Along the dusty road they walked

On down Emmaus’ way

And tried to fathom all they knew

What others had to say

 

The seven sad and lonely miles

Were filled with anxious talk

Confusion over Jesus’ death

Made heartbreak of the walk

 

In time a Stranger came along

He asked, what weighed them so?

And they rebuked His ignorance

Did He alone not know?

 

That Jesus, out of Nazareth

A prophet strong and true

We thought would redeem Israel

The Kingdom He’d renew

 

But all our priests, and rulers too

Conspired to see Him dead

Finessed the Roman Governor

To murder in their stead

 

And thus they crucified The One

On whom our hopes did rest

We saw Him die in agony

An end, we’d never guessed

 

And now, it is the third day since

Some women we know well

Saw angels at His empty tomb

Who gave them news to tell

 

They came and found a group of us

Told us of their vision

The empty tomb with angels there

Said that He had risen!

 

Upon that news some others ran

To see what this might be

His body surely was not there

But Him they did not see

 

T’was then the Stranger stopped their tale

Rebuked their unbelief

Was it not needed Christ should die,

His glory to receive?

 

From Moses and the prophets then

Interpreting the Word

He showed they were concerning Him

Their doubts were being cured

As they drew near their destined place

The Stranger didn’t slow

But they prevailed He stop with them

The sun had drifted low

 

So He went in to stay with them

And soon came time to dine

But when He blessed and broke the bread

The Son began to shine

 

Their eyes at last were opened up

They saw Him – Jesus raised!

Just then He vanished from their sight

They sat. Undone. Amazed.

 

Oh how our hearts did burn within

They mused about their talk

And how He opened up the Word

As they had made their walk

 

Thus rushing back the seven miles

To Simon and the rest

They heard the Lord appeared to him

And told how they’d been blessed

 

When all at once The Lord appeared

They started, caught by fear

But “Peace to you” He said to them

And bid them to draw near

 

Let not your hearts be troubled now

Don’t let dark doubts arise

Come touch my hands and see the wounds

Believe your own two eyes

 

Agast, they disbelieved for joy

He asked that He might eat

And taking fish confirmed that He

Was real; That it was He

 

Then opening their clouded minds

The Scriptures to unfold

He showed how all was writ of Him

From all the ages old

 

He told that they should preach the news

Worldwide, though starting here

Of sins forgiven in His name

Salvation had come near

 

But wait! He said. My Father’s Gift

The Promise yet to come

The Spirit’s power from on high

That souls might fast be won

Then leading them to Bethany

He blessed them as He went

Ascending up and Heavenward

He left. And they were sent

 

Returning to Jerusalem

Fresh filled with joy so great

They worshiped Him and blessed their God

For Pentecost to wait

Reid A Ferguson 3/30/2024