Abide With Me

Rembrandt, Christ at Emmaus, 1629

Luke 24:29

New King James Version (NKJV)

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.

Rembrandt's painting captures the moment the two disciples who walked with Jesus on the road to Emmaus realized who He was.  One falls on his knees and the other simply looks dumbfounded.  It makes me wonder how I would react if  it were me.  There are so many truths about Jesus that don't always reach from my head to my heart.  Would I stress out over the death of the one I thought would redeem Israel?  Probably so.  I want immediate relief and can't accept that it's not forthcoming.  Would I worry less if I could see Him face to face?  I hope so, but how much better it would be if my faith alone was sufficient assurance?    I don't see the bigger picture but my Jesus does.  How kind and patient He was to explain this to these men.  How amazing it must have been when their eyes were opened and Jesus was revealed!  Of course, it was Jesus all along!  Some of us are just a little slow to realize it.  I can so get the disciples pressing Jesus to abide with them.  I would do it if I could.  We could share an appetizer at Applebee's and just talk.  It would be lovely to hear Him speak what I know to be true and have it fall comfortably and completely down into my heart.  

"Abide With Me" - Hayley Westenra

Enjoying a Present Hope

I really like the 26th of December.  All that has had to be done for Christmas is done.  Stockings are emptied, the gift wrap has been cleared, and resting is a fine thing to do.  The new year will come soon enough.  Christmas may never be what we think it should or ought to be, but that may be a good thing.  We can be happy with close enough.  We can still hope.  There was one perfect moment on my Christmas day.  My husband and son were rooting around in my grandparents' old barn; and, while I waited, I watched the setting sun turn a lovely deep rose behind the farmhouse and the hills beyond.  The past, present, and future came together in sweet harmony and ever so quietly hope whispered.

Whispering Hope - Hayley Westenra

Soft as the voice of an angel,

Breathing a lesson unheard,

Hope with a gentle persuasion

Whispers her comforting word:

Wait till the darkness is over,

Wait till the tempest is done,

Hope for the sunshine tomorrow,

After the shower is gone.

Refrain

Whispering hope, oh how welcome thy voice,

Making my heart in its sorrow rejoice.

If, in the dusk of the twilight,

Dim be the region afar,

Will not the deepening darkness

Brighten the glimmering star?

Then when the night is upon us,

Why should the heart sink away?

When the dark midnight is over,

Watch for the breaking of day.

Refrain

Hope, as an anchor so steadfast,

Rends the dark veil for the soul,

Whither the Master has entered,

Robbing the grave of its goal.

Come then, O come, glad fruition,

Come to my sad weary heart;

Come, O Thou blest hope of glory,

Never, O never depart.

Refrain