Luke 24
In yesterday’s devotion, Jesus died. And the world – the centurion, the sky, the women, the crowd – took notice and responded. Even the crowd that had not been Jesus’ followers, some of whom may have earlier shouted, “Crucify Him!”, now, “beat their breasts and went away” (Luke 23:48). There was something very different about this man Jesus and the way he died. Though they did not understand at the time that he had died for their sins – and not only theirs – but the sins of the world.
If Luke’s gospel story had ended there, we could still be forgiven people today – able to have a relationship with God because of the sacrifice of Jesus carrying our sins to his death because the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). BUT – there is even MORE good news to come in Luke 24! A great gift of God is set before us – eternal life in Christ Jesus our RISEN Lord. Without a risen Lord there would be no future hope for a resurrection for his followers.
When the women brought news to the disciples that Jesus was no longer in the tomb, “they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense. Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb.” (Luke 24:11,12). He was going to search it out and find the truth. Likewise, the two on the road to Emmaus had many questions and were confused about what they had seen and heard. Jesus walked with them, “And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.” (Luke 24:27).
Today, news of his resurrection and the resurrection to come still brings great joy to his followers. There are those who say it sounds like nonsense. There are those who are questioning. Be like Peter and seek out answers. Like Jesus, dig into the Scriptures and reveal them to others. Declare the good news of Jesus’ birth – but then so much more – his death and resurrection. Share the Joy!
-Marcia Railton
SeekGrowLove.com 