that they may not hinder us from our sabbath work; and our holy affections so stirred up, that they
may carry us on in it. In whatever business we engage, or however our hearts may be affected, let
us never fail to get ready for, and to keep holy, the day of sacred rest, which is the Lord's day.
Chapter 24
Chapter Outline
The resurrection of Christ. (1–12)
He appears to two disciples on the way to (13–27)
Emmaus.
And makes himself known to them. (28–35)
Christ appears to the other disciples. (36–49)
His ascension. (50–53)Verses 1–12
See the affection and respect the women showed to Christ, after he was dead and buried. Observe
their surprise when they found the stone rolled away, and the grave empty. Christians often perplex
themselves about that with which they should comfort and encourage themselves. They look rather
to find their Master in his grave-clothes, than angels in their shining garments. The angels assure
them that he is risen from the dead; is risen by his own power. These angels from heaven bring not
any new gospel, but remind the women of Christ's words, and teach them how to apply them. We
may wonder that these disciples, who believed Jesus to be the Son of God and the true Messiah,
who had been so often told that he must die, and rise again, and then enter into his glory, who had
seen him more than once raise the dead, yet should be so backward to believe his raising himself.
But all our mistakes in religion spring from ignorance or forgetfulness of the words Christ has
spoken. Peter now ran to the sepulchre, who so lately ran from his Master. He was amazed. There
are many things puzzling and perplexing to us, which would be plain and profitable, if we rightly
understood the words of Christ.
Verses 13–27
This appearance of Jesus to the two disciples going to Emmaus, happened the same day that
he rose from the dead. It well becomes the disciples of Christ to talk together of his death and
resurrection; thus they may improve one another's knowledge, refresh one another's memory, and
stir up each other's devout affections. And where but two together are well employed in work of
that kind, he will come to them, and make a third. Those who seek Christ, shall find him: he will
manifest himself to those that inquire after him; and give knowledge to those who use the helps for
knowledge which they have. No matter how it was, but so it was, they did not know him; he so
ordering it, that they might the more freely discourse with him. Christ's disciples are often sad and