a good exit

Posted on July 24, 2017 by Jefferson Vann

july-24

devotional post # 2087

Luke 24:50-53

Luk 24:50 Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and while lifting up his hands he blessed them.
Luk 24:51 While he blessed them, he parted from them and was lifted up into the sky.
Luk 24:52 And they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy,
Luk 24:53 and they were continually blessing God in the temple .

a good exit

Jesus had promised to empower his apostles, so they had a purpose — a ministry to look forward to. He visibly prayed God’s blessings upon them. He was doing that as he ascended into the sky. No wonder these believers began a habit of continually blessing God. They worshiped Jesus with great joy. He had made a good exit.

There will come times when we will have to make an exit as well.

LORD, give us such a love for others that when we have to leave them, they can take it with confidence and joy, knowing that we will keep praying for them.

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the bridge between knowing and doing

Posted on July 23, 2017 by Jefferson Vann

july-23

devotional post # 2086

Luke 24:44-49

Luk 24:44 Then he told them, “These are my words that I was telling you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms had to be fulfilled.”
Luk 24:45 Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures,
Luk 24:46 and said to them, “This is why it is written, that the Christ had to suffer and on the third day rise from the dead,
Luk 24:47 and that repentance and forgiveness of sins has to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.
Luk 24:48 You are going to testify about these things.
Luk 24:49 And notice, I am sending what my Father promised to you. But keep you have to keep staying in the city until you are clothed from the high place with ability.”

the bridge between knowing and doing

This is a significant event in the lives of the apostles. As he records it, Luke is transitioning from the major themes of his Gospel to the focus of his second book: Acts. It took the apostles all this time to get to the point where they knew the significant points in God’s plan as laid out in the Old Testament. They now understood from the Tanach (Torah (Moses) Neviim (Prophets) and Chthuvim (Psalms)) these significant points:

  1. Christ had to be crucified
  2. Christ had to rise from the dead
  3. Repentance and forgiveness of sins has to be proclaimed in his name.

Jesus tells them that they are going to be the ones who begin testifying about these things. But, before they begin, they need to wait for the enablement of the Holy Spirit. He is the bridge between knowing what to do, and doing it.

LORD, fill us with your enablement so that we can proclaim your gospel.

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mass historia

Posted on July 22, 2017 by Jefferson Vann

july-22

devotional post # 2085

Luke 24:36-43

Luk 24:36 While they were discussing these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, “Peace to you!”
Luk 24:37 But they were shocked and scared and thought they saw a spirit.
Luk 24:38 And he said to them, “Why are you distressed, and why do doubts emerge from your hearts?
Luk 24:39 Look at my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see. Because a spirit does not have flesh and bones like you see that I have.”
Luk 24:40 And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet.
Luk 24:41 And even though they still disbelieved because of joy and were marveling, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?”
Luk 24:42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish,
Luk 24:43 and he took it and ate before them.

mass historia

Some say that the stories of Jesus’ resurrection are the products of mass hysteria — that the disciples dreamed them because they wanted him to be alive. But the stories reflect not their zeal for his presence, but their reluctance to accept it. Jesus had to encourage them to look, feel and eat themselves into the historical reality of his resurrected life.

Now that he has returned to heaven, it is all the more important for us to know that there is a human body up there, and that what he says about his return to earth is just as true as what he had said about his return from the grave. He has left this record of his resurrection in the Scriptures. He invites us to trust in it, and expect his return, because he is not content to be merely a doctrine. He is coming again!

LORD, we trust your word, and we expect your return.

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slow hearts, burning hearts

Posted on July 21, 2017 by Jefferson Vann

july-21

devotional post # 2084

Luke 24:13-35

Luk 24:13 That same day two of them were going to a town called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem,
Luk 24:14 and they were discussing all these things that had happened with each other about .
Luk 24:15 While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself came close and went with them.
Luk 24:16 But their eyes were kept from recognizing him.
Luk 24:17 And he said to them, “What is this discussion that you are holding with each other as you walk?” And they stood still, looking sad.
Luk 24:18 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?”
Luk 24:19 And he said to them, “What things?” And they said to him, “Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet with strong a work and word in God’s presence and all the people,
Luk 24:20 and how our chief priests and rulers betrayed him to be condemned to death, and crucified him.
Luk 24:21 But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and not only that, it is now the third day since these things happened.
Luk 24:22 Also, some women of our group amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning,
Luk 24:23 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.
Luk 24:24 Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see him.”
Luk 24:25 And he said to them, “O stupid ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken!
Luk 24:26 Was it not necessary that the Christ should go through these events and enter into his glory?”
Luk 24:27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.
Luk 24:28 So they came close to the village to which they were going. He acted as if he were going farther,
Luk 24:29 but they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, because it is near evening and the day is now far spent.” So he went in to stay with them.
Luk 24:30 When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them.
Luk 24:31 And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he disappeared from their sight.
Luk 24:32 They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?”
Luk 24:33 And they got up that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together,
Luk 24:34 saying, “The Lord has really risen, and has appeared to Simon!”
Luk 24:35 Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was revealed to them by the breaking of the bread.

slow hearts, burning hearts

This beautiful story reveals that even those of us who want to see Jesus will have trouble recognizing him in this age before he physically returns. But there is a remedy to this problem. The Christ who we first met in the gospels now invites us to find him in the pages of the Old Testament. He is there, but our hearts are slow to believe it. But when we catch on, and we come to find the other stories of Jesus at work, our hearts will burn within us as the two on the road to Emmaus experienced.

LORD, show us yourself in the Scriptures.

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not seeing is believing

Posted on July 20, 2017 by Jefferson Vann

july-20

devotional post # 2083

Luke 24:1-12

Luk 24:1 But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, having taken the spices they had prepared.
Luk 24:2 And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb,
Luk 24:3 but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.
Luk 24:4 While they were confused about this, notice, two men stood by them in bright clothing.
Luk 24:5 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?
Luk 24:6 He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee,
Luk 24:7 that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.”
Luk 24:8 And they remembered his words,
Luk 24:9 and returning from the tomb they told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest.
Luk 24:10 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,
Luk 24:11 but these words seemed to them a curious story, and they did not believe them.
Luk 24:12 But Peter got up and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home amazed at what had happened.

not seeing is believing

There were two trips to the graveyard that Sunday morning, and both of them were life-changing. The delegation of women dropped their burial spices, and fell to the ground when they saw two men in bright clothing. But it was what the men said that was most significant. They reminded the ladies what Jesus had taught concerning his crucifixion, death and resurrection.

Peter could not believe it either, but not seeing was believing for him. He saw Jesus’ discarded clothing in the empty tomp.

LORD, wake us all up to the reality of your resurrection and the difference it now makes forever.

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back to normal

Posted on July 19, 2017 by Jefferson Vann

july-19

devotional post # 2082

Luke 23:50-56

Luk 23:50 Now there was a man named Joseph, from the Jewish town of Arimathea. He was a member of the council, a good and righteous man,
Luk 23:51 who had not agreed to their choice and action; and he was expecting the kingdom of God.
Luk 23:52 This man went to Pilate and requested the body of Jesus.
Luk 23:53 Then he took it down and had it wrapped in a linen shroud and laid him in a tomb cut in stone, where no one had ever yet been laid.
Luk 23:54 It was the day of Preparation, and the Sabbath was beginning.
Luk 23:55 The women who had come with him from Galilee followed and saw the tomb and how his body was laid.
Luk 23:56 Then they returned and prepared spices and oils. On the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment.

back to normal

It was apparently unusual for criminals to be given any sort of elaborate burial preparations. So, we see again that reality kind of slips back into place after the death of Christ. Joseph and the Galilean women are allowed to treat Jesus’ body with respect, the surreal hatred of him forgotten after the deed is done. Sabbath rules and Passover preparations slip back into place and the world returns to normal. Everything has changed now, but nobody seems to know it.

LORD, wake us to the reality that has changed everything: your atonement.

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over and done with

Posted on July 18, 2017 by Jefferson Vann

july-18

devotional post # 2081

Luke 23:47-49

Luk 23:47 As soon as the centurion saw what had taken place, he began praising God. He said, “Certainly this man was innocent!”
Luk 23:48 And all the crowds that had assembled for this spectacle, when they saw what had taken place, returned home beating their breasts.
Luk 23:49 And all his acquaintances and the women who had followed him from Galilee stood at a distance observing these things.

over and done with

When all the frenzy of Jesus’ “trials” and crucifixion were over and done with, it seems that the perpetrators woke from the spell they were under, and noticed that they had condemned and murdered an innocent man. All of the fear, anger, arrogance and corruption had conspired to bring this lamb to the slaughter. Once it was done, the people knew it had been wrong. But God allowed us to do our worst to him, so that he could offer his best to us.

LORD, forgive us for our betrayal. Cleanse us of the guilt and sin that put Jesus on the cross.

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three hours of darkness

Posted on July 17, 2017 by Jefferson Vann

july-17

devotional post # 2080

Luke 23:44-46

Luk 23:44 It was now about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour,
Luk 23:45 while the sun’s light failed. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two.
Luk 23:46 Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I entrust my spirit!” And having said this he breathed his last.

three hours of darkness

The light had come into the world, but the inhabitants of this world loved darkness, rather than light. So, the final hours of our Lord’s life were spent in darkness. A curtain was torn in two, and no one noticed its significance. The Lord of light was making a new way into his Father’s presence. Until his resurrection, he entrusted his dead spirit into the hands of the Father. Three hours of darkness for three days of death.

LORD, thank you for dying for us, rescuing us from darkness and death.

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beyond condemnation

Posted on July 16, 2017 by Jefferson Vann

july-16

devotional post # 2079

Luke 23:39-43

Luk 23:39 One of the criminals who were being crucified berated him. He said, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!”
Luk 23:40 But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, because you are under the same sentence of condemnation?
Luk 23:41 And we actually justly, because we are receiving the due punishment for our crimes; but this man has done nothing wrong.”
Luk 23:42 And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
Luk 23:43 And he said to him, “I truly tell you today, you will be with me in Paradise.”

beyond condemnation

One of the criminals also challenged Jesus to save himself — purely out of hopes that his rescue might include his own. But the other criminal decided not to do that. He somehow was able to look beyond his own condemnation and still believed in a future.

Jesus rewarded that faith.

LORD, may we be the kind of people — and have the kind of faith — that looks beyond the tough times — and believes in a future where Christ reigns.

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strength to face ridicule

Posted on July 15, 2017 by Jefferson Vann

july-15

devotional post # 2078

Luke 23:32-38

Luk 23:32 Two others, who were criminals, were being led out to be put to death with him.
Luk 23:33 And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left.
Luk 23:34 And Jesus prayed, “Father, forgive them, because they do not know what they are doing.” And they cast lots to divvy up his garments.
Luk 23:35 And the people stood by, watching, but the rulers ridiculed him. They said, “He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ from God, his Chosen One!”
Luk 23:36 The soldiers also ridiculed him, coming up and offering him sour wine
Luk 23:37 and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!”
Luk 23:38 There was also an inscription over him, “This is the King of the Jews.”

strength to face ridicule

As I once again read these words which describe the Savior’s crucifixion, I hear two groups challenging Jesus to save himself. One is the rulers among the Jews who ridicule him with the challenge. They think Jesus was a phony, and expect him to be unable to save himself.

The other group is the soldiers, whose challenge sounds similar, but it appears to be actually a challenge to incite a powerful army that could overthrow them. They also expected Jesus to be unable to do what they suggest.

Jesus ignores both challenges, not because he was unable, but because his death would bring the forgiveness he prayed for.

Thank you LORD, for being strong enough to ignore the challenges to display your strength.

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