HE IS HERE
And just as they were telling about it, Jesus himself was suddenly standing there among them. “Peace be with you,” he said. But the whole group was startled and frightened, thinking they were seeing a ghost! “Why are you frightened?” he asked. “Why are your hearts filled with doubt? Look at my hands. Look at my feet. You can see that it’s really me. Touch me and make sure that I am not a ghost, because ghosts don’t have bodies, as you see that I do.” As he spoke, he showed them his hands and his feet.
Luke 24:36-40 (NLT)
After Jesus rose from the dead, He appeared to two of his followers on the road to Emmaus. After this encounter with the risen Jesus, those two followers went back to Jerusalem to share their experience with the eleven remaining apostles of Jesus. Suddenly, Jesus appeared and began saying the words in this passage.
Just as Jesus was eager to reveal Himself to His disciples, He is also eager to make His thoughts known to us. When we read what Jesus says in the Bible and ask Him what He wants us to know, we can often receive His truth. But sometimes it’s challenging to hear Him on our own. Years ago, a friend and I began reading a chapter a day in the Bible and writing down a verse that was significant to us. We would meet once a week to share the verses we chose and what we felt God was saying. Though my friend had never read through the Bible, he shared insights that seemed to come from the Spirit of God. As we shared the verses and thoughts we sensed from God, it was like Jesus was right there with us, because the things we were saying didn’t sound like something we would come up with on our own.
Getting together with others who are seeking to know Jesus better can help us receive a message from Jesus, even when it’s tough to recognize His presence on our own.
“For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”
Matthew 18:20 (NIV)
APPLICATION: Ask Jesus what He may be saying to you. Get together with someone who’s also seeking Him to see what Jesus has revealed to each of you. You might find the Spirit of Jesus there.
PRAYER: Father, thank You for putting Your Spirit inside those who trust their lives to Your Son. Please reveal to me what You want me to know today and show me who I can partner with to know You better. Amen.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?