Lord's Day Devotion - Positive COVID-19 Spinoff

 

There was that meme making its rounds where in one half of the image, Satan is shown to be strutting about shutting down churches:  bing, bang, boom, with great glee.  The other half of the picture was repercussion...Jesus opening a new church in every believer's home, worldwide.  Suddenly and astonishingly, profound work that only God could do--planting tens of thousands of new churches overnight!

That is positive COVID-19 spinoff.

God has done this before but it hadn't taken a plague to compel believers to do so.  When the Holy Spirit came upon those one hundred and twenty followers of Jesus, as we read of in the book of Acts, yes, they still went to the synagogues and Temple to praise and worship Him, but they were also found going house to house and breaking bread together as the number of believers in Christ increased exponentially (Luke 24:52-53; Acts 1:15; Acts 2:1-4; 42-47).

These early believers went house to house with gladness and joy and with "sincere hearts".  As we experience lockdown after lockdown, may we too be similarly filled.  Put aside the fretting, murmurings, and complaining's over not meeting at a church building.  Warmly welcome, the two's and three's in your own home.

"For where two or three come together in My Name, there I am with them"  (said Jesus as recorded by Matthew 18:20 NIV).

Jesus is still among you!  Praise Him for that!

If there is only one of you -- connect virtually.  Yes, agreed, it is lonely and we are feeling pinched and parched for "in person" reality and fellowship.  Nevertheless, we need to step back and "Be still" and know that "God is God" here (Psalm 46:10).

He is...in...control!  Get to know Him.  Feel grateful He has planted a church in your own home or bedroom.  Who knows what will come of it.

Now, pass that broken bread and that cup of wine to your two or three, this Lord's Day.  Do so in remembrance of what Jesus' death and resurrection wrought for all who believe.  Let Jesus be exalted in Your home-grown, house church.  

Why?  

The answer is straight forward...

When our Lord Jesus Christ is involved, the outcome can only be POSITIVE.  Embrace it.

                                                 ~ERC  December 2020~

Sing, In All Things More Than Conquerors

Risen Savior Sightings

 From former "episodes" re:   Jesus' death and resurrection, it was  noted that Jesus, our risen Savior, revealed Himself in His resurrected body form.  In this blog entry, "Risen Savior Sightings," we will see more aspects of His resurrected Being.

Due to this resurrected body, the risen Savior was not always recognized at first take, upon meeting Him.  Jesus would either speak the person's name; break bread, or show His hands, feet and side scars of crucifixion before it would dawn on the observer.

In the gospel according to Luke, the first encounter between the risen Savior Jesus and disciples, appears to be with Cleopas and friend on the road to Emmaus.  However, if you read from the other gospels, you will see other incidents.  The actual sighting seems to have been with Mary Magdalene and the women who had gone to the tomb early on resurrection Sunday.

The tomb had already been opened by a violent earthquake as we read in Matthew 28:2.  The angels had appeared and told the women Jesus was risen, He's alive, go and tell His apostles.

Now as recorded in Matthew 28, the women bumped into Jesus on their way to tell their message (read Matthew 28:8-10).

The chronological timing is not exactly clear to me as to Mary M's meeting with Jesus.  Perhaps after she and the other women went to tell the disciples, they then went back to the tomb?  See how John 29:11-18 records it.

Whatever.  Can you see the love and care Mary M and the other women had for Jesus?  Yet they were respectful of Him and filled with gratitude even in their exceeding excitement and delight in seeing Him alive again.

May our hearts be full of warmth, love and gratitude to Jesus our risen Savior too.  

We know that when the Emmaus Two went back to Jerusalem to report to the apostles what had happened to them, that they'd seen Jesus, that as they reported, Jesus suddenly appeared in their midst.

Shocking, more so because the doors to the room had been shut and locked for fear of the Jewish leaders.  How did He get in?

They were TERRIFIED!

However, Jesus said, "Peace be with You" to calm them.  He then showed them His hands, feet and side, and asked them to touch Him.  See, He was NOT a ghost.  He also ate some fish.

A ghost could not do that.

Hearts filled and pumped with joy in each beat, but they were still uncertain of it all, until Jesus opened their minds.  Then they could understand.

Those who had been in that room that day, reported this to Thomas who had been absent at the time.  They had seen the Lord, they said.  Thomas declared he wouldn't believe it unless he'd personally touched the nail prints and spear-pierced side scars of Jesus.

A week later, on the first day of the week, Thomas got his chance.

You can read about this second time Jesus revealed Himself to the company of apostles and disciples in John 20:26-28.

Thomas humbly and contritely said,

"My Lord and my God!"

Because Thomas had seen Jesus, he had believed.

People say that "seeing is believing".  It certainly helps to be able to see for oneself.  However, Jesus had another lesson for them to learn.  Look at what He told them in John 20:29 (NIV);

"Because you have seen Me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."

FAITH is believing even though we do not see with our physical eyes.  If a person believes this true story of Jesus; here and now, then he or she is among those who have not seen.  We see "by faith" and we are "blessed".  Jesus said so.

Jesus, the risen Savior, appeared to the apostles a third time; again, as can be read in the gospel of John.  Peter said he was going to go fishing and a few of the others joined him.  They fished all night, but they caught no fishes.

Have a look at John 21:4-6. to see for yourself 😄.

Remember, earlier, it was said that it seemed like Jesus' resurrected body may have been changed in different facets?  OR, perhaps Jesus hid His identity purposely in some way for His own reasons.  Anyway, here, these fishermen did not recognize Him even though they'd seen His resurrected form twice before this sighting.

The miracle catch of fish that early morn, made John realize the Man on the shore was Jesus.  He tells the others.  Peter jumps overboard and goes ashore.

Jesus asks for some of the fresh catch of fish even though He already had some frying on the fire.  Looked like He was preparing a barbequed, picnic breakfast.  He even had some bread available.

Wonder of wonders.

The stage is set.

Jesus calls them to come and eat.

Now, recall what happened during Jesus' trial at Pilate's palace?  Peter had denied he even knew Jesus.  How many times did he insist that there was no connection or friendship between him and Jesus?  

Three times.

Keep that number in mind.

Think of how Peter, who really did love Jesus, must have felt right about then.  Shame?  Guilt?  Embarrassment?  Yet he was the first to rush ashore here.

Jesus, ever the gracious One, reinstated Peter.  The grace of God manifested, and to further clinch it, Peter was given a trust.  A task, a mission.  

Read John 21:15-19 (NIV).  

Remember the number 3?

Three times Peter had denied he knew Jesus.

Three times Peter confessed he loved Jesus.

Three times Jesus repeated Peter's mission.

"Feed My lambs" and "Take care of My sheep".

We know that Peter did fulfill this trust.

What about us?

Do we sometimes deny our Lord and Savior Jesus?

Yes, we do.

Yet, seeing the forgiveness and grace Jesus extended to Peter we can be assured that He does and will do the same for us two thousands of years later.

1 John 1:9 asserts,

"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."

When we confess our faults in all due sincerity and repentance, He forgives and purifies.

Then...we can do our service for Him; whatever it may be.

First Corinthians 15:3-7 gives us a mini-review of Jesus' purpose in coming to earth.  We see too, how many Jesus appeared to during those days since His resurrection and before He ascended back to Heaven.

If you read those verses, you'll discover that besides the "sightings" already mentioned, there was a time where Jesus revealed Himself to about five hundred people, all at the same time.

So many witnesses to Jesus' resurrection!  According to Jewish law, they only needed two or three witnesses.  Our God is abundant in what He does.  There's no mistaking.  That was indeed, the resurrected, living Son of God; Jesus, our Savior.

Acts 1:13 shows us that Jesus had been seen for forty days since His resurrection.  We come now to His last words before ascending back into Heaven.

Read about this "Great Commission" from Matthew 28:16-20 (NIV). What was it?

To go and make disciples of all nations.  Not just for the Jews, but also for the Gentiles.  Jesus had sacrificed and gained salvation for all mankind.

Make disciples...baptize them.  In whose Name?  In the name of the Father, Son and of the Holy Spirit.

What else?

"Teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you."

What was that again?

"Make disciples"..."baptize...and teach to obey all..."

Would they go it alone?  No.  Jesus gave them the promise,

"Surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age" (vs 20).

Did they follow these commands?

They most certainly did!  They were found continually in the Temple praising the LORD and also meeting in an upper room -- it seems, on the first day of the week (no longer the Sabbath which was the last day of the week).  They waited.

They waited for the Holy Spirit whom Jesus had promised to send.  He came ten days later, after Jesus had ascended back to Heaven.  The Holy Spirit came on Pentecost which was the 50th day since Jesus had risen from the dead.

Pentecost was actually another feast day for the Jewish people.  All the men from all quarters were supposed to go up to Jerusalem for this feast.  It was rather like a Thanksgiving time where they gave thanks together for God's provision and good crops.

Perhaps that's why the group of believers were gathered together.  We are not exactly told that.  Nevertheless, there they were and the Holy Spirit came on them and indwelt them with great power.  He empowered them to go out and preach the gospel to all nations and fulfill the whole of the Great Commission they had been entrusted with by Jesus.

We too, have the Holy Spirit indwelling each of us who belong to Jesus.  We too can carry out this commission.

When we know the message and have understanding and insight, let's have proper response:   belief and willingness to go and tell the message.  May such intentions be set into actual motion.

I hope and pray each of us will take heart and have learned from Jesus and His apostles and disciples who were among the first believers to tell this message of Jesus.

Go out in peace, joy and in the name of Jesus.

                                                 ~ERC  December 2020~

Sing, I Serve a Risen Savior (acapella Christian hymns)

Risen Savior Sightings video

Put Your Hand in His: 2020 to 2021

 Knee-deep in Covid; some up to their necks in it in the year 2020.  It's obvious the flood of it will not recede as we spill into the year 2021.  In fact, in places it seems a veritable tsunami!

Vaccines produced, inoculating the brave or naïve or the compelled.  Have you heard of the Covid passports?  You won't be able to fly,  enter to amusement parks, or do many other things unless you have this proof of vaccination.  Almost like the "mark of the beast;"  enough  to make the end-timers squeamish.

In 2019, many thought "positive".  In 2020, we all have wanted to think "negative" (pardon me, but I saw this in a joke online but the mirth of it turns sour-ish especially for those directly touched by Covid).  What should we think in 2021?

Maybe it's best to put our hands and hearts in the hand and heart of God, as we go into the unchartered days ahead.

I really like what one chap from the 1800's wrote,

"I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year,

'Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown'.

And he replied,

'Go into the darkness and put your hand into the hand of God, that shall be better than light and safer than a known way!"  (M. L. Harkins)

Does that thought give you peace and comfort?

Whatever tidal waves crash your way in 2021, keep your hand in God's and hold on for dear life.

He'll guide you through, come what may.  You may be in for a storm tossed ride or a pleasant surprise but one thing would be for sure, Jesus never fails and His love is unfailing and unconditional.  He'll hold your head above the waterline and maybe, even like Peter of long ago, let you walk upon those waves and billows.  Keep your eyes fixed on Him.

Does that sound bleak?  Or does it sound like an adventure with the Savior?  Whatever, keep your hand in His.  He's holding you tightly and will never let you go.  From there you can look up into His shining face, radiating with love, care and concern for you.

As your Year 2020 morphs into 2021, may it be crowned with God's goodness and abundance; His best, for you.

                                                   HAPPY NEW YEAR 2021!

                                                    ~ERC  December 2020~

Sing along with Johnny Cash, Anne Murray and others, Put Your Hand in the Hand

                                               

Jesus' Resurrection

 Friday's awful events have passed.  That Friday when Jesus was raked over the coals of jealousy and hatred in the Sanhedrin camp, followed by His trial in front of Pilate and then Herod.  Then His sentencing back at Pilate's; His crucifixion; the suffering on behalf of all mankind -- taking the consequences of their sin -- the punishment meted out from God's hand and wrath; His burial by kind and caring men in the likes of Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemas (they must be mentioned); and then the sight of the heart broken women, who had been watching.  They too had wanted to show their love and devotion by preparing spices and perfumes for Jesus' body -- just in the nick of time before the Sabbath set in when it was forbidden in our Jewish law, to do any work.

The Sabbath came.  

All rested.

How curious to note, Jesus was silent in the tomb.  What an eerie anti-climax.  Yet, He rested.  His purpose in coming to Earth, complete.  His work was done and so "He rested".

Doesn't that sound like the first Sabbath when God rested from His work of creation?  Here He is resting again.  His work of salvation accomplished to satisfaction.  What a Savior.

Early on the first day of the week, the day folks now term, "Easter Sunday" or "Resurrection Sunday," Jesus had risen.  This had been the third day and He had risen as He had said He would.

The women who had been watching, came to Jesus' tomb bearing their spices and perfumes.  They had been so passionate about doing this service for Jesus, they'd gotten up and out and over to the tomb while it was still dark out.

So they arrived at the tomb and what a shock they got.  The stone that had sealed the tomb, and that they had been wondering how they'd get it opened and  rolled back, was already rolled away.  They looked in but the tomb was empty except for Jesus' grave clothes.  Where was Jesus?!

Another heart-stopper...two angels appeared with earth shattering news.  "Jesus is risen.   Jesus is alive!! Go tell the apostles."

Go, go, go!  

Go tell this message!

Off they scuttled, hardly able to contain themselves, and being "full of fear" at seeing the angels, hearts pounding in hope within their breasts at this strange message, they rushed to deliver the news to the apostles.  Surely, they will be glad to hear this.

Alas, the apostles think the women speak nonsense.  On the off chance though, Peter (and John) venture forth to the tomb.  Wonder of wonders, they too, found  the tomb empty except for the grave clothes.

Amazed and dazed, Peter went home.  That's it -- dead end!  How perplexing!  What could it all mean?

To backtrack, the angels had admonished the women:  Mary Magdala, Mary the mother of James; Joanna, and other women who likely had followed Jesus up from Galilee to Jerusalem, to remember the message Jesus Himself had told them of what would happen to Him.  Remember that He had told them He would die a criminal death but would rise again on the third day -- a glorious resurrection!

"Don't you remember?" the angels queried.

Hark, what does this 'remember' encompass?  This is more than just recalling what Jesus had declared.

Look at three things here...

A person had to have understanding & insight about the message (do you really know what it is about in the inner sanctums of your mind and heart and soul?).  Do you "get it"?  If you do, then the person needs to have a proper response.  Think of what that could mean.  A proper response would be to believe the message; faith is the key element.  From thence, one can proceed to the third aspect, which is to then have a message to tell and so go tell it.

These women did have the three components and with urgency they went to proclaim the message of Jesus' resurrection.

What were the results of this?

Sad to say, when you read Luke 24:11-12, you'll find disbelief.  The apostles, Jesus' very inner circle of constant companions of three years-worth of ministry, did not comprehend; they believed the women spoke hogwash.

Why should the eleven have been so skeptical of the women's message?  Ahh, therein lies the clue:  the very word, "women".

The culture of that time did not think too highly of women.  The apostles obviously were products of that society despite Jesus' many efforts to show the worth of women to be otherwise.  Women of those times were "not legally accepted as witnesses".* (SPM)

That means in a court of law it the only witness to a crime had been a woman, the alleged convict could get off scot-free of a heinous felon charge.  Ghastly, we think nowadays, yet some of that sentiment has not changed.

A second reason for the apostles skepticism  was likely due to their lack of understanding and insight to the message given, leading to their improper response.  Therefore, they had no message to tell.  The end of the road, it appeared.

However, we do know that eventually they did take hold of that message and then...

WOW!

They had so many glad tidings to tell of Jesus and His love and salvation for the "whosoever will" (John 3:16) to accept.  Thousands came to Christ through them; especially through Peter as Scripture later reveals

Praise the Lord!

Taking a slight tack away to the tangent of The Shroud of Turin.  This is a controversial topic but I mention it briefly anyway.  There are still skeptics out there, wishing to confuse the issues and turn some away from the truth, if possible.

First of all, a shroud is simply a wrap that cocoons a corpse in preparation for burial in some cultures. and past eras.  Some say the Shroud of Turin was Jesus' grave clothes, that have been kept for thousands of years.

How to tell that this is not Jesus' grave clothes?  This Shroud of Turin is all one piece of cloth.  If you read the account of Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemas preparing Jesus' body for burial, you'll discover they had used linen strips.  What's more, in the empty tomb, post-resurrection, the greave clothes were left lying there and there was a piece lying separately that had been wrapped around Jesus' head.

Some say this shroud is proof that Jesus has risen.  However, we do not need it to confirm it to us.  We must always rely on God's Word and what He describes for us in it.

Also, this shroud should not be worshipped.  Only Jesus, our Savior, is the ONE to worship and adore; give thanks and praise to Him.

Come back to the women, and Peter (& the other apostles).  Look,

                                  Women               vs             Peter & company

                                 understanding              amazed but no understanding

                                       insight                                and no insight

                                  proper response                 improper response

                                   message to tell                    no message to tell        

What about the rest of us?

May the LORD grant us all understanding and insight of His message of Jesus' purpose in coming to Earth.  He endured shame, suffering and death for our souls' sake.   He freely offers salvation.   May we know that because of Jesus' resurrection, salvation has been made possible for all mankind, the world over.

We serve a LIVING God and Savior.

God's not dead.

Let's all praise Him

                        and SHOUT,

"PRAISE THE LORD AND HALLELUJAH!"

 

 "JESUS IS ALIVE!"

Yes,

"Jesus is alive!"

and

"I'm FORGIVEN!"

Will we have proper response?

WILL WE HAVE A MESSAGE TO TELL?

                                             ~ERC  November 2020~

Based on Luke 24:1-12 NIV

Luke 24 - Part 1 video

Listen to David Phelps sing, "He's Alive!"  

Jesus Reveals His Risen Self Some More

 

In this continuing, true saga of the Risen Savior, I'll briefly review, for a few lines, about this Resurrection Sunday.  It would not be called that unless the Savior had been resurrected, so that is first in the line up of events  unfolding.

It was very early morning that a violent earthquake shook the tomb where Jesus lay.  It broke the seal and rolled the stone aside.  Jesus was not in there.  He'd already risen.

The women who'd brought their spices and perfumes to anoint Jesus' body gasped at the sight before them.  Tomb empty.  Except for the grave clothes.

Angels appear.  The women were  filled with fear and bowed before them.  The angels told the women, Jesus was not there.  He'd risen.  He's alive!  Go tell the apostles and disciples.  Hearts palpating double-time, no doubt, they went off to tell those apostles.  The apostles thought the women spoke nonsense.

However, Peter (and John) rushed off to the tomb to check it out for themselves.  Sure enough; only the grave clothes remained.  No body of Jesus to be found.

Peter went home, amazed but unchanged.

Next, two on the road to Emmaus were joined by Jesus.  They did not realize that Man was Jesus, though.  When they had reached Emmaus, they'd invited Jesus in and He accepted the hospitality.

Jesus revealed Himself when He took bread and blessed it in front of them.  Suddenly, they realized this Man, was Jesus.  Jesus immediately disappeared.

The Emmaus Two got up at once and returned to Jerusalem and reported what had happened along the way and that they'd seen the risen Savior, Jesus.

As they were giving their account, Jesus "suddenly appeared" in their midst (Luke 24:36-39).

In the Gospel of John, it tells us the doors of the meeting place were locked for fear of the Jewish leaders.  (After all, those were the same Jewish leaders who'd crucified Jesus.  They were Jesus' friends.  They too could have been arrested and tried.)  Jesus had suddenly appeared among them and He had NOT come in through the opened door (John 20:1).

They were terrified!  They thought Jesus was a ghost.

Jesus greeted them with "Peace be with you" ("peace" or "Shalom" was a typical greeting in Hebrew).

However, to see the risen Jesus suddenly appear must have been rather shocking.  Jesus put them at ease with His greeting.

Their doubts lingered in the air and in their minds.  Who was this Man?  It took some convincing.  Jesus showed them His hands and feet and invited them to touch Him.

Joy, hope and wonder began to blossom in these followers' hearts.  Yet, still, they did not fully believe.  Things happened so quickly and not in a "normal" way; it really put them all off balance.  Jesus graciously allowed them a further "test" of genuinity.  He asked them for something to eat and ate it front of them.  

This convinced them that He was truly their risen Savior, and not a ghost.  A ghost does not have flesh and blood and also does not eat; as Jesus pointed out to them.

Nevertheless, what do you suppose we could all uncover about Jesus 'body'?  On one hand, His body could appear through closed and locked doors.  He could appear and disappear very quickly.  On the other hand, the group gathered could feel Him and they saw Him eat.  What could it mean?

Obviously, Jesus resurrected body was different from before.  However, it was still a physical body because it showed his nail prints in His hands and feet; and the spear-pierced side scars.  He could eat in the usual manner of humans yet He could appear and disappear suddenly even though doors were shut.

It is important to note and know this.  If a spirit appears to you and says it's Jesus, be sure to look for these scars of crucifixion:  the nail and spear thrust prints.

Jesus was and still is the world's greatest ever Teacher and in Luke 24:44-49 we see him giving instructions to His apostles and disciples.  He reminds them that the events of the past week had all been written about in the writings we know as the Old Testament.  Also, He Himself had told them these things.

Then they had their minds opened to understand.  So now they have understanding and insight.  They must now have right response and belief.  Then they could tell out this message of Jesus.  His message of love, repentance; forgiveness of sins and everlasting life.  They are to be Jesus' witnesses.

However, Jesus' instructed them to stay in Jerusalem until He sent them the promised Holy Spirit from Heaven.

Forty days had elapsed since Jesus' resurrection.  It was time for Him to ascend back to heaven.  Jesus led His followers out of the city to the area of Bethany, as we read in Luke 24:50-53.  Jesus blessed this little company of disciples, with raised hands.   He blessed them, He departed and went back into Heaven.

May we too, be known for blessing others.

So, the little band of followers are "left alone", gazing up into the sky as the cloud covered over and Jesus disappeared from their sight.  What do they do now?  Break down and weep?

NO!  They are filled with great joy!  To me that seems opposite of what I'd have expected given their "track record" since Jesus' arrest.  However, they'd had their understanding opened and what a difference it made.

From the ascension site, they went to the Temple, spending huge chunks of time, almost 24/7, so it seemed, praising and giving thanks to God.

Can you imagine spending so much time at church?  Just praising and praising?  What jamming sessions those would be!

Well, we don't have to be at church to praise the Lord.  We can do so anywhere and everywhere.

If Jesus is your Lord and Savior, praise Him.

Praise Him for salvation.

Praise Him for forgiveness of sins.

Praise Him for everlasting life,

Praise Him for the Holy Spirit.

Praise Him for His faithfulness to You.

The beginning of Luke begins with joy and gladness at Jesus' birth.  Praise Him for this.

This was the birth of our Savior.  Praise Him for being Your Savior.

Now here at the end of Luke, there is more joy and gladness.  Jesus' work on earth has been completed.  Praise Him.

The little company of apostles and disciples had their understanding and insight opened and they passed the message of Jesus along.  Praise Him for this  that this message had reached our generation so many 1000's of years later.

This little band didn't realize the might of the promised comfort and power of the Holy Spirit Who was about to come and empower them, to be able to tell out this message of Jesus with such courage, at first.  I hope and pray all who read this will have this joy and gladness too, especially as you serve Jesus and share His message of love and forgiveness.  His Holy Spirit can and will empower you too.

Praise God from whom all blessings flow; as one familiar song goes.

Go out with great joy and tell the story again and again.  Jesus is alive.  You are forgiven when you come to Jesus and accept His salvation which He accomplished on the cross; through His death and resurrection.   You are His child now.

Praise Jesus for all He has done for you.

                                                    ~ERC  December 2020~

Based on Luke 24:36-39; 40-49; & 50-53.

Based on SPM Luke Study Guide

Luke 24 - Part 3 video

Jesus Reveals His Risen Self

 

By now, most know and have a good idea of what Passion Week is all about.  It's the week from Palm Sunday when Jesus triumphantly rode into Jerusalem on the recently tamed, donkey back, crowds cheering and welcoming with joy.  This week went through until the time of Jesus' death, on Friday, and His resurrection on Sunday; the Sunday most now call Easter Sunday.

Look at the layout of the events and actions: the causes and the effects.

If one reads Luke 24:13-18, one will begin to see how the risen Savior began to reveal Himself.  The two on the road to Emmaus got the reunion of a lifetime.

Jesus had risen from the day very early that resurrection Sunday.  This we can ascertain because earlier we read that the women went early to the tomb with their spices and perfumes to anoint Jesus' body.  By the time they had arrived at the tomb, the stone had already been rolled away and Jesus' body was gone, leaving only the grave clothes.

The Emmaus Two spoke together of all these past week events when, out of the blue, some Man appears and walks with them.  They did not recognize the risen Savior, Jesus. They also did not understand why this Man seemed not to know about all "these things".

Reading further in Luke 24 and verses 19-24 (NIV), after Jesus had asked "what things" they meant regarding this Jesus of Nazareth, they explained but did not dare to call Jesus "Messiah" now.  Their disappointment and confusion that Jesus, Whom they'd believed to be "Messiah" come to rescue them from Roman rule and set up His kingdom, did not transpire.  

So was Jesus, the Messiah?  The doubts conflicted and bewildered them.  The sting of death, still clung and stung.

Instead the two referred to Jesus as "prophet".  A prophet whom they believed was considered by God and all the people to be powerful in all He did and said.  How could it have been as had happened to Him?  Must the religious leaders have been correct after all?

To confuse matters more, and lend further confusion of mind, there had been a very strange report given to them that very day.  It was the third day since Jesus had been in the tomb.  Some of the women had been to the tomb that morning, very early, but they'd found the tomb empty and could not find Jesus' body.

Angels appeared, the two continued, and told them to remember what Jesus had told them.  That is, Jesus would die, be buried but raised again on the third day.  The angels told the women to report that Jesus was risen and alive; go and tell the apostles.

The apostles didn't believe it, they thought the women spoke nonsense.  Peter (and John), however, did go and check it out.  Yes, the tomb was empty except for Jesus' grave clothes.  They could not find Jesus.

"How slow and foolish" they were, Jesus admonished, to believe all the prophets had said about the Messiah (Luke 24:25-27).  They did not believe the women's messages nor what Jesus Himself had taught before His death.

The Messiah had to suffer, Jesus re-informed them, and then enter into glory.  Jesus went on to explain all about Himself from the Scriptures, from Moses and the writings of the Old Testament prophets, as they scuffed along the Emmaus Road.  Still, the message didn't seem to take root in their clouded, grieving and befuddled minds.

They were on the verge of understanding and insight, however.  They'd arrived at Emmaus and Jesus had made to go on down the road, but they'd constrained Him to dine with them.  He relented and joined them, partaking of their hospitality.

As they all sat down to table for refreshment after that lengthy walk from Jerusalem, Jesus took bread.  He blessed it.  He broke it and gave to them.  

Ah-ha!

The Light dawns...

Their eyes were opened...at last, understanding and insight.  They recognized that this Man, the One who had been despised and rejected, the Man of Sorrows Who'd carried all our griefs and sorrows, Who'd given His back to the smiters, was Jesus, right there with them.

Jesus disappeared.

The Emmaus Two, looked at each other, and excitedly tell each other that now they understood that while Jesus had been explaining the Scriptures to them, why their hearts burned within them.  They knew something was up, but were not sure what until the "revealing" moment.

What a paradox!  While the Emmaus Two had their eyes "closed", they could see this Man, Jesus.  However, when their eyes were "opened" -- Jesus disappeared and they could no longer see Him (v. 31).

FAITH is believing even when one cannot see with physical eyes.  We'll see more about this another time.

These two then had understanding and insight.  Did they have proper response?

If you scan your eyes along Luke 24:33-35, you'll discover, they did.  Look what they did.

"They got up at once..." (v. 33).

FAITH, takes action.

Here's the equation:

Understanding & Insight  +  Proper Response (faith)  =  Message to Tell

So up they got and went back to Jerusalem.

They found the eleven apostles and shared their message.  They reported, the Lord had risen and indeed appeared to them.  They explained what had happened to them along the road to Emmaus and how they eventually recognized the Lord when He broke bread during their meal together.

Have you noticed the switch to calling Jesus, "Lord"?

Remember the difference between saying "Savior" and "Lord"?  Our Savior Jesus brought us salvation when we accepted God's gift.  When we then submit our will to this King of Glory and obey His Word, Jesus is then our Lord and Master; our LORD Jesus.

Hallelujah, the Lord our God omnipotent reigns forever and ever.

Imagine yourself among that assemblage of apostles and disciples.  How baffling these events have been!  A regular seesaw of hopes in sight and then seemingly dashed;  what a rollercoaster ride of emotions flailed about.  Notwithstanding, the extra-ordinary and supernatural occurrences were not yet exhausted.  

Pause and consider how you would have felt.

Could anything more inexplicable have occurred on this Resurrection Sunday?  Would there be excitement?  Disbelief?  Hope?  Proper response?  

That Sunday of astounding, unraveling developments; that day of wonder and resurrection, had not yet finished. 

What would happen next?

                                                    ~ERC  November 2020~

Based on:  Luke 24:13-35 (NIV)

Based on: SPM Luke Study Guide

Luke 24 - Part 2 video

Handel's Messiah Hallelujah Chorus  Royal Choral Society

Conspiracy of Love

 

The whole world is currently living under the conspiracy of the corona virus, COVID-19.  It isn't pleasant and outcome can be fatal if contracted.  Thank the Lord, many do survive it, though.  Consequently, many live under a tarpaulin of fear for their families both health-wise and economy-wise.  It's very tough to survive, for many people.

It's not a case of "packing up all your troubles in your kit bag and smiling, smiling, smiling".  Not at all!  However, as we reflect on the birth of Christ and the love, joy and peace He brought, let's let this season of celebration blanket the whole world in His love.  Just bathe in His love and relinquish the distress to Him. 

As one Hamilton Wright Mabie is purported to have said,

"Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love"

May one and all be cocooned in the love of Jesus.  His coming into the world was God's way of proving His love for all mankind, all around the globe.

Jesus' purpose was to bring the joy of salvation.  His love will never let you go.

Hold on to Him.

He's hanging tightly on to You.

                  MERRY CHRISTMAS & A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR!

                                             ~ERC  December 2020~

Sing along with David Phelps singing, Joy, Joy.