The sun sank on the pink and purple sky
When the two men were marching on their way
With saddened hearts and many a heavy sigh
To Emmaus where they planned a while to stay.

Events had been too hard for them to bear
They had abandoned Him on every side-
Their gentle Master so beyond compare
Whom the authorities had crucified.

The happenings unfolded very fast
The Master was by one of them betrayed’
As they stood stupefied and flabbergast
While soldiers stood against them strong arrayed.

With broken spirits thus they trotted on
The dusty road that towards Emmaus led,
Now hurrying, for the sun would soon be gone
To reach the hostelry for bread and bed.

A stranger on the road drew near to them:
You seem so sad” he spoke “please tell me why”
“Disaster struck us at Jerusalem”
The men replied - “our cause went so awry”.

“Our Master, a prophet, great in word and deed
In whom we placed our trust and hopes so high
Was executed in a grim defeat
God let this happen and we know not why”

Some of our womenfolk though did declare
But who can trust a woman’s fantasy?
They saw Him much alive somewhere
But we know well their fond credulity.

While they discussed at length this, suddenly
The stranger smiled and started to explain
And opened up their hearts and minds to see
God’s purpose in their sorrow, grief and pain.

Explained that it was the Messiah’s fate
To suffer much and thereby to redeem
All mankind and to open heaven’s gate,
If they would only put their trust in Him

They listened silently to what they heard
And stifled tears welled up to overflow
As He to scripture passages referred
That set their heavy grieving hearts aglow.

At table He took bread into His hands
He blessed it and then gave it unto them
As the good Master did among His friends
That fateful night up in Jerusalem.

Their eyes were opened in a flashing beam
And then the stranger vanished from their sight.
They’d recognized the Master,- it was Him!
Indeed their womenfolk had seen aright.

Back to the city hurried now the pair,
Uncaring of the chill and deepening night
With all the shaken brethren now to share
The joyous news at their secluded site.

Tell them the women were indeed so right,-
Proclaim that He was risen from the dead,
The one that rules in glory and with might
Had walked with them and blessed their supper bread.

We beg you Jesus Lord to please abide
When our tasks here on this eart are done,
When darkness falls and closer draws the night
Be PRESENT dearest Lord when we pass on!.

(c) Elizabeth Dandy