From Emmaus to Paul

On the road to Emmaus those two disciples when they realised that their master had been raised from the dead and especially when they realised his death was a necessary part of the Divine Plan for the salvation of man declared "Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures," (Luke 24:13‑32). All these things the prophets of old had spoken. So also today hearts burn for learning the real significance of Jesus’ death.

"A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me…ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy…I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you" (John 16:19‑22) "Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also." (John 14:19) Never man spake like this man! (John 7:46)

His shed blood was necessary that from the fallen condition we might be restored to life, those that see who is the author of salvation by the giving of the Passover Lamb. In partaking of broken‑bread the Christian memorializes the purity of the sinlessness of one who gave himself a ransom price for all mankind.

There is a blessing from this sacrifice offered to us during this Gospel age (Christian era) to all who have a hearing ear and an appreciative heart. And yet further favour to all who turn from sin and accept by faith the grace of God in Christ to walk in the footsteps of Jesus, and become overcomers to be associated with him in his millennial kingdom. In partaking of the bread, the merit from our Lord, the Christian appropriates to themselves the perfection of Jesus, which covers their imperfections. By faith then the new natures are justified by faith in His Son. We are given the privilege of partaking of our Lord’s cup for such is the grace of God who has called us up to a fellowship with the Lord Jesus. The same spirit which Jesus had to do the Father’s will must be in each one if they would be joint heirs with him. As Jesus said all who would sit with him must drink of his cup, deny self and be immersed into his death.

Jesus (John 6) clearly stated that he was the true Bread, which came down from heaven and extended the invitation to be part of that Loaf. In breaking the bread those symbolize the Lord’s broken body, so as to remember that the Church is too. The Loaf which we break is referred to in 1 Cor.10:16‑17 which says "The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread."

The cup of the vine is the life of our Lord laid down for us, and in becoming His disciples we accept the invitation to drink of His cup, to remain faithful unto death. For it was the Father’s Plan that the Lord Jesus should have many brethren and that they were known from before the foundation of the world. Do we really appreciate this? And all these would present themselves as living sacrifices to God. (Rom.12:1)

May we even more appreciate the memorial that it expresses the Divine love of God all love excelling which God had in His heart from the beginning, which is beyond understanding.

ANC