Luke – Wide Open Doors!
“What a difference a day makes” we say in the Midwest as the weather can change drastically in a matter of 24 hours or more. We can have a blinding snow storm one day followed by a bright sunny day the next to melt it all away. From blinding darkness to a bright light…what a difference a day makes.
Is this what the women thought when they saw the empty tomb then turned around in wonder to hear two angels of the Lord tell them their beloved Friend and Savior who died in a miraculous cover of darkness just two days ago is now risen from the dead on this third day? The message was clear…”HE IS NOT HERE! He has RISEN…just as He said!
Is this what Jesus’ followers thought when Jesus appeared to them while walking on the road to Emmaus? God hid Jesus from view while they were mourning the loss of Jesus but HE was with them. He become known as risen to them…just as He said He would…as soon as He broke bread and offered it to them. The Bread of Life opened their eyes! What a difference when eyes are open to Jesus and we see Him for Who He really is, our risen Savior and Lord!
And what did Peter think as impulsively jumped and ran as soon as he heard the news from the women? Did all that Jesus predicted come back to his memory? Did his life with Jesus flash before his eyes?
Suffering Servant.
Empty Tomb.
Risen Savior.
Good News!
Yes, what a difference the THIRD Day makes in the lives of all humanity who believe and follow the Son of God!
Luke 24, New Living Translation
The Resurrection
But very early on Sunday morning the women went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. 2 They found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance. 3 So they went in, but they didn’t find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 As they stood there puzzled, two men suddenly appeared to them, clothed in dazzling robes.5 The women were terrified and bowed with their faces to the ground. Then the men asked, “Why are you looking among the dead for someone who is alive? 6 He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead! Remember what he told you back in Galilee, 7 that the Son of Man must be betrayed into the hands of sinful men and be crucified, and that he would rise again on the third day.”
8 Then they remembered that he had said this. 9 So they rushed back from the tomb to tell his eleven disciples—and everyone else—what had happened. 10 It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and several other women who told the apostles what had happened. 11 But the story sounded like nonsense to the men, so they didn’t believe it. 12 However, Peter jumped up and ran to the tomb to look. Stooping, he peered in and saw the empty linen wrappings; then he went home again, wondering what had happened.
The Walk to Emmaus13 That same day two of Jesus’ followers were walking to the village of Emmaus, seven miles from Jerusalem. 14 As they walked along they were talking about everything that had happened. 15 As they talked and discussed these things, Jesus himself suddenly came and began walking with them. 16 But God kept them from recognizing him.
17 He asked them, “What are you discussing so intently as you walk along?”
They stopped short, sadness written across their faces. 18 Then one of them, Cleopas, replied, “You must be the only person in Jerusalem who hasn’t heard about all the things that have happened there the last few days.”
19 “What things?” Jesus asked.
“The things that happened to Jesus, the man from Nazareth,” they said. “He was a prophet who did powerful miracles, and he was a mighty teacher in the eyes of God and all the people. 20 But our leading priests and other religious leaders handed him over to be condemned to death, and they crucified him. 21 We had hoped he was the Messiah who had come to rescue Israel. This all happened three days ago.22 “Then some women from our group of his followers were at his tomb early this morning, and they came back with an amazing report. 23 They said his body was missing, and they had seen angels who told them Jesus is alive! 24 Some of our men ran out to see, and sure enough, his body was gone, just as the women had said.”
25 Then Jesus said to them, “You foolish people! You find it so hard to believe all that the prophets wrote in the Scriptures. 26 Wasn’t it clearly predicted that the Messiah would have to suffer all these things before entering his glory?” 27 Then Jesus took them through the writings of Moses and all the prophets, explaining from all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.
28 By this time they were nearing Emmaus and the end of their journey. Jesus acted as if he were going on, 29 but they begged him, “Stay the night with us, since it is getting late.” So he went home with them. 30 As they sat down to eat, he took the bread and blessed it. Then he broke it and gave it to them. 31 Suddenly, their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And at that moment he disappeared!
32 They said to each other, “Didn’t our hearts burn within us as he talked with us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us?” 33 And within the hour they were on their way back to Jerusalem. There they found the eleven disciples and the others who had gathered with them, 34 who said, “The Lord has really risen! He appeared to Peter.”
WOW…what a difference the third day made in the the lives of his followers, his beloved. Mourning and sorrow turned into joyful praise and marvelous wonder as Jesus appeared to those who loved Him. Darkness to Light. What a difference a day makes.Dear Heavenly Father, Lord and Savior,
It is still amazing to wrap our minds around the depth of Your love and power that You have that raised you from the dead. You carried our sins to a cruel cross. You have the nail scars to prove it. We are set free from all the bondage of our own sin because of what you did for us. This is amazing love, indeed. Rising from death in victory over death is our hope and your glory. To say thank you is not enough. Help me to live this life for your glory and pleasure.
In Jesus Name, Amen. I believe.
As we approach the Christmas season I pray we remember this little child in the manger is remembered and worshiped as the Son of God Who came to earth on a mission to save our souls, to connect us back to God in an intimate, holy relationship through his work on the cross…just as He said.
So, in my mind I’m singing…This Little Child by Scott Wesley Brown.
Who would of tho’t that long ago
So very far away
A little child would be born
And in a manger laid
And who would have tho’t this little child
Was born the King of kings
The Son of just a carpenter
For whom the angels sing
And who would have tho’t that as He grew
And with other children played
This child with whom they laughed and sang
Would die for them some day
And who would have tho’t this little child
Could make a blind man see
Feed the hungry make rich the poor
And set the sinner free
Oh who would have tho’t this little child
Was who the prophets said
Would take away the sins of man
And rise up from the dead
O I believe and I will always sing
This little child is the King
O I believe and I will always sing
This little child
He is the King of kings
Many years have come and gone
Yet this world remains the same
Empires have been built and fallen
Only time has made a change
Nation against nation
Brother against brother
Men so filled with hatred
Killing one another
And over half the world is starving
While our banner of decency is torn
Debating over disarmament
Killing children before they’re born
And fools who march to win the right
To justify their sin
Oh ev’ry nation that has fallen
Has fallen from within
Yet in the midst of this darkness
There is a hope a light that burns
This little child the King of kings
Some day will return
And I believe and I will always sing
This little child is the King
And I believe and I will always sing
This little child
He is the King of kings
Who would have tho’t this little child
Is who the prophets said
Will return to judge this world
The living and the dead
Oh can’t you see that long ago
So very far away
This little child our only hope
Was born a King that day
And can’t you see that here and now
As unto Him we pray
This Lord of lords who is our hope
Is still King today
He’s still the King today
