Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from recognizing him. Luke 24:16
Have you ever searched high and low only to find what you are looking for is right where you looked? Sometimes it can be like that with God. Sometimes we can be so focused on the problem we don’t see the answer is right there with us. Jesus cannot always change what we are facing but he will help us through it. Let us pray that we would always seek Christ in our time of need.
The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; Luke 24:20
His own people killed him. They could not see what Jesus was offering them. It is easy for us to kill off the hope that we can have in Christ when we seek the world for fulfilment and the answer to all our questions. The scriptures will challenge us especially when we go in our own direction or interpret things the way we want them to read. Let us pray that we would not be blinded by our own ideas but rather look to God.
but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. Luke 24:21
These disciples had a preconceived idea of how the Messiah would save them. I wonder how often our hope is dashed because things don’t pan out the way we expect. In such times we need to trust in the Lord of all creation. Let us pray for faith that waits on God and expects the unexpected.
In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. Luke 24:22-23
These disciples were in many ways like so many in the world. Even when they are told of the evidence of Christ’s resurrection, they didn’t believe those who had seen it. When we have no faith or our faith wavers it is important to listen to those who have the truth we seek. Let us pray for those who struggle to see the truth when it is presented to them.
He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Luke 24:25
Jesus pointed out what the Bible had said about him and what would happen. How foolish are we if we do not believe what is written in God’s Word. And it is not just for picking the bits we like or agree with it is the whole of God’s Word, Let us pray for those who struggle with knowing what they can trust and believe in.
When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. Luke 24:30-31
As the Lord performed that simple task of giving thanks and breaking bread, they saw who he was. When we look, Jesus is revealed to us in the everyday things. He is not just for Sundays and Holy Days but for everyday. Let us pray that we would have our eyes opened and know his presence in every part of every day.
They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.” Luke 24:33-34
On the day we set aside to worship the Lord we proclaim once again ‘He is risen.’ The events of Easter give us the promise that he is with us and will walk along side us always and then for those who believe and follow his ways we have the assurance of eternity in Heaven. Let us come in praise of our Glorious and merciful forgiving God.