Luke 24:25 NKJV
Then He said to them, "O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken!
Lots of distractions slow my heart to believe the Truth of God's Word.
Perhaps it's "busy-ness, worry, doubts, grief and cares of this world ... all crowding out Jesus.
That was the Word spoken to me this very morning as I woke: "slow of heart".
The two disciples of Jesus were on their way home from Jerusalem, sad, discouraged and mulling over the happenings of Good Friday and the rumour that the tomb was empty and Jesus was alive!
Jesus joined in their journey but somehow they didn't recognise Him.
Notice He doesn't just jump in chiding them for their doubts. Oh no, He asks them "what's up, why are you sad?"
Then He lets them unload their hearts on Him.
It's a great lesson to learn as we share Jesus with others.
Jesus is a Good Listener - so should we be.
Only when they had fully explained, unloading what was weighing them down, did He give them the best Bible study of all.
Ramming the gospel down people's throats may be counterproductive in the first instance.
People need to unburden their hearts - someone needs to hear them, really listen and understand what their heart is saying.
Perhaps someone in my life needs to be heard and realise the love of Jesus in a practical way?
Ask the Holy Spirit to draw near, just like that first glorious Sunday, and give us listening ears and quickened hearts to see, hear and understand God's Word.
Read this wonderful account and be open to the Lord drawing near and "open the scriptures" to you.
Luke 24:13-32 NKJV
Now behold, two of them were traveling that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was seven miles from Jerusalem. [14] And they talked together of all these things which had happened. [15] So it was, while they conversed and reasoned, that Jesus Himself drew near and went with them. [16] But their eyes were restrained, so that they did not know Him. [17] And He said to them, "What kind of conversation is this that you have with one another as you walk and are sad?" [18] Then the one whose name was Cleopas answered and said to Him, "Are You the only stranger in Jerusalem, and have You not known the things which happened there in these days?" [19] And He said to them, "What things?" So they said to Him, "The things concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a Prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, [20] and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered Him to be condemned to death, and crucified Him. [21] But we were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel. Indeed, besides all this, today is the third day since these things happened. [22] Yes, and certain women of our company, who arrived at the tomb early, astonished us. [23] When they did not find His body, they came saying that they had also seen a vision of angels who said He was alive. [24] And certain of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but Him they did not see." [25] Then He said to them, "O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! [26] Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory?" [27] And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself. [28] Then they drew near to the village where they were going, and He indicated that He would have gone farther. [29] But they constrained Him, saying, "Abide with us, for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent." And He went in to stay with them. [30] Now it came to pass, as He sat at the table with them, that He took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. [31] Then their eyes were opened and they knew Him; and He vanished from their sight. [32] And they said to one another, "Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?"
Would that my heart would burn as I read God's Word today.
Jesus, deliver me from "slowness of heart" to believe and receive.
Kommentare