The good news of Luke

  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. 

  Luke 24:17-24 Before we have an opportunity to be heard we must listen.  Jesus asked two powerful questions and got the picture of how life was in their lives; even though He already knew the answers “What are you discussing together as you walk along?” “What things?” Lord Jesus, please give us the questions to ask so we can appropriately listen to others.  Amen

  Luke 24:13-16 What a treat it is to walk and talk with a friend.  Have you ever done this and had Jesus show up?  Try it some day?  Walk and talk and see if Jesus is in your midst; we could be kept from recognizing Him.  Lord Jesus, help us to discover You in our every day walks with friends.  Amen

  Luke 24:9-12 Well how do you tell such an unbelievable story!  The body is gone and you and your friends didn't steal it!  The women went back to the men and reported on what they heard but they didn't believe them because it sounded like nonsense.  Peter, however, decided to check their story out.  The linen cloth was still there.  Why would a grave robber leave the cloth behind?  The site left Peter wondering. Lord Jesus, help us not to dismiss what people tell us as foolishness until after we've checked things out.  You may very well be in the midst of doing a miracle! Also help us as we wonder to discover You.  Amen

  Luke 24:4-8 The women weren't sure what had happened to the body.  They wonder what had happened to it and were blessed with an explanation.   Two men, they didn't say angels, but their bright appearance makes it sound like they were angels, showed up.  They announced to the women that Jesus had risen!; just like He said He would. Lord Jesus, help us to wonder and then help us to understand what You are doing in and through us.  Amen

  Luke 24:1-3 Going about their every day life the women discovered a miracle!  The body was gone!  Of  course some would say it was stolen but can this really be.  There were guards guarding the tomb because the authorities thought that would happen.  On top of this if the body was stolen why was it never found?  If the Romans or Jews had it surely they would produce it to put a stop to Christianity and if the disciples had it would they all lie, even under persecution, for a lie?  It doesn't make sense that the body was stolen.  Lord Jesus, help us to expect You to show up in our every day life and help us to not miss the miracles You are performing in and through us on a regular basis.  Amen

  Luke 23:50-56 Today I'm reminded of the people who were buried in unmarked graves.  This is not so with Jesus.  Even though he was sentenced to an execution someone who disagreed with this sentence was kind enough to bury Jesus.  He did what he could.  His followers also did what they could by preparing the spices for burial; and respecting the Sabbath law.  Lord Jesus, help us to do what we can given our situations so that Your Kingdom can come and Your will can be done on earth as it is in heaven.  Amen

Luke 23:47-49 The centurion confirmed in his mind Jesus was a righteous man.  What I find interesting is he praised God instead of felt guilty.  Lord Jesus, when we see an injustice being done help us to do the right thing; whatever that is.  For Peter, he tried to stand up for You and You told him not to fight.  For the centurion he chose to praise God even before he knew about the resurrection. For the general crowd they beat their breasts, in mourning, I suppose.  Not know what to make of the situation. And for those that knew Him they stood observing.  Lord Jesus help us to use our ears to listen and our eyes to see before we open our mouths.

  Luke 23:46 In the last moments in His physical body He turns to His Father and gives His Spirit to Him.  What an act of trust and love given that God could have stopped His death.  Lord Jesus, help us to love and trust God as You did and use us in Your Kingdom. Amen

  Luke 23:44-45 Jesus was crucified over Passover; symbolizing that He was the Passover lamb.  God identifying with the Egyptians who lost their first born son.  He was also crucified when it seems that an eclipse took place.  What is the probability of these three things happening at the same time?! Then in a wonderful way God tore the curtain to the holy of holies from top to bottom symbolizing that we are allowed into His presence at any time. Lord Jesus, Holy Spirit, God the Father; You are amazing.  When we don't understand Your plans and purposes we will continue to trust You to make something beautiful out of our limited resources.  Thank You for allow us to come to You at anytime.  Help us to never take You for granted.  Amen

  Luke 23:35-43 There were observers at Jesus crucifixion: The rulers who mocked Him for not saving Himself. Have we done this?  Wondered why Jesus isn't performing a miracle in our lives when He's done it in the lives of others? The soldiers mocked Him and gave Him vinegar to drink; again wondering why He didn't save Himself.  Would we have used our power to save ourselves if we were in His shoes? The notice was clear; put up by Pilot  "This is the King of the Jews" Then we see the wisdom of one of the criminals; and the results of Christ's compassion.  Lord Jesus, help us to wait patiently when we don't see Your miracles in action so that we can see Your amazing work in action.  

  Luke 23:34 This is a fascinating verse; as Jesus is requesting forgiveness for them, the folks on the ground are selfishly dividing up His belongings.  Lord Jesus, as we pray, help us to think of You and get a perspective of things from Your point of view.  Help us not to have prayers filled with our shopping list of wants but prayers that enhance Your Kingdom.  Thanks Jesus for giving everything; Your life, Your forgiveness and even Your clothes for our sakes.  Now Father please bless us with what we need to extend Your Kingdom for Jesus sake.  Amen

  Luke 23:32-33 It is interesting that God didn't allow Jesus to die alone.  It's also interesting, he died in the presence of two criminals.  Lord Jesus, help us never to take the people around us for granted and help us to accept who You have put into our lives.  Amen

  Luke 23:26-31 There were more in the crowd than just those that wanted Jesus dead; but they were not heard.  Jesus, however, saw them and spoke to them; saying it could get worse!  Lord Jesus, please have mercy. The there was Simon, who was forced to carry the cross.  I wonder if he ever thought it was an honour to do so.  Lord Jesus, when we're forced to do something that is against our will help us to see Your will in it all.  Amen

  Luke 23:17-25 The crowd sent an innocent man to the cross and let a murder free.  It seems so unfair yet in God's justice this is exactly what He's willing to do for us! Lord Jesus, please help us to recognize the cost of our sins.  In our humanness we rank sin yet You chose to go to the cross for everyone, including  Barabbas.  Today Lord, fill us with Your Holy Spirit so we don't sin against You. Amen

Luke 23:13-16   Pilate found Jesus innocent!  and he observed that Herod did as well.  Unfortunately he decided to punish him anyway so Jesus was beaten but maybe this sped up His death on the cross. We live in a world of unjustice.  Today I think of the 215 children they found dead at the residential schools.  Who knows how they died but it just doesn't seem fair and when we're reminded of things like this we're reminded here that Jesus went through unfair treatment.  He can relate. Lord Jesus, help us to be the bearers of justice in this world.  Show us how we can help in the healing process and give us Your wisdom to do what's right in Your sight. Amen 

  Luke 23:8-12 This passage says a lot about Herod.  First of all he wanted to see Jesus because he had heard about Him.  Herod was hoping Jesus would perform a miracle for him but Jesus wasn't going to be played.  Jesus didn't answer Herod's questions and His accusers seemed to be heard by Herod so Herod started to mock Jesus but Herod didn't find anything wrong with him.  Herod sent Him back to Pilate,,,and what is interesting is Herod and Pilate became friends that day. Lord Jesus, when satan sends the mockers help us to be wise and know when to speak and when not to speak.  Give us the courage to stand for what is right, in Your time and way. Amen.