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JimB

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The Desire of Ages--83--The Walk to Emmaus
« on: April 08, 2016, 04:29:48 PM »
Chap. 83 - The Walk to Emmaus



Listen to   The Walk to Emmaus

 




    Late in the afternoon of the day of the resurrection, two of the disciples were on their way to Emmaus, a little town eight miles from Jerusalem. These disciples had had no prominent place in Christ's work, but they were earnest believers in Him. They had come to the city to keep the Passover, and were greatly perplexed by the events that had recently taken place. They had heard the news of the morning in regard to the removal of Christ's body from the tomb, and also the report of the women who had seen the angels and had met Jesus. They were now returning to their homes to meditate and pray. Sadly they pursued their evening walk, talking over the scenes of the trial and the crucifixion. Never before had they been so utterly disheartened. Hopeless and faithless, they were walking in the shadow of the cross. 
     They had not advanced far on their journey when they were joined by a stranger, but they were so absorbed in their gloom and disappointment that they did not observe him closely. They continued their conversation, expressing the thoughts of their hearts. They were reasoning in regard to the lessons that Christ had given, which they seemed unable to comprehend. As they talked of the events that had taken place, Jesus longed to comfort them. He had seen their grief; He understood the conflicting, perplexing ideas that brought to their minds the thought, Can this Man, who suffered Himself to be so humiliated, be the Christ? Their grief could not be restrained, and they wept. Jesus knew that their hearts were bound up with Him in love, and He longed to wipe away their tears, and fill them with joy and gladness. But He must first give them lessons they would never forget. 
     "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?" They told Him of their disappointment in regard to their Master, "which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people;" but "the chief priests and our rulers," they said, "delivered Him to be condemned to death, and have crucified Him." With hearts sore with disappointment, and with quivering lips, they added, "We trusted that it had been He which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, today is the third day since these things were done." 
     Strange that the disciples did not remember Christ's words, and realize that He had foretold the events which had come to pass! They did not realize that the last part of His disclosure would be just as verily fulfilled as the first part, that the third day He would rise again. This was the part they should have remembered. The priests and rulers did not forget this. On the day "that followed the day of the preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate, saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while He was yet alive, After three days I will rise again." Matthew 27:62, 63. But the disciples did not remember these words. 
     "Then He said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into His glory?" The disciples wondered who this stranger could be, that He should penetrate to their very souls, and speak with such earnestness, tenderness, and sympathy, and with such hopefulness. For the first time since Christ's betrayal, they began to feel hopeful. Often they looked earnestly at their companion, and thought that His words were just the words that Christ would have spoken. They were filled with amazement, and their hearts began to throb with joyful expectation.
     Beginning at Moses, the very Alpha of Bible history, Christ expounded in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself. Had He first made Himself known to them, their hearts would have been satisfied. In the fullness of their joy they would have hungered for nothing more. But it was necessary for them to understand the witness borne to Him by the types and prophecies of the Old Testament. Upon these their faith must be established. Christ performed no miracle to convince them, but it was His first work to explain the Scriptures. They had looked upon His death as the destruction of all their hopes. Now He showed from the prophets that this was the very strongest evidence for their faith.
     In teaching these disciples, Jesus showed the importance of the Old Testament as a witness to His mission. Many professed Christians now discard the Old Testament, claiming that it is no longer of any use. But such is not Christ's teaching. So highly did He value it that at one time He said, "If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead." Luke 16:31.   
     It is the voice of Christ that speaks through patriarchs and prophets, from the days of Adam even to the closing scenes of time. The Saviour is revealed in the Old Testament as clearly as in the New. It is the light from the prophetic past that brings out the life of Christ and the teachings of the New Testament with clearness and beauty. The miracles of Christ are a proof of His divinity; but a stronger proof that He is the world's Redeemer is found in comparing the prophecies of the Old Testament with the history of the New. 
     Reasoning from prophecy, Christ gave His disciples a correct idea of what He was to be in humanity. Their expectation of a Messiah who was to take His throne and kingly power in accordance with the desires of men had been misleading. It would interfere with a correct apprehension of His descent from the highest to the lowest position that could be occupied. Christ desired that the ideas of His disciples might be pure and true in every specification. They must understand as far as possible in regard to the cup of suffering that had been apportioned to Him. He showed them that the awful conflict which they could not yet comprehend was the fulfillment of the covenant made before the foundation of the world was laid. Christ must die, as every transgressor of the law must die if he continues in sin. All this was to be, but it was not to end in defeat, but in glorious, eternal victory. Jesus told them that every effort must be made to save the world from sin. His followers must live as He lived, and work as He worked, with intense, persevering effort.   
     Thus Christ discoursed to His disciples, opening their minds that they might understand the Scriptures. The disciples were weary, but the conversation did not flag. Words of life and assurance fell from the Saviour's lips. But still their eyes were holden. As He told them of the overthrow of Jerusalem, they looked upon the doomed city with weeping. But little did they yet suspect who their traveling companion was. They did not think that the subject of their conversation was walking by their side; for Christ referred to Himself as though He were another person. They thought that He was one of those who had been in attendance at the great feast, and who was now returning to his home. He walked as carefully as they over the rough stones, now and then halting with them for a little rest. Thus they proceeded along the mountainous road, while the One who was soon to take His position at God's right hand, and who could say, "All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth," walked beside them. Matthew 28:18. 
     During the journey the sun had gone down, and before the travelers reached their place of rest, the laborers in the fields had left their work. As the disciples were about to enter their home, the stranger appeared as though He would continue His journey. But the disciples felt drawn to Him. Their souls hungered to hear more from Him. "Abide with us," they said. He did not seem to accept the invitation, but they pressed it upon Him, urging, "It is toward evening, and the day is far spent." Christ yielded to this entreaty and "went in to tarry with them."   
     Had the disciples failed to press their invitation, they would not have known that their traveling companion was the risen Lord. Christ never forces His company upon anyone. He interests Himself in those who need Him. Gladly will He enter the humblest home, and cheer the lowliest heart. But if men are too indifferent to think of the heavenly Guest, or ask Him to abide with them, He passes on. Thus many meet with great loss. They do not know Christ any more than did the disciples as He walked with them by the way. 
     The simple evening meal of bread is soon prepared. It is placed before the guest, who has taken His seat at the head of the table. Now He puts forth His hands to bless the food. The disciples start back in astonishment. Their companion spreads forth His hands in exactly the same way as their Master used to do. They look again, and lo, they see in His hands the print of nails. Both exclaim at once, It is the Lord Jesus! He has risen from the dead!   
     They rise to cast themselves at His feet and worship Him, but He has vanished out of their sight. They look at the place which had been occupied by One whose body had lately lain in the grave, and say to each other, "Did not our heart burn within us, while He talked with us by the way, and while He opened to us the Scriptures?"   
     But with this great news to communicate they cannot sit and talk. Their weariness and hunger are gone. They leave their meal untasted, and full of joy immediately set out again on the same path by which they came, hurrying to tell the tidings to the disciples in the city. In some parts the road is not safe, but they climb over the steep places, slipping on the smooth rocks. They do not see, they do not know, that they have the protection of Him who has traveled the road with them. With their pilgrim staff in hand, they press on, desiring to go faster than they dare. They lose their track, but find it again. Sometimes running, sometimes stumbling, they press forward, their unseen Companion close beside them all the way.   
     The night is dark, but the Sun of Righteousness is shining upon them. Their hearts leap for joy. They seem to be in a new world. Christ is a living Saviour. They no longer mourn over Him as dead. Christ is risen--over and over again they repeat it. This is the message they are carrying to the sorrowing ones. They must tell them the wonderful story of the walk to Emmaus. They must tell who joined them by the way. They carry the greatest message ever given to the world, a message of glad tidings upon which the hopes of the human family for time and for eternity depend.   
By communion with God in nature, the mind is uplifted, and the heart finds rest.  {DA 291.1}

JimB

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Re: The Desire of Ages--83--The Walk to Emmaus
« Reply #1 on: April 13, 2016, 05:48:28 AM »

     Their grief could not be restrained, and they wept. Jesus knew that their hearts were bound up with Him in love, and He longed to wipe away their tears, and fill them with joy and gladness. But He must first give them lessons they would never forget. 

     Beginning at Moses, the very Alpha of Bible history, Christ expounded in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself. Had He first made Himself known to them, their hearts would have been satisfied. In the fullness of their joy they would have hungered for nothing more. But it was necessary for them to understand the witness borne to Him by the types and prophecies of the Old Testament. Upon these their faith must be established. Christ performed no miracle to convince them, but it was His first work to explain the Scriptures. They had looked upon His death as the destruction of all their hopes. Now He showed from the prophets that this was the very strongest evidence for their faith. 

This is one of my favorite chapters of the book. Grief to gladness. Sadness to joy. Having the author of the scriptures show you personally how it all points to Him. What a thought! And a scary thought that Christ would have continued walking had they not asked Him to join them. What a blessing they received indeed! Then they immediately sought to share the blessing with others even though the path back was a hard one.
By communion with God in nature, the mind is uplifted, and the heart finds rest.  {DA 291.1}

Richard Myers

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Re: The Desire of Ages--83--The Walk to Emmaus
« Reply #2 on: July 10, 2016, 06:48:29 AM »
Amen, Jim!  This is a happy chapter. It is such a blessing to read, to see the great joy experienced by these two men as the light opens before their minds. And, to have Jesus, the Son of God, sit down with them!! I especially like this passage:

     The simple evening meal of bread is soon prepared. It is placed before the guest, who has taken His seat at the head of the table. Now He puts forth His hands to bless the food. The disciples start back in astonishment. Their companion spreads forth His hands in exactly the same way as their Master used to do. They look again, and lo, they see in His hands the print of nails. Both exclaim at once, It is the Lord Jesus! He has risen from the dead!   
     They rise to cast themselves at His feet and worship Him, but He has vanished out of their sight. They look at the place which had been occupied by One whose body had lately lain in the grave, and say to each other, "Did not our heart burn within us, while He talked with us by the way, and while He opened to us the Scriptures?"   
     But with this great news to communicate they cannot sit and talk. Their weariness and hunger are gone. They leave their meal untasted, and full of joy immediately set out again on the same path by which they came, hurrying to tell the tidings to the disciples in the city. In some parts the road is not safe, but they climb over the steep places, slipping on the smooth rocks. They do not see, they do not know, that they have the protection of Him who has traveled the road with them. With their pilgrim staff in hand, they press on, desiring to go faster than they dare. They lose their track, but find it again. Sometimes running, sometimes stumbling, they press forward, their unseen Companion close beside them all the way.   
     The night is dark, but the Sun of Righteousness is shining upon them. Their hearts leap for joy. They seem to be in a new world. Christ is a living Saviour. They no longer mourn over Him as dead. Christ is risen--over and over again they repeat it. This is the message they are carrying to the sorrowing ones. They must tell them the wonderful story of the walk to Emmaus. They must tell who joined them by the way. They carry the greatest message ever given to the world, a message of glad tidings upon which the hopes of the human family for time and for eternity depend. 
Jesus receives His reward when we reflect His character, the fruits of the Spirit......We deny Jesus His reward when we do not.

Pastor Sean Brizendine

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Re: The Desire of Ages--83--The Walk to Emmaus
« Reply #3 on: July 10, 2016, 08:40:02 AM »
I agree, Richard, and I noticed that our focus was on the same portion of this beautiful chapter:

The night is dark, but the Sun of Righteousness is shining upon them. Their hearts leap for joy. They seem to be in a new world. Christ is a living Saviour. They no longer mourn over Him as dead. Christ is risen--over and over again they repeat it. This is the message they are carrying to the sorrowing ones. They must tell them the wonderful story of the walk to Emmaus. They must tell who joined them by the way. They carry the greatest message ever given to the world, a message of glad tidings upon which the hopes of the human family for time and for eternity depend.   

When we turn our lives over to Christ, and daily commune with Him from His word as did these disciples, we too can have the preciousness of a living Saviour--in our hearts by the Holy Spirit! I praise the Lord for how Jesus is able to make all things new--and when He is in our hearts, the whole world seems new, because where before we saw darkness, we see the light of God's word revealing His purpose.

The cross was necessary--but the disciples did not need to grieve and mourn as they did, had they but believed Jesus' own words! Let us today come close to Jesus, and let Him unfold His promises to us personally and individually, revealing His great sacrifice for us!
"When we live by faith on the Son of God, the fruits of the Spirit will be seen in our lives; not one will be missing." {The Desire of Ages, 676.4}

JimB

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Re: The Desire of Ages--83--The Walk to Emmaus
« Reply #4 on: October 05, 2016, 05:25:39 AM »
Like I said before this is one of my favorite chapters in The Desire of Ages. Hope springs from despair, joy from sadness. So much so that two disciples almost run their way back to the other disciples to tell them the good news. What I found interesting was this....

  It is the voice of Christ that speaks through patriarchs and prophets, from the days of Adam even to the closing scenes of time. The Saviour is revealed in the Old Testament as clearly as in the New. It is the light from the prophetic past that brings out the life of Christ and the teachings of the New Testament with clearness and beauty. The miracles of Christ are a proof of His divinity; but a stronger proof that He is the world's Redeemer is found in comparing the prophecies of the Old Testament with the history of the New. 

I had a Methodist pastor as a neighbor we'd often have conversations over the fences or when I assisted him with his computer problems. He really didn't like hearing from the Old Testament. When I'd mention something from the OT he'd say something like.... "well, we are in the New Testament..."   Here we are told that you can find Christ just as clearly in the Old Testament as the New Testament. And surely this is true. If the priests and religious leaders had been reading the OT without their preconceived ideas they would have recognized Christ as a baby and then again at His baptism and especially at His death.
By communion with God in nature, the mind is uplifted, and the heart finds rest.  {DA 291.1}

Richard Myers

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Re: The Desire of Ages--83--The Walk to Emmaus
« Reply #5 on: October 05, 2016, 07:21:59 AM »
Amen, Jim.   I especially like the sacrifice of the lambs starting with the children of Adam, then Abraham offering his son, then the tabernacle in the wilderness. This is a very simple lesson that reveals the truth which unveils the lies being taught in the churches regarding the gospel of grace. If someone really wants to the know the truth that they may follow Jesus, they will better understand after prayerfully studying the Lamb that was slain even before any of the Old Testament was written.

And, I too, love the joy found in this chapter!!

    The simple evening meal of bread is soon prepared. It is placed before the guest, who has taken His seat at the head of the table. Now He puts forth His hands to bless the food. The disciples start back in astonishment. Their companion spreads forth His hands in exactly the same way as their Master used to do. They look again, and lo, they see in His hands the print of nails. Both exclaim at once, It is the Lord Jesus! He has risen from the dead!   
     They rise to cast themselves at His feet and worship Him, but He has vanished out of their sight. They look at the place which had been occupied by One whose body had lately lain in the grave, and say to each other, "Did not our heart burn within us, while He talked with us by the way, and while He opened to us the Scriptures?"   
     But with this great news to communicate they cannot sit and talk. Their weariness and hunger are gone. They leave their meal untasted, and full of joy immediately set out again on the same path by which they came, hurrying to tell the tidings to the disciples in the city. In some parts the road is not safe, but they climb over the steep places, slipping on the smooth rocks. They do not see, they do not know, that they have the protection of Him who has traveled the road with them. With their pilgrim staff in hand, they press on, desiring to go faster than they dare. They lose their track, but find it again. Sometimes running, sometimes stumbling, they press forward, their unseen Companion close beside them all the way.   
     The night is dark, but the Sun of Righteousness is shining upon them. Their hearts leap for joy. They seem to be in a new world. Christ is a living Saviour. They no longer mourn over Him as dead. Christ is risen--over and over again they repeat it. This is the message they are carrying to the sorrowing ones. They must tell them the wonderful story of the walk to Emmaus. They must tell who joined them by the way. They carry the greatest message ever given to the world, a message of glad tidings upon which the hopes of the human family for time and for eternity depend.   


We too carry the "greatest message ever given to the world." Do we have this same joy? Those who know what these two men knew do. Love, joy, and peace are what we have in our hearts when we have Christ abiding in our heart.
Jesus receives His reward when we reflect His character, the fruits of the Spirit......We deny Jesus His reward when we do not.

Pastor Sean Brizendine

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Re: The Desire of Ages--83--The Walk to Emmaus
« Reply #6 on: October 05, 2016, 10:04:46 AM »
Amen, Jim and Richard! I love how Jesus veils Himself so He can anchor their faith more strongly upon His word first!

Reasoning from prophecy, Christ gave His disciples a correct idea of what He was to be in humanity. Their expectation of a Messiah who was to take His throne and kingly power in accordance with the desires of men had been misleading. It would interfere with a correct apprehension of His descent from the highest to the lowest position that could be occupied. Christ desired that the ideas of His disciples might be pure and true in every specification. They must understand as far as possible in regard to the cup of suffering that had been apportioned to Him. He showed them that the awful conflict which they could not yet comprehend was the fulfillment of the covenant made before the foundation of the world was laid. Christ must die, as every transgressor of the law must die if he continues in sin. All this was to be, but it was not to end in defeat, but in glorious, eternal victory. Jesus told them that every effort must be made to save the world from sin. His followers must live as He lived, and work as He worked, with intense, persevering effort. – {DA 799.3}
Thus Christ discoursed to His disciples, opening their minds that they might understand the Scriptures. The disciples were weary, but the conversation did not flag. Words of life and assurance fell from the Saviour’s lips. But still their eyes were holden. As He told them of the overthrow of Jerusalem, they looked upon the doomed city with weeping. But little did they yet suspect who their traveling companion was. They did not think that the subject of their conversation was walking by their side; for Christ referred to Himself as though He were another person. They thought that He was one of those who had been in attendance at the great feast, and who was now returning to his home. He walked as carefully as they over the rough stones, now and then halting with them for a little rest. Thus they proceeded along the mountainous road, while the One who was soon to take His position at God’s right hand, and who could say, “All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth,” walked beside them. Matthew 28:18. – {DA 800.1}
"When we live by faith on the Son of God, the fruits of the Spirit will be seen in our lives; not one will be missing." {The Desire of Ages, 676.4}

Richard Myers

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Re: The Desire of Ages--83--The Walk to Emmaus
« Reply #7 on: December 31, 2016, 05:14:13 AM »
Amen!! This is one of my favorite chapters. It reveals what God wants to do with everyone of us. He is just as willing to sit down with us at supper as He did with His two disciples. And when we want this, our hearts will also thrill as did theirs. Every morning as we listen to the Words of Christ, He will open to us the same truths He revealed to them as they walked along the way. Jesus cannot be everywhere, but He sends the Holy Spirit to lead us into "all truth." But, the promise is a conditional promise. We must want to walk in that truth. And if we will, then He will teach us the doctrine.

     The simple evening meal of bread is soon prepared. It is placed before the guest, who has taken His seat at the head of the table. Now He puts forth His hands to bless the food. The disciples start back in astonishment. Their companion spreads forth His hands in exactly the same way as their Master used to do. They look again, and lo, they see in His hands the print of nails. Both exclaim at once, It is the Lord Jesus! He has risen from the dead!   
     They rise to cast themselves at His feet and worship Him, but He has vanished out of their sight. They look at the place which had been occupied by One whose body had lately lain in the grave, and say to each other, "Did not our heart burn within us, while He talked with us by the way, and while He opened to us the Scriptures?"   


Until we give Him the whole heart, where does Jesus walk? He is at our right hand, knocking on the door of the heart wanting in. What a Savior we serve!! And, when we see His great love and submit to this love, we will experience what the two disciples did.

     Their hearts leap for joy. They seem to be in a new world. Christ is a living Saviour. They no longer mourn over Him as dead. Christ is risen--over and over again they repeat it. This is the message they are carrying to the sorrowing ones. They must tell them the wonderful story of the walk to Emmaus. They must tell who joined them by the way. They carry the greatest message ever given to the world, a message of glad tidings upon which the hopes of the human family for time and for eternity depend.   



Jesus receives His reward when we reflect His character, the fruits of the Spirit......We deny Jesus His reward when we do not.

Pastor Sean Brizendine

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Re: The Desire of Ages--83--The Walk to Emmaus
« Reply #8 on: December 31, 2016, 07:20:42 AM »
 Amen!

     Reasoning from prophecy, Christ gave His disciples a correct idea of what He was to be in humanity. Their expectation of a Messiah who was to take His throne and kingly power in accordance with the desires of men had been misleading. It would interfere with a correct apprehension of His descent from the highest to the lowest position that could be occupied. Christ desired that the ideas of His disciples might be pure and true in every specification. They must understand as far as possible in regard to the cup of suffering that had been apportioned to Him. He showed them that the awful conflict which they could not yet comprehend was the fulfillment of the covenant made before the foundation of the world was laid. Christ must die, as every transgressor of the law must die if he continues in sin. All this was to be, but it was not to end in defeat, but in glorious, eternal victory. Jesus told them that every effort must be made to save the world from sin. His followers must live as He lived, and work as He worked, with intense, persevering effort.   

We need ALL of God's word! Let us see in all the Bible the loveliness of Jesus!!!!!
"When we live by faith on the Son of God, the fruits of the Spirit will be seen in our lives; not one will be missing." {The Desire of Ages, 676.4}

Richard Myers

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Re: The Desire of Ages--83--The Walk to Emmaus
« Reply #9 on: March 28, 2017, 06:59:23 AM »
Amen, Pastor Sean!  I was impressed this morning with the fact that many professing Christians discard the Old Testament, thinking it and the law as "old history".  In today's reading Jesus explains how important it is to understand why He left the glories of heaven to stoop from His high position to become one of us in the likeness of sinful flesh. We need to better understand why Jesus came to suffer and die that we might turn from sin.

     Then He said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into His glory?" The disciples wondered who this stranger could be, that He should penetrate to their very souls, and speak with such earnestness, tenderness, and sympathy, and with such hopefulness.


They had been blinded by false teachers as to the import of the prophecies that pointed to the mission of Christ. Jesus now explains what He had not been able to do with His disciples in the past 3 1/2 years.

     Beginning at Moses, the very Alpha of Bible history, Christ expounded in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself. Had He first made Himself known to them, their hearts would have been satisfied. In the fullness of their joy they would have hungered for nothing more. But it was necessary for them to understand the witness borne to Him by the types and prophecies of the Old Testament. Upon these their faith must be established. Christ performed no miracle to convince them, but it was His first work to explain the Scriptures. They had looked upon His death as the destruction of all their hopes. Now He showed from the prophets that this was the very strongest evidence for their faith.
     In teaching these disciples, Jesus showed the importance of the Old Testament as a witness to His mission. Many professed Christians now discard the Old Testament, claiming that it is no longer of any use. But such is not Christ's teaching. So highly did He value it that at one time He said, "If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead." Luke 16:31.   
     It is the voice of Christ that speaks through patriarchs and prophets, from the days of Adam even to the closing scenes of time. The Saviour is revealed in the Old Testament as clearly as in the New. It is the light from the prophetic past that brings out the life of Christ and the teachings of the New Testament with clearness and beauty. The miracles of Christ are a proof of His divinity; but a stronger proof that He is the world's Redeemer is found in comparing the prophecies of the Old Testament with the history of the New. 


And to what end? As Pastor Sean has pointed out in his post, that we might learn to hate sinning.

Jesus told them that every effort must be made to save the world from sin. His followers must live as He lived, and work as He worked, with intense, persevering effort.   
Jesus receives His reward when we reflect His character, the fruits of the Spirit......We deny Jesus His reward when we do not.

Pastor Sean Brizendine

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Re: The Desire of Ages--83--The Walk to Emmaus
« Reply #10 on: March 28, 2017, 02:26:30 PM »
Amen, Richard! We need Jesus in the heart--like fire shut up in our bones--that will lead us to share the loveliness of Jesus in mind and character.

  They rise to cast themselves at His feet and worship Him, but He has vanished out of their sight. They look at the place which had been occupied by One whose body had lately lain in the grave, and say to each other, "Did not our heart burn within us, while He talked with us by the way, and while He opened to us the Scriptures?"   

Our hearts also can burn within us as we abide in Christ--with the kindling flame of self-sacrificing love!

"When we live by faith on the Son of God, the fruits of the Spirit will be seen in our lives; not one will be missing." {The Desire of Ages, 676.4}

Pastor Sean Brizendine

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Re: The Desire of Ages--83--The Walk to Emmaus
« Reply #11 on: June 23, 2017, 06:52:40 AM »
When the gospel truly reaches the heart, there cannot but be a change in the life experience and the fruits of the Spirit are SO CLEARLY seen:

But with this great news to communicate they cannot sit and talk. Their weariness and hunger are gone. They leave their meal untasted, and full of joy immediately set out again on the same path by which they came, hurrying to tell the tidings to the disciples in the city. In some parts the road is not safe, but they climb over the steep places, slipping on the smooth rocks. They do not see, they do not know, that they have the protection of Him who has traveled the road with them. With their pilgrim staff in hand, they press on, desiring to go faster than they dare. They lose their track, but find it again. Sometimes running, sometimes stumbling, they press forward, their unseen Companion close beside them all the way.   

This paragraph describes how the good news truly received into the heart because of the revelation of the loveliness of Jesus caused all things else to be secondary. May we see Christ for who He is and remember that when we truly know Him as it is our privilege to know Him, that we can have an experience in which Christ is all in all!!
"When we live by faith on the Son of God, the fruits of the Spirit will be seen in our lives; not one will be missing." {The Desire of Ages, 676.4}

JimB

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Re: The Desire of Ages--83--The Walk to Emmaus
« Reply #12 on: June 23, 2017, 08:22:25 AM »
Amen pastor Sean!... as I have said before this is one of my favorite chapters. Once they set out to share with others it says they have an unseen companion protecting them all the way. The doesn't ask us to do something that He won't help us with. Let's learn to trust Him!
By communion with God in nature, the mind is uplifted, and the heart finds rest.  {DA 291.1}

Pastor Sean Brizendine

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Re: The Desire of Ages--83--The Walk to Emmaus
« Reply #13 on: September 18, 2017, 04:58:50 AM »
Once again I am moved by this beautiful truth!

I love the story of the disciples' walk to Emmaus, and how upon realizing they had been with Jesus, they cannot be silent about the joy they have found in their risen Lord!

"But with this great news to communicate they cannot sit and talk. Their weariness and hunger are gone. They leave their meal untasted, and full of joy immediately set out again on the same path by which they came, hurrying to tell the tidings to the disciples in the city. In some parts the road is not safe, but they climb over the steep places, slipping on the smooth rocks. They do not see, they do not know, that they have the protection of Him who has traveled the road with them. With their pilgrim staff in hand, they press on, desiring to go faster than they dare. They lose their track, but find it again. Sometimes running, sometimes stumbling, they press forward, their unseen Companion close beside them all the way." {The Desire of Ages, page 801, paragraph 2}

Jesus will be with us every step of the way--and when He is in our hearts through a vital faith connection of surrender to Him moment-by-moment, we will reveal all of the fruits of the Spirit in our lives without one missing, and have something to tell of what He has revealed to us of His loveliness! We also will go forth to share with others what a precious friend we have found in Jesus!
"When we live by faith on the Son of God, the fruits of the Spirit will be seen in our lives; not one will be missing." {The Desire of Ages, 676.4}

Richard Myers

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Re: The Desire of Ages--83--The Walk to Emmaus
« Reply #14 on: September 18, 2017, 07:15:20 AM »
Amen!  How can we not be excited to share this greatest ever news!! We may received a fresh baptism in the Spirit each day! Often it comes for me when reading this most wonderful revelation of God's character.  Today, I was strongly impressed with the truth that Bible prophecy pointing to the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus is a more powerful evidence of His divinity than are the miracles He performed.

    It is the voice of Christ that speaks through patriarchs and prophets, from the days of Adam even to the closing scenes of time. The Saviour is revealed in the Old Testament as clearly as in the New. It is the light from the prophetic past that brings out the life of Christ and the teachings of the New Testament with clearness and beauty. The miracles of Christ are a proof of His divinity; but a stronger proof that He is the world's Redeemer is found in comparing the prophecies of the Old Testament with the history of the New. 


A  rational person seeking truth cannot misunderstand the Bible is God's truth and Christ is His Son!
Jesus receives His reward when we reflect His character, the fruits of the Spirit......We deny Jesus His reward when we do not.

Pastor Sean Brizendine

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Re: The Desire of Ages--83--The Walk to Emmaus
« Reply #15 on: December 14, 2017, 04:55:04 AM »
God loves us so much that He has given us anchors of truth that reveal the loveliness of Jesus throughout His word--from both the Old and New Testament! As we behold Jesus' loveliness of character, let us be encouraged to look to Him in His word to find His beauty, perfection, and glory, and by beholding Him we shall be changed!

It is the voice of Christ that speaks through patriarchs and prophets, from the days of Adam even to the closing scenes of time. The Saviour is revealed in the Old Testament as clearly as in the New. It is the light from the prophetic past that brings out the life of Christ and the teachings of the New Testament with clearness and beauty. The miracles of Christ are a proof of His divinity; but a stronger proof that He is the world's Redeemer is found in comparing the prophecies of the Old Testament with the history of the New. {The Desire of Ages, page 799, paragraph 2}

I love reading Genesis 3:15: "And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel." The promise to put enmity in our hearts towards sin when we are converted (fully surrender the heart to Jesus) is found here in the Old Testament. When we do surrender fully to Christ, we get to experience a new heart and a new mind--one filled with all of the fruits of the Spirit, so that not one is missing--and we hate the old works of the flesh that grieve and wound Jesus!

The disciples' journey on the Road to Emmaus in Luke 24 after Jesus had risen was anchored in the word of God--Jesus may have even pointed them to this very promise, for He had to be crushed on the cross ("thou shalt bruise his heel") in order for Satan's kingdom to be destroyed ("it shall bruise thy head"). Our part, then, is to appreciate what Christ has done and yield our heart fully to Him so He can cleanse and purify us through His blood and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in our hearts by faith!
"When we live by faith on the Son of God, the fruits of the Spirit will be seen in our lives; not one will be missing." {The Desire of Ages, 676.4}

Richard Myers

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Re: The Desire of Ages--83--The Walk to Emmaus
« Reply #16 on: December 14, 2017, 06:40:12 AM »
Amen Pastor Sean. When we know Jesus as it is our privilege to know him, our hearts will burn within us, as did the hearts of these two men when they heard the truth and beheld the righteousness of Christ. What a message they had! And what a message we have, for it is the very same message!

The night is dark, but the Sun of Righteousness is shining upon them. Their hearts leap for joy. They seem to be in a new world. Christ is a living Saviour. They no longer mourn over Him as dead. Christ is risen--over and over again they repeat it. This is the message they are carrying to the sorrowing ones. They must tell them the wonderful story of the walk to Emmaus. They must tell who joined them by the way. They carry the greatest message ever given to the world, a message of glad tidings upon which the hopes of the human family for time and for eternity depend.

I love this chapter! I love it because I love to hear about the righteousness of Christ, and how it brings such great joy to the hearts of those who receive it! We too as we behold Jesus have that same joy and excitement! Let us take this message to a world that is soon to perish. What a message! What a God!!
Jesus receives His reward when we reflect His character, the fruits of the Spirit......We deny Jesus His reward when we do not.

Pastor Sean Brizendine

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Re: The Desire of Ages--83--The Walk to Emmaus
« Reply #17 on: March 11, 2018, 07:06:53 AM »
Jesus is our Savior and Example. May we, too, appeal to hearts as He did--even before they know that we are converted Christians and that we are hungering for their souls. May we today so abide in Christ that we may speak and act as Jesus would if He were physically here on earth, even because by His Spirit He is living out His life in us moment-by-moment through the continuous glorious revelation of what it means to live in surrendered faith to Christ bearing all of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing! God is love!

"'Then He said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into His glory?' The disciples wondered who this stranger could be, that He should penetrate to their very souls, and speak with such earnestness, tenderness, and sympathy, and with such hopefulness. For the first time since Christ's betrayal, they began to feel hopeful. Often they looked earnestly at their companion, and thought that His words were just the words that Christ would have spoken. They were filled with amazement, and their hearts began to throb with joyful expectation." {The Desire of Ages, page 796, paragraph 3}

May we speak in such a way that gives people hope of a better life--a life free from addictions, from selfishness, from the things that beset them from having a heavenly union and communion with Christ and with all who love Him wholeheartedly. Let us learn of Him that we may win souls to enjoy eternity with Jesus! One soul is worth more than worlds!!!!! 
"When we live by faith on the Son of God, the fruits of the Spirit will be seen in our lives; not one will be missing." {The Desire of Ages, 676.4}

JimB

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Re: The Desire of Ages--83--The Walk to Emmaus
« Reply #18 on: June 06, 2018, 04:48:45 AM »
The simple evening meal of bread is soon prepared. It is placed before the guest, who has taken His seat at the head of the table. Now He puts forth His hands to bless the food. The disciples start back in astonishment. Their companion spreads forth His hands in exactly the same way as their Master used to do. They look again, and lo, they see in His hands the print of nails. Both exclaim at once, It is the Lord Jesus! He has risen from the dead!

Can anyone imagine that moment when they realize they've been walking and talking with Christ Himself after His death? Untold joy and then in the next paragraph they say that their hearts burned within as they talked to Him on the way. Lessons I'm sure they never forgot. All of this reminds me of the verse about entertaining angels unawares...

Hebrews 13:2 Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares
By communion with God in nature, the mind is uplifted, and the heart finds rest.  {DA 291.1}

Richard Myers

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Re: The Desire of Ages--83--The Walk to Emmaus
« Reply #19 on: June 06, 2018, 04:54:09 AM »
Amen Jim! We have the same opportunities as we minister to those in the world. Christ is walking with us just as surely as He walked with the men from Emmaus. He talks with us the same Words. What a message we have to take to the world. When we have done it, then Jesus can come and put and end to sin, suffering, and death!

I love this chapter! My heart thrills as I contemplate the message Christ gave to these two men. Is it not the same gospel message we have been given? Yes, it is. And we ought to be even more excited then they. It is our day that prophets looked for. We have the privilege and joy of hastening the soon coming of Jesus!

They (WE) carry the greatest message ever given to the world, a message of glad tidings upon which the hopes of the human family for time and for eternity depend.   
Jesus receives His reward when we reflect His character, the fruits of the Spirit......We deny Jesus His reward when we do not.