Living the Christian Life Magazine
(1) Sad heart - Reading verses 13-25
Failing to understand
Our Bible reading focuses on two people making their journey to Bethany, about seven miles from Jerusalem. They are full of sorrow, their hopes and ambitions shattered through events of the last three days.
The risen Lord draws alongside them and asks "what are talking about as you travel"
The things concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word in the sight of God and all the people "But we were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel" They failed to understand the purpose of the Lords ministry. For he said in Luke Ch4 v18
The Spirit is upon Me, because he anointed me to preach the Gospel to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives. And recovery of sight to the blind. To set free those who are downtrodden. To proclaim the favorable year of the Lord.
Not only did they fail to understand His purpose but also they failed to realize who He was. He was no ordinary prophet. He was God brought forth in the flesh.
(2) The slow heart – Bible reading verses 26-28
Failing to believe the witnesses to the Lord's resurrection
On a number of occasions the Lord Jesus revealed to the Disciples his purpose to go to Jerusalem, and to die and to arise the third day. This did not fit into their ambitions and thoughts, they could only see failure at the cross, that somehow the Lord Jesus had gone too far and upset the Jewish leaders
Yet when look at the facts concerning His death we need ask some searching questions
When we turn back to look at the death of Jesus, and as soon as we do so we are faced with a massive problem to which there appears to be no answer. We know that Jesus had no sin of any kind, and as it is sin, which causes death, he clearly had no 'cause of death' in him. He was not subject to 'the law of sin and death'; he was outside of its jurisdiction; death had no claim on. Yet he died! What possible explanation can there be for something that seems to throw God's moral control of the world on the scrap heap.
But the Bible specifically states that' No man has power to retain the spirit, or authority over the day of death' (Ecclesiastes 8:8). If a man could prevent the Spirit leaving the body, he could make himself immortal; if he could dismiss his spirit by an act of the will, suicide would be simple and serene.
Yet once again Jesus is the exception to the rule. He deliberately, clearly and intelligently dismissed his spirit. He was not drugged; he refused the crude anesthetic offered to him. In spite of all he had gone through he was not physically exhausted; he had the strength to cry out with a loud voice. Instead, he showed that he had complete authority over the moment of his death.
Bible Reading
Luke 24:13-25
The Road to Emmaus
And behold, two of them were going that very day to a village named Emmaus, which was about seven miles from Jerusalem. And they were talking with each other about all these things which had taken place. While they were talking and discussing, Jesus Himself approached and began travelling with them.
The Bible has a clear and consistent answer to that question and we can begin to unravel it as we turn to focus our attention on the death of Jesus. It is obvious that Jesus ought not to have died (or at least ought not to have been executed) because he was clearly innocent of all the false charges brought against him.
Yet some of the clearest evidence we have that the death of Jesus was voluntary comes at the very moment he died. This is how Matthew records it: 'And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit' (Matthew 27:50)
We see from the evidence before us that Calvary was no accident; it was the predetermined plan of God.
Failing to understand the Lord's purpose ( Luke Ch.25: 13-25
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