The Path to Emmaus Hall

By Frank E. Henrich May 23, 2006 

     I have a story to tell you. It all started on August fourth at a Christian mountain retreat resort. The summer sun was bright promising a pleasant day as a group of men made their way from the breakfast table to the conference room down the hall. There were twenty-four men of different ages although none under 18 and the average age was 45. A vigorous group of men who are in the prime of life and spark plugs in their various churches.

    The conference room was large and chair-less so the men stood waiting for whatever next was to happen. The coordinator called for silence and then told them the next conference meeting would follow in the Emmaus Hall, one mile up the camp trials. He then told them this would give them some walking exercise, plus the fresh air would sharpen their minds for the lecture at the hall on the subjects meekness, boldness and humility as used in their walk as a Christian in the secular world.

    The coordinator, Ted, then restated the four subjects and said, “I want all of you who believe that boldness is the most important of these three attitudes to raise your hand. Good, now those who raised their hand go to the window on the far left. How many of you think that humbleness is the most important? If so raise your hand.” Seeing many, he said, “Good, now you go to the window near the door to the garden. The rest of you come close to me for you are the third group.”

    Ted then said, “You will walk in groups of three to Emmaus. The men in the bold group, you go by the name of Bold, while the persons in the humble group are to called Humble and the last group will have the name of Meek. Now, members of the bold group, I want each of you to select one person from the other two groups that you do not know and form a grouping of three. Remember do not use your real names for you have a special name for this project.”

    The groups started forming and the room was full of conversational noise. Ted spoke strongly, “Gentlemen! Gentlemen, let me have your attention. When you walk to Emmaus Hall, you will walk with your group. We will send you out in four-minute intervals, on the three different paths to the hall. Remember to be courteous to other retreat groups you see. Who wants to be the first group? Oh, yes, I see your hands,” gesturing to a group by the coffee table saying, “You can start now.”

    The first group stepped out through the garden door into the sunshine and fresh air of the new day. Quickly they found the sign pointing turn right on the path to the hall. Bold stepped out in front of the other two as they entered the path. For a minute, there was silence. Bold spoke first, “I do not know how you could have selected meekness or humility. How far would you get in business with those tags? Yes, it takes boldness to be victorious.” Humility said, “That’s what non-Christian do, one must be very humble.” “Now, now,” said Meek, “Arguing will not help us. Let meekness guard our tongues.” Just then they heard a voice behind them. They quickly turned to see a stranger on the path. The man said, “Will you step aside so I can go ahead of you?” He was a man in his mid forties walking alone. They stepped off the walkway so he could pass. When he was even with them, he stopped and looked them in their eyes and said, “I heard you argue. When in dispute, should we not turn to the Bible for the instruction?” Meek, startled by the stranger’s remark said, “I am not sure what the Bible says about meekness.” The stranger replied, “Oh, Meek, we make life so complex just trying to understand it. Let’s start with humility. It is the recognition that what we have comes from God. The scripture Philippians 2:3-4 says, `Don’t be selfish; don’t live to make a good impression on others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourself. Don’t think only about your own affairs, but be interested in others, too, and what they are doing.’ And in 1 Corinthians 4:6-7, `What makes you better than anyone else? What do you have that God hasn’t given you? And if all you have is from God, why boast as though you have accomplished something on your own?’ Humility is an attitude that guides our life into knowing that God will always be our provider.”

     Meek injected a thought saying, “That sounds like meekness to me.” “Oh no,” said the stranger. Meek looking down the path, said, “Will you explain the difference but we must keep walking for we have a class to attend.” The stranger said, “That will be fine.” The group commenced their walking again. The stranger continued his remarks in a slightly elevated tone to cover the sound of the feet walking on the path. The path had turned into a packed hard dirt surface that curved under and around the tall pine trees that smelled so fresh. The sun touched the top of the trees but the path was in shade. The stranger continued, “Meekness is based on the recognition that God is in command and in control of our lives. The scripture speak of meekness in Matthew 11:29-30, `Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle, and you will find rest for you souls. For my yoke fits perfectly, and the burden I give you is light.’ And again in Matthew 6:26-30, `Look at the birds. They do not need to plant or harvest or put food in barns because your heavenly Father feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than they are. Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? Of course not, And why worry about your clothes? Look at the lilies and how they grow, they don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and gone tomorrow, won’t he more surely care for you? You have so little faith!’”