A dear brother recently commented that he felt brethren today greatly need “encouragers” and “motivators.” These dark times, marked by the spirit of apostasy, are the “perilous times” of 2 Timothy 3:11This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. (2 Timothy 3:1). They call for faith that will not sell the truth and that refuses to forsake the “assembling of ourselves together”-a faith refusing to follow those who turned away from Paul, ashamed of that beloved “prisoner of Jesus Christ.”
Jude also speaks of these days—days when discouragement due to the awful spirit of apostasy is overwhelming believers. He exhorts us to “earnestly contend for the faith” and to “keep yourselves in the love of God” (vss. 3,21) two vitally necessary things.
An Encourager
Nehemiah also lived in a dark time, yet, in the face of the enemy’s mocking, ridicule and threats, he encouraged his brethren to “rise up and build” the walls and gates of Jerusalem. His heart was bound up with Jehovah’s center (Jerusalem) and His people, and God granted Nehemiah his desire.
He saw the ruin of Jerusalem and realized the immense task of rebuilding its walls and gates. Yet this dear servant, in the energy of faith, rose above it all, becoming an encourager of his brethren: “Let us build up the wall of Jerusalem, that we be no more a reproach” (Neh. 2:1717Then said I unto them, Ye see the distress that we are in, how Jerusalem lieth waste, and the gates thereof are burned with fire: come, and let us build up the wall of Jerusalem, that we be no more a reproach. (Nehemiah 2:17)).
But the “public encourager” had first been the “private weeper” confessing his part in the failure, praying that he could undo the ruin (Neh. 1). After that he became a motivator, telling the Jews of “the hand of my God which was good upon me.” Happy the result of his motivation! The people answered, “Let us rise up and build. So they strengthened their hands for this good work” (Neh. 2:1818Then I told them of the hand of my God which was good upon me; as also the king's words that he had spoken unto me. And they said, Let us rise up and build. So they strengthened their hands for this good work. (Nehemiah 2:18)).
The Darkest Day
However, in Luke 24 we read of two who had experienced the darkest time of all. The One they had rightly believed to be God’s promised Messiah, come to set up His magnificent kingdom, was dead. Instead of glory, they witnessed the shame of their King’s crucifixion. Rather than a show of power, they saw the ultimate display of apparent weakness and hopelessness. Discouraged and confused, they left God’s center to go back to their home.
Seven Miles—Seven Principles
It is then our blessed Lord Jesus displays Himself as the perfect Encourager and Motivator. As they walk that seven-mile journey to Emmaus, the risen Lord does seven things which bring them back to Himself, to joy and to Jerusalem. These seven principles provide divine guidelines for encouraging and motivating.
(1) “Jesus Himself drew near, and went with them” (Luke 24:1515And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them. (Luke 24:15)). His personal presence, though yet unknown to them, is the foundation of all encouragement. Are we willing to draw near to (not separate from) discouraged saints of God?
(2) “What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another” (vs. 17). Jesus knew, but in asking He displayed interest in their sorrow. Do we trouble ourselves to be interested in all our dear brethren’s trials (the whole church of God)?
(3) “As ye walk, and are sad?” (vs. 17). Divine compassion perfectly entered into their feelings. Can we enter into the feelings of discouraged, hurting brethren in Christ? It requires compassion to do so.
(4) “O fools, and slow of heart to believe” (vs. 25). The Lord rebuked their unbelief, but not until He had drawn near. Rebuking discouragement may be necessary, but reproof is not the first thing required.
(6) “He went in to tarry with them” (vs. 29). Their unknown divine companion becomes their divine guest, enjoying the fellowship of their home. Do we open our homes to our discouraged brethren?
(7) “He took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them” (vs. 30). When the Lord provided this satisfaction, they realized who He was. Have we fed on Christ, the Bread of Heaven, so that we can share that Bread with discouraged saints?
Motivated to Return
Having thus encouraged their hearts, the Lord disappears from their sight. To see Him again they must return to Jerusalem. Having seen and heard Him, they needed no further motivation! Are there those who have seen the Lord and want to encourage and motivate His dear people today? We pray that some will say, “Here am I; send me” (Isa. 6:88Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me. (Isaiah 6:8)).
Ed.