Warriors Arise: June 15th, 2020
Luke 24:28-29 (NKJV) Then they drew near to the village where they were going, and He indicated that He would have gone farther. 29 But they constrained Him, saying, “Abide with us, for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent.” And He went in to stay with them.
My ears perk up when I hear my children use a phrase I have said in teaching them something. These two disciples who Jesus calls foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe, have arrived at their destination but they are unwilling to let this man continue on his journey. So, what really constrained Him? What really stopped Him in His tracks from going further? They use a word, with a concept, Jesus had taught them just days before.
As a parent, trying to teach your kids responsibility, true maturity, and Christ-like behavior, it can cause you to stop what you are doing when you hear your child speaking to another sharing the very concept you taught them. I pause what I am doing to see them communicate the understanding of what I taught them. As a parent, I teach each one what will benefit them the most as they mature and make adult decisions. I am intentional with what they need to learn, to be responsible adults. I think, "They have gotten the teachable truths and communicated what they have learned." It is refreshing and you want to listen closer. I have thought a number of times, "Did they really understand?" Then I hear them share or respond to a situation that demonstrates, "They got it!" Wow! I am impressed! They might struggle a little bit with the application on a full-time basis but at least they grasped the concept enough to articulate it to someone else!
After Jesus has taught these two men of Moses and the Prophets, they arrive in Emmaus. They have all had a long day. It has been pretty emotional. I imagine Jesus is heartbroken because no one was hiding in the hills, waiting to greet Him when He came out of the tomb. The two men are battling to believe Jesus is alive, even though they were told by women of their company, who were told by God's messenger angels. The two men were now trying to piece together and comprehend all this man had shared with them about Jesus, Moses and the Prophets. The two disciples constrained Him with three words.
John 15:1-10 (NKJV) “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. 5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. 8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples. 9 “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. 10 If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love.
It's almost as if Jesus had said His good-byes and was walking away when they holler after Him. Remember He had called them foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe but then He hears them speak with purpose and power, his own words, "they constrained Him". What constrained Him? They used His words. This stopped Jesus in His tracks. When they spoke the words, "Abide with us", Jesus was constrained! They had gotten it! Their hearts were not slow, they were about to miss an opportunity and they responded with something Jesus had taught them, "Abide with us."
Those words were probably a joy to Jesus' heart and mind! I bet He wanted to celebrate! They got it! They got it! They understand! Their hearts received what I said and they believe! They remember what I taught them! Even though they do not recognize Me physically, they recognize God in Me, as I shared about Moses and the Prophets.
We must not give up on people because they do not show any signs of understanding or comprehending God's Word or His ways. We must continue to pray they will remain open to hearing what God is saying. As we pray for their ears to hear, we blessing their heart to receive His love and their minds to receive the truth. When they receive from God, they will call after Him, using three words, "Abide with me." God will not pass them by. He will enter into their lives and bring freedom, clarity, peace and joy.
Father, I ask for You to come and abide with me. I want to understand Your Word. I want to comprehend Your ways. I want to live in the fullness of Your love. I want my heart to be like Yours, always believing the best, hoping for people to comprehend what You are teaching and wholeheartedly embracing what You are doing. I ask for You to meet people as they are going from one place to another, just as these disciples met you. I ask for You to be in the car, in their thoughts, sharing Your love and the truth of what is going on. I ask for You to share with each one Your amazing love. I ask for You to share Scriptures they have read but do not understand. I ask for their minds to be open to comprehend the truth of Your Word. I ask for each one to listen with an open heart and mind. I ask for each one to be teachable from the Word of God, the truth. I pray their hearts and minds would be fertile ground ready to receive the seed of Your Word. I ask for each one to feel a burning within, whatever would let them know You are speaking to them. As each one senses Your presence about to leave, the "meeting" that they will desire more. I pray for each one to call out to You, "Abide with me!" Maybe all they can say is, "I need You!" or "Don't leave me!" God hear their cries and abide with them a little longer. I ask for the enemy to be silenced in the lives of these people. I ask for everything You share to be clear and easily comprehended. I ask for each one to call out and make Jesus their Lord and Savior in Jesus' name amen.
A Warrior in the Lord’s Army,
Veridee Joy
My hope is for believers in Jesus Christ to join together each day to pray, to push back the enemy as we release God’s power here on earth against the coronavirus. The prayers will be listed each day as Warriors Arise. I will put a date with it so we can keep them straight. If you have any questions please feel free to make a comment or private message me. If you would like this to come to your email directly please go to verideehand.com and subscribe.
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