 Prepare to Listen. You are witnesses of these things.
Prayerfully Read Luke 24:36-48 36While they were talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, ‘Peace be with you.’ 37They were startled and terrified, and thought that they were seeing a ghost. 38He said to them, ‘Why are you frightened, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? 39Look at my hands and my feet; see that it is I myself. Touch me and see; for a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.’ 40And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. 41While in their joy they were disbelieving and still wondering, he said to them, ‘Have you anything here to eat?’ 42They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43and he took it and ate in their presence. 44Then he said to them, ‘These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you—that everything written about me in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled.’ 45Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, 46and he said to them, ‘Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, 47and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48You are witnesses of these things.’ Prayerfully Wonder and Reflect What caught your attention in today’s reading? Wonder why it did. “Peace be with you.” Perhaps Jesus’ most significant words after his resurrection. No rebuke for failure to believe he’d rise again. Just a compassionate, Peace be with you. Their reaction? “They were startled and terrified, and thought that they were seeing a ghost.” Jesus then gave them an opportunity to trust their own sense experience—look, touch. He didn’t demand belief, merely encouraged it on the basis of their senses. They still struggled, as Luke states, “In their joy they were disbelieving and still wondering.” Jesus’ response? I’m hungry, guys. Have you anything to eat? Jesus then patiently “opened their minds to understand” the scriptures about him. He then commanded, “You are witnesses of these things.” Witnesses of his life, death, burial, resurrection. Witnesses, not definers or explainers, but witnesses. Witnesses don’t need to understand, are often incapable of explaining or defining. But that’s okay. Their job is to tell what they saw and experienced. We’re now witnesses, not definers; witnesses not problem-solvers. We don’t make it up, adapt Jesus to fit our desires. We’re witnesses to our face-to-face encounters with Jesus as we live with what the first witnesses recorded of their experiences. Face to face with Jesus we discover our true selves and can then change to become mirror images of Jesus, reflecting him to the world. In what ways have you experienced Jesus face to face this Lent and Easter and how is it changing you? Prayerfully Respond Lord, keep me seeking you face to face so that I may be a faithful witness, even if I don’t fully understand all you’ve said and done. Thank you for the life you make possible for the world. Amen, Live obediently. You are witnesses of these things.
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 Prepare to Listen. I shall not die, but I shall live, and recount the deeds of the LORD. (Ps 118:17)
Prayerfully Read Luke 23:50-56 50Now there was a good and righteous man named Joseph, who, though a member of the council, 51had not agreed to their plan and action. He came from the Jewish town of Arimathea, and he was waiting expectantly for the kingdom of God. 52This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. 53Then he took it down, wrapped it in a linen cloth, and laid it in a rock-hewn tomb where no one had ever been laid. 54It was the day of Preparation, and the sabbath was beginning. 55The women who had come with him from Galilee followed, and they saw the tomb and how his body was laid. 56Then they returned, and prepared spices and ointments. On the sabbath they rested according to the commandment. Prayerfully Wonder and Reflect Friday Jesus died and was buried. Sunday Jesus rose from the dead. Saturday nothing much happened. Imagine the grief that day. The most significant detail about Joseph of Arimathea is: “he was waiting expectantly for the kingdom of God.” His belief in Jesus never faltered. But Jesus died, proof to many he was a false prophet, whose body belonged in the common grave for criminals. But Joseph didn’t think so. Jesus’ disciples did. Not Joseph. He lovingly wrapped the body in a cloth and laid Jesus in a new and unused tomb. The women disciples, who stayed at the cross and saw Jesus die, also waited expectantly, with unwavering faith. They watched Joseph, followed him to the tomb, planning to return after the sabbath with their prepared spices and ointments for the body. They refused to give up hope in Jesus, even after his death. They saw the tomb, went home and rested on the sabbath “according to the commandment.” They made space for their Saturday grief, perhaps even prayed psalms of lament. Saturday nothing much happened. Saturday is where many of us are living, waiting, praying, lamenting. We’re not yet able to hope. We’ll get there, but first we must lament, grieve and mourn, live out our Saturday. We know better than to ignore grief by jumping to Sunday and resurrection. We stay in our Saturday for however long it takes. Friday was devastating. Sunday will come, in God’s time and we’ll know resurrection joy. Saturday we wait. If you can, tell your story of a Saturday waiting, struggling to hope and believe. Prayerfully Respond Lord, I pray for all those today who are living in Saturday grief and loss. I mourn with them, believe for them and trust them to your loving care. Amen. Live obediently. Like the women and Joseph, wait in expectation.  Prepare to Listen. Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.
Prayerfully Read Luke 23:39-43 39One of the criminals who were hanged there kept deriding him and saying, ‘Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us!’ 40But the other rebuked him, saying, ‘Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 41And we indeed have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong.’ 42Then he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’ 43He replied, ‘Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.’ Prayerfully Wonder and Reflect The justly convicted criminal pleaded, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” What do you suppose he expected from Jesus? Only Luke tells this story, once again bringing us face to face with a Savior who prioritized the marginalized and lifted up the lowly. One convicted felon mocked, joining the mockers at the foot of the cross. He said, “Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” If you’re really the Messiah, do something and don’t forget to save us too. Jesus remained silent. The other saw something the first hadn’t. Next to a silent, suffering Jesus, he saw himself and his sin. He rebuked his fellow convicted felon. They both deserved their punishment, unlike Jesus, whom, he said, had “done nothing wrong.” Assuming it was too late to make amends, he could only plead, “Remember me.” Sometimes that’s all we can say, all we need to say. Remember me. Those simple words got a response from the dying Jesus. He made no demands, expected nothing from the convicted felon, just compassionately said, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” In Jewish understanding, Paradise was where the righteous went after death. The felon hadn’t lived a righteous life, but Jesus made room for him, giving mercy to the underdog, doing what he said he came to do: “For the Son of man came to seek and to save the lost” (Lk 19:10). Try and imagine the thoughts and feelings of that felon, and what he may have thought about Jesus. Face to face with Jesus, what do you now see? Prayerfully Respond Lord Jesus, even as you suffered, you could show compassion to a convicted felon and offer forgiveness. Lord, remember me too. Amen. Live obediently. Jesus forgave a convicted felon.  Prepare to Listen. Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.
Prayerfully Read Luke 23:32-38 32Two others also, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. 33When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. [[34Then Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.’]] And they cast lots to divide his clothing. 35And the people stood by, watching; but the leaders scoffed at him, saying, ‘He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Messiah of God, his chosen one!’ 36The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine, 37and saying, ‘If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!’ 38There was also an inscription over him, ‘This is the King of the Jews.’ Prayerfully Wonder and Reflect What surprised or shocked in this passage? The story is unembellished: “they crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left.” The camera then shifts to the scene at the foot of the cross: soldiers casting lots, leaders and the crowd mocking, rejecting their King. The only time Jesus features is at the beginning when he prayed, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” His first words from the cross. Since these words aren’t in some of the early manuscripts of Luke, and since they don’t directly relate to anything in this scene, some scholars suggest ignoring it. But we can’t. We know it’s so Jesus. The odd placement and lack of clarity about whom Jesus forgives, is intentional. It forces us to pay attention. “Father forgive them.” Them could be the soldiers, the Jewish rulers who demanded his crucifixion, Pilate who gave in to them, the disciples who weren’t there standing with him, all of the above. It could also be you and me. Let’s face it, we’ve been guilty of failing Jesus, often. We too nailed him to the cross. In excruciating pain, Jesus rejected retaliation and revenge. He refused to engage in the popular “eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth” mentality. He showed us a different, albeit hard way—forgiveness. Sadly, too many prefer revenge or harmful words about those who hurt or disagree with us. M. L. King noted, “History is cluttered with the wreckage of nations and individuals that pursued this self-defeating path” of vengeance rather than forgiveness.[1] Near death, Jesus compassionately prayed that God forgive his enemies. And we’re called to be like Jesus. What steps can you take to pursue more faithfully the way of forgiveness? Prayerfully Respond Lord, forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Amen. Live obediently. Seek the way of forgiveness, not revenge. [1] In https://cac.org/daily-meditations/love-beyond/ 11/4/24.  Prepare to Listen. O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his steadfast love endures forever! (Ps 118:1)
Prayerfully Read Luke 23:13-25, 48 13Pilate then called together the chief priests, the leaders, and the people, 14and said to them, ‘You brought me this man as one who was perverting the people; and here I have examined him in your presence and have not found this man guilty of any of your charges against him. 15Neither has Herod, for he sent him back to us. Indeed, he has done nothing to deserve death. 16I will therefore have him flogged and release him.’ 18Then they all shouted out together, ‘Away with this fellow! Release Barabbas for us!’ 19(This was a man who had been put in prison for an insurrection that had taken place in the city, and for murder.) 20Pilate, wanting to release Jesus, addressed them again; 21but they kept shouting, ‘Crucify, crucify him!’ 22A third time he said to them, ‘Why, what evil has he done? I have found in him no ground for the sentence of death; I will therefore have him flogged and then release him.’ 23But they kept urgently demanding with loud shouts that he should be crucified; and their voices prevailed. 24So Pilate gave his verdict that their demand should be granted. 25He released the man they asked for, the one who had been put in prison for insurrection and murder, and he handed Jesus over as they wished. 48And when all the crowds who had gathered there for this spectacle saw what had taken place, they returned home, beating their breasts. Prayerfully Wonder and Reflect Read the passage again and pay attention to Jesus. What did you learn? “Their voices prevailed.” Jesus’ voice is silent. Pilate’s voice is drowned out. But their voices prevailed. Pilate said to them, “I have examined him in your presence and have not found this man guilty of any of your charges against him.” Three times he offered to release an innocent Jesus. Three times they rejected him. They cried, “Crucify, crucify him!” Instead of Jesus they chose Barabbas, a convicted felon and an instigator of an insurrection to overthrow the government. He was popular since he stood boldly and violently against Rome. They chose evil over good; the profane over the holy; nationalistic violence over suffering love; hatred over compassion; lies over truth. And their voices prevailed. Pilate caved and granted their demand. He released the convicted felony, instigator of an insurrection and “handed Jesus over as they wished.” At first, they were euphoric. They got what they wanted. They rejected their true King for a man willing to violently crush the Roman occupiers. They had no clue what a bad choice they’d made as they excitedly followed Jesus to the cross to see, what Luke calls “a spectacle.”[1] But their euphoria was cut short when they saw and heard Jesus die. At the foot of the cross, face to face with Jesus they also saw themselves for who they truly were. Their eyes were opened, and they realized what they’d done. They went home “beating their breasts,” a sign of shame, regret and repentance. They changed their minds. They’d made the biggest mistake of their lives, the wrong choice. They’d chosen a convicted felon, an instigator of an insurrection over Jesus, their Messiah and King, they’d chosen the kingdoms of the world over the Kingdom of God, a mistake they’d have to live with for the rest of their lives. Jesus’ death wasn’t a mistake. But would you like to have made the same choice as that crowd made? What is your choice today—the Kingdom of God or the world; nationalistic violence or suffering love; hatred or compassion and empathy? You choose. Prayerfully Respond Lord, give me wisdom to discern the good from the bad, and the courage to stand up for the good, for you. Amen. Live obediently. Be courageous. Choose rightly, the Jesus Way. [1] Some crucifixions became party-style celebrations for spectators.  Prepare to Listen. O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his steadfast love endures forever! (Ps 118:1)
Prayerfully Read Luke 22:66-23:5 66When day came, the assembly of the elders of the people, both chief priests and scribes, gathered together, and they brought him to their council. 67They said, ‘If you are the Messiah, tell us.’ He replied, ‘If I tell you, you will not believe; 68and if I question you, you will not answer. 69But from now on the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God.’ 70All of them asked, ‘Are you, then, the Son of God?’ He said to them, ‘You say that I am.’ 71Then they said, ‘What further testimony do we need? We have heard it ourselves from his own lips!’ 1Then the assembly rose as a body and brought Jesus before Pilate. 2They began to accuse him, saying, ‘We found this man perverting our nation, forbidding us to pay taxes to the emperor, and saying that he himself is the Messiah, a king.’ 3Then Pilate asked him, ‘Are you the king of the Jews?’ He answered, ‘You say so.’ 4Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, ‘I find no basis for an accusation against this man.’ 5But they were insistent and said, ‘He stirs up the people by teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee where he began even to this place.’ Prayerfully Wonder and Reflect What surprised or perplexed you about Luke’s account of Jesus before the Jewish council and Pilate? The morning after his arrest, the chief priests and scribes brought Jesus before their council, the Jewish rulers. Luke gives a brief account of what happened, focused on two accusations, both related to Jesus’ identity, and his response. First, they demanded, “If you are the Messiah, tell us.” Jesus refused. He knew their minds were set against him and closed to the truth. The second accusation was provoked by Jesus when he claimed, “from now on the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God.” The rulers heard this as a claim to be God’s Son and accusingly asked, “Are you, then, the Son of God?” Jesus merely responded, “You say that I am.” It convinced them that Jesus had committed blasphemy and so they dragged him before Pilate, for the first, and briefest, of two trials before him. Since blasphemy wasn’t a criminal offense, they accused Jesus of a political crime—to overthrow Rome and take over as ruler. None of their accusations were true. Pilate asked just one question: “Are you the king of the Jews?” Jesus’ response is the same as the one he gave to the Jewish rulers, “You say so.” He neither defended himself nor explained what he meant. Pilate was forced to take responsibility about Jesus’ fate. He tried to avoid it by sending him to Herod (Lk 23:6-12). But that didn’t work, as we’ll read tomorrow. Reflect on Jesus’ responses. What do they teach you about Jesus and how should that influence how you live? Prayerfully Respond Lord Jesus, you willingly stayed the course of suffering for the salvation of the world. Help me live more like you. Amen. Live obediently. Live humbly, as Jesus did.  Prepare to Listen. O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his steadfast love endures forever! (Ps 118:1)
Prayerfully Read Luke 22:31-34 and 54-62 31‘Simon, Simon, listen! Satan has demanded to sift all of you like wheat, 32but I have prayed for you that your own faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.’ 33And he said to him, ‘Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death!’ 34Jesus said, ‘I tell you, Peter, the cock will not crow this day, until you have denied three times that you know me.’ 54Then they seized [Jesus] and led him away, bringing him into the high priest’s house. But Peter was following at a distance. 55When they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat among them. 56Then a servant-girl, seeing him in the firelight, stared at him and said, ‘This man also was with him.’ 57But he denied it, saying, ‘Woman, I do not know him.’ 58A little later someone else, on seeing him, said, ‘You also are one of them.’ But Peter said, ‘Man, I am not!’ 59Then about an hour later yet another kept insisting, ‘Surely this man also was with him; for he is a Galilean.’ 60But Peter said, ‘Man, I do not know what you are talking about!’ At that moment, while he was still speaking, the cock crowed. 61The Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said to him, ‘Before the cock crows today, you will deny me three times.’ 62And he went out and wept bitterly. Prayerfully Wonder and Reflect “The Lord turned and looked at Peter.” Imagine that look. What do you think was in it? Luke frequently diverts from his fellow Gospel writers, as he does here, telling of Peter’s denial immediately after Judas’ betrayal. He’s also the only one to mention that, after the third denial and the cock crow, Jesus turned and looked at Peter. Did the look include sorrow or a sense of abandonment? Peter, seeing Jesus face to face, woke up and he “remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said to him, ‘Before the cock crows today, you will deny me three times.’” Did he also remember Jesus’ warning that he’d fail and how he’d proudly claimed, “Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and death.” Repentance can only happen when we remember. Peter needed to remember, not just Jesus’ warning, but his arrogant refusal to believe him, convinced he’d never deny his Lord. After the cock crowed, Jesus turned and looked at him. Then Peter remembered. Did he also remember Jesus’ promise to pray for him, that his faith wouldn’t fail and that he’d turn back, that is, repent? Perhaps he did because his repentance was real and deep: “He went out and wept bitterly.” Peter’s faith didn’t fail. He turned back, joined the disciples and Jesus. After the ascension, Peter became a leader who strengthened his brothers and sisters, including you and me today. Take time to remember and, if necessary, repent (change your mind and heart) in a way that is appropriate and true to Jesus. Prayerfully Respond Lord, you are always compassionate and ready to welcome us back even when we fail you. Thank you. Amen. Live obediently. Remember.  Prepare to Listen. O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his steadfast love endures forever! (Ps 118:1)
Prayerfully Read Luke 22:47-53 47While he was still speaking, suddenly a crowd came, and the one called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He approached Jesus to kiss him; 48but Jesus said to him, ‘Judas, is it with a kiss that you are betraying the Son of Man?’ 49When those who were around him saw what was coming, they asked, ‘Lord, should we strike with the sword?’ 50Then one of them struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his right ear. 51But Jesus said, ‘No more of this!’ And he touched his ear and healed him. 52Then Jesus said to the chief priests, the officers of the temple police, and the elders who had come for him, ‘Have you come out with swords and clubs as if I were a bandit? 53When I was with you day after day in the temple, you did not lay hands on me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness!’ Prayerfully Wonder and Reflect An enemy approached with a kiss. A friend attacked with a sword. What do you think of Jesus’ response to both? There are three rebukes from Jesus. The first was to an enemy once a disciple. Judas approached him with the intent to kiss, an unnecessary sign since Jesus had identified himself. He willingly accepted the suffering to come, thus stopped Judas with a gentle rebuke, as if giving him an opportunity to repent: “Judas, is it with a kiss that you are betraying the Son of Man?” The second rebuke was to a friend who resorted to violence. This time Jesus’ rebuke was severe: “No more of this!” He accepted the inevitability of his suffering, and rejected violence, a lesson we sorely need to learn. Too often the church has resorted to violence to protect their beliefs, only to discover how wrong they were. Instead of violence, Jesus performed his final miracle, healing the man’s ear. The third rebuke is a warning to the rulers. Ever since Jesus arrived in Jerusalem (19:41), the chief priests, the officers of the temple police, and the elders sought to kill him. But they feared to lay hands on him during the day because of the crowds who daily came to listen to his teaching. Night, said Jesus, was their hour, because it was “the power of darkness.” Darkness is the domain of God’s enemy. What his captors came to do in darkness, Jesus warned, was on the side of evil. They were so far gone in their hatred of Jesus they didn’t understand him. He warned them, but they did not repent. Jesus’ rebukes revealed his willingness to accept the cup the Father had prepared. How can this affect how you follow Jesus today? Prayerfully Respond Lord, help me be more like you and willingly accept whatever you bring my way today. Amen. Live obediently. Be more like Jesus.  Prepare to Listen. The LORD has done great things for us, and we rejoiced.
Prayerfully Read Luke 22:14-19a 14When the hour came, he took his place at the table, and the apostles with him. 15He said to them, ‘I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; 16for I tell you, I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.’ 17Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he said, ‘Take this and divide it among yourselves; 18for I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.’ 19Then he took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body.’ Prayerfully Wonder and Reflect “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.” Imagine being at the table and hearing Jesus say these words. How might you react; what might you be thinking? Every Sunday my church celebrates Holy Communion. The liturgy closely follows Scripture, not from the Gospels, but from Paul (1 Cor. 11). Luke’s account is odd, differing from Matthew, Mark and Paul. For instance, he reversed the bread and wine, and, according to the earliest copies of Luke, ended abruptly with: “This is my body.” This draws attention, not to the bread and wine, but to Jesus’ words, that link the past, Passover, with the future, the Kingdom and his redemption. The Jewish Passover wasn’t for the forgiveness of sin. It was a seal of the covenant between God and Israel, and their redemption, freedom from Egyptian slavery. Jesus’ suffering includes the same purpose—freedom from slavery to sin. Therefore, he’d not eat Passover “until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” As he passed the cup, he reinforced this, saying, “I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” Israel’s deliverance was just a shadow of the full redemption to come for all creation. “Jesus’ blood seals a new covenant offering a new kind of freedom, a release from captivity to sin and death, a new covenant extended by a liberating God to all who believe, both Jew and Gentile.”[1] Communion is both remembrance, looking back to Jesus’ death, and hope, looking forward to the future (perfect freedom in the Kingdom). Why do you suppose Jesus ‘eagerly desired’ to eat Passover with his disciples? What if he eagerly desires to eat with you? Prayerfully Respond Lord, you are blessed because you willingly suffered in order to fulfill the promise of Passover, freedom from slavery, for all creation. Therefore, we keep praying, May your kingdom come. Amen. Live obediently. Live in remembrance and hope. [1] Craddock, Fred B. Luke. Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press. 1990, p. 256.  Prepare to Listen. The LORD has done great things for us, and we rejoiced.
Prayerfully Read Luke 21:5-19 5When some were speaking about the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and gifts dedicated to God, he said, 6‘As for these things that you see, the days will come when not one stone will be left upon another; all will be thrown down.’ 7They asked him, ‘Teacher, when will this be, and what will be the sign that this is about to take place?’ 8And he said, ‘Beware that you are not led astray; for many will come in my name and say, “I am he!” and, “The time is near!” Do not go after them. 9When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified; for these things must take place first, but the end will not follow immediately.’ 10Then he said to them, ‘Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; 11there will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and plagues; and there will be dreadful portents and great signs from heaven. 12‘But before all this occurs, they will arrest you and persecute you; they will hand you over to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors because of my name. 13This will give you an opportunity to testify. 14So make up your minds not to prepare your defence in advance; 15for I will give you words and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to withstand or contradict. 16You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, by relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death. 17You will be hated by all because of my name. 18But not a hair of your head will perish. 19By your endurance you will gain your souls. Prayerfully Wonder and Reflect When Jesus warned that the temple would be destroyed, they asked: when and how will they know? What do you think of Jesus’ answer? How would you feel if you had asked this? When the people bragged about the beauty of their temple, Jesus warned that it would soon be destroyed. The temple was the symbol of God’s presence on earth and assured Jews that all would be well. When Jesus warned of its destruction it shook their security to the core. Imagine Jesus standing on the steps of the U. S. Capitol predicting its destruction. We too would be shaken and demand a sign. Jesus refused to give a sign, once again exhorting his followers, “Beware that you are not led astray.” Many will convincingly try to lead us astray, so Jesus warned, “Do not go after them.” It’s easy to be led astray today. False teachers convincingly promote lies and conspiracy theories on multiple media sites. Many Christians have been led astray, brainwashed by those who claim to have the truth, but don’t. must do the hard work of discernment and reject their well-told, convincing lies. We’ll know the liars because they promise a better, more affluent life. Jesus warned we would suffer, be persecuted, betrayed, hated. Life in him includes bad stuff, but Jesus promised to keep us safe. This doesn’t mean some won’t suffer and die. Many, throughout the ages, have already died for their faith. But, says Jesus, “By your endurance [patience] you will gain your souls.” It takes endurance to stand firm in the faith when suffering comes, rejecting the false teachers. How can you ensure that you’re not being led astray today and will stand firm in Jesus despite times of trial? Prayerfully Respond Lord, train me to be patient, carefully discerning your truth and your truth-tellers so that I am not led astray. Amen. Live obediently. By your endurance…. |
AuthorI was 8 when I began reading the Bible. At 76 I’m still reading it and still learning new and surprising stuff. Writing on Luke’s Gospel has been challenging, surprising and eye-opening. Read with me in these 47 day of Lent and Holy Week and experience your own encounters with Jesus. Archives
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