Urging Jesus strongly

As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them.  Luke 24: 28 – 29

The two disciples on the road to Emmaus had just spent the day walking with Jesus from Jerusalem to Emmaus. They had started the journey upset and bewildered about the events of Jesus’ crucifixion and unable to make sense of the rumours that Jesus had risen from the dead. Jesus taught them from the Scriptures that the Messiah had to suffer these things before entering into his glory.

Imagine what they would have missed if they had not urged him strongly to stay with them. Imagine they had just said, ‘O well goodbye then. Thanks for the interesting journey!’ They would have missed the revelation that this was Jesus walking with them. They would have missed the final and best part of the day. I think it was more than just hospitality that made them urge Jesus to stay. I think they did not want their time with the stranger to end. They wanted to hear more.

I believe there are times that Jesus wants us to urge him strongly for things.  It isn’t enough to hear and know about good things – we need to apply them and that may require us to urge Jesus for more. The one thing urging Jesus strongly is not and that is praying lots of words and Scriptures in the vain hope that something we say may unlock the door of heaven to get us what we are praying for! This praying in unbelief may be loud and urgent but has no faith attached to it.

The other thing I have heard people say is that God knows where to find them if he wants them or God can do what he wants in our church but otherwise it is business as usual. Nothing usually happens with that approach. Suppose someone said to you that if you want to visit, you know where the house is. Come and find us if you want. Personally I am not sure I would bother. If someone urges us to visit we feel welcome and wanted and can’t wait to go.

When we urge God for something there is an invitation attached that says please use me, please visit, please come. We want more of you Lord Jesus. Wonderful though things may be, I want more; more of you, more salvations, more healings, more miracles, more of God’s power in my life and the church. I want more of the Kingdom to come Lord.

Let us join together and urge Jesus strongly for more of his presence and power in our lives. Amen!