Luke 24:1-27
But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. 2 And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel.
5 And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? 6 He is not here, but has risen. Remember how He told you, while He was still in Galilee, 7 that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.”
8 And they remembered His Words, 9 and returning from the tomb they told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. 10 Now it was Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them who told these things to the apostles, 11 but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them.
12 But Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home marveling at what had happened.
13 That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, 14 and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened. 15 While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus Himself drew near and went with them. 16 But their eyes were kept from recognizing Him.
17 And He said to them,
“What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?”
And they stood still, looking sad. 18 Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?”
19 And He said to them,
“What things?”
And they said to Him, “Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a Man who was a Prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, 20 and how our chief priests and rulers delivered Him up to be condemned to death, and crucified Him. 21 But we had hoped that He was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened. 22 Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning, 23 and when they did not find His Body, they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that He was Alive. 24 Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but Him they did not see.”
25 And He said to them,
“O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into His Glory?”
27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.
Welcome, gentle reader!
The Anglican Church has a Bible Study called Alpha. Not about dominant ideas or personalities. Instead, Alpha to Omega, The Lord our Father Who draws ALL to His Love. The goodness of Jesus to All and any bruised reed, He would not break. Alpha is the Bible Study encouraging all questions to be considered, politely, and answered in Biblical authority.
The Church sees a multitude who believe God, and His Goodness and participate in the High Holy Days, particularly Christmas and Easter. One of the most positive aspects of being a yearly goer, a Holy Day Participant is seeing the current Pew Report: knowing we all have traveled the road of faith, have highs and lows in the desire to participate or have discovery.
One of the first joys and awareness of our Father, is the need for His Love and to be in relationship, to be heard.
This is the beginning of huge faith. Our God, upholds the Universe with the Power of His Word. He is gentle with bruised reeds and Sheep, holding it all together.
Suddenly faith. We know the Love of God, He reaches into our heart and we understand we are loved and our prayers, are heard. We Love God. He has loved us, first, and our hearts are warmed. Height melts to the spark of Heart to Heart.
Luke's Gospel, 'Gospel', the word for truth, Chapter 24 has us, as we, mankind, are today: Perplexed, dazzled, seeking, seeing the living among the dead in our culture, remembering His Words, idle tale, not believing Him, conversation. Marveling.
Who said faith isn't a tennis game? Certainly not the Disciples of Jesus.
One of the first questions of the tender in faith would be the Gospels. Without a doubt, the Gospels are loved. And then, even an older child would ask, why don't the Gospels agree? Why doesn't the Good Friday to Easter aspect align perfectly? It will truly nag at us, in early days.
The Scriptures are real. The Word is Living and Active.
If this were a hoax, all the corners would be tidy.
There would be no question that mankind wouldn't have tailored. We discover in Egypt, where Moses probably received the Ten Commandments, Mt. Sinai, St. Catherine's Monastery, the Carbon Dating on Early Gospels go back to 40 AD.
𝔓46, Papyrus 46, owned by the University of Michigan (until our sudden influx of new academia, was certain this was mid first century AD) contains most of Paul's Epistles. It contains: the last eight chapters of Romans; Hebrews; 1–2 Corinthians; Ephesians; Galatians; Philippians; Colossians; and two chapters of 1 Thessalonians. An amazing, intact Bible. The Bible in your hand is a miracle.
So... why? The best answer is always from the Scriptures.
We see "Jesus sent out", not 12 Disciples, but 72. Or 70 Disciples. It depends on where you were sitting and counting! We learn Jesus sent Disciples out in different directions to begin the Passover Meal.
We find the Disciples gathered together with Mary and the physical brothers of Jesus in Acts 1 to pray after the Death and Resurrection of Jesus. While we learn that in seclusion after Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday and even after Easter, the Disciples were hiding in different groups, and different locations, undisclosed for future safety.
And in their first meal together after Jesus has Triumphed over death. John tells us so much happened, continually, surrounding Jesus, The Gospels can't even touch the vast quantity of miracles, coincidence, knowledge, wisdom, Praise and Glory surrounding Jesus.
How will we reconcile all 3,000 pages of Scripture? We cannot. The Book of Proverbs tells us to cry out for Wisdom. And we will.
Jesus willingly opened His Arms on the Cross. To embrace all the world to be reconciled to the Lord in Jesus Christ. Jesus promised us to be the iota and dot of All of His Holy Word. Salvation is a gift for the fallen. The sinful. The weak. The Strong with failures. The good intentioned. Mankind tried for centuries to live the Law. And failed. And will fail. Jesus brings us the Holy Spirit. To worship in Spirit and in Truth. The Holiness of God, allowing us to His Grace. The Beauty of His Mercy and we will shine forth in His Love. Being merciful and accepting His forgiveness and His Grace.
Have questions.
Ask the Lord. Read His Word.
Draw near to the Throne of Grace with Boldness and Confidence.
His Promises are willing, as are the Open Gates of Heaven!
Luke 6:17-19
— And He came down with them
and stood on a level place,
with a great crowd
of His disciples
and a great multitude of people
from all Judea
and Jerusalem
and the seacoast of Tyre
and Sidon,
— who came to hear Him and to be healed of their diseases —
And those who were troubled with unclean spirits were cured.
And all
the crowd sought to touch Him,
for power came out from Him and healed them all.
Abba, Father,
Surely, He took on our infirmities
and carried our sorrows;
yet, we considered Him stricken by God,
struck down and afflicted.
But He was pierced for our transgressions,
He was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace
was upon Him,
and by His stripes
we are healed.
We ask healing
of Your Good Creation
the fullness of the earth is Yours.
The healing of those we pray
for in our heart and soul.
for in our heart and soul.
Dwell in us, Father,
Dwell fully in those we love,
Help us to seek You first
and we will finish well in Jesus Christ.
Thank You.
Our God is working. His Son,
Jesus is working.
Amen.
♔ Lord Jesus Saves †
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