And He said, “Yes, it was written long ago that the Messiah would suffer and die and rise from the dead on the third day. It was also written that this message would be proclaimed in the authority of his name to all the nations, beginning in Jerusalem: There is forgiveness of sins for all who repent.”
Luke 24:46

Well, we left off yesterday looking on as the mercy of Jesus over-rode what must have been a powerful urge to laugh at the disciples – mercy that proceeded to prove to them that the story was true. Everything he had been telling them for the past three years was indeed true.

From Jesus’ own lips straight to our hearts, the verse above tells us He was the Messiah, the Son of the Living God, come to planet Earth for one purpose; to offer forgiveness to all who would repent.

As He appeared to them in verse 36, He continued to prove himself – who he was – that his resurrection was real. My friend,  He doesn’t laugh at us when we have a hard time comprehending – grasping – His story, His love, and His mercy. He knows our humanity. He just proves himself once we are willing to take that baby step toward Him – a baby step of belief that He is Who He said he was. He did what he said he would do – and still does today.

¹⁶ For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. ¹⁷ For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” John 3:16-17KJV

His love is the real thing – and the real thing – real love – does not condemn the one loved. Instead, it reaches out to the one standing frozen – trying to comprehend the magnitude of the mercy being offered. It reaches out to the one standing stunned, trying to understand the Good News – that ALL our old mistakes – our mess-ups – our sins – can be wiped away. His promise is clear and true –

Look back up there to what he said in verse 47 – I underlined it for you. That includes you dear one. You.

In this Easter season, maybe you are the one standing frozen with doubt, speechless with the same doubts and fears the disciples had, the same thoughts about how “un-be-liev-able” this story is; yet we see God’s own Son ready, willing and able – reaching out to you with a promise of Hope, wanting to prove to you that He is real. 

 “ Yes Lord. I believe. I repent ( turn from my way – to your way ) as best as I know how. I am willing to learn your ways.  I receive your forgiveness. I ask you to come into my life – lead me – guide me – and direct my path. Yes, Lord, I ask this today. In the name of Jesus, amen.”

Precious one, if you just spoke those thoughts to Jesus and meant them from your heart, He now lives in your life. He will never leave you or forsake you.  Please email me – just hit reply at the top of the page. What a privilege it would be to get to know you and be your friend and fellow zookeeper.

Until tomorrow……

Your traveling companion

Brenda

photo credit: https://www.freeimages.com/photographer/Rissmu-54229

“And just as they were telling about it, Jesus himself was suddenly standing there among them. “Peace be with you”, he said.
Luke 24:36

We left off yesterday with the disciples thinking the women had flipped their lid with the story that “He is alive.”  Now they are hearing the same story from the two men from Emmaus when Jesus proves them right. In verse 36 we are told:

“And just as they were telling about it, Jesus himself was suddenly standing there among them.

“Peace be with you”, he said.

Now, I’m sorry gals, but there is a part of this story that if it wasn’t so serious – it would be funny. Bear with me a moment…… Jesus does have a sense of humor – he displayed it more than once during his three years with the disciples. I believe He probably had a little fun with this.

 Get the picture: since back in verse 11 when the women first told them of Jesus’ resurrection, the disciples have finally started to believe the story really is true, Jesus has risen. But the story still seems too good to be true. He had been with them –  alive and powerful – for three solid years. Then in three short days everything had changed to doom and gloom. Their emotions had been going up and down like a yoyo. He is alive – he is dead – He is ALIVE….  They couldn’t comprehend – “grasp” it all. How can a dead man come back to life? If this were us – right now – this day – we’d be scared silly – excited, but still scared silly – just like they were.

Then suddenly– wa-la – there Jesus is, standing in the midst of them. Real. Alive. They were stunned. The yoyo goes up again……is it possible? How is it possible? They didn’t say a word – just stood there wide-eyed and scared to death. He must be a ghost.

                v.37: “But the whole group was startled and frightened, thinking they were seeing a ghost.“  NLT

I can relate. When Tom & I were dating in high school we went to his house one day for lunch. We walked in and didn’t hear his mom anywhere and the house was eerily quiet. Suddenly I heard a strange noise and spouted out without thinking, “I think I heard a ghost!” Well, can I say Tom was laughing so hard he literally fell on the floor, doubled over – for 15 minutes no less! To this day I don’t dare remind him of it, and if he thinks of it – well, it just starts another 15 minute fit of laughter. I promise I won’t be showing him this Daily Dose.

Now, back to verse 37 – here stands Jesus in the flesh – and their first thought was they were seeing a ghost. Jesus sure is more merciful than my boyfriend was – now my husband —-IS!  Jesus didn’t fall over in laughter – (I wonder if that was hard for him?) – he just asked them why they were afraid.

Isn’t it amazing – Jesus – God himself – didn’t laugh – but offered something they could wrap their minds around. He offered them hope and proof.

He offers it to us too………..

Until tomorrow,

Your traveling partner,

Brenda

photo credit: https://www.freeimages.com/photographer/Mr_Ristoo-35608

“So they rushed back from the tomb to tell his eleven disciples-and everyone else-what had happened. 10 It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and several other women who told the apostles what had happened. 11 But the story sounded like nonsense to the men, so they didn’t believe it. 12 However, Peter jumped up and ran to the tomb to look. Stooping, he peered in and saw the empty linen wrappings; then he went home again, wondering what had happened.”
Luke 24: 9-12

I shared with you yesterday how Tom & I had been going through an enormous struggle for four long years. Humanly speaking, there was nothing we could do to solve the problem and it looked as if the worst was about to happen because of it.  At the last minute Jesus did what He does best….. He intervened with His solution and it was far better than anything we ever could have done or hoped for. We were mesmerized by His grace and mercy and found it hard to comprehend while standing in the darkness of the “real world” – where the trouble lived.

We learned the disciples experienced the same thing but on a much grander scale. We learned that just like we often do, they ALL had forgotten the promises Jesus had made to them. As the week of horrors began to happen they got caught up in the darkness of the moment. When it’s dark – it’s dark  – and that is exactly when we must refer back to the promises made in the light.

Back in Luke 18:33 we see clearly the promise Jesus made that He would rise again on the third day. They had already learned that Jesus’ promise of problems had come true.  Would they believe his promise of victory? 

No. It’s just that simple. At that particular moment in time they did not believe.

They were hunkered down in the upper room, suffering from what they thought was the greatest defeat of their lives when the women who had gone to the tomb burst through the door with the incredible story of how Jesus was ALIVE! In Luke 24: 9-12 we read:

                       “So they rushed back from the tomb to tell his eleven disciples—and everyone else—what had happened. ¹⁰ It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and several other women who told the apostles what had happened. ¹¹ But the story sounded like nonsense to the men, so they didn’t believe it. ¹² However, Peter jumped up and ran to the tomb to look. Stooping, he peered in and saw the empty linen wrappings; then he went home again, wondering what had happened.”

Verse 24:11 says the men thought the announcement by the women was foolishness. The Amplified Bible clarifies it even more saying they thought it was an “idle tale (madness, feigned things, nonsense) and they did not believe the women”. Ok gals, I could have some fun chasing that rabbit ☺ – but I won’t this time….  Just suffice it to say I plan on doing a little teasing to the 11 when I get to meet them – just like the little bit of teasin’ I’ve already given to Tom!

The facts are, the story was true whether the men believed or not. We do know that Peter wasn’t quite as certain about the foolishness of the women’s story because he went to check it out for himself. In short order they all found out it was true because once again, Jesus showed up – in the flesh. Verse 36 says this:

“And just as they were telling about it, Jesus himself was suddenly standing there among them.

“Peace be with you”, he said.

See, I told you Jesus always keeps his promises, even when it seems too good to be true.

Until tomorrow,

Your traveling companion,

Brenda

photo credit: https://www.freeimages.com/photographer/7rains-74038