Luke 24:1-52

Good Friday - Jesus died on the cross;

Holy Saturday - Jesus is 'sealed in the stone-cold tomb' (from "We Three Kings");

Easter Day - Jesus leaves the tomb.

ALLELUIA! CHRIST IS RISEN ... THE LORD IS RISEN INDEED, ALLELUIA!

Here are some quotes from Luke, the Gospel writer, who recorded the events surrounding the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

"The Son of Man must be handed over to sinners, be crucified, and three days later rise to life", said two men, wearing bright shining clothes, at the empty tomb.

"We recognized Jesus in the breaking of the bread", reported the two disciples who met Jesus on the road to Emmaus.

"The Lord is risen indeed! He has appeared to Simon!", the disciples told the two men who had traveled through the night to tell the others that they had met the risen Jesus on the road to Emmaus.

"Peace be with you" is how Jesus greeted the disciples when He appeared to them after the Resurrection.

"The message about repentance and the forgiveness of sins must be preached to all nations" was the instruction Jesus gave His disciples as they prepared to send God's message to people around the world and down through the ages ... even today.

To help them (and us) achieve God's mission, Jesus promised to send them (and us) "the power from above". God keeps promises.

The disciples were "filled with great joy", they worshiped Jesus, and gave "thanks to God".

ALLELUIA! CHRIST IS RISEN ... THE LORD IS RISEN INDEED, ALLELUIA!

Question: What are you doing for Jesus, yourself, and others today?

(Today's post submitted by Rev. Hollis Hiscock.)

To all our faithful readers:

This concludes our Passport to Life, 2008. On behalf of all of us involved with this project, we pray you and your families will have a blessed and joyful Easter celebration.

Thank you for allowing us to be a part of your Lenten journey.

Please join us again next Lent!

Blessings,
Allison Lynn and Rev. Hollis Hiscock.

Luke 23:26-56

From the cross Jesus spoke 7 times... ironically, the perfect number of times, since 7 is considered the perfect number.

If we were caught up on the numbers only, then we would miss the real messages of the 'last words of Jesus' spoken as He was being crucified on a Friday we call GOOD.

The 7 words or sentences (more correctly) show where Jesus' concerns were that afternoon. He had concerns for others and He revealed His inner feelings and fears.

Firstly, His concern for other people ...

1. "Father forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." Jesus was erasing the actions and sins of His enemies, as well as those of His friends.

2. "Today, you will be with me in Paradise." Jesus promised the dying thief that they would enter eternal life together immediately. It shows that it is never too late for God to receive us.

3. "Woman, here is your son. Son, here is your mother." Jesus wanted His mother to be cared for and He knew His friend would need maternal care, so He entrusted the care of each to the other. There are many examples of this action in our own lives as we care for each other.

4. "It is finished" or "It is completed." What Jesus had come to Earth to accomplish - His becoming human to save us from temptation, sin, suffering and death - was now done. This 'gift' would be an eternal one.

Secondly, His inner feelings and fears ...

5. "I am thirsty." Jesus wanted to show His humanity as well as His divinity. This basic physical need, expressed by Jesus on the cross, indicates His being fully human, like us.

6. "My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?" Jesus felt utterly abandoned and alone at that moment - He descended into hell. Sometimes we need to scream out at God in our moments of despair.

7. "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." Jesus had regained His closeness with God and was ready to place His spirit or soul into the everlasting and loving arms of God. So can we.

Question: How do the words of Jesus resonate in your life this Good Friday?

Two more days to Resurrection Sunday.


Tomorrow's reading: Luke 24:1-52

(Today's post submitted by Rev. Hollis Hiscock.)

Luke 22:39-23:25

‘Jesus … as He usually did … went to the Mount of Olives …. and knelt down and prayed’.

Luke brings us into an intimate prayer moment with Jesus.

Jesus was speaking to God in prayer, as a child would talk over some serious decision with a parent.

Jesus was asking God for a favour … a huge favour.

He knew what would happen over the next few days and the prospects were not pleasant. He called the events of the next few days ‘a cup of suffering’, and He asked God to take away the ‘cup of suffering’.

As we look back on the last days of Jesus’ life on this earth, knowing as we do what lay before Him, the request sounds reasonable. We, lesser mortals, would not be asking; we probably would be begging.

But Jesus asked if another way, besides suffering and death, could be found to save God’s people from sin, suffering and death. He wanted to make certain that the ‘way of the cross’ was THE only way to salvation and eternal life.

I can imagine Jesus going over a list of alternatives, and eliminating each one in turn.

Finally, concluding there was no other choice, Jesus consented ‘not my will, but your (God’s) will be done’.

At that moment there was no turning back for Jesus.

Then an angel appeared to Him and ‘strengthened Him’. Maybe Jesus remembered the encounter with the evil one in the desert when He fasted 40 days and was tempted at least three times. There, as here, angels surrounded Him to give Him strength.

The message for us is encouraging. In times of decision making and direction mapping in our lives, God (or angels) are present to help us through the critical moments. ‘I am with you ALWAYS’, said Jesus.

Two days before His own crucifixion, Jesus needed to be assured that the words He spoke to others about God being present with people in all circumstances and situations of life and death, also applied to Him.

They did.

Question – When have you faced similar situations and wanted God’s assurance?

Three more days to Resurrection Sunday.

Tomorrow's reading: Luke 23:26-56

(Today's post submitted by Rev. Hollis Hiscock.)

Luke 22:1-38

Judas betrayed Jesus;
Jesus predicted Peter would deny knowing Him;
Peter denied Jesus;
The disciples argued about 'who is the greatest?';
And the chief priests and teacher of the law plotted to kill Jesus.

Jesus was not having a super week.

Jesus knew it was coming;
Jesus was prepared for the terrible days leading up to His crucifixion;
Jesus knew this was the reason for His birth in the stable in Bethlehem;
Jesus remembered the meanings of the gifts of the Magi - gold for a KING, frankincense for a PRIEST and myrrh for ONE WHO IS ABOUT TO DIE;

Jesus was ready to do what He had come to Earth to do.

But...

Jesus wanted to do one more thing;
Jesus wanted to give the disciples something by which to remember the next few days.

Jesus took His place with His disciples in an upstairs room;
The celebrated their meal of antiquity - the 'Passover';
Then the Passover meal took on a new dimension, a new meaning.

Jesus called the wine 'my blood';
Jesus called the bread 'my body';
Jesus told them His body would be broken for them;
Jesus told them His blood would be poured out for them;
Jesus told them to 'do this in memory of me'.

They did;

Others have done it down through the ages;
We do it this week;
We will continue in the days ahead.

Jesus' followers and disciples will gather around tables throughout the world to 'break the bread' and 'drink from the cup' to give thanks and celebrate God's love and care for each individual.

Four more days to the Resurrection Sunday.

Question: What are you doing to get ready?

Tomorrow's reading: Luke 22:39-23:25

(Today's post submitted by Rev. Hollis Hiscock.)

Luke 20:45-21:38

As he looked up, Jesus saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. "I tell you the truth," he said, "this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on." (21:1-4 NIV)

These few lines have been quoted again and again in sermons through the ages. We respect and admire this unnamed women who gave all her financial resources to God's work. But how do we apply this to our lives?

Years ago, a famous businessman publicly gave one million dollars to charity. He challenged other wealthy people to do the same. He was openly criticized for not giving enough. His critics claimed that a man worth hundreds of millions could afford to do more.

Should we take this story of the "widow's mite" literally - giving away all our money and living in poverty? Is a million dollars not enough to give? Is there no middle ground?

Here's the story that brought this lesson home to me:

Before moving to Nashville, I sang in a 'farewell' concert. We had many people in attendance, and several people gave us cards and notes, expressing their love and support of our ministry. I put the cards in a bag, so I could read them at home.

That night, I pulled out a card from a woman I knew from a downtown church. She lives in assisted housing and wears second-hand clothes. I don't know much about her personal life, but I imagine most days it's a struggle to make ends meet.

The envelope felt thick and lumpy. As I ripped open the paper, colourful beads and jewels spilled out into my hand. Within the fold of the card, she had stuffed six pieces of jewelery. None of it was 'high-end'. It probably all came from the local Goodwill. But from what I know of this woman's situation, this would have been an extravagant purchase for her.

She gave me the best she could afford. I started to cry - This was the "widow's mite".

Question: Are you giving you best to God?


Tomorrow's reading: Luke 22:1-38

(Today's post written by Allison Lynn.)

Luke 20:1-44

...He said to them, "Then give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's." (20:25 NIV)

In today's reading, Jesus addressed the often sticky topic of taxes. We feel this is a modern day burden, but a quick read of this story tells us that people have been complaining about taxes for thousands of years!

The first half of Jesus's statement seems fairly easy to decipher: Give to the government what belongs to the government.

But what about that second half: "...to God what is God's." Many people interpret this to mean that we should tithe a portion of our income to God.

But what if it means more?

A few years ago, I heard a wonderful sermon about this passage. (I wish I could take credit for this interpretation, but I can't!)

The preacher told the story this way:

One of the men sent to spy on Jesus stepped forward and tried to trick Jesus with a question on taxes. Jesus answered, "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's," and putting his hand on the man's shoulder finished, "and to God what is God's."

Doesn't this change that story for you?

We are completely and fully God's creation. He will never demand our service, but He asks that we give ourselves fully and generously back to Him.

Question: How can you give yourself to God? If this seems daunting, think about a talent or skill that God has given you. How can you use this gift for God?


Tomorrow's reading: Luke 20:45 - 21:38

(Today's post written by Allison Lynn)

Luke 19:28-48

"Go to the village ahead of you, and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, 'Why are you untying it?' tell him, 'The Lord needs it.' " (19:30-31 NIV)

Growing up and hearing this verse, I used to think, “Jesus was psychic.” How else could he have predicted the location of the colt and the questions of the owners?

Later, in a Bible study, someone suggested, “Jesus knew His time was short and there would be a lot to do to go into Jerusalem. Perhaps He arranged for the colt to be there, in preparation."

Either way, how can you not be amazed at how things have come together for this triumphant entry into Jerusalem?

In today’s church, we celebrate this event on Palm Sunday. Tomorrow morning, around the world, Christians will be grabbing palm branches and shouting “Hosanna.” Some will do a procession on the the church grounds or around the sanctuary. Many will sing praises of “Prepare ye the way of the Lord.”

Palm Sunday is the start of our journey through the last week of Jesus’ life: Holy Week.

Let’s take time to celebrate the arrival of the Prince of Peace!

Challenge: Attend a Palm Sunday service in your neighbourhood.


Monday's reading: 20:1-44

(Today's post written by Allison Lynn.)