"They constrained him, saying, Abide with us." Luke 24:29
If the two disciples had not constrained Jesus to stay with them, He would have passed on, and they would have missed the blessed enjoyment of His company, and the disclosure of Himself which He made to them at the end. The lesson is for us. No doubt we miss many rich comforts and blessings, because we do not earnestly constrain Jesus to tarry with us. He loves to be constrained. He does not go where He is not really and earnestly desired, where His presence is not eagerly sought after. Only love in us, can receive and enjoy Christ's love.
The only reason we do not have more blessed fellowship with Christ, is because we really do not want more. He is willing to be our abiding guest, entering into every experience with us in our work, in our pleasures, in our social life, in our temptations and trials; but many of us do not want Him always with us. His presence would interfere with our methods of business, or with our way of living, or with our enjoyments and amusements. We do not then constrain Him to abide with us, and He passes on, and we miss the blessing He would bring.
If we were truly to desire Christ to abide always with us, He would never go away. What a life of blessing and joy we would live — if He were indeed always with us! Unbroken communion with Him would hold Heaven close about us all the while, and thus these sordid earthly lives of ours would be permeated and struck through with the sweetness and fragrance of holiness, and transformed into the likeness of Christ Himself. Then all of life's experiences would be transfigured. Joy would be purer, and even sorrow would be illumined. All through life, this should be our continual prayer; then in death our earthly communion, shall brighten into heavenly glory!
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J.R. Miller (1840 - 1912)
Prolific author and pastor of Presbyterian churches in Pennsylvania and Illinois, Rev. James Russell Miller served the USCC as a field agent in the Army of the Potomac and Army of the Cumberland.J.R. Miller began contributing articles to religious papers while at Allegheny Seminary. This continued while he was at the First United, Bethany, and New Broadway churches. In 1875, Miller took over from Henry C. McCook, D.D. when the latter discontinued his weekly articles in The Presbyterian, which was published in Philadelphia. J.R. Miller D.D.'s lasting fame is through his over 50 books. Many are still in publication.
James Russell Miller (March 20, 1840 - July 2, 1912) was a popular Christian author, Editorial Superintendent of the Presbyterian Board of Publication, and pastor of several churches in Pennsylvania and Illinois.
In 1857, James entered Beaver Academy and in 1862 he progressed to Westminster College, Pennsylvania, which he graduated in June, 1862. Then in the autumn of that year he entered the theological seminary of the United Presbyterian Church at Allegheny, Pennsylvania. Mr. Miller resumed his interrupted studies at the Allegheny Theological Seminary in the fall of 1865 and completed them in the spring of 1867. That summer he accepted a call from the First United Presbyterian Church of New Wilmington, Pennsylvania. He was ordained and installed on September 11, 1867.
J.R. Miller began contributing articles to religious papers while at Allegheny Seminary. This continued while he was at the First United, Bethany, and New Broadway churches. In 1875, Miller took over from Henry C. McCook, D.D. when the latter discontinued his weekly articles in The Presbyterian, which was published in Philadelphia.
Five years later, in 1880, Dr. Miller became assistant to the Editorial Secretary at the The Presbyterian Board of Publication, also in Philadelphia.