September 30, 2019
Luke 24:28-29
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.
New International Version (NIV)
                One of my good friends taught me to say, “We’ll stay close.”  When he says that I know what he means.  We will stay in touch, aware of what is going on in each other’s lives.  In a way it is a two-fold promise of presence and prayer.

                When Jesus, incognito, walked on the road with the disappointed disciples who had headed home, he taught them all about himself from the First Testament.  He taught them by opening the scriptures to them.  Then as they came close to their destination, he walked on.  Why didn’t they just let him go?  Of course they could have been concerned for his safety traveling alone at night. 

                But wait, there is more!  They wanted him to stay with them.  John will begin his gospel with disciples walking after Jesus and saying, “We want to see where you stay.”  Then they stayed with him all afternoon.

                The longer we serve Christ, the more we realize that the secret is “staying close.”  Jesus used the word, “Abide.”  We use a cognate word when we speak of our “heavenly abode.”  At the funeral of a friend many years ago, I fell in love with an old hymn as I embraced its truth.  “Abide with me, fast falls the eventide.  The darkness deepens, Lord with me abide.  When other helpers fail and comforts flee, help of the helpless, O, abide with me.”
Pray with me:       
Father, abide with us today and help us to find in you our abiding place.  Darkness deepens in our world.  We’ll stay close to you, if that is ok.  Please stay close to us.  We draw near to you.  Draw near to us we pray.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.  
This year our Every Day with Jesus readings will follow The Bible Project Read Scripture Plan.  Copies of this reading plan are available at Tallowood Baptist Church, or download 
the app at readscripture.org.  Read through the Bible with us in 2019!
Joyfully, 
Duane 

About Duane Archives
Subscribe to our email list.