Ascension - Day 02
Day 02: Tuesday, April 11
Read Luke 24:13-49
Highlight
Here is another example of followers of Jesus not recognizing him over the course of a seven mile journey (and most of dinner). The explanation of this instance is certainly miraculous. We aren’t told why Jesus kept his identity hidden, but the most likely explanation is that it was symbolic: the disciples didn’t “see” Jesus’ identity as the Messiah so they were kept from seeing his identity at all. When the Scriptures had been explained to them and they came to an understanding of what the Messiah had to go through, they also were miraculously allowed to see Jesus for who he truly was.
This is a theme of the post-resurrection interactions with Jesus: the understanding the disciples came to about Jesus’ identity as the long-awaited savior of Israel was reached through divine means. In fact, even in this reading the same phrase “were opened” is used repeatedly: the Scriptures, their eyes, and their minds were all “opened” by Jesus’ divine gift.
What Jesus opens their minds to see is how every word of Scripture is ultimately about him. That every covenant, every symbol, every prophecy in the entire Old Testament pointed to God’s plan to redeem the world through the sacrifice, resurrection, and ascension of His Son. This is why no matter what section of the Bible we are reading from, our hearts should “burn within us” because it’s talking about the love, power, and goodness of our Heavenly Father.
Reflection
Every passage in the Bible, including the one you just read, is “...inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.” 2 Timothy 3:16
Prayer
Let the passage we just read guide your prayers. Use the acronym ACTS.
Adoration - Praise God for the truth this passage communicated about him.
Confession - Confess to God the thing that this passage showed you is wrong in your life.
Thanksgiving - Thank God for what this passage taught you was true about you and for the ways He is already helping you to do what is right.
Supplication - Ask God for help to do what this passage teaches to do and accomplish the good works he has for you.
Read Luke 24:13-49
Highlight
Here is another example of followers of Jesus not recognizing him over the course of a seven mile journey (and most of dinner). The explanation of this instance is certainly miraculous. We aren’t told why Jesus kept his identity hidden, but the most likely explanation is that it was symbolic: the disciples didn’t “see” Jesus’ identity as the Messiah so they were kept from seeing his identity at all. When the Scriptures had been explained to them and they came to an understanding of what the Messiah had to go through, they also were miraculously allowed to see Jesus for who he truly was.
This is a theme of the post-resurrection interactions with Jesus: the understanding the disciples came to about Jesus’ identity as the long-awaited savior of Israel was reached through divine means. In fact, even in this reading the same phrase “were opened” is used repeatedly: the Scriptures, their eyes, and their minds were all “opened” by Jesus’ divine gift.
What Jesus opens their minds to see is how every word of Scripture is ultimately about him. That every covenant, every symbol, every prophecy in the entire Old Testament pointed to God’s plan to redeem the world through the sacrifice, resurrection, and ascension of His Son. This is why no matter what section of the Bible we are reading from, our hearts should “burn within us” because it’s talking about the love, power, and goodness of our Heavenly Father.
Reflection
Every passage in the Bible, including the one you just read, is “...inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.” 2 Timothy 3:16
- What in this passage did the Spirit bring to light for you?
- What are you going to do in your life to respond to this passage?
Prayer
Let the passage we just read guide your prayers. Use the acronym ACTS.
Adoration - Praise God for the truth this passage communicated about him.
Confession - Confess to God the thing that this passage showed you is wrong in your life.
Thanksgiving - Thank God for what this passage taught you was true about you and for the ways He is already helping you to do what is right.
Supplication - Ask God for help to do what this passage teaches to do and accomplish the good works he has for you.
Posted in Easter 2023