St Luke: 24
Please read the entire chapter in your Bibles..........
"There were two troubled disciples walking the 7 mile journey from Jerusalem to Emmaus.
They were dejected - depressed - disappointed and discouraged.
Suddenly, Jesus Himself drew near and went with them. (Verse 15)
What follows is a time of humbling and revelation.........
Verses 28/29 - "And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went: and he made as though he would have gone further. But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them."
Notice first....
#1 - The request that was made..... "Abide with us....."
Just as it was for the disciples in Jesus day, so it is for us today. "It is toward evening and the day is far spent." It is the longing of our hearts that He abide with us as we come around the Lords table. Today we remember the Lord by taking communion. (Luke 22:19-20)
We know He is here as He promised but we desire that He manifest His presence.
Why did Jesus "made as though he would have gone further?" I believe He wanted these disciples to realize and confess their need of Him. Today - let it be your prayer - "Dear Jesus, Draw near to me."
#2 - Notice the response that was given. "And he went in to tarry with them."
Jesus went in to tarry with them - just the two of them. During communion it doesn't matter if there isn't a great crowd present, although that would be wonderful. But, the Lord Himself is here to abide with us. (If you are at home reading this and are taking communion in a private setting - the Lord Himself will be there and abide with you.)
#3 - Notice the results that followed.
(a) Fellowship with Christ. (Verses 29/30) "But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them. And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them."
Key words - "with them." The sweetest time of fellowship is right here at His table.
(b) Submission to Christ. Jesus sat with them and took bread. The guest became the host. The disciples recognized and acknowledged His Lordship.
(c) Recognition of Christ. (Verse 31) "And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight." Their eyes were opened. The Lord reveals Himself to us in many ways but most intimately when we are around His table. (Verse 35) "And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread."
(d) Certainty about Christ. (Verse 31) "And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight." The disciples "knew Him." In a flash all their doubts, fears, disappointments, etc went away and their Lord was made real to them. Amen!
(e) Testimony for Christ. "And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them, saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon." (Verses 33/34)
Friends, let us go from this time of communion with the wonderful words of life on our lips.....
"The Lord is risen indeed!"
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