Luke 24:28, “And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went: and he made as though he would have gone further.”
There is a precious little Scripture tucked away in Luke 24:28, where the
Lord doesn't want to impose on His friends. The Bible says, “he made as
though he would have gone further.” This is so precious. They invited to
Lord to stay and He said, “No, that's ok, I sure appreciate it, but I really
need to be on my way.” They said, “No, please, we insist, stay with us and
come in for supper.” And then the Lord, Who really wanted to stay in the
first place, happily agreed. Jesus was a humble man and a complete
gentleman. The Lord never forced Himself on anyone. Jesus pretended that He
wanted to keep going, but in His heart He truly wanted to stay. The Lord was
being a gentleman, humble and sweet.
We are the same way as human beings. Someone may offer us part of their sandwich, but we aren't sure if they're just being generous or if they truly want to share with us. I've had that happen. So we say, “No, thank you, that is very kind of you.” Our Lord was being human in every way here. Jesus was 100% man and 100% God. Jesus didn't leave His deity in Heaven. The Lord humbled Himself the Bible says in Philippians 2:8, “And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”
There is another wonderful passage of Scripture that I think about often...
Hebrews 4:14-16, “Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”
Isn't that precious? The Bible says that Jesus always understands what we are going through. The Bible teaches that the Lord went through all the hardships, temptations and afflictions that we go through, yet without sin. The Lord can relate to us in every way. Some people may feel that the Lord has never been in their particular painful situation. Yet, the Bible says that the Lord was temptation in ALL POINTS. In only ways that God can understand, He understands.
Yet, He is also our heavenly High Priest Who intercedes on the Father's right-hand for us. Romans 8:34, “Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.”
I learned about Hebrews 4:15-16 my first year in Bible college back in 1985. I was discouraged a bit and randomly opened my Bible one day to Hebrews 4:15-16 and I've never forgotten what the Holy Spirit taught me that day. The Bible tells us to BOLDLY come before God's throne of grace, to obtain mercy to find grace to help in time of need. God's grace offers His help in time of need if we desire it. All we have to do is come before God's throne of grace in PRAYER. We are not to come arrogantly; but rather, confidently, knowing that the precious blood of Jesus has brought us nigh unto God. Ephesians 2:13, “But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.”
It is wonderful to know that God extends a warn invitation to every Christian believer to boldly come unto His throne and seek His help. We don't deserve God's help and it's not about us impressing God. We were saved by Christ's imputed righteousness. That is, Christ went to the bank and took His righteousness and placed it into our account. The Lord took our sins upon Himself on the cross. That's a pretty good deal don't you think? And all of this is offered freely by God on the basis of our faith in Christ's death, burial and resurrection (the gospel, 1st Corinthians 15:1-4). Jesus is precious!
Matthew 25:24,26, “Then he which had received the one talent ... went and hid thy talent in the earth ... His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant.”
“When the last helper has fainted, the last cure has failed, faith's last leaf has withered and your last friend has faltered, there is a God in Heaven Who answers prayer Who will care for you and provide for your needs.” ~Pastor Jack Hyles, a quote from the book, EXPLORING PRAYER WITH JACK HYLES, chapter 50
