The Daily Dose

Receive the Power

Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.” Luke 24:49

Here we are at the end of the book of Luke.  This portion of each of the gospels is widely known as the great commission.  It is when Jesus told the disciples that they are now His witnesses and to go into all the nations to preach the good news of repentance and remission of sin through the blood of Jesus.

However, many people miss the first direction that Jesus gave the disciples and believe that all Christians are His witnesses and that all should go out into the nations or wherever they are and preach the gospel.  While we all are called to tell the good news to others no matter how long or short of time we have been saved, this passage tells us the way to be most effective is to first be empowered by the Holy Spirit.

Jesus told the disciples to go back into Jerusalem and wait.  Wait until they would be endued with power from on high, the power of the Holy Spirit.  That is exactly what they did.  The final verses of chapter 24 say that Jesus prayed a blessing over them and while He prayed, He was taken up into heaven and parted from them.  Then, the disciples returned to Jerusalem, with great joy and were continually in the temple praising and blessing God.  Notice, they did not immediately go out into all the world to preach the gospel, they waited.  In fact, they waited for 10 days before the Holy Spirit came down on them.  That is when the were filled up with power from on high to go into all the world.  That power was so evident, that it completely transformed the disciples in the upper room and they began to turn the entire world upside down.

What would have happened if they hadn’t done what Jesus said to do and waited?  First of all, they would not have been in the right place on the day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit came.  They would have all gone separate ways to cover the known world at that time and probably would have ended up quitting or being martyred.  It wasn’t until they received the power of God on their lives that each one of them became and effective witness and many were added to the Kingdom of heaven each day.

So how does that apply to us today?  Our direction is no different than it was for Jesus’ followers 2000 years ago.  After we receive salvation through the blood of Jesus into our lives and hearts and make Him Lord and Savior, we are to also be immersed into the power of the Holy Spirit to walk in the fullness of His authority here in today’s world.  It will probably not be an experience like the disciples had when the room was shaken and tongues of fire sat on their heads, but you will receive the power of the Holy Spirit in the same way you received Jesus into your life.  Ask Him to empower you and plunge you into the ministry and calling that God has planned for your life.  Receive by faith even if you do not see an instant phenomenon and begin to walk through the open doors that He provides for you to be His witness.  First to your family, then to your neighborhood and then beyond.

Today I want to encourage you to receive the power of the Holy Spirit in your life.  If you already have at some point, maybe it is time for a refilling.  Much like your spiritual batteries need a recharge regularly, by getting in the Word and into God’s presence, you can be drained of the Spirit’s power and need a refilling to get back out there in the highways and byways.  Invite the Holy Spirit and His power into your life today and become that witness that turns your world upside down.

Pray:  Holy Spirit, I invite you to come into my life and immerse me into your power and authority in this world.  Empower me to be my Father’s witness to those around me and to those even far from me.  I receive You and your power to the fullest into my life right now, in Jesus name, Amen.

Today’s scripture reading: Luke 24:44-53

44 Then He said to them, “These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.” 

45 And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures.

46 Then He said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, 

47 and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 

48 And you are witnesses of these things. 

49 Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.”

50 And He led them out as far as Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and blessed them. 

51 Now it came to pass, while He blessed them, that He was parted from them and carried up into heaven. 

52 And they worshiped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, 

53 and were continually in the temple praising and blessing God. Amen.

Open my understanding

And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures. Luke 24:45

I remember the first time I saw this verse.  I thought, wouldn’t that be great to have the Lord Jesus open up my understanding so that I could comprehend the scriptures?  That is the day I began to pray that over myself and others and He has.

In today’s reading, the disciples were finally able to understand why Jesus had to suffer and die and all the prophecies that He had to fulfill to complete His mission here in this world.  Why did He wait until after to open their understanding and why couldn’t they get it when He told them the many times before His death what was going to happen?  It was because now it was time for them to take over this ministry and even though they heard most of what Jesus told them that day, many times before, they were not able to comprehend it until it had been accomplished and they could look back and understand.

It is kind of like when we are going through something, we take steps of faith that the Holy Spirit puts in our heart to do.  Sometimes it doesn’t even make sense, but we take the steps anyway.  Then, after some time, even years later, when we are through the situation, we can plainly see why we needed to take those steps of faith that didn’t exactly make sense in the process.  Our understanding was opened so that we could comprehend why the Holy Spirit led in that direction.

I have used this example before, but I will talk about it again today.  It has been years ago now that I had a situation that was being settled in the court system.  Things didn’t seem to be going well in the judges hands.  The court was making decisions based on what they were hearing and seeing not based on facts.  As I prayed about it and finally took time to listen to what the Holy Spirit was speaking to my heart, I heard in that still quiet internal Voice to get the matter out of the court system.  That didn’t make sense to me, and I felt like I was losing and had to give up all my rights.  Thankfully, I did follow that wisdom and now, all these years later, I am still seeing the good results of that decision made all those years ago.  My understanding has been open so that I comprehend what the Spirit was leading to way back then.

Now, I pray for Him to open my understanding to comprehend the scripture and the things He is leading me to day to day.  It doesn’t always happen instantly, but I do know that He is faithful to show me at just the right time and that gives me confidence to listen to those inner promptings even when I cannot see the end results.  I know He can see them, and He is leading me in the right direction.

Today I want to encourage you to pray for the Holy Spirit of God to open your understanding as you read the scriptures.  Pray for your spiritual ears to be open as He leads you through life’s ups and downs.  Then when you hear from your heart to your head a solution that may not exactly make sense in the natural realm, you can almost guarantee that God is up to something supernatural and by taking the steps of faith He offers, you will pull the rug right out from under the enemy that is trying to trap you.

Today’s scripture reading: Luke 24:44-49

44 Then He said to them, “These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.” 

45 And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures.

46 Then He said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, 

47 and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 

48 And you are witnesses of these things. 

49 Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.”

Why are you troubled

_{And He said to them, “Why are you troubled? And why do doubts arise in your hearts? Luke 23:38}

Today is a day of great troubles and turbulent struggles in our world.  Looking at the latest headlines can be stressful and scary.  Wars and uprisings, plagues and incurable diseases, confusion and chaos, just to name a few of the traumas we face on a daily basis.  We are living in trying times for sure.  Some of the worst tension our world has ever known.  Yet in the midst of all of it, we still have hope, and we can still experience His peace.

When Jesus walked into a gathering of His disciples after He was raised up from the dead, His first question to the group was: “Why are you troubled?”  Never mind the fact that they had seen Jesus beaten, crucified and die in the last three days and now His body had disappeared.  Jesus’ question was legitimate, though.  He had told them before that it was all going to happen.  I guess He expected that they would all be celebrating that since His body was gone, He must have risen up from the dead, just as He said He would.  Instead, they were frightened that they would be blamed for taking the body and they were concerned for their own lives.  Now, Jesus in true Jesus fashion, comes into the situation bringing peace.  His first words to them were “Peace to you!”  His will was not for them to be afraid, and His plan was not for them to be troubled.  In fact, He told them what was going to happen so that they could be prepared, not perplexed and hiding away from the guards.

He has the same expectation for us today.  His will is not for us to be troubled and His plan is not for us to hide away until He comes back to get us.  He told us ahead of time what to expect and His plan is for us to have peace, believe His word and to occupy this world until He returns.  Jesus intended that His people would occupy and possess the earth as a conquered territory and rescue the lost souls of this tempestuous world and that is our part in the world today.  We are not the minority; we are supposed to be in charge.  Not in the political realm, but in the spiritual and in the realm of loving and rescuing other, and we are.  This world may look like a war zone, but behind the scenes, God has people in every nation rescuing the prisoners of His enemy.  He had people on the front lines and He has people in the background funding and supporting those on the front lines.  We are His occupying force in the earth and we will occupy and be in peace until He comes back to get us.

Today I want to encourage you to be in peace.  Don’t let the news of  the world trouble you and don’t look to leaders in the natural to make things better.  God’s people are the ones who carry peace in this world and we are the ones that are ruling in the spiritual world.  Step away from the turmoil, distractions and destruction of today’s world and step into your place of rescuing the perishing.  Whether it’s on the front lines or in the background, your part is important.  Seek Him out today and find out what your part is.

Today’s scripture reading: Luke 24:36-43

36 Now as they said these things, Jesus Himself stood in the midst of them, and said to them, “Peace to you.” 

37 But they were terrified and frightened, and supposed they had seen a spirit. 

38 And He said to them, “Why are you troubled? And why do doubts arise in your hearts? 

39 Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have.”

40 When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His feet. 

41 But while they still did not believe for joy, and marveled, He said to them, “Have you any food here?” 

42 So they gave Him a piece of a broiled fish and some honeycomb. 

43 And He took it and ate in their presence.

Open your eyes

Then their eyes were opened and they knew Him; and He vanished from their sight. Luke 24:31

Have you ever felt like you couldn’t, see?  Couldn’t see what was going to happen next or even what was going on right now in the unseen world?  Maybe you are praying and believing that God is working in a certain area, but you just don’t know if anything is actually happening?  Well, I have good news for you today!  You can actually pray and ask for your eyes to be open to spiritual things.  God’s supernatural wisdom and revelation are available to us when we ask for it.  Paul showed us how to pray that way in Ephesians chapter 1.

In today’s reading, Jesus taught the men He was walking with, but it wasn’t until they sat down to eat with Him that their eyes were opened to Who it was they had been with all day long.  In their time of communing with Him, He was revealed on a more personal level.  That is also a way our spiritual eyes will be more in tune with what the Holy Spirit is working in our lives.  The more time we spend talking with, listening to and feeding on His words, the more we will be aware of His presence and His plans.  As we take the time to focus our attention and affection on the things of God, the more insight and revelation that will be given in return.  Think of it this way.  The greater investment of your time and resources that you give to God, the more your return on that investment will be in the things that God is showing you and leading you too.

Take time today and make it part of your daily routine to give attention and focus to Him.  Spend time in His Word and in His presence.  Make a space for Him to fill in your day.  Give Him the time and attention that you do to tv, social media, news and weather.  Make His priorities at least as important as your pastimes.  If you do, it will not be long until you want to make Him the priority of every day.  When you put Him first and His kingdom, then all the other things in life will begin to fall into place.

Today I want to encourage you to seek first God’s Kingdom and righteousness.  You can start by praying the praying that Paul prayed in Ephesians 1:17 – the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints.  Begin to set special time aside to spend with Him each day and then make it a priority in your day.  Your eyes will be open to the great blessing He has for your life and you will know the reason you are in this world and what great things you will accomplish that will last for eternity.

Today’s scripture reading: Luke 24:28-35

28 Then they drew near to the village where they were going, and He indicated that He would have gone farther. 

29 But they constrained Him, saying, “Abide with us, for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent.” And He went in to stay with them.

30 Now it came to pass, as He sat at the table with them, that He took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. 

31 Then their eyes were opened and they knew Him; and He vanished from their sight.

32 And they said to one another, “Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?” 

33 So they rose up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, 

34 saying, “The Lord is risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” 

35 And they told about the things that had happened on the road, and how He was known to them in the breaking of bread.

He is with you

But their eyes were restrained, so that they did not know Him. Luke 24:16

Have you ever felt like you were alone in this life?  Maybe you have felt like you have no one to turn to or talk to when you need a friend?  I could be that you have just felt like no one cares enough to reach out to you and you just want someone to listen.

In today’s reading, there were two men walking and talking.  Jesus was with them, but they didn’t know it.  As they talked, Jesus asked them questions about why there were so sad, but they didn’t know it was Him.  They Jesus opened up the scriptures to them and spoke His words of wisdom about the things that had just happened.  He showed them through the scriptures that they had a reason to keep hope alive even though the outward circumstances didn’t look hopeful, but they still didn’t know He was with them.

It can be that way with us some days.  We start out our day focused on what we are struggling with or the activity we have to do that day, never acknowledging that He is with us.  We start out running into the day and never take a minute to thank Him for His presence all day long.  Sometimes, we even wonder why He isn’t showing up in our troubles, but He is there all along and His wisdom is there in His Word.  God’s Word is His promise to us and Jesus is His Word in the flesh and even though we cannot see Him, He is with us and when we speak His Words over our lives and those we love, we are sending Him into those lives to bless and make a way in their circumstances.

God’s Word is light and life and when you take them with you, you can hear Jesus speaking into your heart and into your life.  His Words will strengthen and energize you when you need to remember He is with you.  You can choose scriptures to take with you every day so that when you do feel alone or troubled, you can speak them and know that He is with you.  Scriptures like:

Matthew 28:20 – I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. 

John 14:27 – Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. 

Matthew 11:28 – Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

John 16:33 – These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

He is with you today even though you may not recognize Him or know it, but you can reveal His presence by speaking His Word into whatever your day holds for you.  Thank Him that He is with you and then thank Him for the promises He gave you in His Word.  If you do these things, you will always be able to chase your loneliness away.

Today I want to encourage you to start your day thanking Him that He is with you.  Don’t be like the men on the road to Emmaus that didn’t know He was with them.  Take some time to select some of His Words and promises to remind you that He is there and then when you feel lonely or afraid, speak that wisdom aloud and release His life into those feelings and your surroundings.  He is there with you all the time, but it is up to you to acknowledge Him in all your ways and speak the life Words that show His presence with you.

Today’s scripture reading: Luke 24:13-27

13 Now behold, two of them were traveling that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was seven miles from Jerusalem. 

14 And they talked together of all these things which had happened. 

15 So it was, while they conversed and reasoned, that Jesus Himself drew near and went with them. 

16 But their eyes were restrained, so that they did not know Him.

17 And He said to them, “What kind of conversation is this that you have with one another as you walk and are sad?”

18 Then the one whose name was Cleopas answered and said to Him, “Are You the only stranger in Jerusalem, and have You not known the things which happened there in these days?”

19 And He said to them, “What things?” So they said to Him, “The things concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a Prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, 

20 and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered Him to be condemned to death, and crucified Him. 

21 But we were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel. Indeed, besides all this, today is the third day since these things happened. 

22 Yes, and certain women of our company, who arrived at the tomb early, astonished us. 

23 When they did not find His body, they came saying that they had also seen a vision of angels who said He was alive. 

24 And certain of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but Him they did not see.”

25 Then He said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! 

26 Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory?” 

27 And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.

Focus on the details

“He is not here but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, saying, ‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.’ ” Luke 24:6-7 

In a couple months it will be the time of year when we celebrate Resurrection Sunday!  It was the day that Jesus got up from being dead and walked out of a dead man’s tomb.  Usually around that time we think about Jesus and His death, burial and resurrection.  We think about the details of the things Jesus went through leading up to His death.  Some of those thoughts will be on the beating He took, other thoughts will be about the crowd jeering and mocking Him.  Still, you may have thoughts about Jesus carrying His own cross to be nailed to.  There may even be thoughts of His suffering as He hung on the cross.  Probably some will be reminded of the words He spoke on the cross, then the tomb and the three days His body lay there lifeless.  My point is that this will be the one time of the year that we really take time to focus on all the details of what Jesus actually did to save us from an eternity of separation from God and without Him we would spend our eternal life suffering in hell.  

However, what details will you be focused on after it has passed?  Will you immediately shift your attention back to the world and the current crisis we are in?  Will you scan the headlines to see what the greatest threat is for this week?  Will you learn every detail and possible outcome to discuss in every conversation you have?  Why does our focus have to change?  Why do we have to turn our attention away from the price Jesus paid to free us from the current world circumstances?  Why don’t we instead keep our attention on the details of heaven?  Can we keep our focus on the details of our God and the details of our Savior, Jesus?

Think about this:  What if you spent as much time studying and getting to know your Heavenly Father as you spend watching the news or learning about current events?  What if you focused on the details of heaven and the joy that is waiting for you there?  Why not learn down to the last detail about the love of God?  How He created us to have dominion over this world?  How He sent Jesus to defeat His enemy and every evil work he ever did in this world or ever will do?  Sin has been defeated!  Death has been defeated!  Sickness has been defeated!  Disease has been defeated!  Anxiety, worry, doubt, fear, all defeated.  He hung on a cross so we wouldn’t be crushed or even threatened by any attack of the enemy, right now, here in this world! The work Jesus did on the cross was so big, there is nothing that can stand against it.  Nothing!!!  It wasn’t just a partial work of Salvation for after we die, it was a complete work of redemption so we can live this life in total victory!  Evil is not our focus, Victory is!  

Today I want to encourage you to keep your focus on the details of your Savior, Jesus!  You already have the victory!  Please stop looking at the things that have already been defeated!  They are not a threat to God or His people, but the only way to believe that is to focus on God’s details, not the world’s.  We are more than conquerors through Jesus!  Let’s start acting like it!

Today’s scripture reading:  Luke 24:6-12

6 He is not here, but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, 

7 saying, ‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.’ ”

8 And they remembered His words. 

9 Then they returned from the tomb and told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. 

10 It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them, who told these things to the apostles. 

11 And their words seemed to them like idle tales, and they did not believe them. 

12 But Peter arose and ran to the tomb; and stooping down, he saw the linen cloths lying by themselves; and he departed, marveling to himself at what had happened.

Hi Daily Dose follow! I am so pleased to announce that a new Daily Dose Journal of the books of 1st & 2nd Thessalonians has just released and is now available at Amazon! I am very excited about this release because it is the 10th release in the Journaling series! I thank you all for your continual following and faithful prayers for the Daily Dose Blog and hope that you will share with others when you are encouraged by one of the daily posts.

The heavy lifting

Now on the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they, and certain other women with them, came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared. 2But they found the stone rolled away from the tomb. Luke 24:1-2

How many times can you remember in life when you were worried or concerned about how something was going to work out, but when you got to that moment in time you found that it was already taken care of and there was no need to worry at all.  Yet still when the next time came around, you worried again about how you would do something only to find again, God had already taken care of it.  

When the women were on their way to the tomb to anoint the body of Jesus, they were worried about how they were going to get to Jesus’ body because a large stone had been placed in front of the tomb. But when they got there an angel had already moved the stone and they were no longer worried about that.  In fact, I don’t think they ever thought about it again because everything was completely different than they expected.  

These ladies had done their part. They got up early. They went to the tomb.  They came with everything they needed to anoint Jesus’ body. They had made all the preparations that they could, but the one thing they couldn’t do was move the stone.  That was God’s part.  God does all the heavy lifting.

In our daily struggles, are we putting everything on God, or are we doing the part within our ability and watching for God to meet us at the door that needs open or to make a path in the wilderness?  He won’t do it all, but He will meet you at the point that you cannot go any further, but you must start moving or you will never see the wonders He has prepared for you to walk in.

Today I want to encourage you to trust in God’s faithfulness.  Commit whatever you are up against and moving toward to God.  Ask Him to meet you at the precise moment that you are unable to move forward anymore.  Know that whatever you are facing and whatever is coming up next in your life, He is already there and has rolled every stone away, opened every door and made a way through every wilderness.  He holds you and He holds tomorrow!!

Today’s scripture reading: Luke 24:1-12

1 Now on the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they, and certain other women with them, came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared. 

2 But they found the stone rolled away from the tomb. 

3 Then they went in and did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 

4 And it happened, as they were greatly perplexed about this, that behold, two men stood by them in shining garments. 

5 Then, as they were afraid and bowed their faces to the earth, they said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? 

6 He is not here, but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, 

7 saying, ‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.’ ”

8 And they remembered His words. 

9 Then they returned from the tomb and told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. 

10 It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them, who told these things to the apostles. 

11 And their words seemed to them like idle tales, and they did not believe them. 

12 But Peter arose and ran to the tomb; and stooping down, he saw the linen cloths lying by themselves; and he departed, marveling to himself at what had happened.

Laid to Rest

Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a tomb that was hewn out of the rock, where no one had ever lain before.  Luke 23:53

The torture was over, and Jesus was finally laid to rest.  How peaceful this scene must have been after such an excruciating day.  He had completed His work, fulfilled the law and gave His life as a ransom for all.  Finally, He could rest from all His trouble.  He faced the most gruesome and horrific death of all time.  Not only did He suffer at the hands of man, but God’s wrath for sin was poured out on Him.  Finally, His enemy was defeated.

We don’t know for sure what happened while His body laid in the tomb.  Many believe He descended to the enemy’s domain and stripped him of the keys of death and any power he had stolen from God’s created people.  Ephesians 4:7-9 tells us the He descended into the lower parts of the earth to set the captives free.  We also read in other passages that when He raised from the dead, many were raised up with Him. (See Matthew 17:52-53)

To His disciples, this was a very sad time.  They thought that their Lord had been killed and that they would never see Him again until they died. But for Jesus, this was just the next step in the plan.  It was a trick played by God on His enemy to get His people back.  Satan thought that he had successfully captured, tortured and killed the One who was sent to defeat Him, but he was so wrong. It was far from being over!

Whatever you are facing today, know that it’s not over.  Even the things in your life that look like they have died, God can give new life to.  Whether it is a family relationships, your marriage or bank account, there is hope by putting it in the hands of Jesus.  Just as His body lay dead for 3 day and then was resurrected, God can resurrect your circumstances too.  He has the grace you need for whatever you are up against.  Don’t let the enemy steal back what Jesus died to get for you.  Turn your situation over today and God will restore what belongs to you.

Today I want to encourage you to be so thankful for all that Jesus died to give you!  Yes, the salvation that you desperately needed to rescue you from eternal separation and torment, but also the gift of the Holy Spirit living in you and guiding your life.  All this is possible because of His sacrifice.  Honor Him today for sticking to the plan and completing that part to make us His own.  Then tell that good news to others.  Share the message of His gospel everywhere you go.  It is the only thing that matters in this life.  Be His witness and lead other captives to the freedom He died to get them.

Today’s scripture reading: Luke 23:50-56

50 Now behold, there was a man named Joseph, a council member, a good and just man. 

51 He had not consented to their decision and deed. He was from Arimathea, a city of the Jews, who himself was also waiting for the kingdom of God. 

52 This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. 

53 Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a tomb that was hewn out of the rock, where no one had ever lain before. 

54 That day was the Preparation, and the Sabbath drew near.

55 And the women who had come with Him from Galilee followed after, and they observed the tomb and how His body was laid. 

56 Then they returned and prepared spices and fragrant oils. And they rested on the Sabbath according to the commandment.

Three, Two, one

But all His acquaintances, and the women who followed Him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things. Luke 23:49

This was a long day for Jesus.  In fact, it started the day before.  He was with His disciples all day the day before, celebrated the Passover with them and then went to the garden to pray.  That is when He was arrested.  All night long He was beaten and interrogated, mocked and spat upon.  In the morning He was taken right to the high priests and scribes where He was questioned some more and condemned.  Next, they took Him before Pilate to be questioned and punished.  That’s when He was scourged by the roman soldiers. Then, even though Pilate wanted to release Him, He was sentenced to death on a cross.  Not a beautiful decorated golden cross, it was an old rugged cross.  The scriptures actually called it a tree. And that is what it was, two tree trunks made into a death penalty.  He carried that tree as far as He could before collapsing in the street and when He finally made it to the top of the hill, the soldiers nailed His body to it and dropped it into the ground to be raised up for all to see.

There were many people there to see Him that day.  Some were His accusers, some were His executors, there was an entire crowd there just sightseeing and then there were His followers who stood at a distance.  It was a long day for them too.  Jesus’ disciples had been there throughout the day to see what they would do with Jesus.  Maybe they wanted to be close by when He put them in their place or maybe they wanted to be there for Him if they could do something to help Him.  Really all we know is that they were there the whole time.  At noon that day, which was the sixth hour, darkness covered the entire world for three hours, but still His followers stayed.  I can’t even imagine what that would have been like, but certainly it was scary to be there in utter darkness, still hearing the commotion around them. 

At the end of that three hours, the veil in the temple was torn in two.  It was no longer needed to keep God’s glory in.  Then Jesus offered up His Spirit to His Father in heaven and breathed His last breath.  The countdown was finished and so was Jesus’ work in this world.  His people and His followers were there with Him that whole day and when they were given permission, they took His body and laid it to rest.  Of course, they thought that was the end of the mission.  They were confused and frightened for their own lives, but they didn’t run.  They loved Jesus and knew in their hearts that He was their Messiah and they knew they had to trust that He knew what He was doing.

This is where we come into the picture.  You and I are Jesus’ followers and His disciples, but are we willing to stick with Him when things don’t make sense, and everything looks like it is falling apart?  Are we passing the tests each day to trust Him and know that He is at work even in the darkest times?  He is our Savior and our LORD, and He sits at His Father’s right hand as the head of the church, His people.  He promised to be with us even until the end of this age, so it is up to us to believe and keep following Him until the end comes.  Thankfully, we have His Holy Spirit in us to empower us to complete our assignment at this time, but He will not do it for us.  We must seek Him first and His plan then He will lead us in that perfect path of righteousness.

Today I want to encourage you to hang in there.  Stay close to your Savior and lean on His every word and direction.  Search out the promises and directions He gave while He was here in this world, then make a plan to get in line with the purpose He has called you to and love the people He has given you to.  The countdown is on again and the darkness is thick.  This could be the last hour and we are the only light that can be seen in this dark world.  Live this time on purpose with the intent to shine His light and lead all those around you into His everlasting Kingdom.

Today’s scripture reading: Luke 23:44-49

44 Now it was about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. 

45 Then the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was torn in two. 

46 And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, “Father, ‘into Your hands I commit My spirit.’ ” Having said this, He breathed His last.

47 So when the centurion saw what had happened, he glorified God, saying, “Certainly this was a righteous Man!”

48 And the whole crowd who came together to that sight, seeing what had been done, beat their breasts and returned. 

49 But all His acquaintances, and the women who followed Him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.