Month: April 2020

Our scripture this week is Luke 24:13-35.

Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from recognizing him.
Luke 24:13-16

Just as happened with Mary in the garden, the two disciples on the road to Emmaus do not recognize Jesus. The scripture tells us they were “kept from recognizing Him”, so apparently Jesus want to speak to them anonymously, at least at first. Why would this be necessary?

It’s not our task to guess what motive the Lord has for this incognito exchange, only to understand that it’s part of the lesson He has for these two as they walk and talk. We know that Jesus always acts out of love for us and wants only our good. Perhaps the disciples need to hear what He has to say before they are overcome by the realization that it is the risen Christ speaking.

Jesus leads them to share their testimony, a rehearsal of what they are being called to do in carrying on His ministry. He gently corrects them and adds scripture references that will support their retelling later. Throughout this visit, Jesus has more in mind than just a joyful reunion after His resurrection – He has plans for them just as He does for each of us.

Gracious God, we are thankful to be part of Your plan for bringing Your kingdom on earth. Help us to be aware of the needs You send us to fulfill, sharing Your love with everyone. Amen.

Our scripture this week is Luke 24:13-35.

Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from recognizing him. He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?” They stood still, their faces downcast. One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” “What things?” he asked. “About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see Jesus.” 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. As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them. When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.” Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.
Luke 24:13-35

Jesus appeared to many of his followers, not just the twelve. In this passage we are introduced to Cleopas and his friend who are on their way to the village of Emmaus when they are joined by the risen Christ. They don’t recognize Him (like Mary at the tomb, we don’t know for what reason) and He engages them in conversation as they go.

This scripture reinforces the fact that Jesus came for all of us, not just the select few. We hear often of His interactions with the twelve, of visits with Mary and Martha, but in this reading we are made aware of His wider connection to others that may not be recorded in scripture. Again, it was important for those who knew Jesus in the flesh to see Him raised.

Those who were closest to Jesus needed to be able to testify faithfully after His Crucifixion that they had seen the Lord. If they were to be able to carry on His ministry, they had to be absolutely certain of His presence with them as they were sent out in His name. Jesus gave them this assurance as He assures us today and He is with us always.

Loving Lord, we rejoice in Your presence, aware of Your guiding spirit to sustain and strengthen us. Help us to be the witnesses needed to share Your love with all the world. Amen.

Our scripture this week is John 20:19-31.

On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.” Now Thomas (also known as Didymus ), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
John 20:19-31

Jesus appeared several times to His disciples according to the Gospel accounts. It was important they know the truth of the resurrection in order to faithfully share the Good News with the world. Now it was up to them to carry on the ministry Jesus had begun.

We remember their joy at seeing Him again, knowing that He had accomplished what He promised. He asked them all to make the same promise to Him and to each other, that the truth of God’s love would be shared with all the world. When they said “yes Lord” the promise was confirmed and their way was set.

Every Easter reminds us of His sacrifice for us, but also the faith He has in us to continue His work here on earth. His love and trust empower us to be disciples just as the first twelve that He called. We have the same charge He gave them – “As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” Jesus calls us each by name to go out in His name, proclaiming that the kingdom of God has come near.

Loving Lord, we are amazed at the gift You gave and humbled that You ask us to be part of Your plan. Make us brave enough to go where we are needed and kind enough to heal the wounds of Your people. Amen.

Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
John 20:28-31

Thomas sees Jesus as He is, the risen Savior, and proclaims “My Lord and my God”. This is the response of every disciple and the beginning of our call to share our response to His resurrection with others. Jesus came to be our example and we are to live that example in our world.

Jesus said “blessed are those who have not yet seen and yet have believed” (v. 29). He speaks to all of us who did not live during His time on earth as a human, that we may know we are blessed as the disciples were. It is not seeing Him in the flesh that saves us but our faith that He came for us all.

Do you need reassurance from Jesus, especially during trying times? Do you long to be able to see Him face to face? Don’t ask for a sign, remember His words to those of us who did not have the chance to walk with Him while He walked the earth – blessed are those who have not yet seen and yet have believed!

God of mercy, we are often weak in our faith and find it hard to live out our call. Help us to remember the blessing we have all received through Christ and the responsibility to share that joy with the world. Amen.

Our scripture this week is John 20:19-31.

A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”
John 20:26-27

Jesus returns to ensure all His disciples have the chance to see Him. For whatever reason, Thomas was not with them when Jesus first appeared. He came back after just one lost sheep, as He promised He would.

We don’t know what motivated Thomas to his statement of “unless I see…I will not believe” (John 20:25) but Jesus won’t let that stand. He returns not to berate Thomas but to give him what he needs that he may believe. Jesus went to the cross for us, now He ensures we know His sacrifice was genuine and effective.

There is a saying “Jesus loves us as we are, but He loves us too much to leave us there”. This is the situation with Thomas. Jesus calls us to move from the danger of our unbelief to a place of safety in His love, becoming an active part of the work of His kingdom.

Loving Lord, we are often bewildered by the things of the world, led in ways that do not bear fruit for you. Help us to be strong in our faith, believing fully in Your gift of salvation. Amen.

Our scripture this week is John 20:19-31.

Now Thomas (also known as Didymus ), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”
John 20:24-25

“Doubting” Thomas gets a bad rap in my opinion. Yes, he said what he said, but I believe that he is only asking for the same witness the other disciples have received. In the previous chapter we hear Mary tell those assembled that she has seen the Lord, but there is no mention of rejoicing and believing by the disciples then.

It seems important that those who knew Jesus as a human, who knew he had died, see Him resurrected. He appears to many of His followers in different gospel accounts that they may believe and be blessed to go share their testimony of the risen Christ. This is their charge, to relate to others what they have seen.

Everyone after that generation relies on the truth that Jesus appeared to them and told them to share the Good News with us. Their faith and obedience to His call is what has spread the gospel across the ages and around the world. Now it is our turn, to continue to pass on in faith the gift of salvation we have been given.

Gracious God, it is a wonderful and amazing thing that You call us to be the bearers of the Good News. Make us strong in Your word, that we may share Your love with the world. Amen.

Our scripture this week is John 20:19-31.

Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”
John 20:21-23

Jesus reassures the disciples that His peace is with them and breathes the Holy Spirit onto them. He then instructs them about the forgiveness and retention of sins, which sounds like a pretty awesome power. It certainly is, and perhaps as we often do, we misunderstand what He is teaching.

Did Jesus really give us the power to forgive sin or not forgive it? Well, yes…but with authority comes responsibility and consequences. What did Jesus teach when Peter asked about forgiveness? “Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times” (Matthew 18:21-22).

Jesus taught that forgiving each other was essential to our salvation, not their’s! God will certainly look at their sin, but He will also question our lack of forgiveness in disobedience of the command we were given. We need to see forgiveness not as a power, but as something we give freely as God has forgiven us.

Heavenly Father, help us to forgive others as You forgive us. May we be right with Your kingdom by following Jesus example of forgiveness. Amen.

On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.
John 20:19-20

It is hard to imagine the rejoicing that occurred when the disciples saw Jesus for the first time since the resurrection. Yes, Mary had told them about seeing Him at the tomb, but with the trauma of the Crucifixion, it was difficult for them to believe. Now they were believers as well, and would face the same difficulty Mary had experienced – sharing the joy of the risen Christ with others.

We are notoriously hard to convince creatures in some ways and too easily mislead in others. An evil meddler tells us we can be like God and we fall into sin by believing him. Jesus Christ tells us He must die and be raised for our salvation, and we have to think about it. That’s the situation in which we and the disciples find ourselves.

They will all go out as Jesus charged them to do, telling His story and sharing God’s love because they believed in Him and rejoiced. We are called to the same task today, and like them, we can rejoice in the hope that Jesus brings us. We can all be changed because of His sacrifice, living new lives in Him.

Gracious God, in Your love and mercy, You sent Jesus to save us all. Thank you for the love He brought us, may we be faithful to the call to share the Good News with everyone. Amen.

Our scripture this week is John 20:19-31.

On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.” Now Thomas (also known as Didymus ), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
John 20:19-31

The appearance of Jesus to the disciples brings the reality of the resurrection to them. However, Jesus tells something very important to Thomas and the rest (and us) when He says “blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed”. That would be everyone from that time on.

Jesus came to be with us as a human in a specific time in our history and in a particular geographical location. If we didn’t live then and there, we didn’t get to meet Jesus as a human being. The key to His ministry continuing is in His Great Commission to all of us.

Jesus said “As the Father has sent me, I am sending you” – calling us to do as He has done, spreading God’s love to everyone that they might be saved. He gave us a pretty awesome responsibility! Jesus must have a lot of confidence in us, to leave it up to all of us to share the Good News with the world.

Loving Lord, we rejoice in Your resurrection and the call You place on our lives. Help us to be the disciples You need to share Your story and Your love with everyone. Amen.