Sunday, April 24, 2016

DJD424 - Death

Read More Daily Jesus
Scripture: 

Jeremiah 35:15

Starting Question:

What's the worst trip you ever been on? Why?

Death

The hours crept by as Nathaniel and Cleopas headed home. As they walked, they quietly discussed all that had happened over the past few days. In the late afternoon, a man resting on the side of the path and asked to walk with them. It was a common courtesy to provide safety in numbers to a stranger.

The new man fell in step with them and asked, “I couldn’t help overhearing your conversation. If you don’t mind my asking, what was it about?”

Cleopas answered, “Oh. We were just talking about the horrible weekend we had in Jerusalem.”

“Horrible? What happened?” the new man asked.

Nathaniel was irritated. “What do you mean, ‘what happened?’ You are headed the same way on the road as us. You, too, just left Jerusalem. Surely you saw all the things that took place during Passover week.”

“What things?” The man asked.

Nathaniel grunted, “What things? Where have you been, hiding under a rock?”

Cleopas interrupted, trying to quiet his friend, “The sun went dark for three hours. The temple veil ripped from top to bottom. Jesus of Nazareth was crucified. He was a prophet and very impressive in all he said and did. The chief priests handed him over to be killed. We had hoped he was the Messiah and would set Israel free from Roman oppression. We followed this man for the last three years and now we have no purpose. It is the third day since he died and we are still without direction. So, we are heading home.”

Nathaniel had regained his composure, “And this morning, some of the women shocked us by fabricating a ridiculous story about Him coming back from death! One of the ladies claims an angel met her at the empty tomb and told Her Jesus is alive. Somebody has obviously stolen his body. Poor women—they loved Him so much and now that he is dead they’ve gone mad.”

The new man spoke, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken. Didn’t the Christ have to suffer these things so that he could be glorified? Don’t you remember the story told of Moses when he lifted the serpent for all the bitten people to look upon. The Christ had to be lifted up on the cross so that all who wanted to be saved from that old Serpent the Devil could look at the perfect Son of God on the cross and be saved.”

The two men looked at each other, shocked at this new teaching.

** Continued in Ressurection tomorrow **

Reflection Question:

Have you ever listened carefully to someone who believes differently to you and been convinced? What kind of humility does this take?

Prayer time:

Before you pray together, ask: What would you like to say to Jesus today?

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