Luke 24:44-49
Find a place and time free of distractions for the next 7-10 minutes. Take a moment to settle into your surroundings and then begin to recognize your breath. As you breathe in, call on the name of Jesus and become aware of his presence with you. As you breathe out, open your mind and heart to receive whatever Jesus has for you today.
As we continue listening in while Jesus speaks to his community, read Luke 24:44-49 imagining yourself as one of his disciples.
The prophecies about Jesus are right there in the Scriptures that these disciples know so well, but it takes a total mind-shift for them to make the connection. Even with Jesus sitting there alive and well right in front of them, they can’t on their own conjure up an “aha” moment.
When Jesus reveals a wider reality to us, it is not because we have reasoned enough to figure things out. Ultimately the kinds of revelations that expand our view of life are a gift from the Holy Spirit. Our part is to read and study the Scriptures in the company of Jesus, and allow him to speak to us, enlighten us, disrupt our rigid paradigms, and transform us into the people God created us to be.
Stop to consider how you think about the Bible. Try to identify and name your reasons for reading the Bible – or your reasons for avoiding the Bible. Share these thoughts openly with Jesus.
Read Luke 24:44-49 again focusing on what Jesus says “was also written” about him.
Through his life, ministry, death and resurrection, Jesus, the perfect Israelite, recapitulated God’s rescue plan for humanity. Where Israel failed to keep covenant with God, Jesus not only met every requirement, he ushered in a new covenant between God and humanity. Now Jesus commissions his community to continue the story by taking his message of forgiveness and restoration to the nations. Israel was called to be a light to the nations, and now the community of Jesus, empowered by his Spirit, will be ambassadors of the Light of the World.
Everyone who turns to Jesus in repentance becomes part of the community of Jesus. And as his community we are his agents to spread his light, his life, and his shalom to everyone we encounter.
As you near the end of this time of meditation, take some time to consider how you are living out Jesus’ commission to spread shalom to the people in your circle of influence. Don’t let guilt intrude on this time of self-assessment; rather let Jesus guide your thoughts and give you fresh inspiration.
Now get quiet and simply listen to Jesus.
What might Jesus be inviting you to do or do differently today?
How do you plan to respond to him?
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The Everyday Jesus Follower’s Guide ebook can help you learn how to recognize God's voice, how to read and understand the Bible, how to develop deep spiritual friendships, and how to become the person you were meant to be. Use it alone, with a friend or in a small group.
