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Intention

For us to see the importance of abiding with God, in sharing the gospel message.

Scripture

“But they constrained Him [Jesus], saying, ‘Abide with us, for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent.’ And He went in to stay with them. Now it came to pass, as He sat at the table with them, that He took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they knew Him; and He vanished from their sight.

And they said to one another, ‘Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?’ So they rose up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, saying, ‘The Lord is risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!’”

– Luke 24:29–34

Reflection

In the story of the Road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13–35), the disciples were sad and discouraged as they discussed the recent event of Jesus’ death. Then Jesus drew near, saying: “What is this conversation?”

They had lost faith in who He was and hope in what He could do. They were looking at their circumstances, not the truth of His Word.

Sound familiar? Sometimes if we have been praying for a loved one or sharing the gospel on ‘hard ground’ for a while, we can lose sight of the beauty of Jesus’ effort on the cross and become discouraged in our own efforts (or lack thereof) to share this beauty.

On the road to Emmaus, when Jesus interpreted the Scriptures to the discouraged disciples, their “hearts burned within them”. Shortly after this, they urged Jesus to come with them, and He came.

It was the Word of God that ignited a fresh fire within the disciples to abide with Jesus, but it wasn’t until they communed with Jesus and when He broke bread, that they got a revelation of who He was.

Just like the disciples, as we feed on the word of God, it grows a desire in us for more of Jesus. As we see afresh His broken body for us, we receive a fresh revelation of who Jesus is, and His example of surrender strengthens us to pick up our cross and follow Him, even if no one receives our message.

Immediately after seeing Jesus (that same hour!) the disciples arose to go back to Jerusalem to share the good news. They shared not out of guilt or fear, but out of urgency and excitement at sharing the truth – that “the LORD is risen indeed!”

Abiding with Jesus had changed their entire outlook, focus and attitude. So too it does with us when we abide in His presence!

Do you urge Jesus each day to: “abide with us!”, or are you too focused on other things to spend time communing with Him?

I challenge you today to lay aside the distractions and learn to be with Him: meditate on His word, pray, praise; rest with Him.

It is not a waste of time. The world awaits!

Video

Prayer

LORD, abide with us we pray! 

Let us be a people who settle for nothing less than the best – Your presence. Teach us to invite You into all our conversations, ideas and times of rest.

Show us again the broken bread and reveal to us afresh who You are and all that You accomplished on the cross. Burn the truth of Your word in our hearts that we may go and share “The LORD is risen indeed!” in the joy and strength of Your Spirit.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Author Bio

Joelle Cullen is a 22-year-old Doctor of Medicine student, completing her final years of study at the Hervey Bay Hospital, QLD. An active member of the Canberra Declaration Joelle is passionate about seeing the next generation of young people arise and run, by the power of the Holy Spirit, into the fullness of what Jesus won at the cross.

Prayer Points and Purpose for GO 2023 in May

1. To worship Jesus and give extravagant praise to God. Heb 12:28–29
2. Pray that the Lamb who was slain might receive the reward for His suffering. Rev 5:6–14
3. Pray for revival for Australia and for millions to find Christ. Isa 64:1–2
4. Pray for revival for Israel and millions to find Christ. Rom 10:1
5. Pray for five friends to find Christ and share the gospel with those five in May. Matt 28:18–20

We invite you to support this prayer campaign to multiply prayer in Australia for revival and see millions come to Christ. Every donation to the Canberra Declaration helps us promote prayer and make a stand for Family, Faith, Freedom, Life, and the Good News of God’s love through Jesus Christ His Son.

Join us for our nightly Zoom prayer call:

DATES: Every night for the month of May

TIME: 8pm AEST

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