He is Risen! He is Risen Indeed!!
Psalm 107:10-16
10 Some sat in darkness, in utter darkness,
prisoners suffering in iron chains,
11 because they rebelled against God’s commands
and despised the plans of the Most High.
12 So he subjected them to bitter labor;
they stumbled, and there was no one to help.
13 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,
and he saved them from their distress.
14 He brought them out of darkness, the utter darkness,
and broke away their chains.
15 Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love
and his wonderful deeds for mankind,
16 for he breaks down gates of bronze
and cuts through bars of iron.
Reflection: The psalmist in the past two psalms reflects on the Lord’s provision with thankfulness and praise. In this psalm, he recounts the misery of the Israelites as they rebelled against God’s commands. When they reached their bottom, they called out to God in their distress and He answered their call. He broke their chains of enslavement and set them free. Importantly it was because of His “unfailing love” (Hebrew word is “hesed” which means steadfast). God was faithful to His people even though they rebelled against him and preferred other gods, which led them into slavery versus the freedom the Lord brought them both from the forces without and the forces within. Not much has changed in 2,600 years. God sets us free from the things that bring us into chains of darkness. God has given us the Spirit of freedom, which sets us free from ourselves and our bad choices. And yet God still allows us free will so that our offering to him will be a response in light of His steadfast love. This is the heart of worship to offer ourselves back to God in lieu of His never changing and ever sustaining mercy!
1 Samuel 7:2-8:22
2 The ark remained at Kiriath Jearim a long time—twenty years in all.
Samuel Subdues the Philistines at Mizpah
Then all the people of Israel turned back to the Lord. 3 So Samuel said to all the Israelites, “If you are returning to the Lord with all your hearts, then rid yourselves of the foreign gods and the Ashtoreths and commit yourselves to the Lord and serve him only, and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.” 4 So the Israelites put away their Baals and Ashtoreths, and served the Lord only. 5 Then Samuel said, “Assemble all Israel at Mizpah, and I will intercede with the Lord for you.” 6 When they had assembled at Mizpah, they drew water and poured it out before the Lord. On that day they fasted and there they confessed, “We have sinned against the Lord.” Now Samuel was serving as leader of Israel at Mizpah. 7 When the Philistines heard that Israel had assembled at Mizpah, the rulers of the Philistines came up to attack them. When the Israelites heard of it, they were afraid because of the Philistines. 8 They said to Samuel, “Do not stop crying out to the Lord our God for us, that he may rescue us from the hand of the Philistines.” 9 Then Samuel took a suckling lamb and sacrificed it as a whole burnt offering to the Lord. He cried out to the Lord on Israel’s behalf, and the Lord answered him. 10 While Samuel was sacrificing the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to engage Israel in battle. But that day the Lord thundered with loud thunder against the Philistines and threw them into such a panic that they were routed before the Israelites. 11 The men of Israel rushed out of Mizpah and pursued the Philistines, slaughtering them along the way to a point below Beth Kar. 12 Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, “Thus far the Lord has helped us.” 13 So the Philistines were subdued and they stopped invading Israel’s territory. Throughout Samuel’s lifetime, the hand of the Lord was against the Philistines. 14 The towns from Ekron to Gath that the Philistines had captured from Israel were restored to Israel, and Israel delivered the neighboring territory from the hands of the Philistines. And there was peace between Israel and the Amorites.
Reflection: This is a point of huge transition in the life of Israel. They have gone through a dark period of the judges, as they each were doing what was right in their own eyes. God raises up Samuel, the first son of the barren Hannah, who offers her son in service at the temple in thanks of God’s provision for her. Samuel ministers beside Eli faithfully and has a heart after God. Now Samuel leads the people by first seeking God and ministering faithful sacrifices in the temple, and then interceding on behalf of the people before the Lord. We see a much different outcome under Samuel’s leadership, which is surrendered to God first. The Lord thunders loudly throwing the Philistines into a panic until they were routed, as Samuel sets up an Ebenezer stone as a remembrance of what the Lord had done. From this point on the people enjoyed peace under Samuel’s leadership. And there was also peace between the Amorites as well their lifelong enemies. In chapter 8, the people apparently get restless and start asking for a king against Samuel’s wishes. Samuel knows that their true King is the Lord and under His reign there will be people. But when he shares it with the people they cry out in their flesh, “We want a king, we want a king!” This will start a new era in Israel’s history, which will show the difference between an earthly, human king and the True King!
Luke 24:36-53
Jesus Appears to the Disciples
36 While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 37 They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. 38 He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? 39 Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.” 40 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. 41 And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” 42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43 and he took it and ate it in their presence. 44 He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.” 45 Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. 46 He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”
The Ascension of Jesus
50 When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. 51 While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. 52 Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. 53 And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.
Reflection: Here again we have material in the 3rd gospel, which is unique to Luke (Lucan). Luke, if you remember, was writing a faithful account for the most excellent Theophilus (ch.1) for all the things that had taken place among them. This account of Jesus eating a meal with his disciples and showing them his hands and feet, assures us of the bodily resurrection of Jesus, and reminds us that we too when we die will have a new body which is glorified. The account ends with Jesus telling his disciples to wait in the city (Jerusalem), until they have been clothed with power from on high. He is referring to Pentecost (Acts 1), when the disciples will be filled with the Holy Spirit to begin to carry out all Jesus has commissioned them to do in His name and in His power. Luke and Acts were originally in a 2 book companion volume, and in our modern bible it is separated by the 4th Gospel of John, though originally they were to be read together.
The bodily resurrection of Jesus confirms that He was and is the Son of God. No other person, prophet, or teacher has risen from the dead thus confirming the uniqueness of Jesus as the Son of God and the author of our salvation. As Christians we have objective proof that Jesus was who He said He was. We also have the disciples that are so convinced that Jesus was who He said He was that they went to their own deaths giving testimony that Jesus was the Son of God (this is where we get the term “martyr” which means in the Greek “witness”). Jesus is endowing us from with power from on high today to be His witnesses of His resurrection. He has given us His Holy Spirit, so that when we are challenged we might utter with the disciples “Jesus is the Son of God. He is Risen! He has Risen Indeed!!!”
When the wicked turn away from the wickedness they have committed and do what is lawful and right, they shall save their life. Ezekiel 18:27
Regard the patience of our Lord as salvation. 2 Peter 3:15
How patient you are with us, O God. Even while we were yet sinners, your salvation was won according to the fullness of time through our repentance and faith. Help us to be patient with one another and with the world, knowing that by your grace others will turn away from evil and come to you, good Lord. Amen.
10 Some sat in darkness, in utter darkness,
prisoners suffering in iron chains,
11 because they rebelled against God’s commands
and despised the plans of the Most High.
12 So he subjected them to bitter labor;
they stumbled, and there was no one to help.
13 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,
and he saved them from their distress.
14 He brought them out of darkness, the utter darkness,
and broke away their chains.
15 Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love
and his wonderful deeds for mankind,
16 for he breaks down gates of bronze
and cuts through bars of iron.
Reflection: The psalmist in the past two psalms reflects on the Lord’s provision with thankfulness and praise. In this psalm, he recounts the misery of the Israelites as they rebelled against God’s commands. When they reached their bottom, they called out to God in their distress and He answered their call. He broke their chains of enslavement and set them free. Importantly it was because of His “unfailing love” (Hebrew word is “hesed” which means steadfast). God was faithful to His people even though they rebelled against him and preferred other gods, which led them into slavery versus the freedom the Lord brought them both from the forces without and the forces within. Not much has changed in 2,600 years. God sets us free from the things that bring us into chains of darkness. God has given us the Spirit of freedom, which sets us free from ourselves and our bad choices. And yet God still allows us free will so that our offering to him will be a response in light of His steadfast love. This is the heart of worship to offer ourselves back to God in lieu of His never changing and ever sustaining mercy!
1 Samuel 7:2-8:22
2 The ark remained at Kiriath Jearim a long time—twenty years in all.
Samuel Subdues the Philistines at Mizpah
Then all the people of Israel turned back to the Lord. 3 So Samuel said to all the Israelites, “If you are returning to the Lord with all your hearts, then rid yourselves of the foreign gods and the Ashtoreths and commit yourselves to the Lord and serve him only, and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.” 4 So the Israelites put away their Baals and Ashtoreths, and served the Lord only. 5 Then Samuel said, “Assemble all Israel at Mizpah, and I will intercede with the Lord for you.” 6 When they had assembled at Mizpah, they drew water and poured it out before the Lord. On that day they fasted and there they confessed, “We have sinned against the Lord.” Now Samuel was serving as leader of Israel at Mizpah. 7 When the Philistines heard that Israel had assembled at Mizpah, the rulers of the Philistines came up to attack them. When the Israelites heard of it, they were afraid because of the Philistines. 8 They said to Samuel, “Do not stop crying out to the Lord our God for us, that he may rescue us from the hand of the Philistines.” 9 Then Samuel took a suckling lamb and sacrificed it as a whole burnt offering to the Lord. He cried out to the Lord on Israel’s behalf, and the Lord answered him. 10 While Samuel was sacrificing the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to engage Israel in battle. But that day the Lord thundered with loud thunder against the Philistines and threw them into such a panic that they were routed before the Israelites. 11 The men of Israel rushed out of Mizpah and pursued the Philistines, slaughtering them along the way to a point below Beth Kar. 12 Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, “Thus far the Lord has helped us.” 13 So the Philistines were subdued and they stopped invading Israel’s territory. Throughout Samuel’s lifetime, the hand of the Lord was against the Philistines. 14 The towns from Ekron to Gath that the Philistines had captured from Israel were restored to Israel, and Israel delivered the neighboring territory from the hands of the Philistines. And there was peace between Israel and the Amorites.
Reflection: This is a point of huge transition in the life of Israel. They have gone through a dark period of the judges, as they each were doing what was right in their own eyes. God raises up Samuel, the first son of the barren Hannah, who offers her son in service at the temple in thanks of God’s provision for her. Samuel ministers beside Eli faithfully and has a heart after God. Now Samuel leads the people by first seeking God and ministering faithful sacrifices in the temple, and then interceding on behalf of the people before the Lord. We see a much different outcome under Samuel’s leadership, which is surrendered to God first. The Lord thunders loudly throwing the Philistines into a panic until they were routed, as Samuel sets up an Ebenezer stone as a remembrance of what the Lord had done. From this point on the people enjoyed peace under Samuel’s leadership. And there was also peace between the Amorites as well their lifelong enemies. In chapter 8, the people apparently get restless and start asking for a king against Samuel’s wishes. Samuel knows that their true King is the Lord and under His reign there will be people. But when he shares it with the people they cry out in their flesh, “We want a king, we want a king!” This will start a new era in Israel’s history, which will show the difference between an earthly, human king and the True King!
Luke 24:36-53
Jesus Appears to the Disciples
36 While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 37 They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. 38 He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? 39 Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.” 40 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. 41 And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” 42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43 and he took it and ate it in their presence. 44 He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.” 45 Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. 46 He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”
The Ascension of Jesus
50 When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. 51 While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. 52 Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. 53 And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.
Reflection: Here again we have material in the 3rd gospel, which is unique to Luke (Lucan). Luke, if you remember, was writing a faithful account for the most excellent Theophilus (ch.1) for all the things that had taken place among them. This account of Jesus eating a meal with his disciples and showing them his hands and feet, assures us of the bodily resurrection of Jesus, and reminds us that we too when we die will have a new body which is glorified. The account ends with Jesus telling his disciples to wait in the city (Jerusalem), until they have been clothed with power from on high. He is referring to Pentecost (Acts 1), when the disciples will be filled with the Holy Spirit to begin to carry out all Jesus has commissioned them to do in His name and in His power. Luke and Acts were originally in a 2 book companion volume, and in our modern bible it is separated by the 4th Gospel of John, though originally they were to be read together.
The bodily resurrection of Jesus confirms that He was and is the Son of God. No other person, prophet, or teacher has risen from the dead thus confirming the uniqueness of Jesus as the Son of God and the author of our salvation. As Christians we have objective proof that Jesus was who He said He was. We also have the disciples that are so convinced that Jesus was who He said He was that they went to their own deaths giving testimony that Jesus was the Son of God (this is where we get the term “martyr” which means in the Greek “witness”). Jesus is endowing us from with power from on high today to be His witnesses of His resurrection. He has given us His Holy Spirit, so that when we are challenged we might utter with the disciples “Jesus is the Son of God. He is Risen! He has Risen Indeed!!!”
When the wicked turn away from the wickedness they have committed and do what is lawful and right, they shall save their life. Ezekiel 18:27
Regard the patience of our Lord as salvation. 2 Peter 3:15
How patient you are with us, O God. Even while we were yet sinners, your salvation was won according to the fullness of time through our repentance and faith. Help us to be patient with one another and with the world, knowing that by your grace others will turn away from evil and come to you, good Lord. Amen.
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