April 21 | Luke 24:13-35

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DAILY READING

Luke 24:13-35

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REFLECTION

What Did He Say to Them?

By Dave Mann

 Cleopas and his friend were walking with an unknown companion for several hours, never knowing that he was the resurrected Christ.  Jesus was astonished that they did not understand that what had happened had been set up by the writings of the prophets.  Luke wrote, “And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself (v. 27).”  Don’t you wonder which passages Jesus highlighted?  Here are some I suspect may have been mentioned.  What verses would you add? 

• “When God cursed the serpent in the garden, he was referring to me.” He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel. (Genesis 3:14)
  

• “Moses predicted my arrival when he spoke to the Israelites.”  The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your fellow Israelites. You must listen to him. (Deuteronomy 18:35)
  

• “Didn’t my people see that the provision of a sacrificial substitute in the first Passover was a foreshadowing of the ultimate once-for-all sacrifice?” (Exodus 12)
  

• “Oh, how I wept when the chosen people wandered!”  In those days there was no king in Israel; every man did what was right in his own eyes. (Judges 21:25)
  

• “Jeremiah longed to see the fulfillment of the prophecies I gave through him, but you are seeing it now.” I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel ... and I will write it upon their hearts. (Jeremiah 31:31, 33)

• “Why do you suppose I chose “Son of Man” as his preferred title?  Have you never read Daniel?” There before me was one like a Son of Man ... He was given authority, glory, and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom will never be destroyed. (Daniel 7:12-14)
  

• “Don’t you remember the time when I rode into Jerusalem on a humble donkey?” Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. (Zechariah 9:9)
  

• “And how many times have you heard Isaiah’s prophecy read in the synagogue?  Who was – who is – and who forever shall be – that Suffering Servant?” (Isaiah 53)

Let these Scriptures burn into your heart as the Holy Spirit makes them real for you.

PRAYER

Lord God, how many times have you walked by my side and I did not understand?  Come, Holy Spirit, and enliven your Word, burn it into my heart, that I may understand that your plan, your work, your mission has been laid out for us from the beginning of time.  It is all accomplished in the name of Jesus, Amen.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

DAVE MANN

I am a Pastor for Internationals (retired) in the UALC community. I am married to Pam, father of four, and grandfather of six. Pam and I have lived twenty years in other countries including France, Cameroon, Haiti, and Morocco. In retirement, we enjoy writing devotionals, learning languages, and teaching English to internationals.

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April 20 | Luke 24:1-12

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DAILY READING

Luke 24:1-12

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REFLECTION

Surprise!

By Elaine Pierce

Have you ever been surprised - I mean really surprised? I recently attended a surprise birthday party, and the look on my friend's face when he walked into a room full of his friends and family was well worth the time spent huddled together waiting for him to arrive. I've been surprised on several milestone birthdays, and I must be a trusting soul, because I never suspected that my family was plotting to throw a party. After the initial shock, it's fun to celebrate with those you love, and when the dust settles, you look back and realize how many clues you missed that something was afoot.

The women went to the tomb 'very early in the morning' to anoint Jesus' body with oils, as was the custom for Jewish burial. Lo and behold, were they ever surprised - his body was gone. And to add to this shock, "two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them....."Why do you look for the living among the dead: He is not here; he has risen! (v. 4,6)"

To say they were surprised - and troubled - is an understatement. And when they report what happened to the disciples, they are met with disbelief. Not doubt, not suspicion, flat-out disbelief: They did not believe the women because their words seemed to them like nonsense. (v. 11).

Yes, they missed all the clues. Jesus told them time and again that he would die and rise again (Matthew 16:21, Matthew 17:22-23, Matthew 20:17-19, Mark 8:31, Mark 9:31, and Luke 9:22).

They heard what they wanted to hear. They wanted a King, a savior who would conquer the hated Romans and restore Jews to their rightful place in the world. They, like us, didn't fully understand God's plans and God's character. I am reminded of what Paul says in I Corinthians 13:12:

Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

Today, as we celebrate Easter (He is Risen! He is Risen Indeed!) and we enjoy time with our families, take time to soak in the wonder of what Jesus did for us on the cross. We don't share the surprise and wonder of those disciples who on that first Easter, found the tomb empty, but we share their excitement that one day, he will make all things new, and we will fully understand and fully worship him in spirit and in truth.

Happy Easter! He is Risen!

PRAYER

Lord, on that first Easter morn, your faithful followers were troubled when they found the tomb to be empty. Today I rejoice that you have risen, and I praise you and thank you for saving me from sin and death. You might find joy in praying this beloved Easter hymn:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzy7jFNUc3w

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

ELAINE PIERCE

It is a delight and joy to write Sunday's UALC Blog post. I have been a UALC member for 20+ years and I value our community of believers. I draw strength from God's Word, and it is my hope that you join me in seeking to grow closer to Him as we read, study, and pray together. I've been married to Gene for 47 years, and we have four grown children and nine grandchildren. It is an exciting time to be alive, and I count it all joy to serve him, even in the midst of challenges. To God be the glory, for the great things he is doing!

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April 19 | Luke 23:50-56

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DAILY READING

Luke 23:50-56

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REFLECTION

Changed

by Ken Dillman

The world changed with the death of Jesus; it would change much more with his resurrection.

The celebrating, shouting, and cheering of Palm Sunday faded just a few days later, and except for some family members and close disciples, Golgotha was abandoned, as Jesus hung on the cross alone.

Like many in the crowd on Palm Sunday, Joseph of Arimathea was a man who had been looking and waiting for the kingdom of God, the arrival of the Messiah, the “consolation of Israel.”

Throughout Israel’s history in the Old Testament, during times of oppression and slavery, the prophets were the ones who comforted the people; but they foresaw a time coming when the promised Messiah would arrive, one who would bring everlasting comfort to the Jewish people.

While the hope of most of the Palm Sunday crowd died with Jesus on the cross, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus to provide a proper burial for him.

Seldom do we stop to think of what Joseph was doing in asking for the body of Jesus; he had not consented or approved of the council’s decision to crucify Jesus (he was part of the council), he had been a silent disciple. In asking for the body of Jesus and providing him with a burial tomb, it made Joseph a marked man; from that point forward everybody would know he had been and was a disciple of Jesus.

By publicly acknowledging Jesus, he established his loyalty to Jesus, knowing that “the Jews had already agreed that if anyone should confess Jesus to be Christ, he was to be put out of the synagogue.” (John 9:22) The Jewish religious leaders had the power to ruin Joseph’s life and turn him into a victim of cancel culture.

Joseph’s actions on Good Friday should embolden us as believers; he demonstrated that we can be in culture, but we don’t have to be part of culture, we don’t have to embrace what culture values, especially when it values godlessness, and our focus is the kingdom of God.

Joseph had moved from a silent believer in Jesus, to a sold-out disciple when asking for the body of Jesus from Pilate. Can you imagine how much Joseph’s life changed on Resurrection Sunday, when all he had been hoping for was known to be true?

Can you imagine how much our lives changed when we become sold-out disciples of Jesus?

Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!

PRAYER

Jesus, thank you for the change in each of our lives when we became a follower of you. Help us to be good followers in all we think and do. Amen.

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My wife, Karen and I have been attending UALC for 6-7 years and enjoy God's presence in our gatherings. We live in Hilliard; our three adult children live in Central Ohio. I am a retired Chaplain and Pastor, and enjoy writing, walking, jogging, and listening to live music. I appreciate the opportunity to write for the church’s devotionals.