Luke 24-8.2.22
Scripture
Luke 24:25-27
He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.
Observation
Luke 24 describes the reaction and confusion of Jesus’ followers to finding his body missing from the grave. Jesus had explained to them what was going to happen many times, but it just didn’t sink in.
Understanding
When Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James found the empty tomb, they ran back to tell the apostles. Verse 11 says, “But they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense.” While that might seem like a normal reaction to hearing that a body is missing, Jesus had spent much time with these people and had tried to prepare them for what was going to happen. I know that they listened to him when he spoke, but for some reason, the message didn’t get through. In verses 25-27, Jesus explains himself yet again.
“....How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken!” (vs. 25) makes me think about some of the things that I might “understand” with my head, but they haven’t gotten through to my heart. This is just one example: I frequently feel like I don’t deserve forgiveness. I understand with my head that it’s not about deserving or earning His love or forgiveness, but I have a hard time truly absorbing that truth.
Psalms 103:12 - “As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.”
Isaiah 43:25 - “I, yes I, am He who blots out your transgressions for my own sake and remembers your sins no more.”
Life Application
Luke 24:45 - ”Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.”
Lord, I pray that you would open my eyes to truly understand and absorb what I read in the scriptures and the things that You are speaking to me. You promise that when we seek You we will find You. You want to draw near to us and reveal yourself to us. Please reveal yourself to me in a new way today.
-Debbie Dunn
Luke 23-8.1.22
Scripture
Luke 23:39-43
One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom. ” Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
Observation-What does it say?
Luke recounts the death of our Lord Jesus Christ. The above verses show 2 criminals’ perspectives on Jesus and the outcome.
Understanding-What does it mean?
The criminal who hung on the Cross next to Jesus had an encounter with Jesus. He understood the vastness of His love for mankind and himself through Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. It was a sacrifice because He didn’t deserve it.
The criminal understood that he was getting what his deeds deserved...death. However, Jesus was getting punishment for doing nothing wrong. The sins of the world had fallen on Him.
While the other criminal hurled insults at Jesus and challenged him to prove himself to them (which was what the rest of the crowd and religious leaders were doing) the other criminal recognized Jesus’ purity and innocence. Why would a man who committed no sin be put through a criminal’s death if He did no wrong? He must be the Messiah.
Life Application
Share His good news with someone and share how He has saved your life today!
Regardless of the criminal’s past, the moment he met Jesus and gave his life to Jesus, his fate forever changed.
The difference between Christianity and all other religions is Jesus. We believe that Jesus was God in the flesh and not just a prophet. We believe that He is One with the Father. We believe that He died and resurrected. The grave and death could not hold Him. We believe that salvation is a free gift to all who would confess their sin and declare with their mouth that Jesus is Lord. It is NOT based on works. If it was, the criminal would have had no chance of salvation.
Because Jesus is the only way to God and the only One separating Christianity from other religions, we must freely proclaim His name, sing it out in worship, and share Him with others! Every religion has a “god”, but not every religion has Jesus.
Dear Jesus, Your Word and what You did for us is something we cannot keep to ourselves. I pray that we would continue to be grateful for saving us from the fate of hell that we were destined for. I pray that we would freely share Your testimony and our testimony with others with no shame. I pray that we would never stop being on mission for You until we take our last breath—for that is Your will for our lives. Amen.
-Michelle Gaddi
Luke 22 - 7.29.22
Scripture
Luke 22:17
After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, “Take this and divide it among you.
Observation – What does it say?
At the last supper, Jesus instituted the sacrament of communion that the church still observes today. Before breaking the bread, he took the cup of wine and gave it to his disciples, instructing them to divide it among each other. This is amazing! Something I’ve never seen before.
Understanding – What does it mean?
Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins
The wine given to the disciples represented Jesus’ blood poured out on the cross for their forgiveness. But what I find interesting is that rather than pouring the wine into little separate cups and then personally giving it to each disciple, he gives them the whole cup and asks them to give it to each other.
The forgiveness of sins God provided through the blood of Christ is meant (1) to be received personally and (2) to be given to each other. This act at the last supper was a symbolic picture of what Jesus commands us to do.
Ephesians 4:32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Matthew 6:9,12 “This, then, is how you should pray: “‘Our Father in heaven… forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
Jesus’ blood was poured out making a way for God to forgive us, but it is also the means for us to forgive each other! When I forgive, I’m not just imitating God, I’m applying the same blood that covered my sins to the sins of my offender. It’s like someone owes me $50. Jesus then puts $50 in my pocket and says, “Now you can forgive their debt.”
Jesus made payment for my sins against God AND others sins against me! That means when I refuse to forgive someone who wronged/hurt/violated/offended me, I am in essence saying that Jesus’ sacrifice wasn’t sufficient to pay for that sin.
Matthew 6:14-15 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
In other words, when Jesus offers the cup of his blood, the offer is to receive AND share it or not receive it at all.
Life Application
Receive Jesus’ blood and forgiveness AND distribute it to those around me.
John 1:29 “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!
Jesus, you took away the sin of the entire world! Your sacrifice dealt with every offence, and now it’s my responsibility to not only rejoice in the forgiveness of my sins but to bring rejoicing to others by extending that same forgiveness to them. Amen.
-Levi Thompson