Luke 24 - 5.6.24

Scripture

Luke 24:51-52

While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven.  Then they worshipped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.

Observation

Jesus had revealed Himself to His disciples. He was alive! After spending some time with them, catching up, teaching and eating, He “was taken up into heaven.” (Vs. 51)  The first thing the disciples did, after Jesus left to be with the Father, was worship and praise Him with great joy continually at the temple! The resurrection had inspired hope and purpose in the disciples’ lives. Jesus was (and is) alive!

Application

When feeling joyless, hopeless, confused, or even doubtful about the faith, go back to the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Jesus’ resurrection gave the disciples joy, hope and purpose. His resurrection is the basis of our faith in Him. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 15:14, “And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith.”

How has Jesus’ resurrection changed our hope and purpose in life?

Prayer

Dear Lord,

I always have a reason to praise You. Your death has put to death my old life and saved me from hell, but Your resurrection has given me new life and purpose in You! May I be like the disciples when they discovered You were alive and continue to praise and worship You with my whole heart and soul until You return. Amen!

Psalm 134-”Praise the Lord all you servants of the Lord who minister by night in the house of the Lord. Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the Lord. May the Lord bless you from Zion, he who is Maker of heaven and earth.”

-Michelle Gaddi

Luke 23 - 5.3.24

Scripture: ‭‭ Luke‬ ‭23‬:‭38‬-‭43‬ ‭NIV‬‬

”There was a written notice above him, which read: This is the King of the Jews. 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:

Jesus, who changed the world one person at a time, was on the cross dying for our sins between two criminals.  Pilate had hung a sign above his Head that stated, “This is Jesus King of the Jews.” One of them hurled insults at him. Interestingly he did refer to Jesus as the Messiah. Then asked why He wasn’t saving Himself and them too.  The truth is Jesus was leveling his request up.  He was actually saving them in a more complete way.  The other criminal rebuked that man and asked Jesus to remember him when he came into his kingdom. This man acknowledged Jesus as well and had faith that Jesus would be returning to His Kingdom. Jesus saw that faith and told him that today he would be with him in paradise.  Jesus was still touching lives on the cross. 

Application:

So many great truths in these verses. This is the scripture that encouraged me when my grandpa passed away. On his deathbed he could receive Jesus. He made prayer hands when he couldn’t  speak. It was about an hour before he passed. I prayed for him and he appeared to see something and was reaching toward the ceiling of his room. God gave me assurance grandpa was entering paradise. 

Reading this today what stood out to me was Jesus saw the eternal need. He knew it was more vital than the instant one. He withstood insults and even worse on the cross so that all who call on Him, as the thief did, can spend eternity with Him in God’s presence in Paradise. The thieves died that day. We know one’s eternity, more amazing than we can imagine, was just beginning. 

I want to never give up hope. I want to consider if my meeting someone’s instant want or need is going to help them reach their most urgent need, salvation. 

Prayer: 

Lord, thank you for all you did for my salvation. You endured so much and I can never repay you. 

Just like the thief hurling insults sometimes what I think is best isn’t. 

Please help me trust you. 

Then, as I am your hands and feet to this world, please help me keep going when times are tough. I choose to seek what is the best action to take as I step out to help others. Saving someone from a problem may help temporarily.  However, I want to remember that tough things and sacrifice bring eternal results far beyond what I can see.  Paradise will be incredible.  Until I get there, I look forward to being amazed at all you will do through those who love you and walk in your will. 

Amen 

- Cindy Howard

05.02.24 - Luke 22

SCRIPTURE: Luke 22:14-18 NIV

When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. And HE said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God.”

After taking the cup, HE gave thanks and said, “Take this and divide it among you. For I tell you I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.”

OBSERVATION

Jesus knew that is time of suffering was upon HIM. This would be the last meal HE would share with HIS disciples. It is the Passover Meal—a significant time of remembering.

God had delivered the Jewish people out of Pharaoh’s bondage of slavery in Egypt through signs and wonders. Before they left their life in Egypt there was one final plague. God instructed His people to prepare one last meal of a sacrificial lamb and sprinkle the blood on their lintel and doorposts as a special sign. That night God passed THROUGH Egypt and struck down every First born male son and first born male animal in the land of Egypt.

But every lintel and doorpost marked with lamb’s blood served as a sign to PASS OVER that house so that no harm would come to them. (Exodus 12)

In a traditional Passover meal there are four cups of wine with the 4th Cup concluding the meal. Jesus made a vow to abstain from wine Before the 4th Cup—reserving it—for the time of Fulfillment when ALL Believers will be together in God’s Kingdom at the Banquet.

“People will come from east and west and north and south, and will take their places at the feast in the kingdom of God.”

(Luke 13:29 NIV)

APPLICATION

HIS STORY

Jesus WAS

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.” (John 1:1-4 NIV)

Jesus IS

“Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6 NIV)

Jesus is ‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’

Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:11-12 NIV)

Jesus is TO COME

“Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done.13I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.” (Revelation 22:12-13 NIV)

 ‘Holy, holy, holy

is the Lord God Almighty,’

who was, and is, and is to come.” (Revelation 4:8b NIV)

PRAYER

LORD Jesus,

YOU are the ONE who WAS and IS and is TO COME. Thank You that Your blood cleanses me and made me new. It is Finished are the three most amazing recorded words I know. Help me Lord to not be distracted with the cares of this world. Help me to be ready and watching eagerly.  Give me Your eyes and Your heart for the lost and point me towards Your field. I pray when You come-- You will find me being about my Father’s business. In Jesus Name. amen.

Tina L Kudelka