第15章 耶稣在以马忤斯
§1
第15章 耶稣在以马忤斯
§2
Chapter 15 - Jesus at Emmaus.
§3
耶稣这日见了几个门徒，问候她们说“愿你们平安”（太28:9）!她们就上前抱住祂的脚拜祂。祂允许了这种敬拜，因为祂已升上去见了祂的父，得到了祂的嘉许和圣天使的敬拜。当日下午晚些时候，两个门徒在去距耶路撒冷不到13公里远的以马忤斯的路上。他们曾来耶路撒冷过逾越节，早上听到的耶稣的遗体从坟墓被挪去的消息令他们大感困惑。妇女们就天上使者和耶稣亲自显现所做的报告又加剧了这种困惑。他们现在回家去，要默想和祷告，希望能就这些他们实在不明白的事得到一些亮光。{3SP 206.1}[1]
§4
On this same day Jesus met several of his disciples, and greeted them with All hail, upon which they approached him and held him by the feet and worshiped him. He permitted this homage, for he had then ascended to his Father, and had received his approval, and the worship of the holy angels. Late in the afternoon of the same day, two of the disciples were on their way to Emmaus, eight miles from Jerusalem. They had come to the city to keep the passover, and the news of the morning in regard to the removal of the body of Jesus from the sepulcher had greatly perplexed them. This perplexity had been increased by the reports of the women concerning the heavenly messengers, and the appearance of Jesus himself. They were now returning to their home to meditate and pray, in hope of gaining some light in reference to these matters which so confused their understanding. {3SP 206.1}[1]
§5
这两个门徒在耶稣的服务中虽然没有居于显要地位，却是祂的热心信徒。他们上路之后不久，便有一位陌生人在后面赶上来，与他们同行；但他们忙着思想正彼此谈论着的那些困惑的事，几乎没有注意到那人的加入。这两个壮汉心里非常忧伤，以致边走边哭。在这里，基督的爱怜之心看到祂可以消除这样的悲伤。这两个门徒正在谈论前几天所发生的事情。他们不明白，耶稣既然自称是上帝的儿子，为什么会让自己受耻辱的死。{3SP 207.1}[2]
§6
These two disciples had not held a prominent position beside Jesus in his ministry, but they were earnest believers in him. Soon after they began their journey, they observed a stranger coming up behind them, who presently joined their company; but they were so busy with perplexing thoughts, which they were communicating to each other, that they scarcely noticed they were not alone. Those strong men were so burdened with grief that they wept as they traveled on. Christs pitying heart of love saw here a sorrow which he could relieve. The disciples were reasoning with each other concerning the events of the past few days, and marveling how the fact of Jesus yielding himself up to a shameful death could be reconciled with his claims as the Son of God. {3SP 207.1}[2]
§7
其中有一个说，祂不可能是假冒的，但祂可能对自己的使命和将来的荣耀有误解。他们担心仇敌嘲笑祂的话是真的：“祂救了别人，不能救自己”（可15:31）。他们奇怪祂既然一再证明自己能洞察别人的心思，怎么会对自己有这样的误解。妇女们的奇怪报告，更使他们疑虑重重。{3SP 207.2}[3]
§8
One maintained that he could be no pretender, but had been himself deceived in regard to his mission and his future glory. They both feared that what his enemies had flung in his teeth was too true--He saved others; himself he cannot save. Yet they wondered how he could be so mistaken in himself, when he had given them such repeated evidence that he could read the hearts of others. And the strange reports of the women threw them into still greater uncertainty. {3SP 207.2}[3]
§9
若是得不到耶稣的启迪，这两个门徒就可能对过去几天发生的奥秘事长此困惑下去。耶稣扮成陌生人，开始与他们交谈。“只是他们的眼睛迷糊了，不认识祂。 耶稣对他们说：你们走路彼此谈论的是什么事呢？他们就站住，脸上带着愁容。二人中有一个名叫革流巴的回答说：你在耶路撒冷作客，还不知道这几天在那里所出的事吗？耶稣说：什么事呢？他们说：就是拿撒勒人耶稣的事。祂是个先知，在上帝和众百姓面前，说话行事都有大能”（路24:16-19）。{3SP 207.3}[4]
§10
Long might these disciples have perplexed themselves over the mysteries of the past few days, if they had not received enlightenment from Jesus. He, disguised as a stranger, entered into conversation with them. But their eyes were holden that they should not know him. And he said unto them, What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad? And the one of them whose name was Cleopas, answering said unto him, Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are come to pass there in these days? And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people. {3SP 207.3}[4]
§11
然后他们对祂讲了他们的夫子受审和被钉十字架的事，连同妇女们就祂的遗体被挪走所作的见证，她们所见天使的异象，复活的消息，以及曾到坟墓去的那两个门徒的报告。“耶稣对他们说：无知的人哪，先知所说的一切话，你们的心信得太迟钝了。基督这样受害，又进入祂的荣耀，岂不是应当的吗？于是从摩西和众先知起，凡经上所指着自己的话，都给他们讲解明白了”（路24:25-27）。{3SP 208.1}[5]
§12
They then recounted to him the facts of the trial and crucifixion of their Master, together with the testimony of the women in regard to the removal of his body, the vision of angels which they had seen, the news of the resurrection, and the report of those disciples who had gone to the sepulcher. Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken; ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. {3SP 208.1}[5]
§13
这两个门徒惊奇而快乐地静静地听着。他们不敢问这陌生人是谁。他们专心地听祂讲论，被祂的恩言和仪态所吸引，陶醉于祂的才智，因为祂开他们的心窍，对他们讲解圣经，根据预言向他们说明基督怎样必须被害，并在受害后进入祂的荣耀。{3SP 208.2}[6]
§14
The disciples were silent from amazement and delight. They did not venture to ask the stranger who he was. They listened to him intently, charmed by his intelligence, and drawn toward him by his gracious words and manner, as he opened the Scriptures to their understanding, showing them from prophecy how Christ must suffer, and after suffering enter into his glory. {3SP 208.2}[6]
§15
耶稣从摩西所写的第一卷书讲起，一直讲到众先知就祂的生平、祂的使命、祂的受难、受死和复活所记的灵感证言。祂并不认为必需行一个神迹来证明祂就是复活了的世界救赎主；而是回到预言，通过充分而清楚地解释预言来解决祂身份的问题，说明凡发生在祂身上的事都由受上帝默示的作者们预言出来了。耶稣总是将听众的心带回到旧约圣经中真理的宝贵矿山。祂在财主和拉撒路的比喻中例证了祂对旧约圣经的尊重，祂说：“若不听从摩西和先知的话，就是有一个从死里复活的，他们也是不听劝”（路16:31）。使徒们也都证明了旧约圣经的重要性。彼得说：“因为预言从来没有出于人意的，乃是人被圣灵感动，说出上帝的话来”（彼后1:21）。路加这样论到预言基督降临的众先知：“主以色列的上帝是应当称颂的！因祂眷顾祂的百姓，为他们施行救赎，在祂仆人大卫家中，为我们兴起了拯救的角，正如主藉着从创世以来圣先知的口所说的话”（路1:68-70）。{3SP 208.3}[7]
§16
Jesus began with the first book written by Moses, and traced down through all the prophets the inspired proof in regard to his life, his mission, his suffering, death, and resurrection. He did not deem it necessary to work a miracle to evidence that he was the risen Redeemer of the world; but he went back to the prophecies, and gave a full and clear explanation of them to settle the question of his identity, and the fact that all which had occurred to him was foretold by the inspired writers. Jesus ever carried the minds of his hearers back to the precious mine of truth found in the Old-Testament Scriptures. The esteem in which he held those sacred records is exemplified in the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, where he says, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rose from the dead. The apostles also all testify to the importance of the Old-Testament Scriptures. Peter says: For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man; but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. Luke thus speaks of the prophets who predicted the coming of Christ: Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people; and hath raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David, as he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began. {3SP 208.3}[7]
§17
从亚当的日子起直到末日，那藉着先祖和先知说话的乃是基督的声音。拒绝了耶稣的犹太人没有看出这个真理，今日许多自称基督徒的人也没有看出来。一种美妙的和谐贯穿着新旧约圣经；起先读起来似乎难以理解的段落，当殷勤研读并与涉及同一主题的其它经文相对照的时候，就呈现出清楚的解释。仔细地查考预言原会使犹太人的悟性大得启迪，以致认出耶稣就是所预言的弥赛亚。但他们却曲解预言来迎合他们自己乖僻败坏的思想和野心勃勃的欲望。{3SP 209.1}[8]
§18
It is the voice of Christ that speaks through the prophets and patriarchs, from the days of Adam even down to the closing scenes of time. This truth was not discerned by the Jews who rejected Jesus, and it is not discerned by many professing Christians today. A beautiful harmony runs through the Old and New Testaments; passages which may seem dark at a first reading, present clear interpretations when diligently studied, and compared with other scripture referring to the same subject. A careful search of the prophecies would have so enlightened the understanding of the Jews that they would have recognized Jesus as the predicted Messiah. But they had interpreted those predictions to meet their own perverted ideas and ambitious aspirations. {3SP 209.1}[8]
§19
门徒们一直困惑于祭司们的解释和遗传，因此他们对主的受审、受死和复活才有黑暗和不信。这些曾被曲解的预言如今由曾藉着圣灵默示人写下这些预言的主对这两个门徒讲明了。耶稣向门徒说明，有关弥赛亚的预言的每一个细节都准确地应验在他们夫子的生与死上。祂作为一个陌生人对他们讲话，也作为一个惊讶于他们竟对圣经没有正确解释的人。正确地解经原会使他们脱离这一切的难题。{3SP 210.1}[9]
§20
The disciples had been confused by the interpretations and traditions of the priests, and hence their darkness and unbelief in regard to the trial, death, and resurrection of their Master. These misinterpreted prophecies were now made plain to the understanding of the two disciples, by Him who, through his Holy Spirit, inspired men to write them. Jesus showed his disciples that every specification of prophecy regarding Messiah had found an exact fulfillment in the life and death of their Master. He addressed them as a stranger, and as one who was astonished that they had not interpreted the Scriptures correctly, which would have relieved them from all their difficulties. {3SP 210.1}[9]
§21
耶稣从前虽然教导过他们预言，可是他们却一直没能完全放弃基督在第一次降临时要建立属世国度的想法。他们的成见使他们看祂的被钉为他们一切希望的最后破灭。然而正当他们灰心失望的时候，主却向他们说明了那使他们绝望的事构成了最高的证据，以致他们的信仰得到了纠正，他们越来越有信心了。他们如今理解了主在受审前所说的许多话，那些话是他们当时明白不了的。如今每件事在他们心中都已清楚明了。他们在耶稣的生与死中看到了预言的应验，他们的心便因爱他们的救主而火热起来了。{3SP 210.2}[10]
§22
Although Jesus had previously taught them in regard to the prophecies, yet they had been unable to entirely relinquish the idea of the temporal kingdom of Christ at his first coming. Their preconceived views led them to look upon his crucifixion as the final destruction of all their hopes. But when, in the midst of their discouragement, they were shown that the very things which had caused them to despair formed the climax of proof that their belief had been correct, their faith returned with increased strength. They now comprehended many things which their Master had said before his trial, and which they could not at that time understand. Everything was clear and plain to their minds. In the life and death of Jesus they saw the fulfillment of prophecy, and their hearts burned with love for their Saviour. {3SP 210.2}[10]
§23
许多自称基督徒的人竟把旧约圣经撇在一边，只看新约圣经。如今的呼声是：“远离律法和先知，给我们基督的福音。”假如新约圣经中基督的生平和教训就是坚固信仰所必需的一切，为什么基督不在这个场合只提到祂所教导的道理，祂品格的智慧和纯洁，以及祂所行的奇事，作为祂弥赛亚身份的充分证据呢？{3SP 211.1}[11]
§24
Many professed Christians throw aside the Old Testament, and shut themselves up to the New. The cry now is, Away with the law and the prophets, and give us the gospel of Christ. If the life of Christ and the teachings of the New-Testament Scriptures were all that was necessary to establish belief, why did not Jesus upon this occasion merely refer to the doctrines he had taught, the wisdom and purity of his character, and the miracles he had performed, as sufficient evidence of his Messiahship? {3SP 211.1}[11]
§25
耶稣的生活史、祂的死和复活，既是上帝儿子的事迹，若无旧约圣经中的证据，就无法得到充分的证明。基督显在旧约圣经中是与在新约圣经中一样明显的。一个证明一位要来的救主，另一个则证明已经按照众先知所预言的方式来到的救主。为要赏识救赎的计划，就必须彻底明白旧约圣经。正是过去的预言所发出的荣光才清晰美丽地显示了新约圣经中基督的生平和教训。耶稣的神迹虽是祂神性的证据；但祂是世界救赎主的最有力的证据却是在将旧约圣经的预言与新约史相对照的时候才得到的。耶稣对犹太人说过：“你们应当查考圣经，因你们以为内中有永生；给我作见证的就是这经”（约5:39）。当时世上除了旧约圣经没有其它圣经存在；所以救主的这个命令是很明白的。{3SP 211.2}[12]
§26
The history of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, as that of the Son of God, cannot be fully demonstrated without the evidence contained in the Old Testament. Christ is revealed in the Old Testament as clearly as in the New. The one testifies of a Saviour to come, while the other testifies of a Saviour that has come in the manner predicted by the prophets. In order to appreciate the plan of redemption, the Scripture of the Old Testament must be thoroughly understood. It is the glorified light from the prophetic past that brings out the life of Christ and the teachings of the New Testament with clearness and beauty. The miracles of Jesus are a proof of his divinity; but the strongest proofs that he is the worlds Redeemer are found in the prophecies of the Old Testament compared with the history of the New. Jesus said to the Jews Search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life, and they are they which testify of me. At that time there was no other scripture in existence save that of the Old Testament; so the injunction of the Saviour is plain. {3SP 211.2}[12]
§27
这两个门徒与耶稣同行，专心听祂的恩言时，祂的仪态一点没让他们觉得不过是在听一个过节回来偶然碰到的客旅讲话，而是在听一位完全明白预言的人讲经。祂象他们一样小心地走过粗糙的石头，在攀登某个很陡的地方后和他们一起停下来休息一会儿。两个门徒就这样与那位能说“天上地下所有的权柄都赐给我了”（太28:18）的神圣救主沿着山路同行。{3SP 212.1}[13]
§28
As the disciples walked on with Jesus, listening intently to his gracious words, nothing in his bearing suggested to them that they were listening to other than a casual pilgrim, returning from the feast, but one who thoroughly understood the prophecies. He walked as carefully as they over the rough stones, halting with them for a little rest after climbing some unusually steep place. Thus the two disciples made their way along the mountainous road in company with the divine Saviour, who could say, All power is given unto me in Heaven and on earth. {3SP 212.1}[13]
§29
这位战胜死亡的大能者，为拯救丧亡的世界，降到了人类痛苦的最深处。祂愿意屈尊与这两个门徒同往以马忤斯，教导和安慰他们。祂一直愿意这样与受苦和困惑中的人同在。当我们走在最艰难的道路中时，耶稣会与我们同在，为我们铺平道路。祂是那同一位人子，带着祂经过坟墓并升到祂父那里去之前同样的怜悯和仁爱。{3SP 212.2}[14]
§30
This mighty conqueror of death, who had reached to the very depths of human misery to rescue a lost world, assumed the humble task of walking with the two disciples to Emmaus, to teach and comfort them. Thus he ever identifies himself with his suffering and perplexed people. In our hardest and most trying paths, lo, Jesus is with us to smooth the way. He is the same Son of man, with the same sympathies and love which he had before he passed through the tomb and ascended to his Father. {3SP 212.2}[14]
§31
终于，在太阳落山的时候，这两个门徒和他们的同伴到家了。对他们来说，似乎这段路从来没有这么短过，时间也从来没有过得这么快过。那个陌生人没有停下来的迹象；但那两个门徒受不了这么快就与一位使他们的心生出新的希望和喜乐的人分别，就敦促祂留下来与他们一同过夜。耶稣没有立刻同意他们的邀请，却似乎有意继续前行。于是那两个门徒出于对这位陌生人的友爱，便以“时候晚了”（路24:29）为由强留祂。耶稣便答应了他们的恳求，进了他们简陋的住所。{3SP 212.3}[15]
§32
At length, as the sun was going down, the disciples with their companion arrived at their home. The way had never before seemed so short to them, nor had time ever passed so quickly. The stranger made no sign of halting; but the disciples could not endure the thought of parting so soon from one who had inspired their hearts with new hope and joy, and they urged him to remain with them over night. Jesus did not at once yield to their invitation, but seemed disposed to pursue his journey. Thereupon the disciples, in their affection for the stranger, importuned him earnestly to tarry with them, urging as a reason that the day was far spent. Jesus yielded to their entreaties and entered their humble abode. {3SP 212.3}[15]
§33
救主从不强迫我们与祂同在。祂寻求与那些祂知道需要祂关怀的人作伴，并给他们一个机会力劝祂继续与他们同在。他们若是满心渴望地恳求祂与他们同住，祂就会进到最简陋的家庭，鼓舞最卑微的人。在等候晚餐的时候，耶稣继续向祂的东道主们讲解圣经，提出祂神性的证据，并向他们展开救恩的计划。简单的晚饭不久就预备好，这三个人便在桌前就座，耶稣已照祂的习惯坐在首位上。{3SP 213.1}[16]
§34
The Saviour never forces his presence upon us. He seeks the company of those whom he knows need his care, and gives them an opportunity to urge his continuance with them. If they, with longing desire, entreat him to abide with them he will enter the humblest homes, and brighten the lowliest hearts. While waiting for the evening meal, Jesus continued to open the Scriptures to his hosts, bringing forward the evidence of his divinity, and unfolding to them the plan of salvation. The simple fare was soon ready, and the three took their position at the table, Jesus taking his place at the head as was his custom. {3SP 213.1}[16]
§35
求主赐福食物的责任通常落在家长的身上；但耶稣却按手在饼上祝福了饼。祂的祈祷一出口，那两个门徒就吃惊地仰望。肯定只有他们的主才总是这样做。祂的声音敲打着他们的耳骨，乃是他们夫子的声音，而且，看哪，祂的手上有钉痕！这确实是他们很熟悉的亲爱夫子的样子！他们一时之间怔住了；然后便起来俯伏在祂脚前敬拜祂，但祂突然不见了。{3SP 213.2}[17]
§36
The duty of asking a blessing upon the food usually devolved upon the head of the family; but Jesus placed his hands upon the bread and blessed it. At the first word of his petition the disciples looked up in amazement. Surely none other than their Lord had ever done in this manner. His voice strikes upon their ear as the voice of their Master, and, behold, there are the wounds in his hands! It is indeed the well-known form of their beloved Master! For a moment they are spell-bound; then they arise to fall at his feet and worship him; but he suddenly disappears from their midst. {3SP 213.2}[17]
§37
此时他们才知道自己原来一直在与复活的救赎主同行共话。他们的眼睛被蒙蔽了，所以之前没有认出祂来，尽管祂所讲的真理已深入他们消沉的心中。祂经受了客西马尼园中的斗争，十字架的耻辱，并且胜过了死亡和坟墓——众天使在祂面前俯伏敬拜，感恩赞美，祂却寻找那两个孤独失望的门徒，与他们同在数小时，教导和安慰他们，可是他们却没有认出祂来。{3SP 213.3}[18]
§38
Now they know that they have been walking and talking with the risen Redeemer. Their eyes had been clouded so that they had not before discerned him, although the truths he uttered had sunk deep in their discouraged hearts. He who had endured the conflict of the garden, the shame of the cross, and who had gained the victory over death and the tomb--He, before whom angels had fallen prostrate, worshiping with thanksgiving and praise, had sought the two lonely and desponding disciples, and been in their presence for hours, teaching and comforting them, yet they had not known him. {3SP 213.3}[18]
§39
耶稣没有一开始就向他们显出祂的真身份，然后开他们的心窍，向他们讲解圣经；因为祂知道，那样他们就会因再次见到祂、因祂从死里复活而大喜过望，以致心满意足。他们就不会渴求神圣的真理了。祂希望将这些真理永远铭刻在他们心中，以便将之传给他人，而他人则转而传播这宝贵的知识，直到成千上万的人都领受那日在去以马忤斯的路上赐给两个失望门徒的亮光。{3SP 214.1}[19]
§40
Jesus did not first reveal himself in his true character to them, and then open the Scriptures to their minds; for he knew that they would be so overjoyed to see him again, risen from the dead, that their souls would be satisfied. They would not hunger for the sacred truths which he wished to indelibly impress upon their minds, that they might impart them to others, who should in their turn spread the precious knowledge, until thousands of people should receive the light given that day to the despairing disciples as they journeyed to Emmaus. {3SP 214.1}[19]
§41
祂一直扮作陌生人，直到解释了圣经，并使他们对祂的生平、祂的品格、祂到地上来的使命和祂的死与复活有了理智的信心。祂希望真理在他们心中稳稳扎根，不是因为祂个人的见证支持了真理，而是因为预表性律法和旧约的众先知所讲的都与祂生与死的事实相符，呈现了关于那个真理的无可置疑的证据。当祂对这两个门徒作工的目的达到了的时候，祂才向他们显出自己，好使他们可以喜乐满足，然后祂就不见了。{3SP 214.2}[20]
§42
He maintained his disguise till he had interpreted the Scriptures, and had led them to an intelligent faith in his life, his character, his mission to earth, and his death and resurrection. He wished the truth to take firm root in their minds, not because it was supported by his personal testimony, but because the typical law, and the prophets of the Old Testament, agreeing with the facts of his life and death, presented unquestionable evidence of that truth. When the object of his labors with the two disciples was gained, he revealed himself to them that their joy might be full, and then vanished from their sight. {3SP 214.2}[20]
§43
这两个门徒离开耶路撒冷回家的时候，本来打算重操旧业，尽可能隐瞒他们已经破灭的希望。而今他们的喜乐超过了先前的失望。“他们彼此说：在路上，祂和我们说话，给我们讲解圣经的时候，我们的心岂不是火热的吗”（路24:32）？{3SP 215.1}[21]
§44
When these disciples left Jerusalem, to return to their homes, they intended to take up their old employment again, and conceal their blighted hopes as best they could. But now their joy exceeded their former despair. And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the Scriptures? {3SP 215.1}[21]
§45
他们忘了自己的饥饿和疲倦，连预备好的晚饭也没有吃，因为他们不能逗留在自己家里，不让其他门徒得到他们新得到的知识。他们渴望把自己的喜乐分给他们的同伴，好叫他们可以因一位从死里复活的救主而一同欢喜快乐。虽然天色已晚，他们还是立即出发，原路返回耶路撒冷去；但他们如今的心情与他们启程来以马忤斯时的沮丧心情多么不同啊。耶稣就在他们身旁，他们却不知道。祂快乐地听到他们在路上彼此交谈时表达的喜乐和感激之情。{3SP 215.2}[22]
§46
They forgot their hunger and fatigue, and left the prepared repast, for they could not tarry in their homes and hold their newly found knowledge from the other disciples. They longed to impart their own joy to their companions, that they might rejoice together in a living Saviour risen from the dead. Late as it was, they set about retracing their way to Jerusalem; but how different were their feelings now from those which depressed them when they set out upon their way to Emmaus. Jesus was by their side, but they knew it not. He heard with gladness their expressions of joy and gratitude as they talked with each other by the way. {3SP 215.2}[22]
§47
他们太高兴了，没有注意崎岖不平难走的路段。虽然没有月亮光照他们，但他们的心却因新启示的喜乐而亮堂堂的。他们爬过崎岖的地方，和危险的岩脊，有时因匆忙而蹒跚跌倒。但他们一点也不因此惊慌，而是坚定地一路前行。他们有时失迷了路，不得不折回，直到又找到了，便以新的速度重新前行。他们渴望把宝贵的消息带给朋友们。人的口以前从未传过这样的好消息；因为基督复活的事实将成为伟大的真理，教会一切的信心和希望都以它为中心。{3SP 215.3}[23]
§48
They were too happy to notice the difficulties of the rough, uncertain road. There was no moon to light them, but their hearts were light with the joy of a new revelation. They picked their way over the rough stones, and the dangerous ledges, sometimes stumbling and falling in their haste. But not at all disconcerted by this, they pressed resolutely on. Occasionally they lost their path in the darkness, and were obliged to retrace their steps until they found the track, when they renewed their journey with fresh speed. They longed to deliver their precious message to their friends. Never before had human lips such tidings to proclaim; for the fact of Christs resurrection was to be the great truth around which all the faith and hope of the church would center. {3SP 215.3}[23]