That day there were others on the road to Emmaus,
Discussing the one who they thought would’ve saved us.
They were speaking all that had passed,
Everything had happened so fast.

And Jesus Himself drew near and went with them,
Soon asking about the week before’s mayhem.
But their eyes were kept from seeing the Son of God
As they walked on the road, traveling abroad.

When He asked what conversation they had,
They stood still, looking sad.
“Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know
The things that have happened in these days of woe?”

He asked what they meant; He had not heard.
Said they, “Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, mighty prophet in deed and in word,
And how the rulers delivered Him up to be crucified
And how it was at their hands He died.”

But we had hoped that He was the one to redeem Israel.

“Now three days have passed since these events
Do you see the trouble this presents?
He was going to save us, but now He is gone,
- And have you not heard what happened one dawn?

“The women of the company went to the tomb,
His body wasn’t there in the room.
They saw visions of angels, saying He was alive!
Others went, ‘twas the same – how could He survive?”

Then Jesus spoke – “O foolish ones, and slow of heart
To believe all the prophets have spoken.” He told all from the start
How it was necessary that the Christ should suffer these things
And enter into His glory – let us go to the beginnings.

He explained what Moses and the prophets had said
Interpreting scriptures about the Christ they held to be dead.
Yet it was foretold from the beginning of time: He must die,
Atone for sin, go on high.

They urged Him to stay with them where they were going
They wanted to know more of what He was showing
He broke their bread and blessed it, then they saw,
But He was gone, though they stood in awe.

Did not our hearts burn within us while He talked to us on the road, while He opened to us the scriptures?

That very hour, they returned to Jerusalem,
Explaining to others what it was He had told them.
And as they spoke, Jesus appeared there,
Said “Peace to you!” but the truth was not laid bare.

They thought He was a spirit, until He said “touch me,”
He showed His feet and hands, then they could see.
He reminded them of what had to be fulfilled,
The promise of God could never be distilled.

“Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”