He yields.  And, as they gather over the simple evening meal, the Stranger picks up the loaf, and looking up repeats the simple grace, and breaking the loaf reaches the pieces over.  But as their hands go out for the bread, their eyes turn toward the Stranger’s face.  Instantly they are spell-bound—­that face—­why—­it is the Master!! Then He is not there.  And they said to each other, “Did you ever hear such talking?” “My heart was burning all the time He was talking.”  “And mine, too.”  Then they hasten back to the city.  Those miles are so much shorter now!  They go straight to the house where they have been meeting.

“Even So Send I You.”

Here were gathered most of the apostles and several others.  Eagerly they were discussing the exciting news of the day.  Some know that Jesus has risen.  Mary Magdalene, with eyes dancing, says, “I saw Him.”  But some are full of doubt and questionings.  How could it be?  The door is guarded, for if the frenzy of the national leaders should spread, they come next.  There’s a knock at the door.  Cautiously it is opened.  Two dusty but radiant faces appear.  “The Lord is risen indeed,” they exclaim.  And then they tell the story of the afternoon and His wondrous explanation and of that meal.

As they are talking, all at once—­who’s that?—­right in their midst.  It looks like Jesus.  There is that face with those unmistakable marks.  And you can see their eyes quickly searching between the sandal straps.  Yes, it looks like Him.  But it can’t be.  Their eyes befool them.  It’s been a hard day for them.  It must be a spirit.  As they start back, there comes in that voice they can never forget, the old quiet “Good evening.”—­“Peace unto you.”  Then He holds out His hands and feet, saying, “Do not be troubled—­it is I Myself—­handle Me, and make sure.  A spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.”  Then He said, “Have you something to eat?” and He ate a bit of broiled fish.

Reassured by such simple practical evidence, a glad peace fills their hearts and faces.  They talk together a bit.  Then Jesus rising, said again, “Peace unto you—­as the Father hath sent Me, even so send I you.”  Then He breathed strongly upon them, saying in very quiet, solemn tones, “Receive ye the Holy Spirit—­Whosesoever sins ye forgive they are forgiven.  Whosesoever ye retain they are retained.”  And again, as they look, He is not there.

But one man was absent that new Sabbath evening hour.  Thomas simply could not believe, and would not, without the most sane, common-sense evidence.  He missed much by not being at that meeting.  The next Sabbath evening he is present with the others.  Again the Master comes as before, unexpectedly standing in their midst, as they talk together about Him.  And now Thomas is fully satisfied after his week of doubting.  Some of us folks will always be grateful for Thomas.