a vision of
angels, which said that he was alive." Moreover, others beside the women
had gone to the tomb, and had verified the absence of the body but had
not seen the Lord.

Then Jesus, gently chiding His fellow travelers as foolish men and slow
of heart in their hesitating acceptance of what the prophets had spoken,
asked impressively, "Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and
to enter into his glory?" Beginning with the inspired predictions of
Moses, He expounded to them the scriptures, touching upon all the
prophetic utterances concerning the Savior's mission. Having continued
with the two men to their destination Jesus "made as though he would
have gone further," but they urged Him to tarry with them, for the day
was already far spent. He so far acceded to their hospitable entreaty as
to enter the house, and, as soon as their simple meal was prepared, to
seat Himself with them at the table. As the Guest of honor, He took the
loaf, "blessed it and brake, and gave to them." There may have been
something in the fervency of the blessing, or in the manner of breaking
and distributing the bread, that revived memories of former days; or,
possibly, they caught sight of the pierced hands; but, whatever the
immediate cause, they looked intently upon their Guest, "and their eyes
were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight." In
a fulness of joyful wonderment they rose from the table, surprized at
themselves for not having recognized Him sooner. One said to the other,
"Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way,
and while he opened to us the scriptures?" Straightway they started to
retrace their steps and hastened back to Jerusalem to confirm by their
witness what, before, the brethren had been slow to believe.

RISEN LORD APPEARS TO THE DISCIPLES IN JERUSALEM AND EATS IN THEIR
PRESENCE.[1371]

When Cleopas and his companion reached Jerusalem that night, they found
the apostles and other devoted believers assembled in solemn and
worshipful discourse within closed doors. Precautions of secrecy had
been taken "for fear of the Jews." Even the apostles had been scattered
by the arrest, arraignment, and judicial murder of their Master; but
they and the disciples in general rallied anew at the word of His
resurrection, as the nucleus of an army soon to sweep the world. The two
returning disciples were received with the joyous announcement, "The
Lord is risen indeed, a