From Believers to Disciples
Friday, April 13, 2007
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“Study to show yourself approved by God …” 2 Timothy 2:15a KJV
Prayer Focus for Today
Heavenly Father, Thank You for another week of studying Your word, and especially for a week of studying the resurrection account from Luke. I pray that the impact of Jesus’ rising from the dead will give me the passion necessary to live in Him not only throughout the remainder of this week, but every day! Fill me with Your Holy Spirit that all that I am and all that I do may bring You the glory and honor You deserve. This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
God’s Word Today—Luke 24:1-12
We will examine several verses of this passage each day and see how they demonstrate the wonder of the empty tomb!
1But very early on Sunday morning the women came to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. 2They found that the stone covering the entrance had been rolled aside. 3So they went in, but they couldn’t find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4They were puzzled, trying to think what could have happened to it. Suddenly, two men appeared to them, clothed in dazzling robes. 5The women were terrified and bowed low before them. Then the men asked, “Why are you looking in a tomb for someone who is alive? 6He isn’t here! He has risen from the dead! Don’t you remember what he told you back in Galilee, 7that the Son of Man must be betrayed into the hands of sinful men and be crucified, and that he would rise again the third day?”
8Then they remembered that he had said this. 9So they rushed back to tell his eleven disciples—and everyone else—what had happened. 10The women who went to the tomb were Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and several others. They told the apostles what had happened, 11but the story sounded like nonsense, so they didn’t believe it. 12However, Peter ran to the tomb to look. Stooping, he peered in and saw the empty linen wrappings; then he went home again, wondering what had happened.
From Today’s Reading, a Believer …
Why do you suppose that Peter ran to the tomb to take a look? Why would Peter be the one of the remaining 11 to do so?
Let’s Go Deeper in Our Walk with Jesus
What significance is there for you in Luke 24:12 that will allow you to go deeper in your walk with Jesus?
From Today’s Reading, a Disciple of Jesus Will …
Peter ran to the tomb to take a look. For him the evidence was inconclusive: the tomb was empty and the grave clothes of Jesus “empty.” He went home wondering what had happened. Later Peter would see Jesus for himself. Is there anything in your life right now that is leaving you wondering about Jesus? Any lingering doubts? If so, take some time right now to lay them before the Lord. Decades ago, Harry Emerson Fosdick preached a sermon titled, “The Importance of Doubting Your Doubts.” Take some time to do “doubt your doubts” right now!
Ministry, Mission, Outreach, Service Opportunities to Consider
Have you started thinking about summer? It’s only April, but summer will be here before we know it. How is God going to remain central in your plans for the summer? While summer is often “vacation time,” how can you plan your vacation to include God? Could this be the summer that you take a family mission trip, or continue to worship regularly even if you aren’t in the area on Sunday morning? Take some time each day this week to reflect on what it means to live as Jesus’ disciple all year long, and not just during the “school year.” Then make some specific plans for including Jesus in your summer!
My Journal
Note any thoughts from Through the Bible or the Daily Reading here:
Peter RAN to the Tomb…
Peter must have been a bundle of emotions when the women came to the house with the news that Jesus was alive! How could this be? Impossible! Nonsense! Nevertheless, Peter ran to the tomb to see for himself. Ever the one to step out boldly or impetuously in every situation, this time we don’t know what Peter was feeling. Guilt? Certainly. He had denied three times ever having know Jesus. Hope? Possibly. After all the news was amazing! What did Peter think Jesus would say or do if He was alive? We don’t know, but Peter ran to the tomb and what he saw left him wondering, but not for long. Jesus appeared to Him and to the rest of the disciples. Nothing was the same after that! Peter’s life, which had come to a screeching halt, was worth living again!