On the Road to Emmaus

God keeps his promise.
See for yourself. In the manger. He's there.
See for yourself. In the tomb. He's gone.
~ Max Lucado ~

Easter: The day Jesus rose from the dead (resurrected).

*looks into tomb* Sure is dark in here... Hello! Anybody home?

Hello!

*suddenly appears* Hullo!

Eep!! Where did you come from?!

*pushes Chris aside* Sorry. Please forgive my friend here. He's rather excitable. *looks at man* My, what shiny clothes!

Why, thank you. Actually everyone dresses like this back home

Back home? Where's that?

Heaven.

An angel! I knew it!

Don't be rude, Chris. *to angel* Sorry. I almost forgot you're supposed to be here.

It's okay (whatever that means). Are you looking for someone?

Actually, yes. We were wondering who moved that big stone outside and what's in here...

Ah... say no more. The One you seek is not here. He is risen!

Not here? I've seen Dead Men Walking but I'm not sure if this is what I had in mind.

Ha ha, Chris. *turns to angel* Are we the first ones to see this?

Actually, no. Some women and Simon Peter, Jesus' disciple, came earlier. Boy, you should've seen the look on his face when I told him the news. He ran off like a madman, dancing and singing and- *looks at the spot where Chris and Fav once stood* Hey! Where'd they go?

(pant pant) Hey! Wait up! (pant) We can't leave our tourists behind! What's the big rush anyway?!

Maybe we could find this Simon Peter guy, or even catch up with Jesus! C'mon, guys! Hurry up!

But still it was rude of us to run off like that. Do you know where we're heading anyway?

Um... err... *turns red* heh...heh...

Just as I thought. And I don't have a map. *looks around* Why don't we ask those two men on the road?

Fav walks up to the two men

Excuse me, sirs, but could you please tell me where this is?

Well, we're outside Jerusalem. This road leads to Emmaus. *gives Fav a curious look* You don't look local. Where are you from?

Erm... *thinks furiously* We just came from the tomb. Yeh. The tomb .

The tomb?! Did you hear that, Cleopas?

Aye! You must tell us what you saw!

Well, Jesus' body wasn't there, and there-

Alas! The priests must've taken him away! Oh, and we had hoped he was the Chosen one of God!

*shakes head* But now it seems otherwise. Well, if you're going our way, you're most welcome to follow us.

Thank you. You're very kind.

A man coming down the road approaches
Why Easter?

What are you discussing as you walk along?

*suddenly noticing the man* Are you only a visitor to Jerusalem? Is that why you don't know what's been happening here the past few days?

*puzzled frown* What things?

About Jesus of Nazareth. He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and the people. Our chief priests and rulers handed him to be sentenced to death and crucified him.

And we hoped that he would be the One who was going to redeem Israel. What's more, he's supposed to rise from the dead after three days and it's already the third day!

Earlier today some of the women amazed us. They went to the tomb early in the morning and didn't find the body, but saw an angel!

Some of us even went to there ourselves and saw the same things, but Jesus they didn't see.

Oh, how foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all the prophets have spoken! Didn't the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his Glory?

What do you mean?

You mean you didn't know? Hasn't the Scriptures already told you about God's great plan, about today? Come. Let us look at the life of Christ in the light of the Scriptures. Now, where was the Christ child born?

Wasn't it the small town of Bethlehem? I heard that he was from Nazareth but was born there only because the Romans ordered his parents and the Jews to go to their hometowns to take a census.

Ah, but there you see God's hand at work! For didn't the prophet Micah say, "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be the ruler over Israel, whose origins are from ancient times" (Micah 5:2)?

Indeed! Isaiah also said something of his virgin birth. (what was it?)

"The virgin will be with a child, and bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel".?

Which means 'God with us'! And as it was foretold, Mary bore Jesus from a virgin birth, just as the angel Gabriel told her. He also told her he would be called 'Immanuel'.

Erm, I believe Isaiah also said something about why Jesus had to die - "Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wound we are healed" (Isaiah 53: 4,5).

Impressive! You seem to have a good knowledge of the Scriptures, boy. The passage you just quoted clearly explains God's Purpose. Man, in his sin, could not redeem himself by his own effort-

- So the Son of God had to die to pay our ransom, to release us from death - Spiritual death!

There were a lot of other prophets. Did they have to say anything?

Well, Zechariah prophesied things that happened the last week. "See, your king shall come to you," he said, "a just saviour is he, meek and riding on a donkey..." (Zechariah 9:9)

He did? And I wondered why he rode into the city on a donkey last week. I thought he looked rather silly.

That's humility, Chris. He came not to overrun the city with heavy calvary, but to win souls - a quiet victory, a different kind.

Zechariah also said, "'Awake, o sword, against my shepherd, against the man who is close to me!' declares the Lord Almighty. 'Strike the shephers, and the sheep will be scattered...'" (Zechariah 13: 7)

Oh... That explains why the disciples fled during the arrest and none could be found during the trial.

*flushes with embarrassment* But we were afraid...

*laughs gently* Take heart, my good man. God will forgive if you repent. You only have to receive it. The time will soon come when you shall proclaim the Christ with courage!

Didn't the Psalms describe the crucifixion in detail?

That would be Psalms 22, even though it seems David was referring more to himself. From the cry of Jesus, to the nailing, to the dividing of clothes - it's all there. Psalms 32 also records that 'none of his bones will be broken'.

Which is exactly what happened, though the soldiers broke the other thieves' legs.

But… but didn't Psalms 16 say that God's Holy One will not see decay?

That's why he's not in the tomb. Didn't he say he would rise on the third day?

Yes, but we haven't seen him, and the day is almost over!

Must you really see to believe? Where's your faith, man? God's promises will be fulfilled. You will get to see the risen Christ, I guarantee you that. *gestures to the village ahead* Here. We're coming to your destination. I shall not impose on you any longer. You must be tired, and I still have a long way ahead of me...

No. Please stay with us. It's nearly evening and the day is almost over. Stay with us for the night. It's not a bother, we assure you. Right, Cleopas?

That's right. Please, sir. Do not refuse our offer.

Well, alright.

In the village, in a house, at the dinner table
'Do this in remembrance of me...'

*whispers to Fav* Fav, our trip is almost over but we haven't seen the risen Christ yet. And we have a flight to catch tonight!

*whispers* Have a little faith in me. Would I let our tourists down and not show them the truth about Easter? Just enjoy your dinner for now.

*gives thanks to God for the food* Come, let us eat. *taking bread, he breaks it and hands it around*

Excuse me, but the way you broke the bread...

Was just like when Jesus broke bread during the Last Supper, saying, "This is my body... Do this in remembrance of me..."

The two stare at each other in awe

Weren't our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?

No wonder he looked familiar!

You mean...

That was Jesus! He is alive!!

*turns to the chair* But where is he?!

Quick! We must tell the others! Jesus has risen from the dead, just as he had promised!!

The disciples run out of the house shouting for joy and stumbling over the furniture in the process. With incredible speed, they run in the direction of Jerusalem.

I can't believe it! I saw the Risen Saviour!

And so will we all if we truly seek him. For he has promised, "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." (Jeremiah 29: 23)

Empty Cross, Empty Tomb
poem by Favian Ee
Three days it's been since my Saviour died
The one they called the Christ
I wonder now where He could be
From the dead they said He'd rise
I went down to the tomb and lo
The stone was moved away!
Only grave-cloth but no body I saw
I stared on in dismay
I asked the white-robed man inside
"Sir, where have you, the body, taken?"
With a cheerful glow, he replied,
"Grieve not, my friend.
The Lord has risen!"

That's it, friends! There's the story of Easter for you, and so ends our tour down the Way of the Cross. Hope you enjoyed my company as I enjoyed yours, but before I leave to catch my flight, there is a verse I want to share with you. You might have come across it before...

John 3:16
For God so loved the world
that he gave his one and only Son,
that whoever believes in him
shall not perish
but have eternal life

Bye then! Hope to see you again soon!

Bye bye!! :)

It's the power of His love that pierced my heart
And filled it with a miracle where faith could start
To soar on wings like eagles, to reach for stars above
Forever I'm forgiven by the power of His love!
~ from the song "Power of His Love" by
Steve Wilkinson and David T. Clydesdal ~

Related links
Prophecies of the Christ Fulfilled

	looks into tomb Sure is dark in here... Hello! Anybody home?
	Hello!
	suddenly appears Hullo!
	Eep!! Where did you come from?!
	pushes Chris aside Sorry. Please forgive my friend here. He's rather excitable. looks at man My, what shiny clothes!
	Why, thank you. Actually everyone dresses like this back home
	Back home? Where's that?
	Heaven.
	An angel! I knew it!
	Don't be rude, Chris. to angel Sorry. I almost forgot you're supposed to be here.
	It's okay (whatever that means). Are you looking for someone?
	Actually, yes. We were wondering who moved that big stone outside and what's in here...
	Ah... say no more. The One you seek is not here. He is risen!
	Not here? I've seen Dead Men Walking but I'm not sure if this is what I had in mind.
	Ha ha, Chris. turns to angel Are we the first ones to see this?
	Actually, no. Some women and Simon Peter, Jesus' disciple, came earlier. Boy, you should've seen the look on his face when I told him the news. He ran off like a madman, dancing and singing and- looks at the spot where Chris and Fav once stood Hey! Where'd they go?

	(pant pant) Hey! Wait up! (pant) We can't leave our tourists behind! What's the big rush anyway?!
	Maybe we could find this Simon Peter guy, or even catch up with Jesus! C'mon, guys! Hurry up!
	But still it was rude of us to run off like that. Do you know where we're heading anyway?
	Um... err... turns red heh...heh...
	Just as I thought. And I don't have a map. looks around Why don't we ask those two men on the road?
	Fav walks up to the two men
	Excuse me, sirs, but could you please tell me where this is?
	Well, we're outside Jerusalem. This road leads to Emmaus. gives Fav a curious look You don't look local. Where are you from?
	Erm... thinks furiously We just came from the tomb. Yeh. The tomb .
	The tomb?! Did you hear that, Cleopas?
	Aye! You must tell us what you saw!
	Well, Jesus' body wasn't there, and there-
	Alas! The priests must've taken him away! Oh, and we had hoped he was the Chosen one of God!
	shakes head But now it seems otherwise. Well, if you're going our way, you're most welcome to follow us.
	Thank you. You're very kind.

	What are you discussing as you walk along?
	suddenly noticing the man Are you only a visitor to Jerusalem? Is that why you don't know what's been happening here the past few days?
	puzzled frown What things?
	About Jesus of Nazareth. He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and the people. Our chief priests and rulers handed him to be sentenced to death and crucified him.
	And we hoped that he would be the One who was going to redeem Israel. What's more, he's supposed to rise from the dead after three days and it's already the third day!
	Earlier today some of the women amazed us. They went to the tomb early in the morning and didn't find the body, but saw an angel!
	Some of us even went to there ourselves and saw the same things, but Jesus they didn't see.
	Oh, how foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all the prophets have spoken! Didn't the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his Glory?
	What do you mean?
	You mean you didn't know? Hasn't the Scriptures already told you about God's great plan, about today? Come. Let us look at the life of Christ in the light of the Scriptures. Now, where was the Christ child born?
	Wasn't it the small town of Bethlehem? I heard that he was from Nazareth but was born there only because the Romans ordered his parents and the Jews to go to their hometowns to take a census.
	Ah, but there you see God's hand at work! For didn't the prophet Micah say, "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be the ruler over Israel, whose origins are from ancient times" (Micah 5:2)?
	Indeed! Isaiah also said something of his virgin birth. (what was it?)
	"The virgin will be with a child, and bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel".?
	Which means 'God with us'! And as it was foretold, Mary bore Jesus from a virgin birth, just as the angel Gabriel told her. He also told her he would be called 'Immanuel'.
	Erm, I believe Isaiah also said something about why Jesus had to die - "Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wound we are healed" (Isaiah 53: 4,5).
	Impressive! You seem to have a good knowledge of the Scriptures, boy. The passage you just quoted clearly explains God's Purpose. Man, in his sin, could not redeem himself by his own effort-
	- So the Son of God had to die to pay our ransom, to release us from death - Spiritual death!
	There were a lot of other prophets. Did they have to say anything?
	Well, Zechariah prophesied things that happened the last week. "See, your king shall come to you," he said, "a just saviour is he, meek and riding on a donkey..." (Zechariah 9:9)
	He did? And I wondered why he rode into the city on a donkey last week. I thought he looked rather silly.
	That's humility, Chris. He came not to overrun the city with heavy calvary, but to win souls - a quiet victory, a different kind.
	Zechariah also said, "'Awake, o sword, against my shepherd, against the man who is close to me!' declares the Lord Almighty. 'Strike the shephers, and the sheep will be scattered...'" (Zechariah 13: 7)
	Oh... That explains why the disciples fled during the arrest and none could be found during the trial.
	flushes with embarrassment But we were afraid...
	laughs gently Take heart, my good man. God will forgive if you repent. You only have to receive it. The time will soon come when you shall proclaim the Christ with courage!
	Didn't the Psalms describe the crucifixion in detail?
	That would be Psalms 22, even though it seems David was referring more to himself. From the cry of Jesus, to the nailing, to the dividing of clothes - it's all there. Psalms 32 also records that 'none of his bones will be broken'.
	Which is exactly what happened, though the soldiers broke the other thieves' legs.
	But… but didn't Psalms 16 say that God's Holy One will not see decay?
	That's why he's not in the tomb. Didn't he say he would rise on the third day?
	Yes, but we haven't seen him, and the day is almost over!
	Must you really see to believe? Where's your faith, man? God's promises will be fulfilled. You will get to see the risen Christ, I guarantee you that. gestures to the village ahead Here. We're coming to your destination. I shall not impose on you any longer. You must be tired, and I still have a long way ahead of me...
	No. Please stay with us. It's nearly evening and the day is almost over. Stay with us for the night. It's not a bother, we assure you. Right, Cleopas?
	That's right. Please, sir. Do not refuse our offer.
	Well, alright.


	whispers to Fav Fav, our trip is almost over but we haven't seen the risen Christ yet. And we have a flight to catch tonight!
	whispers Have a little faith in me. Would I let our tourists down and not show them the truth about Easter? Just enjoy your dinner for now.
	gives thanks to God for the food Come, let us eat. taking bread, he breaks it and hands it around
	Excuse me, but the way you broke the bread...
	Was just like when Jesus broke bread during the Last Supper, saying, "This is my body... Do this in remembrance of me..."
	The two stare at each other in awe
	Weren't our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?
	No wonder he looked familiar!
	You mean...
	That was Jesus! He is alive!!
	turns to the chair But where is he?!
	Quick! We must tell the others! Jesus has risen from the dead, just as he had promised!!
	The disciples run out of the house shouting for joy and stumbling over the furniture in the process. With incredible speed, they run in the direction of Jerusalem.
	I can't believe it! I saw the Risen Saviour!
	And so will we all if we truly seek him. For he has promised, "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." (Jeremiah 29: 23)