Changed Destinations

So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He acted as if he were going farther, but they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent.” So he went in to stay with them. Luke 24:28-29 ESV

It is interesting that these two disciples had walked all day with Jesus. They had listened to all He had to say. They had talked with Him and told Him all their problems. But all down that long hot and dusty road, they never realized who they were spending their day with.

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All down the path they had walked focused on their hopelessness, confusion and fear. At any moment Jesus could have stopped them in their tracks shouting, “Hey guys, it’s me! I came back from the dead! Everything is going to be great!” but He didn’t. Instead Jesus first asked them about their problems then patiently explained and then he fell silent. He acted as if He would just go on without them. Then they made a choice that changed their destination from a village to a vision. They found one small kindness they could offer to a stranger who had shared His day with them. Jesus accepted their invitation and when they sat down together to eat He blessed the bread; showed them who He was. Will we invite some of the least likely strangers to sit with us tonight? When we make room for Him at our table He will still break the bread and give us a glimpse of His face as He has been doing for 2000 years!

At Daybreak

Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. John 21:4 ESV

This morning Jesus is standing at the shore in your life. He is waiting for you to see Him at dawn and come running. He has watched you all night as you were working hard trying to fish without Him.

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Jesus is waiting at daybreak on your shore eagerly anticipating your arrival. He has baked fresh bread and fish on the campfire. He is ready to share all that He has with us. But first He commands us to cast out our nets once more.

Jesus is standing on our shore waiting for us to see Him, waiting to share and waiting with one simple question; “Do you love Me?”

Can we answer as Peter did, “Lord you know all things. You know that I love you.”?

When we can answer that from our hearts; then Jesus reminds us all again to; “Feed my sheep!” and “Follow Me!”

Three Short Days

Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb John 20:1 ESV

Just a few years ago we had twenty four inches of snow fall in our city. Cars were buried, streets were closed and everyone’s schedule came to a screeching halt! But three weeks later, with the temperatures reaching 80 degrees, the snow vanished. What a difference three short weeks made!

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Photo by Simon Matzinger on Pexels.com

One Sunday morning 2000 years ago just think what a difference three short days made. On Friday the disciples fled in fear. When Joseph and Nicodemus put Jesus into the tomb it seemed that all hope lay cold and dead. But on that dark morning when Mary came she discovered in astonishment that the stone had been rolled back and the grave stood empty!  Then Jesus Himself drew near. But Mary mistook Him for a simple gardener, until He called her name and then she was filled with joy. Not much has changed in 2000 years. We think of Him as many things but we only know Him when He comes and calls our name! What a difference three short days have made!

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