Why Did They Do It?

Warriors Arise: June 26th, 2020

Luke 24:28-33 (NKJV) Then they drew near to the village where they were going, and He indicated that He would have gone farther. 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. 30 Now it came to pass, as He sat at the table with them, that He took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened and they knew Him; and He vanished from their sight. 32 And they said to one another, “Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?” 33 So they rose up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together

We know what the two men did when they realized the one fact they needed had been validated. Jesus is alive. There is something compelling when we know that we know, without a shadow of a doubt. The reason they didn't leave that very minute is because their mind was having to wrap around the truth, Jesus is alive! Jesus was with them on the road. Jesus was the one teaching them and undoubtedly Jesus is alive!

I am left to wonder why they went back to Jerusalem when they knew the message sent by the angel early that morning. Three women heard the message and went to deliver the message.

Mark 16:6-7 (NKJV) But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him. 7 But go, tell His disciples—and Peter—that He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him, as He said to you.”

The last five words of verse 7 perplex me, "as He said to you." So, they have already been told Jesus would meet them in Galilee after He rose from the dead? I can't find it in Scripture but that doesn't mean the angel is lying. As John recorded in regard to all Jesus taught and did:

John 21:25 (NKJV) And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen.

When the angel gave the message to the three women that morning, it was a promise Jesus had already told them. The angel was reminding them. Then Jesus showed up and sent another message.

John 20:17-18 (NKJV) Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.’ ” 18 Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that He had spoken these things to her.

The angel had called them "disciples" and called Peter by name. When Jesus sent the message with Mary, He referred to them as "My brethren". A more intimate term, He was more than their teacher, they were family. Even in Jesus' message it isn't about where they are to meet Him but about Jesus reuniting with His Father and their Father, His God and their God.

Jesus did not have a message to send to the eleven disciples, His brethren back in Jerusalem. Why did these two men return to Jerusalem to the eleven disciples? Why did they do it? Now, that they had seen Jesus, why didn't they go to Galilee?

Did they go to testify? Or to get validation for what happened? Maybe the disciples could answer some questions. Maybe others had talked with Jesus.

Did they go to bring validity to the message the women had first shared with them early that morning and Mary giving the next message received directly from Jesus? Difficult to say but there is definitely a point we should learn.

I am not so bothered that they went back to encourage the eleven with their experience with Jesus, but afterward there is no record that these two went on to Galilee. It reminds me of a song from my early childhood and rings true today:

I have decided to follow Jesus.

I have decided to follow Jesus.

I have decided to follow Jesus.

No turning back, no turning back.

It is the next verse that sticks out in this particular situation in regard to the women and these two disciples who walked and were taught by Jesus on the road to Emmaus, after Jesus had risen from the dead.

Though none go with me.

Still I will follow.

Though none go with me.

Still I will follow.

Though none go with me.

Still I will follow.

No turning back, no turning back.

Why did they do it? Why did they return to Jerusalem instead of going to Galilee?

There are times when we need to take the time to go and share what Jesus has done in our lives and how He has directed our path. Then there are other times when we need to go and do as Jesus has instructed. It is important to meet Him where He is telling us He will be.

Father, I ask for You to come and meet with me. If I need to go somewhere to meet with You, help my heart and mind to be in agreement with Your direction. I ask for You to strengthen my resolve to follow You. You are preparing Your people to advance Your kingdom here on earth. If I return to tell others what You have called Your people to do, I pray I will be compelled to follow You no matter if anyone else does. I pray Your people will be filled with Your compassion for others. I pray each one of us will believe the blood of Jesus will cover all sin, rebellion, witchcraft, and ignorance. I pray we will see people as You do, with eyes full of compassion, seeing that without Jesus they couldn't have stopped themselves from being sucked into the lies of the enemy. I ask for Your kindness to come. Your Word says, "The kindness of God leads to repentance". I ask for minds to be opened to the truth of Your ways. I ask for hearts to beat for You. I pray for people to experience freedom in Christ, through His sacrifice for their sins. I pray for people to know, believe and testify of Your goodness in their lives. I ask for people who receive their freedom to return home and testify. Then that they return where You would have them be a part of expanding Your kingdom here on earth. I ask for their testimony of Your redemption to be powerful and compelling their families and friends to follow You in Jesus' name amen.

A Warrior in the Lord’s Army,

Veridee Joy

My hope is for Believers in Jesus Christ to join together each day to pray, to push back the enemy as we release God’s power here on earth against the coronavirus. The prayers will be listed each day as Warriors Arise. I will put a date with it so we can keep them straight. If you have any questions please feel free to make a comment or private message me. If you would like this to come to your email directly please go to verideehand.com and subscribe.