took him prisoner and handed him over to Pilate to be
crucified. We hoped that he would begin a great new day for our
people--but now he is dead." The men had reached the foot of the hill.
Green grass grew where a tiny brook trickled beside the road.

"We did have a surprise though," added Cleopas. "Some women in our group
went out to the tomb where we laid him but they could not find his body!
They saw a vision of angels who told them he was alive. Some of us went
and looked for ourselves. His body was gone--but no one saw Jesus."

The stranger looked keenly at the two travelers. "You have read the
Prophets, haven't you?" he asked. "They say that the Messiah must suffer
before he can be victorious."

Cleopas looked at the man curiously. "What do you mean?" he asked.

"All the things happened just as the Prophets said," repeated the
stranger. "The books of Moses say: 'The Lord thy God will raise up a
Prophet among you, from among your very brethren, like me. You must
listen to his word!' Is not your Rabbi that One? And Isaiah too. He
said: 'Behold, my Servant, whom I have chosen! I will put my Spirit upon
him and he shall declare judgment to gentiles. He shall not strive or
cry out; no one shall hear his voice in the streets!' Your master is
this Servant of God! Did he not die on a cross? Isaiah said that he
would be treated like a criminal!"

"But if he was the Messiah, why did the priests hate him?" cried
Cleopas.

"They always kill the messengers of God. Isaiah said, 'They hear, but do
not understand; they see, but their minds are blind--their hearts are
cold.' These priests will not let God give them eternal life!"

All the rest of the way to Emmaus the two friends talked earnestly with
this stranger who understood the Scriptures so well. They had never
realized that the Prophets taught that the Messiah would die. They had
always thought he would triumph over everybody! They remembered now that
Jesus had said some of these very things.

At last they came to the village. It was dusk. Cleopas stopped in front
of a small house. "Come in with us and spend the night, for the day is
almost over," he said. With a smile, the stranger accepted.

It had been a long journey, and the three men were very hungry. After
washing, Cleopas brought bread and fish to the table. They lay down on
the hard couches. The guest picked up a small loaf and raised his eyes
to bless it. He broke the bread and handed it to the men. They