Evening, May 25
Go To Morning Reading
“And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem ... and
they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of
them.”
Luke 24:33,35
When the two disciples had reached Emmaus, and were refreshing themselves
at the evening meal, the mysterious stranger who had so enchanted
them upon the road, took bread and brake it, made himself known to
them, and then vanished out of their sight. They had constrained him
to abide with them, because the day was far spent; but now, although
it was much later, their love was a lamp to their feet, yea, wings
also; they forgot the darkness, their weariness was all gone, and
forthwith they journeyed back the threescore furlongs to tell the
gladsome news of a risen Lord, who had appeared to them by the way.
They reached the Christians in Jerusalem, and were received by a burst
of joyful news before they could tell their own tale. These early
Christians were all on fire to speak of Christ’s resurrection, and to proclaim what they knew of the Lord; they made
common property of their experiences. This evening let their example
impress us deeply. We too must bear our witness concerning Jesus.
John’s account of the sepulchre needed to be supplemented by Peter; and
Mary could speak of something further still; combined, we have a full
testimony from which nothing can be spared. We have each of us peculiar
gifts and special manifestations; but the one object God has in view
is the perfecting of the whole body of Christ. We must, therefore,
bring our spiritual possessions and lay them at the apostle’s feet, and make distribution unto all of what God has given to us.
Keep back no part of the precious truth, but speak what you know,
and testify what you have seen. Let not the toil or darkness, or possible
unbelief of your friends, weigh one moment in the scale. Up, and be
marching to the place of duty, and there tell what great things God
has shown to your soul.