The good news of Luke

  Luke 24:50-51 This passage is interesting because Jesus blesses His disciples then leaves them.  In other passages He promised them the Holy Spirit to compensate for His absence.  It's like He had the Holy Spirit to Himself when He was on earth so He had to leave so they could have access to the Holy Spirit as well. This passage also has an almost u nbelievable par t to it.  " he left them and was taken up into heaven."  Yet, we've covered His resurrection so anything is possible at this time.  Some may say this part shouldn't be taken literally and we should assume that He physically died again, yet if Jesus is God, why can't such a miracle take place. Lord Jesus, please help us not to under rate Your teachings and Your miracles; help us to be filled with Your Holy Spirit so we produce Holy Spirit fruit as we walk the walk here on earth and show us how Your miraculous power is to be used here on earth.  Give us faith and courage to represent Y ou we...

  Luke 24:36-49 The reality of Jesus resurrection is hard to believe so Jesus helps his disciples by a) appearing b) showing His hands and feet c) eating in front of them d) explaining the Torah to them so they can understand that He is fulfilling what has been told by the prophets and then He commissions them to be witnesses to this, His suffering and resurrection, and to spread the news of the required repentance and ultimately the forgiveness of sins.  He tells them however, to wait until they receive power from on high Lord Jesus, please help us to wait to receive Your power from on high and then help us to represent You well as we share the story of Your resurrection, the need for repentance and the ultimate forgiveness of sins.

  Luke 24:33-35 The disciples who met with Jesus went on to encourage their fellow disciples by sharing their experience with them.  It says in Hebrews 10:24-25 "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds,   not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching." Dear Lord, please help us to be encouragers; sharing our faith walk with each other.  Amen

  Luke 24:30-32 It's fascinating that they recognized Christ at a meal, not at the temple.  As we converse with each other around a meal help us to look for the presence of Christ.  It is interesting that at the same meal He disappeared.  Does Jesus show up in our lives and then disappear again?  I think the Song of Solomon indicates the coming and the goings is like a love dance.  Sometimes we sense the presence of God and sometimes we don't.  Doesn't this help us to value His presence when we do sense it? Lord Jesus, we invite You to our table for every meal.  Help us to recognize Your presence and share Your love with each person we eat with.  Amen

  Luke 24:28-29 Jesus acted as if He was going on.  He wasn't forcing Himself upon them; but they urge Him strongly to stay.  Lord Jesus, thank you for being a gentleman, never forcing Yourself on others yet we have friends and family who are searching.  Would You reveal Yourself to them to such an extent that they urge You strongly to stay?  And Lord Jesus, if there is anything that we can say or do to help would You share that with us and give us the courage to follow through with it.  Thanks

Luke 24:25-27 Have you ever had a hard time understanding something?  This is where these folks are in their journey.  Although the prophecies had told them, and Jesus Himself told them, it was so unbelievable they had a hard time believing.  Lord Jesus, we have friends in the same position; Your death and resurrection is so unbelievable it's hard for them to grasp this truth.  Can You intervene in dreams and visions and explain it all to them.  Thanks for the old testament with all of it's prophecies.  You are an amazing God! Amen.