They Told What Had Happened

Daily Reading:  Luke 24

And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!”  Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread. (Luke 24.33-35)

Devotional Thought: Last summer I went on a road trip with my son-in-law, Evan, around Lake Michigan.  I love to tell what happened on the road.  One of my favorite stories is how we were sitting in Snug Harbor, a restaurant on the Grand River, when a huge ship came in from Lake Michigan.  It was headed right toward us.  It looked like it was going to come right in to the restaurant.  That would have rocked our world!  Thankfully, the ship navigated the bend in the river, and we were able to finish our meal.

Luke 24 tells about two travelers whose world was rocked when Jesus showed up at dinner.  Unlike Evan and me, however, they were unable to finish their meal. They had to tell somebody!

As I thought about this story, it occurred to me how important personal testimonies are:

• Simon Peter testified that Jesus had appeared to him, telling the eleven and others.  Has the Lord "appeared" to you?  Whom have you told about Jesus?

• Those gathered testified "The Lord has risen indeed."  Believing the testimonies of Peter, they accepted the fact that Jesus had risen indeed.  They could not hold back their excitement!  Can you?

• The two travelers, late-comers to church, barged in and told the story of what had happened to them on the road.  It may not have been entirely "appropriate," but these men had news to share.  Sometimes we have to break cultural barriers to testify.

Into the midst of this "testimony service," Jesus himself showed up!  I think that Jesus is like that.  He makes himself known to people who are making him known.

I encourage you to share YOUR stories of Jesus!  Tell a friend.  Your faith will grow and so will theirs!

Prayer: Jesus, this Christmas season help me to boldly testify just what Christmas is all about.  May my words bring glory to you and encouragement to others.  Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 145.10-21

10 All your works shall give thanks to you, O LORD, and all your saints shall bless you!

11 They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom and tell of your power,

12 to make known to the children of man yourmighty deeds, and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.

13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures throughout all generations.[The LORD is faithful in all his words and kind in all his works.]

14 The LORD upholds all who are falling and raises up all who are bowed down.

15 The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food in due season.

16 You open your hand; you satisfy the desire of every living thing.

17 The LORD is righteous in all his ways and kind in all his works.

18 The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.

19 He fulfills the desire of those who fear him; he also hears their cry and saves them.

20 The LORD preserves all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy.

21 My mouth will speak the praise of the LORD, and let all flesh bless his holy name forever and ever.