It was a very blessed weekend, I caught a good few hour nap this recovery Monday, after sleeping all night… I had a great weekend but intensity plus relaxation plus people connecting in hyper drive takes a mini toll on the body, on sleep, which is crucial for processing. Gratefully Jesus keeps getting us back on track. I may not even choose to get on track for a while, I’m going to do much resting now, at my home station this week, before I travel again next week.
One of our great and deepest conversations from the weekend, a spiritual 4 day weekend, was at my small table. We discussed that the Lord doesn’t always give us the quick fix for our problems. Sometimes it takes a long time and even sometimes not until we’re in Heaven for all to be remedied. Yet we DO see healings and answered prayers in many ways all the time, small and big things. AND WE ARE STRENGTHENED BY THE LORD FOR ALL OUR DAYS. “The Lord stood with me and strengthened me.” 2nd Tim 4:17
Now what about “Jesus cheese us”?
I know people MIGHT think it’s weird that I saved a piece of cheese (for now) that accidentally fell into my lanyard pack after taco night, but I was so impressed (as a scientist) with the spread oil stain that diffused from just one piece of cheese onto my paper. The oil stain might remind that a little grease in our wheels can go a long way. I even moved that cheese and another stain appeared. I may not save this cheese (or maybe I will, LOL), but what is not going to disappear from the weekend is the memory that God gave me, gave us, a moment to praise, pray, ponder, cry, collect ourselves, and hug… God put us together and we had time to figure out why, and start new friendships of faith, with free-form conversations of knowing Jesus IN us, plus knowing that we need to share Jesus with others.
If a piece of cheese, which I could name: “Jesus cheese us”, can spread some grease, can not we better grease some conversations with HOPE, with PRAYER, with LOVE? With Jesus? If Jesus can cheese us, and choose us, then we can choose to cheese the world with a little love that goes a long way.
I have often relived an image (photo below) of a famous picture and notion. One of a little girl straightening her crown, with the caption of: “On the darkest days when I feel inadequate, unloved, and unworthy, I remember whose daughter I am, and I straighten my Crown!” It’s both a reminder of us being worthy and being chosen. 1 Peter 2:9 teaches: “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light…”
And for me? “When I have nothing left in my tank to give, I will remember that “Jesus cheese us” can always eek out one more streak of oil, and I can eek out one more praise of life lived loved by God.
I dilly-dallied in my trip home, from camp, a spiritually awesome weekend, just enough to see and feel the rain come, but not a heavy storm so I did not fear.
At camp, I loved time to disconnect from the world to connect more deeply with the Lord and each other.
So, in pondering pause, I stopped to write a devotion, and post it. That allowed me to see these rainbows. I had to chase them. One has to change direction driving ones life to get the sun at your back, you had to look to see how the LIGHT overcomes the darkness, it looks like the rainbows are a promise to push the darkness away… that is our faith too, we must re-angle our direction and point of view to see God’s rainbows (even while still in the storms)…
And in community or in solo, may we always feel God strengthening us.
I’ve been away this long (Thursday to now Sunday) weekend at a teaching women’s retreat for development of church leaders, strengthening of faith and trust and empathy and TRUST ME the attendees and the organizers are both touched by the Lord – in action plans and everything. Jesus is active all the time and what’s an amazing thing is that we can be more Jesus-like and help others. It’s like we can stand in the gap when the people are experiencing loss, mistrust, loneliness, heartbreak… and we can also provide joy, hope, understanding, relationships, love.
So in the mini series of these devotions recently: Jesus Teaches, Jesus Tells, Jesus Truth, Jesus Trust – well, there’s no harder work for us than to have JESUS TRUST. Having JESUS TRUST means we can act on behalf of Jesus and trust that He will give us the words, actions, direction. We can bare fruit for Him. Trust Jesus for His Jesus Trust.
Can anyone of us say we understand all the ins and outs of how Jesus works and holds onto the universe and keep the chaos from being loosed to its full extent, yet? I can’t, but know someday in Heaven we will understand more, just until then we have to trust. How can Jesus can move mountains AND know our most intimate thoughts? Hmmm… How can we understand the maneuverings of His Holy Spirit in everything from world workings to in the sweetness of placement of a little rubber figurine being moved around by the faithful, to where people might be inspired to chuckle, smile, cry, wish, hope, and love? The mysteries of the Holy Spirit are greater than the mysteries of the Universe.
This – these little figurines of Jesus are a modern fad but a sweet one. And this weekend at the event, a lot of Little Jesus’s were shared. And A LOT of A LOT of JESUS was gifted. and I trust that Jesus stands in the gap for me.
A friend posted on Facebook how they saw a little Jesus figurine in a crack of a curb at a gardens. How cute but how fitting as a repeated occurrence. Lots of people hide these little figurines as encouragement as Jesus will stand in the gap for us. We have to TRUST that He exists even if we don’t see Him. We have to trust that He works in our lives even if we don’t feel Him. We have to trust that He holds the whole universe and then some, together, and he holds us so tight and close to Him, forever.
So today, please TRUST JESUS. This is how we see more and more of JESUS TRUST making a difference, and standing in the gap.
I know we know lots of people who have various faiths. One aspect (undeniable and a truth) of being a Christian is following Jesus Christ. And it is being of faith that is being open to God.
The truth about Jesus is that Jesus is Truth. We can not deny His Diety, His existence nor His Calling on our lives as His followers. Like psalm 139, He will find us, reach to us.
I recently shared my awakening story in super condensed fashion and a poem about piety, the openness to God of following Him. I’m not sharing the whole presentation, just parts. This write up as a speech has poetry included within the writing. Again it is not the whole speech, just my personal testimony (in ‘brief’).
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One day (December 10th 2014), I woke up – just woke up wide awake – 2:30AM – and I started writing – processing – pondering – NOT SURE EVEN WHOM I WAS WRITING TO – BUT I WAS writing out things that I should have been DISCUSSING WITH GOD for years – so much – and all that went into WRITING AND WRITING, I can see now, in hindsight, that I had to process my faith beliefs AND disbeliefs – I was answering questions that I myself had – I was taking stock of life – but also dedicating time – essentially teaching myself where I thought I would/could/should be better in my faith. In hindsight, I can tell you that I really didn’t know if Jesus was the Son of God – where is the data? Who wrote these New Testament chapters and could we trust it was not more than a telephone game passing info down the road – maybe Jesus was just another prophet with a publicist – how was I to know??? What was evident to God and to me was that I was IGNORANT in my faith – God was fixing that.
I wasn’t completely cold or uneducated – I was president of the women’s united methodist group for years, taught Sunday school and even ran vacation bible school. At that time in Dec 2014, I was truly scared at why I was having to wake up and write out these 2:30am conversations and explanations – I was scared that the Lord was taking over my brain – I chose to talk to no one about it – but after about 2 weeks my head and heart pouring out – dare I say popping out of my head into my fingers – both diatribes of ignorance then natural faith devotional writings (wondering where it came from and why). I hid these writings by emailing them to myself – printing them out and hiding them in my car. I found about 2 weeks later then I had to speak to SOMEBODY – and God choose for me to reach to some folks outside my normal faith circle – not my spouse – not my pastor until later – just the right person at the right time who didn’t interfere nor challenge nor coddle me – just listened – said “these are real, Debbie, raw – open and real…”.
I was not sure what was going on –- but later I realized – again in Holy Spirit nudging way – that THIS was an AWAKENING. I was painfully but blessedly going through the birth of Jesus IN me. I was AWAKENING.
AND IN THIS AWAKENING – over the course of almost 2 months – I started absorbing scripture with a voracious appetite – praise songs to fill my headspace – I saw signs (little and big) and wonders and seemingly perfectly placed people in my path – As a scientist, God knew I needed the data – and wow he found the people (often in duplicates) and the info (to be my “data” catch up, also in duplicate) to send my way – wow God seemed to know – imagine that! That God knows where we are and where we aren’t – and He knows to “show us the Way.”
And in my writings which continued I was acknowledging that I wasn’t listening to God in all that I could be – and this writing helped me do participatory processing – God got my head on straight and led me to notice Jesus who chose to grab me ever so gently and wake me up – like Jarius’s daughter (Mark 5:21-43). God knew my faith was dead – Jesus said “eh, she is just sleeping” – and Jesus took control of the situation, I was born again, and Jesus has never let me go since…
John 10:28 scripture recounts Jesus says: “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand”.
I REALIZED THIS FEB 1ST 2015 – I HAD CHANGED – I used to be uninformed and 50:50 on Jesus – Now I WAS WITH JESUS 100% – IT WAS 50 WRITINGS IN 6 WEEKS – AND a recording of AN AWAKENING showing that IT WAS GOD AND GOD ONLY saving me.
My writings – I slowly shared with friends and later on – months later – I really simply asked God – can I stop? – am I done writing now? Can I be done please? I’m with you now Lord 100% as my SAVIOR – but why am I still waking up (gratefully not 230am anymore – but 5am) and so I asked God if He would stop doing that – stop waking me up – stop making me write – I was no longer petrified yet still puzzled – perhaps I still am – eleven years ago I was praying if maybe God would let me return to “my normal” – God said “NO”. I DON’T EVEN ASK NOW – I JUST WRITE – AND WRITE.
God said “YES YOU – I called YOU” – God said call Me YOUR LORD… YES Lord… God continually said: “there’s no turning back” – “When you serve Me – which is the best path for you – and you put your hand to the plow like the scripture of Luke 9:62)– then LOOK FORWARD – there’s no turning back – no turning back. Here is one such poem that “popped out of me”: called Patchwork: “I am a patchwork quilt of bible understanding – God makes a warm blanket out of me even though my patchwork quilt is made of a multitude of bible scraps… God’s WORD is still being sewn delicately and strongly together into my head, my heart, and my soul, by God’s gentle hands” … God says He can use me – and He doesn’t throw any of His scraps or discard any of His children or waste His Word in any way. I am a patchwork quilt of bible understanding – but He reads me needs me and loves me, just the way I am.
Yes, Poetry POPS out of me with Purpose – Essentially in practicality, God tells us that we are His and no one else’s – but I was too busy for too many years to figure out what I was missing in my relationship with God – I was too distracted and full of my own agenda – but I was not doing bad things – I was just mostly going about things without consulting Him enough – and then – beginning in these morning writing wake ups – God essentially said to me: “[now is the time to start listening – to stop drifting – to be caught in my net – and to start and keep swimming WITH Me not against My Tide]”…
Here’s the Poetry
Pursuit of Piety = with P’s to PoPulate the Point:
The Lord brought me to a Place of Peace well before certain Particulars POPPED UP in my Path.
Particulars of Problems have POPPED UP Personally, even Presently, but because of PIETY, His PEACE and PURPOSE Permeate me with Perseverance.
Praises and Prayer for His Promised Protection Pay off in Peace.
A Practicality of Piety is that God gets to POPulate which Powerful Phrases Perhaps Punch or
POP into our Processing and Prevent Problem Pitfalls
Piety Provokes Pursuits of His Path, causing the Pickup of our Pleasing Pace, and Put us Positionally Properly in Praise and Prayer.
God will Ply His Powerful Word, Plus Props and People Particularly Placed to Pursue us and to get us out of a Pickle. God asks for our Piety to Pull us into His Peace, Permanently.
Piety is tapping into God’s Presence, Pursuit being under His Pavillion, as well as Perceiving Proper Place, Plus Piety gives Procedures for Path Paving, Particularly Pointing to Him, not just as Partner but Him as Lord, Abba, Father, Papa.
No Photographic memory Plates needed, PIETY Pieces together Parts of scripture to Purpose, to Ply and apply Properly.
Whether our Piety Platform uses Paper, or Phone apps, Praise singing, Podcasts, Pamphlets, or VBS Plays, Piety allows our biblical Pursuits to be Proficient and Profitable.
PIETY PROVIDES PROOF POSITIVE THAT God’s Pursuit and THE POWER OF THE WORD is
PRECIOUS. So, Phew, in Prayerful Pleading: I say Piety, Pursue Piety, PLEASE!!!!!!!
Amen
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And that Guidance from God that He gave me directly? Making me write out my awakening and still write to this day – I started put my writing into a blog format to help keep it numbered – now almost 3000 daily writings – I am in chapter 121 in my organizational way – and I do print them on paper too – that is what I want my kids to remember – and others to remember – that I loved the Lord and that God is real and alive and still working in our lives – individually and collectively. One chapter is all processing after my Dad’s death – wow that helped me – and I hope it will help someone else too as I do know eventually, I need to get them published in some fashion – but how and when? Well, I trust the Lord will tell me somehow – I have to be devoted and listen… My piety is still popping.
Plying of piety would change my life – forever – for Him – for me – for you – for who knows. God knows. That is why God wants our piety and our practice and our pursuit of Him. God knows best AND all the rest. He gave me a place and a purpose – in my writing pursuit – a relationship far deeper than any religious practice – a relationship of pursuit and prayer and certainly praise… And this piety puts scriptures into one’s head – to pop up when needed – and I will tell you a short story –a time where something awful had happened – or well, my brain ran away with it – because it was probably manageable but it scared me and I feared immensely – and well the benefit of being in community was that my friend from work, whom I knew was a devout follower of Jesus, she came into the my office just at the right time – when I was so stressed to the point of being ill – and well, I told her – I am so troubled -and I know that if I just raise my hand up to Jesus like Peter – sinking in the water – well – yes – and I lifted my hand – really lifted it and wow – wow wow wow the Lord pulled me up at that moment. Knowing scripture and action and pulling closer to Jesus – begging Him really – my struggle was gone – the situation remained by the peace of mind was palatable and wow… My joy is in that I have repeated this rescue with Jesus seriously at least two or three times since them – the trouble was clarified and most importantly the peace from the Lord POPPED me back into JOY.
[Thank you for letting me share. As you know my writings are curated at debbieupper.blog with writings 1-50 as my awakening, writing 1 is the faith diatribe, writings near 50 are realization having to share. I’ve also written through the whole old testament after through the gospels, 11 years of writings, email format].
In this portion of the small series Jesus Teaches, Jesus Tells, Jesus Truth, Jesus Trust
Jesus Tells
I recently started a new online bible study with a Lutheran pastor and church members which came to me in that sideways way that the Lord provides – and this pastor is going through John 6, the Bread of Life series of scriptures. We know that Jesus is TELLING the others in a slightly coded way – He is clear and yet it is clever enough that people have to figure this out too – that Jesus Himself is God and the Messiah – and the Bread of Life – even before Jesus has Risen (haha – I think that is too funny of a great play on words – but truth!!!) Truth is that people would be willing to believe after He was Risen but surely still skeptical now – and the people who are amazed and want to make Jesus their King – an earthly King – are not yet getting the part that Jesus is a Heavelnly Messiah that must go through some rough times (in other words His earthly life will soon be toast – LOL)…
Anyway – in our discussion of John 6, the pastor stated that the greek text of scriptures is much more indepth because honestly all the Greek does not translate – that so much more insight into the conversation back and forth between Jesus and these possible disciples can be found in their conversation (and surely it is right to say “you had to be there”)… So now – where do we get our crumbs of understanding from? Well, from Jesus plainly TELLING us – that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life…
May we believe in our hearts and our souls and serve in all mind body and soul and know – Jesus tells us to KNOW HIM – we should and we shall.
Amen
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The Bread from Heaven – John 6:22-40 NKJV
On the following day, when the people who were standing on the other side of the sea saw that there was no other boat there, except that one which His disciples had entered, and that Jesus had not entered the boat with His disciples, but His disciples had gone away alone— however, other boats came from Tiberias, near the place where they ate bread after the Lord had given thanks— when the people therefore saw that Jesus was not there, nor His disciples, they also got into boats and came to Capernaum, seeking Jesus. And when they found Him on the other side of the sea, they said to Him, “Rabbi, when did You come here?”
Jesus answered them and said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled. Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him.”
Then they said to Him, “What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?”
Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.”
Therefore they said to Him, “What sign will You perform then, that we may see it and believe You? What work will You do? Our fathers ate the manna in the desert; as it is written, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’ ”
Then Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, Moses did not give you the bread from heaven, but My Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”
Then they said to Him, “Lord, give us this bread always.”
And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst. But I said to you that you have seen Me and yet do not believe. All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out. For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day. And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.”
I’m starting a short series: Jesus Teaches, Jesus Tells, Jesus Truth, Jesus Trust
Today is:
Jesus Teaches:
Jesus said – in teaching: (from Luke 6:46-49): “But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say? Whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like: He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock. But he who heard and did nothing is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation, against which the stream beat vehemently; and immediately it fell. And the ruin of that house was great.”
Jesus teaches this because we can call Him Lord, as some of those people did, but still not pay attention to doing what He asks – and one thing He teaches and He asks is to “TRUST HIM – to listen and hear what Jesus is saying because that is one who builds on solid ground – we have the anchor of the Lord and we won’t be shaken – we look at things and troubles not as annoyances but as more opportunities to see how Jesus will navigate us.
May we look at each day as an opportunity and not let the small stuff shake us – really put on armor of God to protect our hearts and keep moving – may we look to Jesus as LORD and hear HIM as Truth… Let us keep looking to Him.
I appreciate that an action I took, starting a faith friday discussion group once a month, at my now former employer, it was mentioned in the global corporate citizenship report. This initiative was approved by the whole ERG, but I did run it – and I was grateful that we had good discussions by people of many faiths – and we learned from each other…
Today I went to my old work place – it was good to give a presentation to them. I also appreciated the opportunity to be in the building (where my former work place also is) and talk to at least 8 people – which is both nice for me and I think nice for them to know that I am still doing fine.
I decided to open my linked in profile today to “open to work” green circle and yes the recruiters have already started knocking on the door – you never know on these things – so many will clog the in box – but there might be something in there that is for me for a faith walk not just for work…
The Lord leads us in faith work – in both open faith forums, as well as simple day to day interactions. I think I appreciated this so much because I felt the Lord was in the midst of the meetings – and I appreciate that He wants all of us to be out there and just be His…
May we all be “open to work” for the Lord – you never know who is watching and that the Lord is watering their soil along with your seed planting – so true…
Blessed to share a sermon today at my church on the scripture of Walk to Emmaus, Luke 24.
I found it a bit classic comic Lord funny as the slides were not uploaded as they thought they were – so I had to give my sermon “a Capela – ah without slides eh?” – it was fine – and I had to laugh because in my new foray into learning a little AI – I asked copilot to see what images for slides were available for the walk to Emmaus scripture – and it came up with a whole slide deck and not surprising that the text was so textbook – not personalized and our journey’s are so personalized with the Lord – and so I didn’t use the text of course – added my own – I have no problem adding words – LOL – but took some of the images which were nice and thought-provoking…. and well – with no slides and not really wanting to read my text – it was a good opportunity to simply speak through my thoughts… “It’s a Process” – and I had some good P words in my sermon (a tribute to a friend) – and giving the sermon in a personalized nature was more in the Lord’s plans today (apparently) – having the change to ad-lib and speak off the cuff – yet with notes – it is a bit like holding the hem of the robe – always trusting in Jesus…
Here is the text with slides – the slides add the punch of the points – that our journey is individualized… It really is…
Thank God for this journey we are all on – our walk and certainly our run – always with HIM… And we did have blessed participation from members of the congregation and I appreciate that we are in community!!!
Scripture Reading 1 (Luke 24:13-27)
Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. They were talking with each other about everything that had happened.
As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from recognizing him. He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?”
They stood still, their faces downcast. One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” “What things?” he asked.
“About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel.
And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see Jesus.”
He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.
Scripture Reading 2 (Luke 24:28-35)
As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them.
When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight.
They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”
They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.”
Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.
So – we are a week out from Easter – and in the Orthodox church they celebrate Easter today – and we hope that we remember that we are Easter people – and therefore ALL THINGS ARE NEW – every day is a new day with new people and new situations and a renewed HOPE – mercies are fresh each morning…
The new flowers are amazing – the new babies – I know we are keeping a church family in prayer with their new little ones… We also have new hope – and new life.
Today in our sermon series I am blessed to have us think through and talk through the NEWNESS – by studying the Gospel of Luke 24 – and I hope we can find a renewed personal connection in this story – WE HAVE RESURRECTED HOPE and I hope that we can find Jesus finding us on a Personal walk to Emmaus – and well – FROM EMMAUS – we have to wonder how FAST those disciples RAN back to their other friends – WOW – can you even imagine????
So, let us start travelling On the Road to Emmaus – from the Gospel of Luke 24 – Luke was a person who interviewed everyone – he must have learned so much from these two.
Let’s think:
Jesus Tells of the Fulfillment of Prophecy – Jesus can give the “Low Down” – He’s got the revelation – they must have thought him a good study of the scriptures – a rabbi perhaps –
Jesus IS the fulfillment of the Prophecy – He IS the Promise – it seems laid out to us now – if we too study the scriptures and get it pieced together from Genesis on… but wow at that moment – even with 3 years with Jesus it still – WOW had to be connected for those folks – Jesus is very personal – very individual…
Jesus shows and tells God’s Plan – and in this – unknown to known – we can see a transition from despair to HOPE
But why would Jesus need to be in DISQUISE before He was revealed – is it to remind us of our own Spiritual Blindness? Or perhaps we listen better when we are hearing from one of us – a equal who speaks our language – and certainly Jesus, although not equal, humbled Himself to come down to be poor – to be raised by poor folks – to be amongst the people who would learn from Him and no one could dispute that these people would not have learned this information or be transformed by some non-Holy entity. And remember that Jesus gave this information in parts – His Revelation was in parts – not to overwhelm – not to lose them with too much info – not to go “Over their heads” – but instead engage them in conversations and let the info soak deeper into their understanding. Actually they may have had all the information but it wasn’t put together in their heads.
*** And OH – wouldn’t you have loved to have heard Jesus directly making these connections between the prophecies – from Moses and the Law to Him in the Flesh – wouldn’t that have been amazing??? Well, isn’t it true that we can read the scriptures ourselves and be walking with Jesus – the old testament is not easy to get through – but when it is thought of in the context of lining up all the paths to Jesus coming – and the people too – and the promises and prophecies – well, we can understand (if we understand) that Jesus came on purpose and His suffering and death were on purpose and God’s Plan is above our plan.
Jesus on that road must have helped immensely with the PROCESSING – another P – Plan – Promise – Prophecy – Purpose – It’s a Process… The scripture says: “And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.” – So interesting to think that the “How?” and “Why?” are answered but not revealed to one’s heart and head at the right time until JESUS does that – until GOD waters the seeds planted – until the Time is Right to understand…
Who did the disciples think would be the Messiah – who did the Sanhedrin and the Pharisees – and who today do Jews think will be the Messiah? Surely the “data” is there – it is certainly compacted tightly into the scriptures and Jesus Himself had to come to explain it – in other words Jesus is an open book – but He Himself has to open this book!!!
A Walk to Emmaus is a personal revelation so that we ourselves can say and can witness that it wasn’t “a people” or “a religion” – but it was God and is God HIMSELF who opens these sections of our brain and Who brings our hearts into connection.
And so, the story tips here – turns – in the second part of the scripture that was read – we see a turn don’t we? Do you remember what the disciples did when they got to Emmaus – to their village and houses? ??? (wait for answers) did they say ‘see ya thanks!’ – no, they invited Jesus in.
We too – we have to INVITE JESUS into our lives – we have to walk with Him but then say – “um, can you stay with me?” – Yes we are to be hospitable like those disciples, but also to say “can you tell me more?”
Next slide….
What about us? Are we disciples wanting to know more? Are we at least walking and talking to someone else about our faith – questioning and also confirming?
READ FROM SLIDE: These are all good things to take a Walk with Jesus with…
Experience – have we taken the time even to walk through our thoughts – perhaps walked through a scripture and then applied it to our lives – I always am thinking that the story of Joseph and his brothers (sons of Jacob) pertains so much to lives – and then what about the forgiveness of Jesus mirrored in it?
Struggle or Pain? Can we share these with Jesus – “He always listens” my friend recently told me – tell God first because He already knows – ask Jesus where is the HOPE – trust in the Lord and depend upon and look for the Holy Spirit for bringing the right remedies…
Sorrow or Disbelief – can we hash out these things by taking a physical walk – getting out when things get heated to clear our heads? – what about same thing but walking with Jesus?
And Who defines our Identity? – Are we remembering that we are children of God – that we are sons and daughters of the King – that God loved us before we were created – before the beginning of time – even sent Jesus to die for us… BE HIS…
Isn’t this a fabulous image – I will admit that I got these images off of the internet – the words are my own (well Spirit led I pray) – but the images were placed by another Spirit led – I don’t know who to give credit to – but perhaps some day in heaven I will know – and perhaps they were praying for someone to use them… And that is forever community…
I appreciate that Jesus was together in community with the 2 of them as they walked – in community – and then broke bread – it was a communion moment – but also a community moment – where there were likely more there to eat as well – and that is where it all got put together…
The illustrations of prophecy burned their hearts but their heads when AHA!!!!! And more than that – when they were removed from spiritual blindness to see…
Communion he revealed himself in communion. That’s where he wants us to know him best in community. THAT IS SOMETHING THE EARLY CHURCH DID – STAY IN COMMUNITY. SUPPORT EACH OTHER – DISCUSS LIVING AND THRIVING TO CONTINUE HIS MISSION – THOSE DISCIPLES WERE NEVER THE SAME AFTER THAT…
WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE – And oh the running – how fast could they have run? How much their eyes were opened – and their hearts burning? When have you felt your heart burning – do a couple of people want to share a burning heart experience? Or some say holy spirit goosebumps?
TELL ME WHAT IS SOMETHING YOU MIGHT HAVE SAID TO EACH OTHER ON THE WAY TO EMMAUS, ANY FRUSTRATIONS? ANY HOPES?
AND COMPARE TO WHAT IS SOMETHING YOU WOULD HAVE SAID ON THE WAY BACK?
AND WHAT IS SOMETHING YOU MIGHT HAVE TOLD THE OTHERS? WHERE IN YOUR LIFE COULD YOU HAVE SAID – I SAW – I BELIEVED – THIS IS A REAL EXPERIENCE! ???
AND WHERE DOES THIS LEAVE US – WHERE DID IT LEAVE THE DISCIPLES? INSTEAD OF AN END OF THE ROAD – LIKE THEIR HOPES WERE DASHED THAT JESUS WAS THE MESSIAH – IN STEAD IT OPENS UP? DO WE ALSO KNOW THAT?
DOES IT MEAN THE ROAD IS EASY ? NO – DOES IT MEAN THE JOURNEY BEGINS?
AND WHERE IS OUR HOPE??? WE ARE EASTER CHRISTIANS – AND YET WE ARE NOT LEFT ALONE ON THIS NEW ROAD – WE HAVE JESUS ALONGSIDE – WE HAVE JESUS IN COMMUNNION – WE HAVE JESUS TO BE TO EACH OTHER – AND HOPE
THE CLASSIC SPRITUAL SONG – Just A Closer Walk With Thee – THE LYRICS ARE SO GOOD HERE – AND I WILL CLOSE WITH THESE LYRICS and then a prayer:
For the Kingdom of Heaven is like Falling Asleep on the Couch, 17MAR
The most exhausted and wonderful feeling is falling asleep on the couch. You can’t and won’t budge. You wouldn’t trade that couch for the world and certainly NOT a cold bed unless forced to. Forced by a bad neck position or knowing that longer sleep awaits you in bed? Then maybe you will move from the couch, but that’s the hardest move to make. That cushy comfort zone of a couch is completely unmistakably the best…. add a blanket and you are toast to the world… must be like a slice of that peace feeling just like you are entering the Kingdom of Heaven. So yes, even better the Kingdom of Heaven is HEAVEN!
There’s NO place like Heaven.
Even the couch cannot come close.
But falling asleep on the couch can be the best thing – chosen or forced. You have no choice being dead tired. You need that couch peace. Falling asleep on the couch is allowing yourself to take advantage of a slice of peace. So yes, even better – the Kingdom of Heaven is all about PEACE.
Falling asleep on the couch is healing, a 2-hour deep sleep, even a 10-minute power nap and you feel ready to take on the world once again, or at least have the energy to brush your teeth and get to bed. So yes, even better the Kingdom of Heaven is so HEALING that even thinking about it will force you to prepare your life to add little more into peace… It is always good to remember to make amends today for tomorrow’s sake…
Couch sleep is where people hate to disturb you, they know that you need that peace. If anything, they long to put a blanket on you and look longingly lovingly at your moment of peace – for you, for themselves – for peace. So yes, even better the Kingdom of Heaven is where we know everyone will be OK.
God knows PEACE – Jesus ransoms your PEACE for you – the Spirit joins you when you enter your couch PEACE… Be at PEACE.
Sleep is a gift, a forced peace of the moment when the world fades away and there’s nothing getting you off the couch. Putting away all your worries and drifting into sleep is like the force of PEACE calling you – everyday…
The Kingdom of Heaven is a place that I would never want to leave. The permanent pearly peace. The warmth of Jesus, the peace of God, the freedom of the Spirit. We should be ready. We should long for Heaven WITHOUT being in a rush to get there. We should prep just in case it’s coming sooner than we anticipate.
Let’s be ready. We need to be in His service and not fall asleep in our faith. We need to fall away from our humanness to prepare for another day working for the Lord’s peace.
In the meantime, enjoy the couch peace when you can get it.
Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.
Strengthen your hearts for the coming of the Lord is near. James 5
I really enjoyed the NASA space feed yesterday on YouTube, approaching the moon, flyby observations and then they went behind the moon, communication blackout, with reconnecting after 40 minutes. It was a listening experience, because the fine detailed images won’t be released to us for a while. I listened and was able to pause the feed to screenshot the astronaut showing us the quick photo on his phone. Wow, I can’t even imagine how glorious it must have been to look out the window.
“God Speed” the command center woman spoke as they were about to go behind the moon. And the astronaut quoted Christ as teaching the greatest important commandment is to LOVE GOD, and second is also great: LOVE EACH OTHER.
GODSPEED TO THAT MESSAGE GETTING THROUGH.
Then, they each said, “See you on the other side.”
The conversational encouragement, which the astronaut and ground folks shared, and engaged my ear, spoke that essentially as AMAZING as the moon is, the heavens, the travel etc, it’s the LOVE in existence and the people of earth’s shared LOVE which is felt and acknowledged as MORE – and transversing the distance. That they sensed LOVE as BIGGER. BIGGEST. No thing or activity replaces LOVE.
Love gives opportunities too. And one of the opportunities is to trust! Love gives us the opportunity to be okay when we say: “See you on the other side”, whether that is a short stretch of time, like forty minutes to the space mission behind the moon, or a long unknown time. I think when we kiss our loved ones goodbye, even in death, we must trust and know that we will see them on the other side, and we want them comforted to see us.
And since the other side is where God ALSO is, as He is here, we must TRUST that we have LOVE and will LOVE on the other side.
“LOVE YOU ON THE OTHER SIDE!!!” should be our new catchphrase.
Let us all believe that no matter where we go, the LOVE of God is bigger, greater, more fulfilling than anything or from anyone. Love is shareable and non-destructable even through death.
Let us trust God always and keep moving. Let us rest in the Lord and watch Him move. God moves more than the heavens, He moves us to love.
Amen
—
Matthew 22:36-40 NKJV
“Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?”
Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”
—-
To quote a musical spaceman planted on earth: “I don’t know where I’m going from here, but I promise it won’t be boring.” David Bowie
It’s a glorious, sunny day and easter feelings continue not to mention the beautiful flowers that have sprung this time of year, it’s “greening up”… (and oh yes, yesterday I started my month-long regime of allergy medicine for the BIG pollen coming soon, the tree pollen.)
And resuming wonderful walks, I couldn’t help but think of the amazements of Easter and the spring springing… Life is coming alive. And on this wonderful walk maybe my neighbors don’t realize the hilarious visual, the juxtaposition of their giant skeleton halloween decoration, which remains up, still wearing a Santa hat, now surrounded by springs finest blooms… Imagine this giant skeleton now being chased and imaginingly being run over by the brightest yellow forsythia, yellow daffodils and white and pink hyacinth, and greenest of grass coming up between it’s toes. LIFE OVERTAKES DEATH. Life will scare the death out of you, and it will never return…
In HIM was LIFE, and the LIFE was the LIGHT of men. And the LIGHT SHINES in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.
There’s nothing compared to the roar of spring bursting onto the scene, except the ROAR of JESUS coming back to LIFE and the quiet humble entrance roar of Jesus, Immanuel, God with us. The lamb may have been slaughtered, but the lion of Judah surely reigns.
I may have written about this giant skeleton previously, because it does look familiar to me, of a puppet of death not able to think, it’s plastic anyway, being used as a prop, but LIFE is LIGHT, the darkness would never be able to understand and will NOT win out.
Jesus saves. No one can take you out of Jesus’s hand. In jesus gives everlasting life. Death has lost its sting.
Okay, time to get that allergy medicine and get my walk in… Everybody keeps shining the LIGHT and know LIFE will scare the death out of the world and forever more.
Amen
John 1:1-34 NKJV
The Eternal Word
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.
John’s Witness: The True Light
There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world.
He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
The Word Becomes Flesh
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
John bore witness of Him and cried out, saying, “This was He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me is preferred before me, for He was before me.’ ”
And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace. For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him.
A Voice in the Wilderness
Now this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.” And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?”
And he answered, “No.”
Then they said to him, “Who are you, that we may give an answer to those who sent us? What do you say about yourself?”
He said: “I am ‘The voice of one crying in the wilderness: “Make straight the way of the Lord,” ’ as the prophet Isaiah said.”
Now those who were sent were from the Pharisees. And they asked him, saying, “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?”
John answered them, saying, “I baptize with water, but there stands One among you whom you do not know. It is He who, coming after me, is preferred before me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose.”
These things were done in Bethabara beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing.
The Lamb of God
The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! This is He of whom I said, ‘After me comes a Man who is preferred before me, for He was before me.’ I did not know Him; but that He should be revealed to Israel, therefore I came baptizing with water.”
And John bore witness, saying, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and He remained upon Him. I did not know Him, but He who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘Upon whom you see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ And I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God.”
Wishing you the most glorious of Easter’s best – the knowledge of Jesus in Salvation. Easter Resurrection is Everything… Hallelujah
Eagerly
Anticipated
Savior’s
Triumphant
Easter
Rising
.
Resurrection
Easter
Savior
Undoes
Rescues
Rectifying
Empowering
Christians
Triumphantly
Immanuel
Overcomes
Necessarily
.
Amen
Happy Easter!
HE HAS RISEN INDEED!
John 20 NKJV
The Empty Tomb Now the first day of the week Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. Then she ran and came to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him.”
Peter therefore went out, and the other disciple, and were going to the tomb. So they both ran together, and the other disciple outran Peter and came to the tomb first. And he, stooping down and looking in, saw the linen cloths lying there; yet he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb; and he saw the linen cloths lying there, and the handkerchief that had been around His head, not lying with the linen cloths, but folded together in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who came to the tomb first, went in also; and he saw and believed. For as yet they did not know the Scripture, that He must rise again from the dead. Then the disciples went away again to their own homes.
Mary Magdalene Sees the Risen Lord But Mary stood outside by the tomb weeping, and as she wept she stooped down and looked into the tomb. And she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. Then they said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?”
She said to them, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him.”
Now when she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?”
She, supposing Him to be the gardener, said to Him, “Sir, if You have carried Him away, tell me where You have laid Him, and I will take Him away.”
Jesus said to her, “Mary!”
She turned and said to Him, “Rabboni!” (which is to say, Teacher).
Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.’ ”
Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that He had spoken these things to her.
The Apostles Commissioned Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.
So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”
Seeing and Believing Now Thomas, called the Twin, one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples therefore said to him, “We have seen the Lord.”
So he said to them, “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.”
And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, “Peace to you!” Then He said to Thomas, “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.”
And Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!”
Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
That You May Believe And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.
My friend and Praise Band Leader, once told me that “The Wonderful Cross” (sometimes called Wondrous Cross) is normally only sung around Good Friday – well our praise band only helped out every couple of years at a Good Friday service, so back then it was more rare to sing. But I do sing it to myself often at this time of year – in the house – in the car – and even hum just the chorus in my mind. Even so I am sure that I have NOT sung this song quite enough – never could – to even start to survey the meaning of the cross enough – Jesus’s Cross – My Cross – Our Crosses to carry to know that we are to sacrifice self in order to be of more SERVICE.
And often that service to Jesus is simply listening and leaning into Him. As we sit with the scriptures, may we be more intentional in internalizing them to give us that strength to pick up our crosses. May we understand both the wonderful and the wondrous.
Picking up our crosses and the lyrics and thought that we “die” to ourselves is not a fatalistic suicidal notion – or necessarily to be killed for what we believe in – it is a dying of self-selfishness – a reduction in the “me me me” and more of “You Lord – how will I live for YOU today” – and this truly will bring us LIFE IN ABUNDANCE.
What also does it mean to “pick up our cross”? It does include less Service to ourselves and more service to others – service to the mission of Jesus in being less worldly – service to the sense of peace that permeates those who know they are saved – and then also doing the work of the cross – spreading the word – service to the world in telling them about the Good News – about Jesus and His Salvation for all – asking them to believe that – to believe in Jesus – to get more curious about Him – and then to be more like Him. We all need to be more like Jesus. We all need to pick up our crosses. We all need to pick up the songs that carry us through life when we carry on.
Jesus is ALWAYS carrying us – we can at least help with carrying our cross. Jesus said: “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” John 10:10
AMEN
PS – the chorus included in our praise band version has the lifting tune that I hum: “Oh the Wonderful Cross – Oh the Wonderful Cross – Bids Me I come and Die – And find that I truly LIVE.”
—
1 When I survey the wondrous cross on which the Prince of glory died, my richest gain I count but loss, and pour contempt on all my pride.
2 Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast save in the death of Christ, my God! All the vain things that charm me most, I sacrifice them through his blood.
3 See, from his head, his hands, his feet, sorrow and love flow mingled down. Did e’er such love and sorrow meet, or thorns compose so rich a crown?
4 Were the whole realm of nature mine, that were a present far too small. Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all.
I am tired from the late night drive after a wonderful passover dinner and opportunity to reflect on the WHOLE journey of scripture that brought the people into and out of times and seasons – and especially the STEADFASTNESS of the LORD GOD.
It was a good gathering – but I did feel rushed thinking of the time it would take me to get home (I will have to arrange it differently next year) – and yet I remember that if anything, Jesus WAS both rushed in His Passover feast too on what we now call Holy Thursday – as well as Jesus took the time to fully reflect upon the reasons for the time together with His disciples – both past and present and future. In the immediate present, Jesus had a short window of time to tell His disciples of the situation – and even a shorter time to pray at the garden – and surely NO time to rest when He was arrested…
I am tired today but a good tired – so whom am I to complain – I have a restful spot right now – and so will take the time as a contemplative day – and yes do some prep for Easter – but will not “SPRING” into action just yet – it is time to remember Jesus and His Sacrifice – His CHOSEN Way to make a Way for us. His “road less travelled” – which no one else COULD travel. No one but Jesus alone.
In Passover, we as Gentiles remember alongside the Jews, this passover of the worst plague in Egypt – the death of the firstborn (see Exodus 12) – we remember the beginning of the long journey that Moses and the families of the tribes of Israel (Jacob’s children and children, Abraham’s many many descendants) were able to “make a break for it” – to make an exodus from Egypt – to travel to the Promised Land. In Passover, we remember that God said of this time: “REMEMBER”. God instructed certain feast days and rememberance times – God wants us to know what happened along those roads they travelled (even in a circular wandering) and how God was faithful to them ALWAYS.
In Jesus’s time the night of the Last Supper – remembering the Passover and also breaking bread with His disciples – Jesus drew closer to time of His fulfilment of the prophecies planned out from before time – Jesus “closed in” on the movement from the closest connection to the Lord God His Father, yet to know that the worst separation from His Father was about to take place – on the cross – in the depth of pain – in that the dark that was stealing the Light away from the world. Jesus said during those three hours of complete darkness: “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”
Jesus then knew also the scriptures were fulfilled – “it is finished” – Jesus took not just a road less travelled, but the ONLY Road that allowed our Salvation. And ONLY Jesus – no one else – could be the Messiah.
Jesus’s Own road is one that went EVEN FURTHER less travelled – went to where He was foretold and chose to go – Jesus took the road NOBODY else travelled – no one else could travel – Jesus was ONE in being the Messiah and fully God and took on the sacrifice to save us – took it on fully – took it on for the biggest benefit of our reconnection with God Almighty. We are washed in the blood – we are whole because of Him – we are SAVED – and therefore we REMEMBER.
One could say, like the poem from Robert Frost which is a great reminder for me this day, that to know that our roads less travelled – the places we go and the attitudes we take and sacrifices we make – are ALSO opportunites turning into blessings that will be revealed. Often our Road Less Travelled is the road where we are less to forsake Jesus (like the wide path to destruction) and is the more narrow path of LIFE – finding Jesus in our walk together.
Ah Lord – today I remember this road of us together is one that You chose – let us choose to follow You all the days of our lives as best we can – and know you took it the rest of the way – Your Way – the Way of Salvation.
Amen
—
Exodus 12:1-14 NKJV
The Passover Instituted Now the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, saying, “This month shall be your beginning of months; it shall be the first month of the year to you. Speak to all the congregation of Israel, saying: ‘On the tenth of this month every man shall take for himself a lamb, according to the house of his father, a lamb for a household. And if the household is too small for the lamb, let him and his neighbor next to his house take it according to the number of the persons; according to each man’s need you shall make your count for the lamb. Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year. You may take it from the sheep or from the goats. Now you shall keep it until the fourteenth day of the same month. Then the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it at twilight. And they shall take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and on the lintel of the houses where they eat it. Then they shall eat the flesh on that night; roasted in fire, with unleavened bread and with bitter herbs they shall eat it. Do not eat it raw, nor boiled at all with water, but roasted in fire—its head with its legs and its entrails. You shall let none of it remain until morning, and what remains of it until morning you shall burn with fire. And thus you shall eat it: with a belt on your waist, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand. So you shall eat it in haste. It is the Lord’s Passover.
‘For I will pass through the land of Egypt on that night, and will strike all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the Lord. Now the blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you; and the plague shall not be on you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt.
‘So this day shall be to you a memorial; and you shall keep it as a feast to the Lord throughout your generations. You shall keep it as a feast by an everlasting ordinance.
—
Matthew 26:17-27 NKJV
Jesus Celebrates Passover with His Disciples Now on the first day of the Feast of the Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying to Him, “Where do You want us to prepare for You to eat the Passover?” And He said, “Go into the city to a certain man, and say to him, ‘The Teacher says, “My time is at hand; I will keep the Passover at your house with My disciples.” ’ ” So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them; and they prepared the Passover.
When evening had come, He sat down with the twelve. Now as they were eating, He said, “Assuredly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me.” And they were exceedingly sorrowful, and each of them began to say to Him, “Lord, is it I?” He answered and said, “He who dipped his hand with Me in the dish will betray Me. The Son of Man indeed goes just as it is written of Him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had not been born.” Then Judas, who was betraying Him, answered and said, “Rabbi, is it I?” He said to him, “You have said it.”
Jesus Institutes the Lord’s Supper And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.” Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom.” And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial Then Jesus said to them, “All of you will be made to stumble because of Me this night, for it is written: ‘I will strike the Shepherd, And the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ But after I have been raised, I will go before you to Galilee.”
Peter answered and said to Him, “Even if all are made to stumble because of You, I will never be made to stumble.” Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you that this night, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” Peter said to Him, “Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!” And so said all the disciples.
The Prayer in the Garden Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to the disciples, “Sit here while I go and pray over there.” And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and He began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed. Then He said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me.” He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.” Then He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “What! Could you not watch with Me one hour? Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
Again, a second time, He went away and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if this cup cannot pass away from Me unless I drink it, Your will be done.” And He came and found them asleep again, for their eyes were heavy. So He left them, went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words. Then He came to His disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us be going. See, My betrayer is at hand.”
Betrayal and Arrest in Gethsemane And while He was still speaking, behold, Judas, one of the twelve, with a great multitude with swords and clubs, came from the chief priests and elders of the people. Now His betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “Whomever I kiss, He is the One; seize Him.” Immediately he went up to Jesus and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed Him. But Jesus said to him, “Friend, why have you come?”
Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and took Him. And suddenly, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword, struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear. But Jesus said to him, “Put your sword in its place, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword. Or do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels? How then could the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must happen thus?”
In that hour Jesus said to the multitudes, “Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs to take Me? I sat daily with you, teaching in the temple, and you did not seize Me. But all this was done that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.”
Then all the disciples forsook Him and fled.
Jesus Faces the Sanhedrin And those who had laid hold of Jesus led Him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled. But Peter followed Him at a distance to the high priest’s courtyard. And he went in and sat with the servants to see the end.
Now the chief priests, the elders, and all the council sought false testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, but found none. Even though many false witnesses came forward, they found none. But at last two false witnesses came forward and said, “This fellow said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and to build it in three days.’ ”
And the high priest arose and said to Him, “Do You answer nothing? What is it these men testify against You?” But Jesus kept silent. And the high priest answered and said to Him, “I put You under oath by the living God: Tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of God!”
Jesus said to him, “It is as you said. Nevertheless, I say to you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven.”
Then the high priest tore his clothes, saying, “He has spoken blasphemy! What further need do we have of witnesses? Look, now you have heard His blasphemy! What do you think?”
They answered and said, “He is deserving of death.”
Then they spat in His face and beat Him; and others struck Him with the palms of their hands, saying, “Prophesy to us, Christ! Who is the one who struck You?”
Peter Denies Jesus, and Weeps Bitterly Now Peter sat outside in the courtyard. And a servant girl came to him, saying, “You also were with Jesus of Galilee.”
But he denied it before them all, saying, “I do not know what you are saying.”
And when he had gone out to the gateway, another girl saw him and said to those who were there, “This fellow also was with Jesus of Nazareth.”
But again he denied with an oath, “I do not know the Man!”
And a little later those who stood by came up and said to Peter, “Surely you also are one of them, for your speech betrays you.”
Then he began to curse and swear, saying, “I do not know the Man!”
Immediately a rooster crowed. And Peter remembered the word of Jesus who had said to him, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” So he went out and wept bitterly.
Jesus Handed Over to Pontius Pilate When morning came, all the chief priests and elders of the people plotted against Jesus to put Him to death. And when they had bound Him, they led Him away and delivered Him to Pontius Pilate the governor.
Judas Hangs Himself Then Judas, His betrayer, seeing that He had been condemned, was remorseful and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.”
And they said, “What is that to us? You see to it!”
Then he threw down the pieces of silver in the temple and departed, and went and hanged himself.
But the chief priests took the silver pieces and said, “It is not lawful to put them into the treasury, because they are the price of blood.” And they consulted together and bought with them the potter’s field, to bury strangers in. Therefore that field has been called the Field of Blood to this day.
Then was fulfilled what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying, “And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the value of Him who was priced, whom they of the children of Israel priced, and gave them for the potter’s field, as the Lord directed me.”
Jesus Faces Pilate Now Jesus stood before the governor. And the governor asked Him, saying, “Are You the King of the Jews?”
Jesus said to him, “It is as you say.” And while He was being accused by the chief priests and elders, He answered nothing.
Then Pilate said to Him, “Do You not hear how many things they testify against You?” But He answered him not one word, so that the governor marveled greatly.
Taking the Place of Barabbas Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to releasing to the multitude one prisoner whom they wished. And at that time they had a notorious prisoner called Barabbas. Therefore, when they had gathered together, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release to you? Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?” For he knew that they had handed Him over because of envy.
While he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent to him, saying, “Have nothing to do with that just Man, for I have suffered many things today in a dream because of Him.”
But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitudes that they should ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus. The governor answered and said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release to you?”
They said, “Barabbas!”
Pilate said to them, “What then shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?”
They all said to him, “Let Him be crucified!”
Then the governor said, “Why, what evil has He done?”
But they cried out all the more, saying, “Let Him be crucified!”
When Pilate saw that he could not prevail at all, but rather that a tumult was rising, he took water and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, “I am innocent of the blood of this just Person. You see to it.”
And all the people answered and said, “His blood be on us and on our children.”
Then he released Barabbas to them; and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered Him to be crucified.
The Soldiers Mock Jesus Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole garrison around Him. And they stripped Him and put a scarlet robe on Him. When they had twisted a crown of thorns, they put it on His head, and a reed in His right hand. And they bowed the knee before Him and mocked Him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” Then they spat on Him, and took the reed and struck Him on the head. And when they had mocked Him, they took the robe off Him, put His own clothes on Him, and led Him away to be crucified.
The King on a Cross Now as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name. Him they compelled to bear His cross. And when they had come to a place called Golgotha, that is to say, Place of a Skull, they gave Him sour wine mingled with gall to drink. But when He had tasted it, He would not drink.
Then they crucified Him, and divided His garments, casting lots, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet:
“They divided My garments among them, And for My clothing they cast lots.”
Sitting down, they kept watch over Him there. And they put up over His head the accusation written against Him:
THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
Then two robbers were crucified with Him, one on the right and another on the left.
And those who passed by blasphemed Him, wagging their heads and saying, “You who destroy the temple and build it in three days, save Yourself! If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross.”
Likewise the chief priests also, mocking with the scribes and elders, said, “He saved others; Himself He cannot save. If He is the King of Israel, let Him now come down from the cross, and we will believe Him. He trusted in God; let Him deliver Him now if He will have Him; for He said, ‘I am the Son of God.’ ”
Even the robbers who were crucified with Him reviled Him with the same thing.
Jesus Dies on the Cross Now from the sixth hour until the ninth hour there was darkness over all the land. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” Some of those who stood there, when they heard that, said, “This Man is calling for Elijah!” Immediately one of them ran and took a sponge, filled it with sour wine and put it on a reed, and offered it to Him to drink. The rest said, “Let Him alone; let us see if Elijah will come to save Him.”
Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split, and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many.
So when the centurion and those with him, who were guarding Jesus, saw the earthquake and the things that had happened, they feared greatly, saying, “Truly this was the Son of God!”
And many women who followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering to Him, were there looking on from afar, among whom were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee’s sons.
Jesus Buried in Joseph’s Tomb Now when evening had come, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who himself had also become a disciple of Jesus. This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be given to him. When Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and laid it in his new tomb which he had hewn out of the rock; and he rolled a large stone against the door of the tomb, and departed. And Mary Magdalene was there, and the other Mary, sitting opposite the tomb.
Pilate Sets a Guard On the next day, which followed the Day of Preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees gathered together to Pilate, saying, “Sir, we remember, while He was still alive, how that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise.’ Therefore command that the tomb be made secure until the third day, lest His disciples come by night and steal Him away, and say to the people, ‘He has risen from the dead.’ So the last deception will be worse than the first.”
Pilate said to them, “You have a guard; go your way, make it as secure as you know how.” So they went and made the tomb secure, sealing the stone and setting the guard.
Let our hearts carry a new beat, like a new life pacemaker.
Christ-like, in forgiving, let us be His PEACEMAKER.
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May we all know God’s Grace,
Then share it in THIS PLACE.
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AMEN
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Matthew 5:1- NKJV
The Beatitudes
And seeing the multitudes, Jesus went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him. Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Believers Are Salt and Light
“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.
“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”
In the Road to Emmaus, the disciples kept walking,
The disciples could LISTEN while they WALKED.
In the Road to Emmaus, the disciples kept LISTENING,
The disciples could WALK while they LISTENED.
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At end of the walk,
Jesus could STAY, Jesus could SHARE.
At the end of the walk,
the disciples could SHARE, the disciples could GO!
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At the end of the sharing and walking, there was going and sharing. Jesus has us coming and going. Jesus has us going and sharing. Jesus has us sharing and understanding. Let us walk worship into understanding…
Debbie Upper 