The Devotional

The Devotional – Search the Scriptures – 227 The Road to Emmaus ( Mark 16:12 , 13 ) Luke 24:13-27 – Now behold, two of them were traveling that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was seven miles from Jerusalem. And they talked together of all these things which had happened. So it was, while they conversed and reasoned, that Jesus Himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were restrained, so that they did not know Him. And He said to them, “What kind of conversation is this that you have with one another as you walk and are sad?” Then the one whose name was Cleopas answered and said to Him, “Are You the only stranger in Jerusalem, and have You not known the things which happened there in these days?” And He said to them, “What things?” So they said to Him, “The things concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a Prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, “and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered Him to be condemned to death, a...

The Devotional – Search the Scriptures – 225 He Is Risen ( Matt. 28:1–10 ; Mark 16:1–8 ; John 20:1–10 ) Luke 24:1-12 – Now on the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they, and certain other women with them, came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared. But they found the stone rolled away from the tomb. Then they went in and did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. And it happened, as they were greatly perplexed about this, that behold, two men stood by them in shining garments. Then, as they were afraid and bowed their faces to the earth, they said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? “He is not here but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, “saying, ‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.’ ” And they remembered His words. Then they returned from the tomb and told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. It wa...

The Devotional – Search the Scriptures – 224 Jesus Buried in Joseph’s Tomb ( Matt. 27:57–61 ; Mark 15:42–47 ; John 19:38–42 ) Now behold, there was a man named Joseph, a council member, a good and just man. He had not consented to their decision and deed. He was from Arimathea, a city of the Jews, who himself was also waiting for the kingdom of God. This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a tomb that was hewn out of the rock, where no one had ever lain before. That day was the Preparation, and the Sabbath drew near. And the women who had come with Him from Galilee followed after, and they observed the tomb and how His body was laid. Then they returned and prepared spices and fragrant oils. And they rested on the Sabbath according to the commandment. Jesus, the Christ of God/Messiah Jesus’s body is it the tomb, He has experienced physical death in His human body, God estranged from God, G...

The Devotional – Search the Scriptures – 223 Luke 23:44-49 – The King on the Cross ( Matt. 27:32–44 ; Mark 15:21–32 ; John 19:17–24 ) And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst. And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost. Now when the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, Certainly, this was a righteous man. And all the people that came together to that sight, beholding the things which were done, smote their breasts, and returned. And all his acquaintance, and the women that followed him from Galilee, stood afar off, beholding these things. Jesus, the Christ of God/Messiah The reaction of Creation resulting from the death of the Creator, when Jesus gave up His spirit and breathed His last physical breath, is a moment in the...

The Devotional – Search the Scriptures – 222 Luke 23:26-43 – The King on a Cross ( Matt. 27:32–44 ; Mark 15:21–32 ; John 19:17–24 ) “If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself.” And an inscription also was written over Him in letters of Greek, Latin, and Hebrew; “THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS” . Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, “If you are the Christ save Yourself and us.” But the other answering, rebuked him saying, “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? And we receive the due reward for our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said to Jesus, “LORD, remember me when You come into Your Kingdom.” And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.” Jesus, the Christ of God/Messiah At this event in the life of Christ, the battle between human cruelty and Devine Grace is at the pinnacle. Also, it is the war between God and the devil. Yet it is not ...

The Devotional – Search the Scriptures – 221 Luke 23:26-37 – The King on a Cross ( Matt. 27:32–44 ; Mark 15:21–32 ; John 19:17–24 ) Now as they led Him away, they laid hold of a certain man, Simon a Cyrenian, who was coming from the country, and on him they laid the cross that he might bear it after Jesus. And a great multitude of the people followed Him, and women who also mourned and lamented Him. But Jesus, turning to them, said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. “For indeed the days are coming in which they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren, wombs that never bore, and breasts which never nursed!’ “Then they will begin ‘to say to the mountains, “Fall on us!” and to the hills, “Cover us!” “For if they do these things in the green wood, what will be done in the dry?” There were also two others, criminals, led with Him to be put to death. And when they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified H...

The Devotional – Search the Scriptures – 220 Luke 23:13-25 – Then Pilate, when he had called together the chief priests, the rulers, and the people, said to them, “You have brought this Man to me, as one who misleads the people. And indeed, having examined Him in your presence, I have found no fault in this Man concerning those things of which you accuse Him; “no, neither did Herod, for I sent you back to him; and indeed, nothing deserving of death has been done by Him. “I will therefore chastise Him and release Him ” (for it was necessary for him to release one to them at the feast). And they all cried out at once, saying, “Away with this Man, and release to us Barabbas”—who had been thrown into prison for a certain rebellion made in the city, and for murder. Pilate, therefore, wishing to release Jesus, again called out to them. But they shouted, saying, “Crucify Him, crucify Him!” Then he said to them the third time, “Why, what evil has He done? I have found no reason for d...