May 25, Evening

C. H. Spurgeon · Modern retelling

"And they rose up the same hour, and returned Jerusalem . . . and they told what things were done in the way, and how He was known of them." — Luke 24:33,35 · KJV

When the two disciples reached Emmaus and were refreshing themselves at the evening meal, the mysterious stranger who had so captivated them on the road took bread and broke it, made Himself known to them, and then vanished from their sight. They had urged Him to stay with them because the day was nearly over; but now, though it was much later still, their love was a lamp to their feet and wings as well. They forgot the darkness, their weariness was entirely gone, and they set off at once on the seven miles back to Jerusalem to tell the glad news of a risen Lord who had appeared to them along the way. They reached the Christians there and were met by a burst of joyful news before they could even tell their own story. These early Christians were all on fire to speak of Christ's resurrection and to proclaim what they knew of the Lord; they made their experiences common property. This evening, let their example impress us deeply. We too must give our witness about Jesus. John's account of the tomb needed to be supplemented by Peter's, and Mary could add something further still; combined, they give a full testimony from which nothing can be spared. Each of us has particular gifts and special glimpses of the Lord, but the one purpose God has in view is the perfecting of the whole body of Christ. So we must bring our spiritual possessions and lay them down for the church, distributing to everyone what God has given us. Hold back no part of the precious truth; speak what you know and testify to what you have seen. Do not let the effort, or the darkness, or the possible unbelief of your friends weigh in the scale for even a moment. Get up and be on the march to the place of duty, and there tell what great things God has shown your soul.