Author: astherainandsnow

“No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God’s seed abides in him… By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother…

“We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers… and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him?.. Whoever keeps his commandments abides in God, and God in him… And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit whom he has given us.”

“This is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us [and] we have the requests that we have asked of him.” 1 John 3:9-10,14a,16-17,24; 4:13; 5:14-15

John spells out many assurances and proofs of our status as God’s children: we increasingly become like Jesus and are therefore hated by the world; we abhor sin and ongoing conviction keeps us from continuing in it; we love one another in truth and deed; we have the Spirit and know His enlightenment, counsel, and comfort; we love God and His people; our prayers are effectual. How can these be true and evident? Because Jesus came as our propitiation to give us life! Because of Him God calls us His children and that is what we are! Now, for real, and forever! (John 14:16-20,26; 16:7-8,13; 1 John 3:1-3; 4:9-11)

And when we live as God’s children, bearing His name and mannerisms, people take notice. Our spiritual siblings are blessed and helped by our love. They see our engagement and trust our insights. They look to us for practical and prayer support, and we enjoy a mutual desire to be sanctified.

The world also sees a difference. Sometimes our proclivity to do things differently, use loftier language or choose different entertainment or lifestyle, stirs anger, resentment, or disdain, but in that we share the reproach of Christ and are most privileged. (Psalm 69:9; Matthew 5:10-12)

Do we know that we know Christ? That He came to earth in love to redeem us from sin and adopt and seal us as His children forever? That His Holy Spirit indwells us as a guarantee of our future inheritance with Him? If so, how does our daily living reflect our family resemblance? What areas of obedience have we neglected: generosity? hospitality? kindness? sacrificial service? If we are not experiencing pushback from the world, who should be observing genuine, robust love within the body of Christ, would we consider how accurately we’re displaying Christ’s love? (Ephesians 1:13-14)

“Never we know but in sleet and in snow / The place where the great fires are…” G.K. Chesterton. In the cold and bite, the spit and sting of the world, how and where are we making fires that reflect Jesus, stoking the warming flames of His love? How can we make Him irresistible to the needy, the lonely, the broken, the lost?

Lord Jesus, make yourself so evident in my life that others see and desire You, all because of and for Your glory.

“So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty…’ He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: ‘Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: “God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.  I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.” But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner!” I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.’” Luke 17:10; 18:9-14

“Bondservants, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,  knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” Colossians 3:22-24

Jesus entered the world in humility and His public ministry in unbounded love to draw people to the nature and majesty of His salvation. His very simplicity and straightforward manner exposed both underlying and obvious sin, and His glorious grace shone in stark contrast to dull thinking. By interaction, illustration, and strategic engagement with individuals, our Savior repeatedly told the story of lost man in desperate need and Savior to the rescue, an enticement only the hard-hearted could (and would) refuse. He was King, and we by mercy His servants, and that is the best and most privileged place to be. (Mark 10:45; Luke 19:10)

‘Tis a habit dangerous to our spiritual health to think we deserve the riches of God. This parading of rights stems from pride in our accomplishment, when what we need is to be undone. Once we recognize that we’ve been freed from slavery to sin to become slaves to righteousness and Christ Himself, and that this gift from Jesus pours forth from His mercy, not our desert, we will fall on our faces and thank Him. It is in the low place we best grasp His grace. (Luke 15:25-32; 17:12-19; 18:35-43; Romans 6:18)

Are there things about my place in life that chafe and unsettle and make me feel put-upon? Times I think I deserve better, or have earned the right to a little rest, a little special treatment? How might it elevate my attitude, my outlook on service, my sense of honor for work, if I gazed at the manger, and the cross? (Philippians 2:3-11)

“Come to Bethlehem and see
him whose birth the angels sing;
come, adore on bended knee
Christ the Lord, the newborn King.” ~English paraphrase by James Chadwick

My Lord, keep me ever in my place as Your privileged servant, faithful and grateful for all You entrust to me. May my living show forth the glories and praise of your bountiful grace. (Luke 19:12-13,16-17,26)

“But God was displeased with this thing, and he struck Israel. And David said to God, ‘I have sinned greatly in that I have done this thing. But now, please take away the iniquity of your servant, for I have acted very foolishly.’ And the Lord spoke to Gad, David’s seer, ‘Go and say to David, “Thus says the Lord, Three things I offer you; choose one of them, that I may do it to you.” So Gad came to David and said, ‘Thus says the Lord, “Choose..: either three years of famine, or three months of devastation by your foes while the sword of your enemies overtakes you, or three days of the sword of the Lord, pestilence on the land, with the angel of the Lord destroying throughout Israel.”‘  Then David said, ‘I am in great distress. Let me fall into the hand of the Lord, for his mercy is very great, but do not let me fall into the hand of man.’

“So the Lord sent a pestilence on Israel, and 70,000 men of Israel fell.  God sent the angel to Jerusalem to destroy it, but as he was about to destroy it, the Lord saw, and relented from the calamity. He said to the angel who was working destruction, ‘It is enough; now stay your hand.’” 1 Chronicles 21:7-15a

Almighty God exists as a most exquisite blend of all His attributes. He is indescribable and beyond compare and comprehension, and worthy of deep worship for that very mystery. He who is holy and just and rightly displeased with our sin is also moved with gracious compassion for the judgment it incurs. By His justice, He must act against it; by His mercy, He must intercede for His own. In love, He stays the hand of justice by putting His nail-scarred hand in its place. This is the hand into which David chose to fall. (Isaiah 40:18; Micah 7:18-20; John 3:16; 1 John 1:9)

The Lord Jesus is the beautiful, perfect blend of God-man to be our Savior. The hands that gripped his mother Mary’s fingers, guided his carpenter tools, touched the leper, and overthrew the temple tables are the same that were pierced for our transgressions at Calvary. He laid aside heavenly glory to live on earth to love and work and heal and die for sin on our behalf. Beautifully just and merciful, loving and faithful, He lives glorified today. There is no lack nor longing He cannot meet. (Matthew 8:2-3; 21:12-13; John 19:17-18; 20:20,25-27)

What sin habit, grief, regret, self-deprecation, bitterness, am I withholding from my Redeemer’s hands? What gift of gratitude, adoration, and love will I raise my hands to offer Him?

“Christ, by highest heaven adored,
Christ, the everlasting Lord,
late in time behold him come,
offspring of the Virgin’s womb:
veiled in flesh the Godhead see;
hail th’incarnate Deity,
pleased as man with men to dwell,
Jesus, our Immanuel.

Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings,
risen with healing in his wings.
Mild he lays his glory by,
born that we no more may die,
born to raise us from the earth,
born to give us second birth. 

Hark! the herald angels sing,
‘Glory to the newborn King!'” ~Charles Wesley (1739)

Glory to You, newborn King and heavenly Savior, for all You are and do!

“The Lord was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the earlier ways of his father David. He did not seek the Baals, but sought the God of his father and walked in his commandments… Therefore the Lord established the kingdom in his hand… His heart was courageous in the ways of the Lord. And furthermore, he took the high places and the Asherim out of Judah.

“In the third year of his reign he sent his officials… to teach in the cities of Judah.., having the Book of the Law of the Lord with them. They went about through all the cities and taught among the people.

“And the fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that were around Judah, and they made no war against Jehoshaphat… Jehoshaphat grew steadily greater. He built in Judah fortresses and store cities, and he had large supplies in the cities of Judah. He had soldiers, mighty men of valor, in Jerusalem.”

“Now Jehoshaphat had great riches and honor, and he made a marriage alliance with Ahab…”

“Jehoshaphat the king of Judah returned in safety to his house in Jerusalem…  And he went out again among the people, from Beersheba to the hill country of Ephraim, and brought them back to the Lord, the God of their fathers… ‘Be careful what you do… Thus you shall do in the fear of the Lord, in faithfulness, and with your whole heart.’“

“‘O our God… we are powerless against this great horde that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you…’ ‘You will not need to fight in this battle. Stand firm, hold your position, and see the salvation of the Lord on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid [or] dismayed. Tomorrow go out against them, and the Lord will be with you.’” 2 Chronicles 17:3-5a,6-7a,9-10,12-13; 18:1; 19:1,4,7b,9; 20:12,17

“Let us therefore strive to enter that rest.” Hebrews 4:11

In setting his whole heart to seek God, Jehoshaphat learned the rhythm and interdependence of striving and resting. His seeking was passionate and zealous, and the peace it wrought overarching and deep. As long as he strove, God blessed him with national and personal rest, while letting up proved unsettling, even tumultuous as he flirted with danger and near death. (2 Chronicles 18:4-22,28-34)

Setting vigilant guard over the spirit establishes a formidable sentry for the soul. The Christian life is a constant ying and yang of striving and surrender, of making every effort and trusting God’s effort spent, of flesh and finished work. Learning the secret balance is to know confidently Christ’s sufficiency and to actively rest in it.

How eagerly, how consistently, am I striving to know and therefore rest in the Lord? And is that in frenzied self-strength which foments unrest, or in the finished work of my Savior that offers indescribable peace? How might I intentionally, dynamically surrender to all He has done and called me to do, and so know His abiding rest in it all? (Isaiah 26:3; John 16:33; Philippians 4:7)

“How silently, how silently,
the wondrous gift is giv’n!
So God imparts to human hearts
the blessings of his heav’n.” ~Phillips Brooks (1868)

Father, prompt me to seek and strive with diligence, even as I trust Your finished work on my behalf. May I never cease to press on in faith or to praise Your victorious name.

“Sing aloud, O daughter of Zion;
    shout, O Israel!
Rejoice and exult with all your heart,
    O daughter of Jerusalem!
The Lord has taken away the judgments against you;
    he has cleared away your enemies.
The King of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst;
    you shall never again fear evil.
On that day it shall be said:
‘Fear not, O Zion;
    let not your hands grow weak.
The Lord your God is in your midst,
    a mighty one who will save;
he will rejoice over you with gladness;
    he will quiet you by his love;
he will exult over you with loud singing.
I will gather those of you who mourn for the festival,
    so that you will no longer suffer reproach.
Behold, at that time I will deal
    with all your oppressors.
And I will save the lame
    and gather the outcast,
and I will change their shame into praise
    and renown in all the earth.
At that time I will bring you in,
    at the time when I gather you together;
for I will make you renowned and praised
    among all the peoples of the earth,
when I restore your fortunes
    before your eyes,’ says the Lord.” Zephaniah 3:14-20

Sing! Shout aloud! Is your heart stirred, are your ears attuned? Hear the heavenly rejoicing and singing? The divine melody of exultation and love and promise and hope around you? Immanuel, God with us, is in our midst with heavenly music! Exult all the heart! Here, He has removed all judgment, and saves. He clears away enemies, and guards from fear. He is mighty that we not grow weak. He is glad over His children, and takes away all shame. He is present, near, to gather and build up and restore. Relish the Christ-song, and sing along!

The more we sing the more we want to sing. When do we take in the rhythms of Scripture until they strum our souls to rejoicing? How deliberately do we voice our wonder, thanksgiving, and praise back to the One who sings over us?

“O come, O come, Immanuel,
and ransom captive Israel
that mourns in lonely exile here
until the Son of God appear.

O come, O Wisdom from on high,
who ordered all things mightily;
to us the path of knowledge show
and teach us in its ways to go.

O come, O come, great Lord of might,
who to your tribes on Sinai’s height
in ancient times did give the law
in cloud and majesty and awe.

O come, O Branch of Jesse’s stem,
unto your own and rescue them!
From depths of hell your people save,
and give them victory o’er the grave.

O come, O Key of David, come
and open wide our heavenly home.
Make safe for us the heavenward road
and bar the way to death’s abode.

O come, O Bright and Morning Star,
and bring us comfort from afar!
Dispel the shadows of the night
and turn our darkness into light.

O come, O King of nations, bind
in one the hearts of all mankind.
Bid all our sad divisions cease
and be yourself our King of Peace.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Immanuel
shall come to you, O Israel.” ~Translator J. M. Neale (1851)

Lord in my midst, keep me rejoicing all my days over and with Your song!

“Then Satan… incited David to number Israel.  So David said to Joab.., ‘Go, number Israel, from Beersheba to Dan, and bring me a report, that I may know their number.’ But Joab said, ‘May the Lord add to his people a hundred times as many as they are! Are they not all my lord’s servants? Why then require this? Why should it be a cause of guilt for Israel?’ But the king’s word prevailed. So Joab went throughout Israel and came back to Jerusalem [and] gave the sum… 

“But God was displeased with this thing, and he struck Israel.  And David said to God, ‘I have sinned greatly in… this thing. Now, please take away the iniquity of your servant, for I have acted very foolishly.'”

“Then [David] called for Solomon his son and charged him to build a house for the Lord, the God of Israel…

“Now, my son, the Lord be with you, so that you may succeed in building the house of the Lord your God, as he has spoken concerning you. Only, may the Lord grant you discretion and understanding, that when he gives you charge over Israel you join may keep the law of the Lord your God. Then you will prosper if you are careful to observe the statutes and the rules that the Lord commanded. Be strong and courageous. Fear not; do not be dismayed…

“‘Now set your mind and heart to seek the Lord your God. Arise and build the sanctuary of the Lord God, so that the ark of the covenant of the Lord and the holy vessels of God may be brought into a house built for the name of the Lord.’” 1 Chronicles 21:1-5,7-8a; 22:6,11-13,19

King David did many things right, and his heart for God set aright his plans when they went wrong. His earnestness to please the Lord did not always prevent sin, but did bring genuine conviction and confession when he did. Nearing the end of his days, a big and costly slip of judgment turned, by God’s mercy, to a refocus on the proper way to build. His legacy would not be in the number of his troops, but that those people were established in the Lord and would have a place of worship. (1 Samuel 13:14; 2 Samuel 11:1-21; 12:1-13; Acts 13:22)

What we value determines how we build. Methods expose motives. As we manage each day, it’s vital to remember the Sovereign of successful blueprints. Allowing any impulse that is not Spirit-led to influence our plans will set us off-course, but God’s path of grace offers the clear way of correction. Humbly naming our pride and idolatry as the affronts to God’s uprightness they are redirects our inclinations. Inviting His design and correction arights all that is askew, and indicates glorious results. (James 4:5-10)

For and with what what do we build? Do we orchestrate plans to accumulate earthly goods, or to lay up treasure in heaven? Do we expend wasted effort on shoddy and temporary work, or thoughtfully implement the precious materials from God’s generous resources to build for His glory? (Matthew 6:19-21; Luke 12:16-21; 1 Corinthians 3:10-14)

Lord, keep me steady and steadfast in all my plans. Set aright all the ways I aspire and build and live to bring You praise and glory. (James 4:13-16)

“Now when Jesus returned, the crowd welcomed him, for they were all waiting for him. There came a man named Jairus, a ruler of the synagogue. And falling at Jesus’ feet, he implored him to come to his house, for he had an only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she was dying.

“As Jesus went, the people pressed around him.  There was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, and though she had spent all her living on physicians, she could not be healed. She came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment, and immediately her discharge of blood ceased. Jesus said, ‘Who was it that touched me?’ When all denied it, Peter said, ‘Master, the crowds surround you and are pressing in on you!’ But Jesus said, ‘Someone touched me, for I perceive that power has gone out from me.’ And the woman… came trembling, and falling down before him declared in the presence of all the people why she had touched him, and how she had been immediately healed. And he said to her, ‘Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.’

“While he was still speaking, someone from the ruler’s house came and said, ‘Your daughter is dead; do not trouble the Teacher any more.’ But Jesus answered him, ‘Do not fear; only believe, and she will be well.’ And when he came to the house, he allowed no one to enter with him, except Peter and John and James, and the father and mother of the child… Taking her by the hand he called, saying, ‘Child, arise.’ And her spirit returned, and she got up at once.” Luke 8:40-51,54-55

Jesus was meeting with a crowd. No, Jesus was listening to Jairus. No, He was conferring with Peter, then addressing a woman. Actually, He was intricately and intimately involved with each individual and situation with redemptive purpose. Jesus couldn’t not do good. Jesus was always praying, ready, alert, looking and seizing every opportunity. His life was not His own; He served at His Father’s command every moment of every day. And handling many good things at once was never confusing nor threw Him off schedule. (Matthew 20:28; Luke 9:18; John 4:34; 6:38)

There may be times and situations where we think God’s too busy to care, we shouldn’t bother Him with this concern. But He always cares, and can handle anything. He’s concerned with all that concerns us, and graciously works all things for good at all times as we love and trust Him. Do we seek His personal attention and help? By choosing not to go to Him, what might we miss of His healing touch, lessons in faith, glory imprinted on our lives? (Psalm 55:16-17; 63:1-4; 138:8; Matthew 6:8; 7:7-8; Luke 1:37; Romans 8:28)

And how regularly do we beseech Him on behalf of others? Do we drive hours by a selfish agenda to the neglect of the needy? When do we earnestly consider them, pray for them, and take time to introduce them to Jesus?

What would change if our modus operandi was can’t not do good? How might a conversation turn for the loftier, a room improve for the lovelier, a relationship grow with deeper love, if we sharpened our perspective and invested our efforts for significant, lasting good?

Lord, as I go, may I see with Your eyes, speak with Your lips, and love with Your hands, to the honor of Your name.

“A man gave a great banquet and invited many.  At the time for the banquet he sent his servant to say to those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’  But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said to him, ‘I have bought a field, and must go out and see it. Please have me excused.’ And another said, ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to examine them. Please have me excused.’ And another said, ‘I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.’ So the servant came and reported these things to his master. Then the master of the house became angry and said to his servant, ‘Go out quickly to the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in the poor and crippled and blind and lame.’ And the servant said, ‘Sir, what you commanded has been done, and still there is room.’ The master said, ‘Go out to the highways and hedges and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled.  For I tell you, none of those men who were invited shall taste my banquet.’” Luke 14:16-24

As He enjoyed a meal at the house of a Pharisee ruler, Jesus took full advantage of the setting to teach about lavish feasts and not so savory attitudes. By parables and questions, He engaged the attendees’ minds to reveal their hearts. He exposed their stuffed self-importance and appetite for being with the ‘right’ crowd. He made a spread of responsibilities they considered more important than Him- good things all, but not ultimate things. What He offered was far superior than the finest and tastiest and most urgent of the world, and would alone satisfy the soul, yet they habitually sought being sated elsewhere. What they failed to see was that declining God’s banquet was regretting His invitation altogether and refusing His open blessing. (Luke 14:1,7-15)

In the hubbub of life, the pressures of work, possessions, and relationships are real. Yet it is into these very places important to us that Jesus longs to abide. He offers the sustenance of His wisdom and insight, the strength of His Spirit’s presence and joy. We short-sightedly rebuff His invitations, thinking there will be a better time, and actually relinquish divine opportunity. (Proverbs 3:5-6; 16:1-3; Isaiah 33:6; Zechariah 4:6)

Our Lord Jesus daily prepares and arranges for us a lavish feast, manna from His word, discernment, direction, and comfort from His communion with our spirits. Are we regularly partaking? What do we find more pressing than supping with our Savior? What excuses do we recite in attempt to justify prideful urgencies, casual loitering or lazy lingering at lesser tables? Do we rotely ask for His provision, yet refuse to expend the effort to come to the table? To remain salty we must continually dine with the Father and taste His goodness. (Exodus 16:12-16; Psalm 34:8; Isaiah 55:1-3; Matthew 6:11; Luke 14:34-35)

“How silently, how silently,
the wondrous gift is giv’n!
So God imparts to human hearts
the blessings of his heav’n.
No ear may hear his coming,
but in this world of sin,
where meek souls will receive him, still
the dear Christ enters in.” ~Phillips Brooks (1868)

Lord, keep me coming to Your divine banquet for daily nourishment and ongoing cause for Your praise.

“Now when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon, she came to Jerusalem to test him with hard questions, having a very great retinue and camels bearing spices and very much gold and precious stones. And when she came to Solomon, she told him all that was on her mind.  And Solomon answered all her questions. There was nothing hidden from Solomon that he could not explain to her.  And when the queen of Sheba had seen the wisdom of Solomon, the house that he had built,  the food of his table, the seating of his officials, and the attendance of his servants, and their clothing, his cupbearers, and their clothing, and his burnt offerings that he offered at the house of the Lord, there was no more breath in her.

“And she said to the king, ‘The report was true that I heard in my own land of your words and of your wisdom,  but I did not believe the reports until I came and my own eyes had seen it. And behold, half the greatness of your wisdom was not told me; you surpass the report that I heard... Blessed be the Lord your God, who has delighted in you and set you on his throne as king for the Lord your God! Because your God loved Israel and would establish them forever, he has made you king over them, that you may execute justice and righteousness.’  Then she gave the king 120 talents of gold, and a very great quantity of spices, and precious stones.” 2 Chronicles 9:1-6,8-9

The Queen of Sheba was famous in her own right, owning notable position and possessions, but her visit to King Solomon exposed a royally uneven match. She arrived with a fancy retinue and gifts of great value, and soon realized all paled in comparison to this sovereign. Indeed, beholding the variety of ways the Lord God had delighted in and gifted this king left her gaping eyes sparkling and regal mouth gasping for air. Wisdom, knowledge, abundance, order, beauty, devotion surpassed her imagining and reflected the indescribable love of a transcendent God, and she was overcome. Only praise and lavish offering would do as her rightful, unbidden response.

She came because she heard. She inquired because he answered. She beheld because he revealed, and she believed because she was overwhelmed with the reality that was this king. And all she could do was humbly exalt, and offer her best. How about us?

How curious are we about the things and ways and person of King Jesus? He is knowable. What time do we take to inquire at His feet and from His word? He is available. How attentive are we to His riches of wisdom and insight, blessings of grace and love, provisions of order and direction? He supplies all, and in abundance. And when we do see God anew, receive fresh insights, discover unimagined excellencies, how do we respond? Increased faith, deeper love and fear, richer worship, fuller surrender? We can never outdo or outgive Jesus. (2 Chronicles 9:12; Luke 10:38-42)

Lord, keep me listening, and coming to Thee in expectancy. Take my breath away. Empty me of self and its limited vision, and fill me with Your Spirit of wonder, grace, and wisdom, so You are seen and Your greatness is praised.

“That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus,.. talking with each other about all these things that had happened… Jesus himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. He said to them, ‘What is this conversation..?’ One of them, named Cleopas, answered him, ‘Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?’  And he said to them, ‘What things?’ And they said to him, ‘Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and rulers… crucified him… It is now the third day since these things happened. Moreover, some women of our company… were at the tomb early in the morning, and… came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive… He said to them, ‘O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?’ And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.

“So they drew near to the village to which they were going… They urged him strongly, saying, ‘Stay with us…’  When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight. They said to each other, ‘Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?’” Luke 24:13-23,25-32

It is a mystery why and how these did not recognize Jesus- we can assume that they certainly did not expect to see Him, and that His resurrected appearance was changed. But as they walked and talked and listened to His teaching and shared fellowship with Him, their eyes were opened. The embers that had begun to warm their hearts during initial conversation on the road fanned into full flame through ongoing communion, and they remembered. Over the moments and hours, He became once again familiar. (Luke 24:37-39; John 20:14)

We may face troubles and responsibilities that block us from recognizing Jesus. The hurt is so grave, the weight so heavy, the confusion so disconcerting, the time so jam-filled, that we scarcely take a thought for how He might be present. But He graciously pursues His own. In the midst of the fury of emotion, consternation, and suffering, He makes Himself known in small yet significant ways. Would we heed the prod of His heat and welcome Him? (Daniel 3:19-27)

What am I investing in prayer, study, and attention to recognize the voice of Jesus? Are my ears attuned to His peace, direction, warning? Are my eyes opened to His presence in the breaking of bread, the working of daily miracles that He puts on display? Would we commit to respond to His gifts of conviction and inspiration so we don’t miss out on all He has for us? (Psalm 34:8; 119:18; Matthew 14:16-21; 26:26)

Lord, keep my heart burning for You, that I fully recognize and receive the fire You give and are, to the outworking of your plans and praise of your glory. (Zechariah 2:5)