Danny Panter

Going Public

Re:Verse passage – Luke 24:36:-43; John 20:26-29 (day six)

It was also written that this message would be proclaimed in the authority of his name to all the nations,^[f] beginning in Jerusalem: ‘There is forgiveness of sins for all who repent.’ ⁴⁸You are witnesses of all these things. Luke 24:47-48

Your faith is personal — but it was never meant to be private.

The beauty of this resurrection encounter is Jesus’ nearness in the midst of fear and doubt. He even invites the disciples to touch him, to move them from uncertainty to belief. As Megan wrote, “Jesus is both our friend and good shepherd.”

But then notice: right after Jesus comforts and reassures, he commissions.

“You are witnesses of these things.”

That’s the movement of the gospel — from personal encounter to public witness.

Faith in Jesus is meant to go public. It’s not just a private assurance; it’s a Kingdom identity. It reshapes who we are in the world.

We are the presence and the proclamation of God’s Kingdom — by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Let’s reclaim that public identity. Let’s live it out loud.

Listen

Re:Verse passage – Luke 24:13-35 (day six)

I love that Jesus listens to their grief, disappointment, and confusion without interruption. Yes, he eventually speaks truth — he doesn’t avoid what needs to be said — but he first allows them to share their story fully.

In a culture of rushed words and reactive posts, Jesus’ interaction is deeply instructive. He takes time to be present and to truly listen. We’re often guilty of posting our opinions before hearing someone out, or crafting a response before the other person has even finished speaking.

Listening gives us insight into where someone is coming from — and maybe even what they actually need. It positions us to respond with compassion and wisdom, not just opinion. Listening can open the door to healing and change, rather than keeping us locked in our own perspectives.

Try it sometime. You just might be the presence of Jesus someone else needs.

Mary

Re:Verse passage – John 20:1-18 (day six)

Have you ever wondered why Jesus chose Mary to be the first eyewitness of the Resurrection? Did she happen to be at the tomb at the right time, or was it part of Jesus’ plan all along?

Luke tells us about Mary’s story: Jesus had cast seven demons out of her (Luke 8:2). After her liberation, she became one of the women who followed Jesus faithfully. She was the first at the tomb, the first to see the risen Christ, and the first to carry the good news.

By all human standards, Mary would have seemed the least likely choice. Surely, one of the apostles would have made more sense.

But perhaps Jesus was being purposeful.

In a world quick to cancel those with a broken past or overlook those who don’t fit the cultural mold, Jesus does the opposite: He lifts them up. Perhaps he was declaring, “Behold, I am making all things new” over Mary’s life.

A New Way of Living

Re:Verse passage – Luke 24:1-12 (day six)

Then they remembered that he had said this. ⁹So they rushed back from the tomb to tell his eleven disciples—and everyone else—what had happened.¹⁰It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and several other women who told the apostles what had happened. Luke 24:8-10

The women at the tomb didn’t have a complete theology of resurrection. They didn’t yet grasp the fullness of what had happened. But when the angels reminded them of Jesus’ words, something clicked. They remembered. They believed. And they ran to tell the others.

Resurrection life isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about following the risen Jesus—staying close, remembering his words, and stepping out to share what we’ve seen.

Sometimes, we wait to move until we feel certain or confident. But the first resurrection witnesses didn’t wait for perfect clarity—they responded in faith. That’s the invitation for us today: to trust that Jesus is alive, to hold on to what He’s said, and to carry the hope of the empty tomb into a world still marked by death.

He is risen!.

Determined

Re:Verse passage – Luke 19:28-44 (day six)

“After telling this story, Jesus went on toward Jerusalem, walking ahead of his disciples.” — Luke 19:28 (NLT)

Jesus knew what was waiting for him in Jerusalem—betrayal, suffering, and the cross. Still, he didn’t hesitate. He walked ahead.

He led the way with purpose and courage. Not because it was easy, but because he saw what was on the other side. The writer of Hebrews says he endured the cross for the joy set before him. (Hebrews 12:2)

We usually do everything we can to avoid pain. But Jesus shows us another way. Sometimes joy is found not in escaping hard things—but in walking through them with faith.

Jesus once said, “Whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.” He wasn’t calling us to misery. He was leading us to real, abundant life.

Maybe the path to true joy is the one we’ve been avoiding.

When Traditions Get in the Way

Re:Verse passage – Mark 7:1-23 (day six)

Traditions can be beautiful. They help us express love, reverence, and belonging. Whether it’s dressing up on Easter morning or receiving ashes on Ash Wednesday, traditions shape the rhythms of our faith and bind us to one another.

But as helpful as they are, traditions should never take the place of loving people.

In Mark 7, Jesus challenges a group of religious leaders who had grown more concerned with keeping traditions than with caring for people. Their spiritual routines had become a substitute for true transformation.

It’s easy to fall into that same trap—mistaking outward piety for inward renewal. We can get so good at “doing church” that we forget the reason behind it all: love. Real, sacrificial, others-first love.

So here’s a question worth asking:

Would we be willing to change our traditions if it meant someone in the heart of the city could experience the love of Jesus?

Let’s hold our traditions with open hands, always ready to lay them down if it helps someone else take hold of grace.

Jesus in the In Between

Mark 6:45-46 (NLT) “Immediately after this, Jesus insisted that his disciples get back into the boat and head across the lake to Bethsaida, while he sent the people home. After telling everyone goodbye, he went up into the hills by himself to pray.”

They were in between ministry. Jesus had dismissed the people, sent the disciples ahead to Bethsaida, and then withdrew to pray. It was in this in-between space that the disciples ran into trouble—again. And for some reason, the last thing they expected was for Jesus to meet them in their struggle. Yet, he did. And in the most unexpected, miraculous way.

He showed up in the in-between.

Sometimes, we limit Jesus to the big moments—the church services, the mission trips, the obvious spiritual highs. But what about home, work, the long commutes, the ordinary days? What about the seasons of waiting, transition, or uncertainty?

Jesus doesn’t just move in the moments we expect. He is present in the in-between. And that’s often where we need him most.

Filled

And all ate and were filled… – Mark 6:42 (NRSV)

The disciples were exhausted. They had nothing left—not even time to eat. (Mark 6:31) Yet, at Jesus’ command, they found themselves serving another crowd. With no energy and barely any food—just five loaves and two fish—they had nothing to offer 5,000 hungry people.

But Jesus multiplied both. He took their weakness and their small offering, blessed it, and made it more than enough.

In the end, everyone was full—the disciples and the crowd alike.

This is Mark’s message: God takes our little—even our nothing—and multiplies it until all are satisfied.

Power, Pt. 2

Re:Verse passage – Mark 6:14-29 (day six)

This passage is a story of stark contrasts. In Herod’s world, power is built on corruption, immorality, and self-preservation. It is a world so twisted that murder becomes a possible birthday gift. A reckless promise leads to a reckless request, and the result is the tragic death of John the Baptist. In Herod’s kingdom, power is used to take life.

But Mark wants us to see a different kind of King. Jesus, the true King, ushers in a Kingdom where power is expressed through compassion, mercy, and sacrificial love. Instead of taking life, He gives His own.

Mark isn’t just telling history—he’s asking us a question: Which kingdom will we live for?

From Scotland

Re:Verse passage – Mark 6:7-13 (day six)

The Lord is King! Let the earth rejoice! Let the farthest coastlands be glad. – Psalm 97:1

This was the Psalm I read early this morning, coffee in hand, on our first full day in Scotland. The rest of the team was still sleeping, recovering from a long travel day—vans, planes, trains, trams, and a wee bit on foot. At 11 PM, we finally arrived at our hotel, exhausted but grateful.

Just as Jesus sent His disciples out two by two to proclaim the Kingdom, we have been sent to Glenrothes, Scotland, to a small neighborhood called Colleydean—another “coastland” under His reign.

The Lord is King over every place, from tiny villages to vast cities. As His people, we are called to live as Kingdom servants wherever we are, inviting others to receive the Kingdom through Christ.

Pray that we do this faithfully in the days ahead. Pray that this “coastland” will indeed be glad! And know that we are praying the same for you.