We encourage you to read this devotion three times a
day. Start in the morning and reflect upon the morning reflection
question. Then in the afternoon, read it again and reflect using the noon
question for reflection. For the evening, take time to ponder how this
has resonated with you in the day and reflecting using the evening
question. We offer a prayer with each devotion for you to pray or we
invite you to pray what is in your heart.
Reflection: Thick and Blessed
Luke 24:35-48
35 Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by
them when he broke the bread.36 While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself
stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”37 They were startled and
frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. 38 He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why
do doubts rise in your minds? 39 Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me
and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.”
40 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. 41 And while they still did not
believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to
eat?” 42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43 and he took it and ate it in their presence.
44 He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be
fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.”
45 Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. 46 He told them,
“This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day,
47 and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations,
beginning at Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things.
35 Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by
them when he broke the bread.36 While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself
stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”37 They were startled and
frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. 38 He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why
do doubts rise in your minds? 39 Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me
and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.”
40 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. 41 And while they still did not
believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to
eat?” 42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43 and he took it and ate it in their presence.
44 He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be
fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.”
45 Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. 46 He told them,
“This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day,
47 and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations,
beginning at Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things.
Reflection: Thick and Blessed
Today we have the last two verses of a story independent within the Gospel of Luke.
From the beginning, Jesus had worked and worked to get humanity to see even a glimpse
of what the kingdom of heaven is like. Even in our passage today, where Jesus appears
with the physical proof that death was not the end they still doubted. As they stood with
Jesus, proof in front of them, they still doubted. This gives me hope because my life of
faith is dripping with doubt, insecurity, and unfaithfulness. The great thing that Jesus
modeled for his disciples and still models for us today is that he NEVER gives up on
pursuing us and pursuing a relationship with us. That is true love. A love that needs no reciprocity. This is the love of the God we serve. If you can remember this, I believe your life will be transformed. Judgment will give way to hope, failure to a future, and doubt to faith.
From the beginning, Jesus had worked and worked to get humanity to see even a glimpse
of what the kingdom of heaven is like. Even in our passage today, where Jesus appears
with the physical proof that death was not the end they still doubted. As they stood with
Jesus, proof in front of them, they still doubted. This gives me hope because my life of
faith is dripping with doubt, insecurity, and unfaithfulness. The great thing that Jesus
modeled for his disciples and still models for us today is that he NEVER gives up on
pursuing us and pursuing a relationship with us. That is true love. A love that needs no reciprocity. This is the love of the God we serve. If you can remember this, I believe your life will be transformed. Judgment will give way to hope, failure to a future, and doubt to faith.
Reflection Questions:
Morning :What are the hardest things you struggle with when it comes to your belief in Jesus? How can you live your life in the light of these scriptures??
Noon: Remember the proof Jesus offered the disciples. What "proofs" do you desire for Jesus to offer you that might help your faith grow and deepen??
Evening:How can you doubt less? What does it mean to surrender to God, even in the midst of tough times?
Noon: Remember the proof Jesus offered the disciples. What "proofs" do you desire for Jesus to offer you that might help your faith grow and deepen??
Evening:How can you doubt less? What does it mean to surrender to God, even in the midst of tough times?
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