Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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Meeting the Resurrected Lord
Luke 24:13-35     
Dhanya Mary Jacob

Phoenix MTC, Arizona

15 While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, 16 but their eyes were kept from recognizing him.
 

This Easter Sunday, where is  Jesus? Is He still on the cross? Is He in church? Or is He alongside us, walking with us every step of the day?
Imagine the mindset of the two believers…the Messiah who had been sent to save all of Israel was nailed to the cross. And now, they hear reports that His body was no longer to be found. They had lost a friend, a companion and their teacher. Here in the loneliness of this experience, Jesus walks with them. What a joy it is to know our Shepherd walks with us in our deepest sadness! Open our eyes, and see our Savior standing next to us with loving kindness and tender mercies. Our God is an ever present God, one we can so proudly call our own. So even in our darkest moments, we are not to be downcast, for our Savior lives! We will never walk alone.
Jesus, in all compassion and humility, asks them “what things” they are worried about. He disregards the pain of the cross and is willing to hear first hand their knowledge of the cross. We need only to invite Him to come in with us, as the men did, saying “Abide with us.” He so lovingly explains and clarifies the Scriptures to them. They later realize that His words made them feel that their hearts were burning. This is the power of Christ in each of us. Words of wisdom, words of life. What is our speech today? Are we sharing words of life with others?
On this very day, Jesus rose from the dead to enter the glory set for Him  before the beginning of time. His glory is our glory too. For we are of Christ and Christ is of God (1 Cor 3:23). Today and every day, we need to remember that we are loved, we are forgiven, we are healed, we are made perfect in Him. So, in turn, we need to love, forgive, heal and make perfect. We need to live our lives knowing that we are the children of the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace. We need to live a life worthy of His ultimate sacrifice.

PRAYER

Father, guard our tongues and hearts. We praise You for the gift of forgiveness, and the joy of being Your forgiven children. Help us to value and honor that gift every day. Help us to be ever watchful of Your presence in our lives. Amen.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
“Because he lives, I can face tomorrow. Because he lives, All fear is gone.”  Because He Lives (Hymn by Bill and Gloria Gaither)

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