_"But their eyes were holden that they should not know him."_ This
simple statement has more than once caused "smiles in tears;" _smiles_
at the half playfulness of Jesus talking to these two beloved
disciples as a tender father sometimes talks to his little children;
and _tears_ at the condescending love of Christ our God and Lord,
walking as a wayfaring man with two of his heartbroken creatures. Can
you take this in, and not fall at his feet and kiss them? Can you take
this in, and not look up into his face smiling through your tears?
And then he said: "Behooved it not the Christ to suffer these things
and to enter into his glory?" This very sentence, by which he shed the
first rays of light upon the dark waters of their storm-beaten bosoms,
tells the whole tale of Christ's redeeming love. The cross and crown!
Joy of earth and bliss of heaven! The cross of dishonor; the crown of
glory! The cross of death; the crown of life!
"But their eyes were holden, that they should not know him." He came
as the divine Word. He is the truth and the life of the Word; for "the
Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us." Though they knew not that it
was he, still their hearts did burn within them as he opened unto them
the scriptures. "Beginning at Moses he interpreted to them in all the
Scriptures the things concerning himself." They do not tell us the
passages he quoted and explained; but it is believed we have them all
in our Bibles. I think it is evident we have all the Scriptures now
that were extant then; and it is our great privilege to hunt up for
ourselves and others these broken pieces of the Bread of Life.
The word "HOLDEN" means simply, _held back; restrained_. For wise
reasons he _held back_ the sight of their eyes that they should not
know him. Had they known him at first sight, it would have interfered
with and prevented the accomplishment of his gracious purpose to make
himself known in the "breaking of bread." In this very act he has
taught his people one of the most precious lessons in all the
Christian's experiences. He is the Bread of eternal Life. His whole
Word is but one great loaf, and he is that loaf. And how my soul
quivers with the thought that if we invite him in as these loving
disciples did, and ask him to abide with us, he will take a seat with
us at table, and break unto us the Bread of Life. Our spiritual eyes
will be opened, and we shall joyfully know him. Then will
"Our hearts grow warm with heavenly fire;
And kindle with a pure desire;
While our blest Savior from above
Feeds all our souls with holy love."