Jesus Stays with You

Take a good look at yourself. How are you doing today? Are you spiritually full – topped off? Or are you running on less than a full tank, a little low, or maybe empty – hearing alarm bells?

None of us like to be spiritually empty, and God does not want that for us either.

When we run low on spiritual nourishment, we are likely to feel detached from God. In that parched state, making good choices becomes harder. We can easily fall prey to temptations or the enemy's tactics. We might even start doubting God's goodness and faithfulness. Our insecurities, temper, and discouragement raise their volume. When we're that thirsty spiritually, it's tempting to fill up with stuff, pleasure, and addictive escape mechanisms.

When I start to get spiritually empty (yes, it happens to all of us), I notice that I start operating out of a sense of hopelessness, emptiness, and selfishness. It's the worst! How could I possibly serve my family, you, my ministry, and the world on an empty tank? God wants my spiritual tank to be full ALWAYS.

To be spiritually full is to be strengthened by the Holy Spirit, to be secure of our identity in Christ, to be confident of God's love, and to be filled to the max with all the fullness of God! – kept full, never running out.

To be spiritually full is to be strong, fruitful, and joyful. When we are spiritually full, it's easier to be wise, generous, kind, gentle, self-controlled, at peace, and loving, even to our enemies! It's wonderful to be spiritually full. WONDERFUL.

The two men walking to Emmaus in Luke 24 were running on empty spiritually. They had lost their hope and were discouraged: "But we were hoping that he was the one..." (Luke 24:21)

"Then beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted for them the things concerning himself in all the Scriptures." Luke 24:27

This is how Jesus meets them in their disappointment. This is how he fills their hearts. He redirects their mind to himself, to the promises in Scriptures about him, to the goodness, mercy, and purposes of God the Father.

Such is their nourishment that when they arrive at their destination, they don't want Jesus to leave them. They urge Jesus, "Stay with us…" (Luke 24:29).

Stay with us!

Their posture reminds me of Moses: "If your presence does not go," Moses responded to him, "don't make us go up from here." (Exodus 33:15), and David: "Do not banish me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me." (Psalm 51:11)

Yet Jesus had never left them. They were the ones who left. Jesus was with them at that moment and will be for the rest of their eternity. When they urged Jesus to stay with them, really they were committing to stay with Him.

We are the ones who leave Jesus; or put him on a shelf for future needs. Today, let us pray and urge Jesus to "stay with us" so that we may commit to stay with Him and be nourished evermore.

"They came near the village where they were going, and he gave the impression that he was going farther. But they urged him, 'Stay with us, because it's almost evening, and now the day is almost over.' So he went in to stay with them." Luke 24:28-29