Sad, solemn, slow, with dusty step,
familiar, homeward way they tread.
Each passing face, each passing scene,
this day of sadness nothing mean.
In grief, perplexity, and pain,
their peaceless hearts recoil again
from crucifixion, death-filled tomb –
what light can penetrate such gloom?
In conversation deep confined,
each to the other’s thought reminds
of every detail, deed, and word,
three tragic days of death conferred.
Their questions deep – how could it be
that Christ should die, defencelessly?
Was he not Son of God with power?
Where then such might in Pilate’s hour?
No hope, no future for these two
disciples from Emmaus who
once heard that voice and saw that One
whose earthly work seemed all undone.
A faster footfall on the way
disturbs the dust in evening’s ray.
One overtakes, then joins in step –
their eyes from recognition kept.
The stranger first he questions why
their conversation’s content lies
such solemn weight upon their hearts
as only sadness sore imparts.
Amazed surprise the pair expressed
that he no knowledge sad possessed
of dreadful deed so lately done
to him who claimed to be God’s Son.
No knowledge? Thus he seemed to them
mere stranger in Jerusalem,
for none could there past days reside
and fail to know how Jesus died.
And since his death, three days had passed –
Israel redeemed? – such hopes now dashed!
Their trust and love destroyed by death –
no Jesus now, of Nazareth!
And yet, today, in early light
some women came, in joy and fright!
Angelic vision! – so they claimed!
Deserted sepulchre remained!
Such discourse then at length ensues
of strangeness great that ever two
on any road in time and space
had ever heard from unknown face.
O fools, and slow of heart to see,
begins the stranger fervently,
what prophets ancient spoke of Christ
how he must needs be sacrificed!
Thus he begins a discourse long
of Moses, prophets, one by one,
through scriptures clear, and some obscure,
aligns them all in one great tour.
This way of death God’s Christ must go,
no other course could deal the blow
at sin and Satan, death and hell,
with force sufficient to dispel.
Thus clear the stranger demonstrates
how law and prophets must dictate
till Christ himself them all fulfil,
obedient to his Father's will.
Such exposition in their ears,
the travellers two had found their tears
somewhat diminished by his voice –
but still their hearts could not rejoice.
While yet their heaviness outweighed
all reasoning by the stranger made,
within their hearts new warmth ignites –
initial flame before full light.
As journey ends with end of day,
the stranger moves to go his way,
but invitation soon constrains
him thus that night with them remain.
From journey’s dust the travellers rest,
bewildered pair, an unknown guest.
They entertain they know not whom –
still shrouds their minds Golgotha’s gloom!
Their hospitality presumed
refreshment, rest, retirement room,
with morning light their stranger guest
his journey swift would recommence.
Not so! The ancient record runs,
that evening meal not long begun,
when interrupts such lightening power,
refreshment needs depart that hour!
The meal commenced, the stranger took
the loaf to bless, with upward look.
That done, his hands the bread did break
and gave – the astonished two did take!
That moment recognition swept
away all grief – their hearts now leapt!
’Tis Jesus! floods their gloom-fogged minds!
Oh joy transfixed now-seeing eyes!
My body broken for your sake,
they’d heard him say at supper late,
and now these hands with nail-marks red
revealed his face in breaking bread.
But swift as those now-seeing eyes
in stranger Jesus recognized,
he swifter vanished from their view –
He lives! Life resurrected! New!
No further thought of food untouched,
the broken bread can gather dust.
Their sandals fixed, their cloaks on-cast –
Jerusalem! – returning fast!
Some journey this in contrast sharp
to earlier hours when downcast hearts
had journeyed long on dusty path
with sad-filled minds – death’s aftermath.
No hung-down heads this joy-burst night
in darkening hours, two hearts saw light.
No weary dead-end journey this –
our Jesus lives! Our deathless bliss!
No wonder, now they thought with shame,
our hearts within did burn as flame,
while explanation he did make
how Christ must die for sinners’ sake!
How light their steps seemed now to them
returning to Jerusalem!
Impelled by revelation new
sped swift with joy th’ Emmaus two.
Imagine how their thoughts enlarge
with rapt anticipation charged,
of living Christ to tell the news
to company by doubt confused!
Yet when that company they reach,
no need they find for lengthy speech,
for others too, have seen their Christ –
Messiah true – their sacrifice.
E’er since that day when dark despair
Christ banished from th’ Emmaus pair,
for thousand, thousand, thousands more,
blind hearts have found in Christ their cure.
Eternity alone shall tell
how many souls from sin made well
through hearing of th’ Emmaus road,
have seen through sadness, Christ, their God.
John Puckett
The Biblical account on which this poem is based can be read in Luke 24:13-35. It is one of the most precious stories in the Bible.
