Intro from Dutch Sheets: As you prepare to celebrate Resurrection Day, I thought I would share with you an event that occurred on the actual day Christ rose from the dead, Nisan 17. It is in the latter half of today's post, which is taken from my book, The Pleasure of His Company. Today's title is "The Visit."
The Visit
It should come as no surprise that the primary place to receive revelation is the Lord's presence. He wants to speak to us, not shout from far away. Spending time with God and His Word allows Him to access our minds, revealing spiritual insights and His wisdom for our lives.
The power of the revelation flowing in Christ's presence can be seen through two meetings He had with some of His early followers. As He was beginning His earthly ministry, Jesus visited John the Baptist, who publicly announced concerning Him, "Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!" (John 1:29 NASB). Two of John's disciples heard this stunning announcement and decided to check Him out. One of them was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, who became one of the twelve disciples.
As they followed Him, Jesus noticed, turned to them, and asked, "What do you seek?" (John 1:38 NASB).
Their answer was interesting. "Rabbi (which translated means 'Teacher'), where are you staying?" (John 1:38 NASB).
"Come, and you will see," was His invitation to them. They took Him up on His offer and ended up spending the day with Him (John 1:39 NASB).
If you're content with things as they are, spending a day with Jesus isn't a good idea! Having a private audience with Him for an entire day is going to change you, radically. The conversation might be superficial at first. At some point, however, you would no doubt ask personal questions concerning yourself and your future. Everyone thinks about purpose. Experts tell us that the desire to know our purpose is one of the strongest desires we humans have. (Photo via Flickr)
Did these two men ask Jesus about this? We don't know for certain, but perhaps because something Andrew heard while with Jesus impacted Him so greatly, he decided on a career change, becoming one of Christ's twelve disciples! Destiny flows from days spent with Jesus.
Andrew received another revelation, however, that day which had to do not with his own identity but Christ's. He began the day by referring to Jesus simply as a teacher ("Rabbi"); he ended it by calling Him the Messiah. "He first found his own brother Simon, and said to him, 'We have found the Messiah' (which translated means Christ)" (John 1:41 NASB).
On that day with Jesus, Andrew received the two most important revelations needed for a successful life: who Christ is, and who He was. When those two things are realized, they unlock destiny. The purpose of anything is found in the mind of its creator, not in itself. Self-identity comes from identifying and knowing the one who made us. You'll never really find yourself until you find Him. Andrew found both that day.
Resurrection Day—Nisan 17
At the end of Christ's ministry, two more of His followers had a revelatory encounter with Him. The meeting occurred three days after the Cross; to say their world had turned topsy-turvy would be a gross understatement. To have discovered, lived with, and traveled with Jesus for three years, only to lose Him, would be life's cruelest injustice.
These two men were informed earlier in the day that Christ had risen from the dead. But, really, who would believe two grief-stricken ladies claiming to have been visited by angels (Luke 24:1–12)? As they walked the seven-mile journey to Emmaus, they discussed this too-good-to-be-true report and all that had transpired over the past few days.
That's when He arrived. "And it came about that while they were conversing and discussing, Jesus Himself approached, and began traveling with them. But their eyes were prevented from recognizing Him" (Luke 24:15–16 NASB).
"What are you discussing?" He wanted to know. They gave Jesus a brief summary, expressing their surprise that He would even have to ask. "What else would we be discussing?" was there inference. It seems everyone in Jerusalem could think of little else than what had transpired with Christ the last few days, since so many of them had thought He might be the long-awaited Messiah. They spoke to Him of their devastation and also of the rumor that He had risen from the dead. (Photo via Wikipedia)
Jesus, His identity still hidden from them, "explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures" (Luke 24:27 NASB), including the fact that He had to suffer and die. Though they still didn't know it was Jesus, His words began impacting their hearts. "Were not our hearts burning within us while He was speaking to us... explaining the Scriptures to us?" they stated (Luke 24:32 NASB).
When they reached their destination, the men pleaded with Jesus to stay longer with them, perhaps spend the night. The Lord agreed to do so, and during dinner, "He took the bread and blessed it, and breaking it, He began giving it to them. And their eyes were opened and they recognized Him" (Luke 24:30–31 NASB). He disappeared from their site at that moment, and they hurried back the seven miles to Jerusalem with the good news: Christ was, indeed, risen.
I find it more than a coincidence that Christ chose to temporarily hide from these men who He was, in order to release the revelation "in the breaking of the bread" (Luke 24:35 NASB). Was the timing His way of saying to them, "Sup with Me and I will reveal to you hidden things?" I believe so. Feed on His words (Matthew 4:4). Eat them. As you do, revelation will come. He will reveal Himself to you, just as He did these two men. And just as occurred with Andrew, He will also reveal to you your purpose and destiny.
Spend some time with Jesus–He is risen!
Pray with me: Father, there is so much we need to hear from you. Jesus said your Words are spirit and life (John 6:63). Filled with revelation and wisdom, they give us the insights we need to succeed in life. Remind us, in these perilous times, to take the time and sup with you. As our Creator, you alone know what is best for us and the purpose for which you made us. We want to fulfill that purpose. As we walk with you, you will reveal this destiny, and yourself, to us. Help us all to remember that times with you are the most important of our lives.
Open our eyes, just as you did for Andrew and the two disciples on the road to Emmaus. We pray, as Paul did in Ephesians 1:17–20 (TPT):
"I pray that the Father of glory, the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, would impart to you the riches of the Spirit of wisdom and the Spirit of revelation to know Him through your deepening intimacy with Him. I pray that the light of God will illuminate the eyes of your imagination, flooding you with light until you experience the full revelation of the hope of His calling—that is, the wealth of God's glorious inheritances that He finds in us, His holy ones! I pray that you will continually experience the immeasurable greatness of God's power made available to you through faith. Then your lives will be an advertisement of this immense power as it works through you! This is the mighty power that was released when God raised Christ from the dead and exalted Him to the place of highest honor and supreme authority in the heavenly realm!"
Our decree: We declare that Christ is alive, and we have been raised to a new life through him!
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Dutch Sheets
Dutch Sheets Ministries
Email:Â click here
Website:Â dutchsheets.org
Dutch Sheets is an internationally recognized author, gifted teacher, and conference speaker. He travels extensively, challenging believers for passionate prayer and societal reformation. Seeing America experience a sweeping revival and return to its Godly heritage is Dutch's greatest passion. Dutch has written over twenty-three books, many of which have been translated into over thirty languages. His international bestseller, Intercessory Prayer, has sold over 1 million copies worldwide. Dutch has pastored, taught in several colleges and seminaries, and served on the board of directors of numerous organizations. He is fondly known to many as Papa Dutch. Treasuring time spent with their family and grandchildren. Dutch and Ceci, his wife of forty-plus years, enjoy quiet walks in the woods, reading, and playing a little golf. They make their home in beautiful South Carolina.
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