The word for this week is "rose". We'll be looking at Luke 24:33-34:
Luke 24:33 And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them, 34 Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon. KJV
This is the Greek word "anistemi". Strong's Concordance says: to stand up. Thayer's Greek Lexicon says: to cause to rise up, to raise up, to rise (of persons seated), to arise, appear, stand forth. The Theological Dictionary adds: to awaken, to begin an action. The afternoon devotional for today on my PC Study Bible is all about these verses! I want to share it here because it goes right along! This is from Charles Spurgeon.
"And
they rose up the same hour, and returned Jerusalem . . . and they told what
things were done in the way, and how He was known of them."— Luke 24:33,Luke
24:35
When the
two disciples had reached Emmaus, and were refreshing themselves at the evening
meal, the mysterious stranger who had so enchanted them upon the road, took
bread and brake it, made Himself known to them, and then vanished out of their
sight. They had constrained Him to abide with them, because the day was far
spent; but now, although it was much later, their love was a lamp to their feet,
yea, wings also; they forgot the darkness, their weariness was all gone, and
forthwith they journeyed back the threescore furlongs to tell the gladsome news
of a risen Lord, who had appeared to them by the way. They reached the
Christians in Jerusalem, and were received by a burst of joyful news before
they could tell their own tale. These early Christians were all on fire to
speak of Christ's resurrection, and to proclaim what they knew of the Lord;
they made common property of their experiences. This evening let their example
impress us deeply. We too must bear our witness concerning Jesus. John's
account of the sepulchre needed to be supplemented by Peter; and Mary could
speak of something further still; combined, we have a full testimony from which
nothing can be spared. We have each of us peculiar gifts and special
manifestations; but the one object God has in view is the perfecting of the
whole body of Christ. We must, therefore, bring our spiritual possessions and lay them at the apostle's feet, and make distribution unto all of what God has given to us. Keep back no part of the precious truth, but speak what you know, and testify what you have seen. Let not the toil or darkness, or possible
unbelief of your friends, weigh one moment in the scale. Up, and be marching to
the place of duty, and there tell what great things God has shown to your soul.
Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!
