Road to Emmaus

While traveling to Emmaus
From Jerusalem
Another Man walked with us
But we did not know Him.

He asked what we’d been saying
And why we were so sad
He must be a stranger here
For the news He hadn’t heard.

We started to inform Him
Of events which had occurred
During these last three days
Concerning Christ our Lord.

How Jesus of Nazareth
Prophet before God and man
Was condemned and crucified
And laid in an empty tomb.

Some women bringing spices
To anoint Him properly
Were startled to see angels there
And His tomb standing empty.

The angels said onto them:
“Jesus is alive.
Go and tell the others
So they too might believe.”

We were among those followers
The women came and told
Some went to see for themselves
How that stone could have rolled.

Then He who walked the road with us
Told us of a Man
That the Scriptures did foretell
Would thus fulfill God’s plan.

We still didn’t recognize Him
But we asked Him to stay
And share our evening meal with us
Before going on His way.

We knew that it was Jesus
When He blessed and broke the bread
Just as He’d come, He vanished
He’s alive—no longer dead.

We went back to Jerusalem
To tell what we’d seen and heard
How Jesus had walked with us
And opened to us God’s Word.

Sometimes, Savior, as You walk
With us while earth we tread,
We may not always recognize
That it’s You, risen from the dead.

Then You share Your Supper
Of wine and broken bread
We eat Your Body and Your Blood
And thus our faith is fed.

Painting: The Pilgrims of Emmaus on the Road by James Tissot (1836-1902). Courtesy of Brooklyn Museum. No known copyright restrictions, per Brooklyn Museum.