Lessons From The Road

Luke 24:28-29
Then they drew near to the village where they were going, and He (Jesus) indicated that He would have gone farther. 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.

What an odd verse.
But in the oddness is a great truth and a great comfort. 
This takes place after Jesus' resurrection. We find him catching up with two people who are traveling from Jerusalem to the village of Emmaus. Conversation broke out among the three and, like today, it turned toward the events of the time.  Jesus saw the sadness on their faces and inquired of them as to reason for their sadness.  They related to Jesus the details of His death, they not knowing it was Jesus they were talking to.

Jesus then began to show them the truth behind His death. Don't you know it caused hope to burn again. It brought back to life the promises God had spoken. As they were coming close to the village, Jesus was going to continue on the road, but the two begged Him to come and stay with them. "It's getting dark, and you really don't need to travel anymore today." 
Jesus consented and went with them to their home to share a meal.

The thing I love about this story is the the idea that Jesus was going to continue on, but the invitation from the His fellow travelers caused Him to change plans. Scripture says that Jesus indicated He would have kept traveling, but that they constrained Him to stay.

Do you ever invite Jesus to simply stay at your home? Do you ever ask Him to stay with you, or stay by you? I know that scripture says He will never leave us or forsake us. But do you take that for granted or does your heart burn sometimes for the sheer presence of Jesus. Just the comfort of being with Him and knowing that everything you've read in scripture is true. 

We see it in the Old Testament in a conversation between Moses and God. God has told Moses that everything is set for them to enter the land of promise, but that He is not going with them. Moses is quick to inform God...."If you're not going, we're not going." Moses knew the incredible value of living in the presence of God.

I think God wants to be more than a presence. He wants relationship with us, His creation. If I'm not careful and watch myself, I would reduce God to the role of a cosmic butler or servant. "Just stand there until I need you, o.k. God?" I don't want that.

Part of our prayers daily (Vicki and me) is that God's presence would just permeate our house. That we acknowledge our need for Him and that our home would be Holy unto Him. He would be welcomed in our home as a guest, not a servant. Because of these prayers, our home is a place of peace. When we finish with the day and finally make it home, closing that door behind us, we are able to soak in that peace. We are able to be refreshed and renewed.
I don't believe I could make it if there wasn't peace in my home. The day and the world is crazy enough that I need that place of peace to escape to so I can be renewed for the coming day. If you don't have peace at home, then you don't have peace anywhere.

We pray over our house and anoint it on a regular basis. Not that there is anything magical about doing this, it is just something that we have found to be a benefit to us. I don't want to give the enemy any breach in our wall or opening through which he may come into us and disrupt what God is doing. 

So, like the two companions traveling with Jesus, think about asking Him to come and stay with you.
God on you.....
mb