How can we invite Jesus to "stay with us" in our daily lives? Setting the Scene “But they pleaded with Him, ‘Stay with us, for it is nearly evening and the day is already over.’ So He went in to stay with them.” (Luke 24:29) The Emmaus travelers refused to let the risen Christ pass by. They pressed Him to remain, and He gladly did. Their simple invitation models how we can welcome Jesus into every part of life today. Longing for His Presence Today • Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). • He promises, “I am with you always” (Matthew 28:20). • Our role is to cultivate awareness and make room for Him to manifest His nearness. Practices That Open the Door • Daily Scripture intake – Let “the word of Christ dwell in you richly” (Colossians 3:16). – Meditate on passages throughout the day (Joshua 1:8; Psalm 1:2). • Ongoing conversation – “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). – Share thoughts, decisions, and feelings with Him as naturally as breathing (Psalm 62:8). • Loving obedience – “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word… We will come to him and make Our home with him” (John 14:23). – Quick, joyful obedience keeps the fellowship unbroken (John 15:10-11). • Worship and gratitude – “Enter His gates with thanksgiving” (Psalm 100:4). – Sing, speak, or silently thank Him while working, driving, or resting (Ephesians 5:18-20). • Fellowship with believers – Jesus is uniquely present where two or three gather in His name (Matthew 18:20). – Share meals, testimonies, and burdens; He shows Himself in the midst, just as at Emmaus. • Hospitality and generosity – The Emmaus disciples opened their home; we can open ours to others in Jesus’ name (1 Peter 4:9). – Acts of kindness done “to the least of these” are done to Him (Matthew 25:40). • Remembrance at the table – In Emmaus He was “made known to them in the breaking of the bread” (Luke 24:35). – Regularly celebrate the Lord’s Supper, and at ordinary meals pause to recall His sacrifice. Guarding Against Hindrances • Unconfessed sin dulls spiritual perception (Psalm 32:3-5; 1 John 1:9). • Cluttered schedules crowd out quiet time (Mark 1:35). • Fixation on worldly concerns chokes the Word (Mark 4:19). • Doubt and discouragement, if nursed, can blind the eyes (Luke 24:25). Confess, repent, and realign quickly; He is eager to forgive and restore. Walking the Road with Him Continually Jesus delights to respond to sincere invitation: “Behold, I stand at the door and knock” (Revelation 3:20). As we open the door each morning through Scripture, conversation, obedience, worship, fellowship, and remembrance, He gladly comes in, stays, and transforms ordinary moments into living encounters with the risen Lord. |
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