Taken, Blessed, and Broken

Scripture For The Day  

December 24th, 2023

Luke 24 

Taken, Blessed, and Broken

Very early that Sunday morning, the women came back to the tomb to anoint Jesus body with the spices they had previously prepared. Upon arrival they noticed the stone was rolled away. Matthew records an earthquake had occurred and the angel rolled it away. The Roman guards had fainted with fear. But the guards obviously ran away at the empty tomb. The disappearance of Jesus’ body would have got them killed for being diligently in their job.

To combine all the Gospels this is how it went down. The ladies discovered that Jesus’ body was gone. While still there, two angels suddenly appeared. One angel spoke and reminded them of what Jesus had told them. They were told to go find Peter and the others and tell them that Jesus was risen. The disciples were skeptical of course. Peter and John ran to the tomb. John got there first. But didn’t go inside, letting Peter enter first. They saw the linen intact but empty. Proof that Jesus had indeed risen from the dead. They immediately left. In the meantime, Mary Magdalene returned to the tomb. She was still upset and wanted desperately to see Jesus. And Jesus appeared to her. His first appearance after the resurrection was to a woman. I love that. Next, He appeared to the other women on the road. Later, He appeared to two followers on the road to Emmaus. I love this encounter with Cleopas and the unnamed disciple. Jesus interrupted their conversation on their walk. They didn’t recognize Jesus and was surprised that this stranger hadn’t heard about what all had happened. So, they told Him all about it. Jesus shares scriptures with them and teaches them much.  They asked Jesus to join them for supper and so He did. Taking the bread, blessing it, and breaking it. Their eyes were finally opened, recognizing Jesus at last. Then Jesus vanished before them. They went and told the others all about it. The LORD is Risen Indeed! And as they spoke, Jesus, Himself stood in the midst of them; saying “Peace, be unto you.”

The disciples were terrified, thinking that Jesus was a ghost. Jesus calmed their fears by showing them His hands and feet and eating with them. He reminded them that He had told them that this would happen and had to happen. He helped them to understand the scriptures. “And ye are witnesses of these things.” He instructed them to wait on The Holy Spirit before going into the mission field again. He led them to Bethany, raised His Hands and Blessed them, while He was being carried up to heaven in a cloud. The disciples returned to Jerusalem with renewed Joy and purpose. 

This study in Luke has spoken to my heart so much. I hope you have been encouraged as well. This, this is what Christmas is all about. It’s about The Gift of Salvation through the Gift of Jesus Christ. It’s not about the presents, it’s about His Presence and I’m so Thankful for His Love that is everlasting and ever merciful. I'm so Thankful that He took me, Blessed me and broke me and I belong to Him.  With Him we can enjoy True Peace that the world will never understand. 

Merry Christmas everyone! 

May You find True Joy in His Presence tomorrow and every day thereon. 




Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Hide It Under a Bushel? NO!

Image
   Scripture For The Day  December 19, 2023 Luke 19 part 1 "Hide It Under a Bushel? NO!"  And Jesus passed through Jericho. Jericho had a lot of history, even at that time. It was a major trading center and there was a wealthy tax collector named Zaccheus who lived and worked there. He heard about Jesus and decided to see for himself. But he was a short man and there were a lot of people traveling with Jesus and a huge crowd lining the street waiting to see Jesus pass by. Less than 15 miles away, Jesus had just raised Lazarus from the dead. He was a rockstar. So, Zaccheus ran up ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see Jesus. As soon as Jesus got to the tree, He looked up and said “Zaccheus, make haste, and come down; for today I must abide at thy house.” I bet y’all are singing the song right now…I was. 😊 The crowd began to murmur. How could Jesus eat with a sinner like this dishonest tax collector? Zaccheus was so overwhelmed with the love of Jesus that he
Read more

He Restores My Soul

Image
Scripture For The Day    November 14, 2023 "He Restores My Soul"  Psalm 23- Most of us know this beloved Psalm. The LORD is our Shepherd and we who believe are His Sheep. However in recent years, the label of ‘sheep’ has become a derogatory term. I don’t care. I am so very thankful that I am part of His flock. So, Baa Baa baby. Call me a sheep. I know that I matter to Him just as much as the other sheep in His flock. No more, no less. In His Word, His people are never described as lions. But as meek and dependent sheep that depend upon a Shepherd. I’ll take that any day. Because it’s The Truth. I learned this passage when I was a little girl. But no one took the time to teach me what it meant. So, I was always confused by the first verse” “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.” Why? I would ask The LORD? Why can’t I ‘want’ You? I Love You and I do ‘want’ You to be with me. It wasn’t until I was much older and studying on my own that I discovered the word ‘want” meant
Read more

Aijeleth Shahar

Image
  Scripture For The Day  November 13 th , 2023 "Aijeleth Shahar"  Psalm 22 has David assigning this song to the director of the corporate worship stating it is to be sung or chanted by “Aijeleth Shahar” translated means by the hind of the dawn or “The Deer of The Dawn”. Made me think of how sometimes there are little songs for kids to learn and they often use the tune of “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” for them to learn them better. Psalm 22 is a cry of anguish and as per usual a song of Praise. And by the very first verse, we can read words that Jesus Christ, Himself, spoke on The Cross. Jesus often quoted scriptures.  “My God, My God, why hast Thou Forsaken Me? (why art thou so) far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring?” You have no idea how deeply this verse spoke to me today. I woke up early this morning thinking of the word Forsake. So, as I type I am asking The LORD, “What are you bringing to my heart today?” to forsake means to abandon or turn against. Mak
Read more