Author: Don Guthrie

RE Verse reading – Luke 24:13-35 (day seven)  “Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and to enter into His glory?  Then beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures.” (v 26-27)  It is a good transition for us.  Today is our last study in Luke.  Next week we begin 12 lessons in Jeremiah and Ezekiel.  Jesus referenced the prophets because they inspired Him.  He learned from them.  Learned that suffering would be a necessary part of His ministry.  Ours too.  “Blessed are you when people insult and persecute you.  Rejoice and be glad. . .for this is the way they treated the prophets.”  (Matthew 5:11-12)  What price/privilege will be required for us to know the Lord and speak for Him in an unbelieving age?  The prophets can tell us!  Lord, give us ears to hear in the next few weeks.  “Your sons and your daughters will prophesy”  (Acts 2:17)

Re: Verse reading – Luke 24:13-35  (day six)
Not rare, I suppose.  Many people find themselves in a place like the Emmaus road disciples.  “We were hoping (past tense) that He was going to redeem Israel” (v 21)  Been there?  Know someone who is?  Tried faith.  Tried prayer.  Sincerely hoped to find power and help.  AWOL now.  Disappointed.  The problem (for them and for us) is that we do not believe the Scripture.  “Was it not NECESSARY for the Christ to SUFFER these things and to enter into His glory?” (v 26) None of the prophets predicted an easy or quick solution to the problems of this planet.  If we cherish such ideas, it is because we did not listen to them.  Christ faced days that were painful and long and unfair.  We will too.  The glory that follows is worth every sacrifice, but nothing exempts us from the price.  Many who give up hope,  never had Biblical hope in the first place.

Re: Verse reading – Luke 24:13-35 (day one)
My favorite Bible story.  Ok, one of them.  After the resurrection, but before the truth becomes clear, two men (disciples) are traveling from Jerusalem to Emmaus.  Small town.  7 miles away.  Suburb.  Jesus appears to them and supernaturally prevents them from recognizing Him.  Why?  Because He has an important lesson to teach them.  As they walk, He explains His own story using nothing but Bible to do so.  Moses.  All the prophets.  Carefully and passionately He points out the Spirit’s witness to the Son through the Scripture. Later they describe the experience.  “Were not our hearts burning within us while He talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”  This is our task!  This is the kind of church we want to be. Bibles open.  Hearts burning.  Spirit speaking.  The most powerful and enduring testimony that Jesus is alive!  Better even than a personal, physical appearance?  Apparently so.  Son!  Spirit!  Scripture!

Re: Verse reading – Luke 22:66-71; 23:1-25 (day seven)
“Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do, and does not do it, to him it is sin.”  (James 4:17)  At the end of life, we may look back and realize that there were no big moments, just a lot of small ones.  God never presents the full picture.  Not to any man.  Not at any moment.  “We see through a glass, darkly”, said the Apostle Paul.  But we do SEE.  That is the point.  We see something of what is required.  Some part of right and justice and obedience.  A step pressed on us by conscience and Spirit.  Not to do it is life’s greatest mistake.  Pilate’s story is, therefore, a tragedy.  Not because he was guaranteed to become a believer.  Rather because he rejected the only opportunity that any of us ever have to find Christ and to find life.  Do what you know!  Stand for truth!  Pilate didn’t.  Will you?

RE Verse reading – Luke 22:66-71; 23:1-25 (day six) 
“If I tell you, you will not believe me, and if I asked you, you would not answer.”  (22:67)  Never wrestle with a pig.  An old friend used to tell me.  You get dirty and the pig likes it.  Jesus seems to agree.  In our RE Verse passage this week we see the Lord following  His own command.  “Do not throw pearls before swine.”  (Matthew 7:6)  When there is no chance for real discussion.  No true spiritual interest.  When words only fuel the argument or make a mockery of holy things,  it is better to just be silent.  Before the Sanhedrin.  Before Herod.  Jesus is the “the lamb, silent before it’s shearers.”  No panicked argument.  No words of defense.  No further attempt to clarify the case for truth.  Just calm, courageous trust in God.   I wonder whether we have this same wisdom.  Do we know when the strongest argument for God is to just be still?

Re: Verse reading—Luke 22:66-71, 23:1-25 (day one)
“He questioned Him at some length; but He answered him nothing.”  (23:9)  Sad story.  It is Friday of Holy Week.  Jesus has been arrested and interrogated by the Sanhedrin.  Then to Pontius Pilate.  Then to King Herod.  (It was an attempt by Pilate to avoid responsibility–since Jesus was from Galilee, He fell under Herod’s jurisdiction.)  At an earlier point in time, Herod had been spiritually interested. (Mark 6:20) Unfortunately, that moment of spiritual opportunity has passed. The door is closed now,  shut on God’s side.  Jesus does not even answer Herod’s questions.  Strange.  Alarming.  None of us can presume on unlimited time to repent.  When the door shuts, the time for  conversation with God is gone.  Reminds me of King Saul.  Squandering many opportunities to obey, the terrible moment comes when God stops dealing with him.
(1 Samuel 28:6) God’s mercy is huge.  So is His holiness.  None of us should take the mercy of God for granted.

Re: Verse reading – Luke 21:5-24 (day seven) 
Where does life lead?  Believers and secular people have very different answers.  Jesus believed that life leads toward an accounting with God.  For everyone!  “An hour is coming, in which all who are in the tombs shall hear His voice, and shall come forth; those who did the good to a resurrection of life, those who committed the evil to resurrection of judgment.”  (John 5:28-29)  Paul followed his Lord in this conviction.  “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body. . .whether good or bad.”  (2 Corinthians 5:10)  As we read the words of Christ in Luke 21, (see v 36) let us examine our hearts for a secure grip on this truth.  Those have this vision of the future discover great strength and moral motivation for the present hour.  Knowing that we will stand before the Son helps us to stand for Him now.

Re: Verse reading – Luke 21:5-24 (day six)
I like traditions.  I am a “pattern” kind of person.  Up the same time every morning.  Same routine.  Comforting.  The danger comes when I begin to trust my traditions rather than God.  When a change in plans or job or health feels like a breach of contract.  When God can’t do “a new thing” without me reacting in anxiety and resistance.  Jesus warns us.  Things don’t stay the same.  They can’t. Even something as massive as the Jewish Temple was vulnerable.  The wise choice is to connect yourself to Christ with unbreakable bonds of loyalty.  Abide in Him.  Make Him the permanent, unchanging thing, rather than  familiar circumstances, family, job or traditions.  “When I am afraid, I will put my trust in you” says the Psalm writer.  Good counsel for all of us who unconsciously think that life will always be the way it is now.  It won’t!  Let the adventure begin.  Trust God!