Lent Day 19 - Luke 24

Jesus Has Risen
On the Road to Emmaus
Jesus Appears to the Disciples
The Ascension of Jesus

I'm going to do a dangerous thing - take a lone scripture out and talk about it - one from each of these 4 sections.

Jesus Has Risen - Luke 24:11 But they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense. 

I'm sure some men could have a field day on this one :) You know this story - the women go to the tomb, Jesus has risen the angels tell them.  They go to tell the 11 remaining disciples and this is the reply they get.  Do we miss out on God's plan and miracles because we hear a message and say "that seems like nonsense to me!"

On the Road to Emmaus - Luke 24:31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight.

Here again in the same chapter we see Jesus use an unusual method to bring Glory to the Father.  He is walking with some guys who don't realize who he is.  And he witnesses like crazy to them.  Then when they sit down to eat, he give thanks, breaks bread and wow their eyes are open and he disappears.  "That seems like nonsense to me!"

Jesus Appears to the Disciples - Luke 24:45 Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.

While they are talking about this Emmaus experience Jesus appears and they think he is a ghost.  They have been with Jesus for 3 years.  They have seen miracles upon miracles.  He has taught them all about the kingdom of God.  He has told them numerous times he is going to die and rise again.  Can't they remember?  Can't they figure it out?  Don't they believe?  Then Jesus opens their minds so they could understand.  "That seems like nonsense to me!"

The Ascension of Jesus - Luke 24:51  While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven.

What? How? He just floats up in the clouds to heaven? "That seems like nonsense to me!"

How do we figure out if a nonsense message is from God?  We need to know God's character - is this something God might do?  (You have to read your Bible to know God's character).  Do a peace check - are you at peace about it or is your gut churning and red flags jumping up?  Pray about it - God give me wisdom to know your will.  Or you can be like Peter - who runs to the tomb.  He has to check it out for himself.  I have found that even if I do all these things I can still miss it.

Lord help us not to miss when you speak to us, when you use unusual, nonsense methods to do your will.  Give us a spirit to hear and understand.

Praise Jesus he is Risen - He is Risen indeed.  Thank you to those who believed a nonsense message that seemed impossible.