Devotionals for the Heart: What can happen when you ask Jesus to stay

Three Hours One Sunday
A devotional by Chaplain Paul Anderson

“Were not our hearts burning within us while He talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” — Luke 24:32 (NIV)

It was Resurrection Sunday.

Jerusalem was still reeling with grief and confusion. Jesus Christ, whom many had believed to be the Messiah, had been crucified just three days earlier. His followers were heartbroken. Their hopes, it seemed, had died on the cross with Him. Among them were two disciples who left Jerusalem and began a seven-mile journey to a village called Emmaus. This walk—just about three hours—would become one of the most transformative encounters in Scripture.

According to Luke 24:13-35, two people—one named Cleopas and the other unnamed—were talking and reasoning together as they walked. I would offer the conjecture that Cleopas was walking with his wife on this seven-mile journey. Why? Because their conversation was intimately heavy—full of sorrow, grief and confusion. Also, because as they neared their destination, they strongly invited Jesus to have dinner at their house and to spend the night.

As they strolled along together, they spoke of Christ’s suffering and death, of the rumors that His body was missing, and of the women who claimed they had seen angels announcing He was alive. They were trying to make sense of it all.

At some point in our lives, each of us has or will have a walk to Emmaus experience. This happens when our realities conflict with our expectations and we feel like God has left us. We are walking our own road to Emmaus when questions and doubts about what we believed God would do for us is incongruent with what has actually happened to us. We thought He would fix our marriage, heal our illness, restore our finances…and now we’re walking away from Jerusalem, from the place of pain and dead expectations.

But here is the comfort: Jesus meets us, like He met them, on the road of disappointment. Scripture says, “Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from recognizing Him” (Luke 24:15–16). He joined them, not with condemnation, but with companionship. The risen Savior doesn't just meet us in the sanctuary; He meets us in our sorrow.

Jesus listened patiently as the two disciples poured out their grief. Then He spoke—not about His resurrection at first, but about the Word of God. Luke says, “And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself” (Luke 24:27).

What a Bible study that must have been! Their hearts burned, though they still did not recognize Him. In that moment, He resurrected their hope! That’s what happens when the living Word comes alive in us.

When they reached Emmaus, Jesus acted as if He were going further. But they urged Him, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over” (Luke 24:29). Jesus accepted their invitation and as He broke the bread at dinner, they recognized Him! Then, He disappeared!

In my life it was not until I invited Jesus to stay, until I made room for Him in the ordinary moments of my life, that my eyes opened. In that intimate moment of reverence, as Jesus broke the bread for them, revelation came, through the simple act of fellowship and shared bread.

Then they said: “Were not our hearts burning within us while He talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” (Luke 24:32). Their despair turned into joy. Their confusion turned into clarity. Their restored hope reinvigorated them. Their perspectives, desires and direction in life changed.

Though it was late, they immediately returned to Jerusalem. The same road that had been marked by discouragement was now charged with mission. They had encountered the risen Christ. How could they stay silent? How could they wait until sunrise when they knew that the Son of God had risen?

Three hours. One Sunday. That’s all it took. From remorse to revelation. From sorrow to joy. From confusion to clarity. From walking away to walking with purpose. The risen Christ still walks with us on our Emmaus roads. When our faith falters, He meets us. When our hearts are heavy, He speaks truth. When we invite Him in, He opens our eyes. Therefore, I encourage you to walk with Him. Listen to His voice. Let your heart burn again. Because three hours with Jesus—on any day—can change your life forever.

Let’s Pray: Thank You, dear God, for Resurrection Sunday and every day since then. For now, we live in the light of redeeming grace and anointed service to our living Lord. We don’t look back in grief but forward in faith that soon and very soon, “He that shall come, will come and will not tarry (Hebrews 10:37).” In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Resurrecting” by Elevation Worship. Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

Chaplain Anderson is the Director Emeritus of Adventist Chaplaincy Ministries for the North American Division. In this role, he was the friend, advocate and gatekeeper for the profession of chaplaincy among Adventist pastors. 

His new mission is to specialize in personal and personnel development coaching. He journeys with and guides clients, personal and corporate, as they define their goals and grow into their full potential.

His pastoral career began in the Allegheny East Conference where he was ordained.

Subsequently, he served in the Potomac Conference at the Sligo and Seabrook churches. His professional dream was to be a chaplain in the United States Navy. He got to live that dream and achieved the rank of Commander before retiring from Naval service in 2015 with 26 years of service.

Chaplain Anderson has earned four graduate degrees: He earned his Master of Divinity Degree was earned at the seminary at Andrews University. He earned a Master’s of Education from the University of Maryland and a Master’s in Sacred Theology from Boston University. His Doctor of Ministry was conferred by Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington D.C.

Chaplain Anderson and his wife Debra have been married for 41 years. They have two healthy, saved and well-adjusted adult children who picked good spouses and delivered four grandchildren.

Adventures through traveling, reading, praying, preaching, teaching and writing are the avenues of ministry and self-care that define his now and his destiny.

You may connect with Chaplain Anderson via email at this address: psanderson75@gmail.com.