December 27

Abide with Us

But they pleaded with Him, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening and the day is almost over.” So He went in to stay with them. — Luke 24:29 BSB

If the two disciples hadn’t insisted that Jesus stay with them, He would have moved on, and they would have missed the joy of His company and the revelation of Himself that came later. There is a lesson here for us. We often miss many blessings because we don’t earnestly invite Jesus to stay with us. He loves to be constrained by our desire. He doesn’t linger where He’s not truly wanted, where His presence isn’t eagerly sought. Only a heart full of love can receive and enjoy Christ’s love.

The real reason we don’t experience more of Christ’s presence is that we don’t deeply desire it. He is willing to be with us always—sharing in our work, our pleasures, our social life, our temptations, and trials—but many of us don’t want Him constantly with us. His presence might interfere with our business, our ways of living, or our enjoyment of certain activities. So, we don’t ask Him to stay, and He moves on, leaving us without the blessing He would have given.

If we truly desired Christ to stay with us, He would never leave. What a life of joy and blessing we would have if He were always with us! Unbroken fellowship with Him would bring heaven close, transforming even our ordinary lives with the sweetness of holiness, making them more like His. Joy would be purer, and even sorrow would be brightened. This should be our constant prayer: that Christ would remain with us. Then, even in death, our communion with Him would continue, growing into heavenly glory.