Monday Devotional: April 8, 2024

Bible Reading: Luke 24:44-48 (CEB)

⁴⁴ Jesus 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 from Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” ⁴⁵ Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures. ⁴⁶ He said to them, “This is what is written: the Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, ⁴⁷ and a change of heart and life for the forgiveness of sins must be preached in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. ⁴⁸ You are witnesses of these things.

Growing up, I assumed Jesus’ call to share the gospel meant I would travel across the ocean to a secluded village on the fringes of contemporary society. I figured I would have had extensive language training and given up my creature comforts. I watched in admiration—and perhaps envy—when I read of missionaries traveling around the world. One day I’ll be able to do that, I thought.

Over time, I came to see that sharing the good news of Jesus is not so clear-cut. Sometimes we don’t even need to use words or take action. Sometimes we just need to be with people. Most importantly, we don’t have to travel very far.

When Jesus appears before the disciples and commissions them to go forth and share the joy found in turning away from self and toward God, he doesn’t give them a manual or step-by-step instructions. Nor does he tell them where to go and what they are to do when they go to wherever it is they are going. He doesn’t even tell them to get theological training. Jesus knows they already have what they need: the power of God’s Spirit and the story of their lives.

The disciples have walked the dusty streets of Samaria and Galilee with Jesus. They sat at the table as Jesus dined with prostitutes and accompanied him when he touched the skin of lepers. They have experienced the fear of death and the utter shock and glory of resurrection. They have seen with their eyes and felt with their hearts the new life they are to share with others. That is more than enough to carry them, for their faith and their lives have been testified to the grace and love found in Jesus Christ. It’s all we need as well.

Prayer

What excuses or fears keep you from being the grace of Jesus to the people around you?

By Maria Kane, The Upper Room Disciplines 2015, page 120.

Lenten Bible Study

The Third Day: Living the Resurrection
By Tom Berlin with Mike A. Miller

Session 6: Jesus
Bible Readings: Matthew 4:17, Luke 4:43, Luke 9:22, Luke 13:32, Ephesians 1:18-23

ZOOM Session

Monday, April 8, 2024, 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm.
For Zoom Link, send email to [email protected]

IN PERSON Session

Wednesday, April 10, 2024, 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm
Conference Room, McGee Building