(Luke 24:13-2413And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs. 14And they talked together of all these things which had happened. 15And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them. 16But their eyes were holden that they should not know him. 17And he said unto them, What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad? 18And 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? 19And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people: 20And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him. 21But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done. 22Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulchre; 23And when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, which said that he was alive. 24And certain of them which were with us went to the sepulchre, and found it even so as the women had said: but him they saw not. (Luke 24:13‑24)).
HAVE you ever thought, dear little friend, how sweet it would be to take a walk with Jesus? I am sure the two disciples of whom we have been reading, must have found it so. We do not know how far they had gone on their long walk from Jerusalem to Emmaus, before “Jesus Himself drew near and went with them”; but we can imagine how short the miles must have seemed to them when the Lord was their companion.
A little American girl was toiling slowly up a steep hill one cold January afternoon. In one hand she carried a jug of milk, and in her arms, blue and numb with cold, were three or four loaves of bread. Her little thin cloak afforded scanty protection from the bitter, piercing wind, which seemed ready to blow her away altogether, and when at last, breathless and panting, she reached her home, she looked as fragile and delicate as the snowflakes with which she was covered.
“What a disagreeable walk!” you exclaim. But Nellie had not found it so, for as she deposited her heavy burden upon the table, she began to tell her mother how she had enjoyed it.
“What made it pleasant, child?” asked her mother.
“Why, mother, Jesus was with me all the way.”
Yes, that was the secret. What walk can be like a walk with Him? I wonder how many of the thousands of our young readers really know what it is to walk with Jesus. As the two disciples walked side by side with their beloved Master, they poured out all their doubts and fears into His listening ear; and if you belong to the Good Shepherd, you will love to do the same. But remember, you can never enjoy the companionship of Jesus till your sins have been washed away in His precious blood, and you are His. (Amos 3:33Can two walk together, except they be agreed? (Amos 3:3)).
You may have some very rough walking and climbing to do, dear child, as you journey through this wilderness world; but if you are Christ’s, it should only make you cling closer to Him. With His strong arm to lean on, you need fear nothing. Rough stones and slippery rocks need not discourage you.
Do you see that Alpine traveler? He was on his upward way when the summits of the grand old snow-capped mountains were yet rosy with the rising sun. His one desire is to reach the loftiest peak. Dangers and difficulties surround him on all sides, but he heeds them not.
Can you guess what makes him so fearless? it is the presence of his guide. There is one beside him to whom every danger and obstacle is known!
And now they come to a place where one false step, one look aside, would be to fall. An overhanging crag on the one side, a yawning precipice on the other. You tremble as you gaze. But the traveler keeps his eyes steadily fixed upon his guide, listens for the words of direction which fall from his lips, follows closely in his footprints, and soon the peril is left behind.
Dear child, is this a picture of you? Is Jesus your Guide? Are you leaning on him as you journey day by day? Can you say, “My sins are forgiven me, ‘for His name’s sake?’” Just close your eyes a minute, and ask God to help you to answer these questions honestly, before you read another word.
Perhaps you say, “I have no need of a guide. I have kind parents and friends, a happy home with nearly everything I want, and I feel quite safe.”
Ah! dear little friend, perhaps you have not had trouble yet, but it will come; you do not see the dangers, but they are there.
Dangers far more terrible than those the Alpine traveler has to face, and how can you meet them alone? Oh be wise now! Do not venture one step further till you are assured that the Lord Jesus Christ is your own Saviour; for until this is so, you can neither be happy nor safe.
One little word to those dear children whose hearts can answer my questions with a glad “Yes!” Don’t forget that though the journey may be difficult, it is a homeward journey. Let your motto be, “Still upward:” “Looking unto Jesus.” Remember that the Lord is with you every step of the way, and soon, very soon it may be, the last stage of the journey will be reached. And then, fairer and brighter than any sunlit mountain peak, radiant with a light more glorious than that of the sun, will be seen the golden city for which you look, your own happy home.
F.E.C.