it but that those who would come thereafter would be able to look into the tomb and see for themselves that he was not there. Is it possible that the soldiers which stood guard at the tomb witnessed and beheld the resurrection of the Lord Jesus—or at least His coming forth from the midst of the grave? There is a part of me that can’t help but wonder what these soldiers and guards actually witnessed and observed when the Lord Jesus had indeed been raised from death to life. Early in the morning on the first day of the week the stone was rolled away, there was an earthquake that would strike the ground, and perhaps the most important event of all would take place as Jesus would indeed be raised from death to life by the Spirit of the living God. Early in the morning on the first day of the week the Lord Jesus Christ would indeed be raised from death to life and He would emerge from the tomb after the stone had indeed been rolled away. In all reality we don’t really know if Jesus emerged from the grave before the stone was rolled away or after the stone was rolled away for the gospels paint a picture of Jesus being able to appear in rooms even with the doors being locked. What’s more is we know that after Jesus was made known unto the two men who were journeying to Emmaus he would vanish from their sight.

On the first day of the week the Lord Jesus would indeed be raised from death to life and the grave clothes in which He was buried would remain in the tomb. Not only this but the napkin which covered the face of the Lord Jesus would also remain in the tomb in a separate place from the linen garments in which His body had been buried. There is something truly captivating and powerful about this when you take the time to think about it for it calls and draws our attention to the tremendous truth surrounding the resurrection of the Lord Jesus and how it would indeed bring about a wonderful change, a powerful shift and an amazing transformation that would take place. It would be through the resurrection of the Lord Jesus that men and women would not get the chance to do what they anticipated and expected thereafter. We dare not and must not miss and lose sight of this for the resurrection of the Lord Jesus would indeed bring about an incredible shift and transition within the lives of those who would be present during those days. Oh this is something we have a great need of recognizing and paying attention to for the resurrection of the Lord Jesus would not allow men and women to do those things which they had perhaps thought they could do. I am sure many of those who were present on this particular day wondered what they would do with their lives and where they would go from thereon. We know that the disciples themselves would keep themselves secure in an upper room with the door locked for fear of the Jews. We know that two of the followers of Jesus would depart from Jerusalem and journey into the country and unto a village called Emmaus. We know that even after the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Simon called Peter would go fishing which was something he did prior to the Lord calling him to follow Him that he might make him a fisher of men. We know that the women who came to the tomb would seek to anoint the lifeless body of the Lord Jesus with spices and perfumes and yet they would not have the chance to do so because the tomb would already be empty by the time they got there. THE RESURRECTION CHANGES THINGS! THE RESURRECTION BRINGS TRANSFORMATION! THE RESURRECTION CHANGES THE TRAJECTORY OF YOUR LIFE! THE RESURRECTION BRINGS ABOUT A POWERFUL SHIFT WITHIN THE LIVES OF THOSE WHO WALK WITH AND FOLLOW THE LORD JESUS! If there is one thing I absolutely love about the words which are found in the narrative of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus it’s that it would dramatically alter and change the course of events during those days. It would be Luke who would write that over a period of forty days the Lord Jesus would show and demonstrate Himself alive with many infallible proofs and signs. During those forty days the Lord Jesus would appear unto women at the tomb in the garden, unto the disciples, unto the two men who were traveling on the road to Emmaus and even unto upwards of five hundred at one time. Pause for a moment and consider the fact that while it is indeed true Jesus would appear unto five hundred at a single time prior to His ascension He would take the time to appear unto and manifest Himself to His disciples demonstrating that he was indeed alive. The Lord Jesus would appear unto Mary in the garden after He had risen from the grave and would allow her to recognize Him and truly understand that He had been risen from the grave. Jesus would reveal Himself unto Mary and would instruct her go and tell His disciples that He was going ahead of them to Galilee where He would appear unto and show Himself to them. IT is truly amazing how after the Lord Jesus was raised from death to life and emerged from the grave He didn’t immediately ascend unto the right hand of the Father. It would have been very easy for Jesus to have been raised from death to life and to have ascended unto the right hand of the Father, however, what the gospels—and not only what the gospels but also the book of Acts and the epistle of First Corinthians—shows and demonstrates unto us it’s that Jesus was intentional and deliberate in His actions after He was risen from the grave. The more you read the gospel narratives written concerning the life and ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ the more you can and will be brought face to face with the fact that not only was Jesus raised from death to life that He might demonstrate the power and authority over death, hell and the grave but He would be raised from death to life that he might ascend unto the right hand of the Father. With this being said, however, we must needs understand that there was still a work which needed to be done and performed prior to His ascension to the right hand of the Father. It was indeed true that the suffering which He would endure in the flesh would be over and it was also true that the death which He would die at the hands of sinful men via crucifixion would be completed, however, there was still more Jesus needed to do before He could ascend and return unto the Father. If there is one thing the twenty-fourth and final chapter of the gospel written by Luke demonstrates it’s that the Lord Jesus would indeed demonstrate and show himself as being very much alive and having risen from the grave. It would be shortly after Jesus rose from the dead early in the morning on the third day that He would appear first unto Mary—one of the women who had come with ointments and spices to anoint His lifeless body. Mary journeyed to and even showed up at the tomb thinking and believing that Jesus would still be dead and his lifeless body would be still in the tomb and yet she would show up to a sight she neither anticipated nor expected. Mary would indeed show up at the tomb with spices and ointments to anoint one whom she believed was still dead and yet would be greeted by an angel of the Lord who asked why she looked for the living among the dead. Moreover it would be this angel who would indeed declare that Jesus was not there but had risen from the grave and was preparing to go head of them into Galilee. I absolutely love the words which we find in this passage of Scripture for within them we are brought face to face with the work of restoration—and not merely a work of restoration but restoration of faith—within the hearts and lives of those whose hope had been placed in the Lord Jesus Christ. If you read the words which the two men on the road to Emmaus spoke unto Jesus you will find them describing the hope they had in themselves in trusting that He would be the one who would redeem Israel. It’s important to realize and understand that there was indeed a certain expectation and anticipation within the hearts and minds of those who walked with and followed the Lord Jesus and His death would indeed present a conflict and struggle of faith within their souls. There would be those who would know that Jesus was indeed dead and that he had been crucified before being buried in the tomb thus seemingly signifying the end of all things. What we must needs realize and recognize it’s that there appeared to be none of the disciples, nor any of the women, nor any of the other company and acquaintance of the Lord Jesus who took to heart the words which He spoke concerning His being raised from death to life on the third day. Oh there is a great need for us to understand that in addition to Jesus teaching, showing and preparing His disciples for His suffering and death he also prepared them for His resurrection. In fact it would appear that the chief priests were the only ones who quite possibly took to hear the words which the Lord Jesus spoke concerning resurrection seriously—this despite the fact they did not believe that He would or even could be raised from death to life on the third day. It would be the chief priests who would come unto Pilate and speak unto Him concerning the claims which the Lord Jesus would make prior to His death and crucifixion. It would be the chief priests who would come to Pilate asking for a guard and a seal to be placed upon the tomb based on the claims Jesus of Nazareth had made before His death that he would rise from death to life on the third day. The whole purpose for them appealing unto Pilate was to secure the tomb lest the disciples come by night, steal the body away and then make the declaration that He had been risen from the grave. As I sit here today thinking about the words found in this passage of Scripture I am utterly amazed at the time Jesus took after He was raised from death to life to appear unto His disciples, unto the woman who were part of His company and unto upwards of five hundred men at one time. There would be a period of forty days where the Lord Jesus would demonstrate and show that He was indeed alive and that He had been raised from death to life. It would be in the opening verses of this chapter we find Jesus appearing unto and revealing Himself to Mary in the garden at the tomb instructing her to go and tell His disciples that He had indeed risen from the dead. Mary and the other women would indeed come unto Peter and the other disciples and profess and proclaim that Jesus had been raised from death to life, however, Luke writes of their words seeming unto them as idle tales and their believing them not. Moreover Luke goes on to write how Simon called Peter would run unto the sepulchre and stooping down beholding the linen clothes laid by themselves and departed wondering in himself at that which was to come to pass. Immediately after this Luke transitions to an account of two men who were journeying from the city of Jerusalem unto the country and a village called Emmaus. It would be unto these two men Jesus would appear unto as they walked together and were speaking of all those things which had happened over the past couple of days. Luke writes that Jesus would drew near to them and would actually begin walking with them—perhaps initially listening to the conversation they had with each other before eventually speaking unto them concerning those things which had indeed taken place. Scripture records how Jesus Himself would draw near and go with them and draw near unto and walk with them as they traveled from Jerusalem unto Emmaus. Scripture is entirely unclear as to why Jesus would indeed appear unto and manifest Himself unto these two men as they walked from Jerusalem to Emmaus, however, we must conclude that Jesus desired to restore their hope, restore their faith, and restore their trust in that which He had spoken unto His disciples and followers over the previous three and a half years. If you read the words which are found in this passage of Scripture you will find Luke writing how the eyes of these two men were withheld so that they could not recognize that it was Jesus who was indeed walking with them. I have to admit there is something incredibly unique and powerful about this when you take the time to think about it for these men would walk on this road in the midst of their confusion, in the midst of their doubts, in the midst of their questions and perhaps even in the midst of their disillusionment and would even be walking with Jesus Himself and yet would not know that it was Him walking this path alongside them. There is something incredibly wonderful and beautiful about what we find here for it suggests there might be times within our lives when we ourselves walk through our own hurt, our own confusion, our own disappointment, our own disillusionment, our own questions, our own doubts and even our own fears and Jesus is indeed walking with us in the midst of it and we have absolutely no idea it is actually Him walking with us. If there is one thing thing this passage demonstrates and reveals it’s that we as the saints of God can indeed walk along these paths and journeys of conflict, struggle, questions and confusion and Jesus is walking with us and we aren’t even aware of His presence together with us. I find the words and language in this passage of Scripture incredibly captivating when you take the time to think about it for it brings us face to face with the willingness of the resurrected Jesus not only willing to appear unto us demonstrating that He is indeed alive but also willing to walk with us in the midst of our confusion, conflict and chaos. The living and eternal Word who became flesh is indeed willing to come alongside us and walk with us in the midst of our confusion, in the midst of our doubts, in the midst of our conflict, and even in the midst of our doubts and fears and there are times when we aren’t even aware of it. What I so absolutely love about the words presented in this passage of Scripture is that it calls and draws our attention to a Jesus who was not only willing to appear unto these men as they were walking, and not only a Jesus who was willing to walk with them as they walked in the midst of their disillusionment and confusion but one who was also willing to teach them from the Scriptures concerning Himself. That which we find in this passage of Scripture is incredibly captivating when you truly take the time to think about it for even when Jesus would make as though He would journey further after arriving in Emmaus He would agree to abide and tarry with them. It would be upon arriving at Emmaus these men would entreat Jesus to abide and tarry with them since the day was far spent and the hour was late. Jesus would agree to tarry and abide with them which is something we must needs understand as it was in the midst of the house where Jesus would take the bread, would bless and break it and would distribute it unto these men. What makes this all the more fascinating when you take the time to think about it is how Luke would describe the eyes of these men being opened at the breaking and giving of the bread and how when they would come unto the disciples they would describe unto them how Jesus made Himself known unto them in the breaking of bread. What an absolutely incredible truth is found in this passage of Scripture for not only do we read of their eyes being opened but we also read of Jesus making Himself known unto them in the breaking of bread. How absolutely wonderful it is to read the words presented in this passage and to consider how Jesus would not only walk with them as they journeyed along the road to Emmaus but He would also agree to walk with them until they arrived where they were going. The Lord Jesus would not merely walk with them part of the way unto Emmaus and then depart from them but would actually walk with them the whole way until they arrived at Emmaus. How absolutely wonderful it is to read the words presented in this passage of Scripture and how the Lord Jesus would indeed manifest Himself unto these two men who would walk and journey from Jerusalem unto Emmaus not quite sure what to make of the report that was brought unto them. As I prepare to bring this writing to a close I find it absolutely necessary to call and draw your attention to the words which we see here in this final chapter of the New Testament gospel written by Luke. It is in this final chapter where we find Jesus appearing unto Mary in the garden as He would show Himself very much alive and having risen from the grave. What we find within this passage of Scripture—and not merely this passage of Scripture but others is a powerful demonstration of the truth regarding the Lord Jesus and how through His resurrection He would completely alter the trajectory of those who had previously walked with and followed Him. It would be after His resurrection from the grave Jesus would appear in another form unto these two men who were walking on the road to Emmaus and although they might have been tempted to remain in Emmaus not sure what to make of the report the women brought unto them Jesus would not allow them to remain there. Jesus would appear to them while they were walking to Emmaus when He could have very easily showed up in Emmaus. I absolutely love that Jesus didn’t show up in resurrected form after these men arrived at Emmaus but rather chose to appear to them while they were walking to Emmaus and continue walking. I absolutely love that Jesus didn’t appear to them while they were in the house in Emmaus and manifest Himself in the breaking of bread but before He ever manifested Himself unto them He chose to walk with them. The more I think about the words which are found in this passage of Scripture the more I am brought face to face with the incredible truth surrounding a Jesus who doesn’t show up when we have already arrived in a place of despair, or in a place of despondency, or in a place of finality but choose to show up while we are still walking that path. That which we find here demonstrates the wonderful truth that Jesus chose to show up while they were walking on the road to Emmaus thus demonstrating His willingness to walk with them during this process. What’s more is that it wasn’t merely about Jesus walking them during this process but it was also about Jesus teaching them and expounding upon the Scripture all those things concerning Himself. There is a great need for us to pay attention to the words which we see in this passage for it highlights and underscores a Jesus who may at times show up while we are walking our own road to Emmaus—our own road of discouragement, disillusionment, frustration and even questions. There are times within our lives when we might very well arrive in the place of despair and the place of hopelessness and there are other times when the Lord Jesus does in fact show up while we are walking that path and while we are working through our own thoughts, our own emotions and our own feelings. Jesus’ showing up while these two men were walking along the road to Emmaus wonderfully and powerfully demonstrates the truly wonderful truth surrounding His willingness to walk with us and simply be a presence as we are walking and working through our own frustrations, doubts, confusion, questions, fears and even our insecurities. Scripture doesn’t reveal why these men would depart from Jerusalem—even after they had received word from the women that Jesus had not only risen from the grave but had also appeared unto them—and yet we find Jesus as showing up alongside them as they were walking along this road. Oh I have to wonder what would and could have happened had these men arrived at Emmaus without Jesus appearing unto them while they were walking and walking with them through their despair, through their confusion and through their doubt. There is something truly captivating and wonderful about a Jesus who is not only willing to show up while we are walking our path of confusion and doubt but is also willing to walk with us as we walk through those emotions and thoughts. I am absolutely amazed at how Jesus showed up in the midst of the confusion and despair of the two men who were journeying along the road from Jerusalem to Emmaus and how He would not let them reach their destination without showing up and without appearing to them. These two men would undoubtedly be aware of what had happened to the Lord in the midst of the city of Jerusalem and how He was delivered up by their rulers to suffer and be put to death and they knew that He had indeed be crucified. What we find in this passage of Scripture, however, is certain of the women of their company showing up and proclaiming unto them that Jesus was not only alive but that He had appeared unto them and they had personally seen Him. Even with this report from the women these men would still depart from the city of Jerusalem and journey unto the country and to the village called Emmaus where they would potentially remain and abide unsure of where to go or what to do next. Instead of these men arriving at Emmaus having made the seven mile journey walking in their despair, walking in their despondency, walking in their disillusionment and walking in their doubts Jesus would show up in the midst of it and walk it with them. Jesus undoubtedly knew exactly what these two men were thinking and feeling within themselves and as a direct result of this He desired to show up while they were walking. What’s more is Jesus wouldn’t merely show up while they were walking but He would also walk with them until they reached the place where they were. As if this weren’t enough—after Jesus opened their eyes and vanished from their sight—they would speak one to another how their hearts burned within them as He walked and talked with them along the way. If there is one thing I absolutely love about Jesus’ showing up with these two men it’s that not only was He willing to walk with them but He was also willing to ignite—and perhaps even reignite—the fire and flame within them. There was a fire that burned inside and within these two men and who know what would and could have happened had they reached and arrived at Emmaus. What we find Jesus doing is walking with them in and through their despair and despondency and speaking to them from the Word and from Scripture. Please don’t miss this for that which caused their hearts to burn within them was nothing more and nothing less than the Scripture and that which was written in the Law and the prophets. Jesus showed up and would teach and speak unto them from the Law and the prophets concerning themselves and the whole time He would be doing so their hearts would burn within them. I am absolutely convinced that there are a number of men and women among us in our generation who are in this very place—the place where they are in the midst of despair, in the midst of despondency, in the midst of doubt and in the midst of disillusionment and they need the person and presence of the Lord Jesus to walk with them. There is something incredibly captivating about the words we find in these passages of Scripture and how the Lord Jesus would not allow these men to arrive in Emmaus for He undoubtedly knew that had they been permitted to do they might very well have not returned unto Jerusalem. Notice that it was after Jesus was made known to them, after they realized it was Jesus walking with them, after Jesus expounded unto them the Scripture and after He made Himself known unto them through the breaking of bread they would rise up and immediately return unto Jerusalem. Not only this but when they returned to Jerusalem they would proclaim unto the disciples that Jesus was not only risen but also that they had personally seen Him. I find myself reading the words presented in this passage of Scripture and I am brought face to face with the wonderful reality of the Lord Jesus and how He would indeed show up in the midst of their journey from Jerusalem and would walk with them. Jesus would show up with them as they were walking and would not allow them to walk that road alone but would walk the road together with them. It would be along that road and on that Journey the Lord Jesus would expound those things which were written in the Law and the prophets concerning Himself. Oh if there is one thing we must needs pay attention to when reading the words found in this passage of Scripture it’s the importance of the person and presence of the Lord Jesus—and not only the importance of the person and presence of the Lord Jesus but also the importance of the truth that is contained within the Scripture. It would be the combination of the person and presence of Jesus, the truth that was contained in the Scripture, the breaking of bread and Jesus making himself known unto them through that process their eyes would be opened and they would rise up at once and return unto Jerusalem. What’s more is that it would be through their rising up from Emmaus and their return to Jerusalem they would be restored unto the disciples, unto the brethren and unto fellowship together with those who walked with and followed the Lord Jesus. How absolutely wonderful this truly is when you take the time to think about it for it calls and draws our attention to the incredible importance of being restored unto fellowship unto the brethren and even unto the Lord Jesus Christ through the power of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus and His not only walking with us but also expounding upon the Scripture with us. Oh that we would be men and women who would indeed be such whose hearts would burn completely and utterly on fire in the fellowship of the Spirit, in the fellowship of the Son, in the fellowship of the Father and in the fellowship of the brethren whom we are united together with in Christ.