READING: Joshua 10-12; Luke 7:11-35
Sometimes I wish I could have walked with Jesus in the midst of the stories of the Gospels. In today’s reading, Jesus encounters a funeral procession – the sad reality of the death of the only son of a widow. The mother would have been not only grieving, but also wondering about her future. No one remained to support her. Surely some of her hope for the future died with her son.
But . . . Jesus showed up at the funeral. “Don’t weep,” He told her (Luke 7:13), knowing He was about to end any reason for grieving. He touched the coffin, called the son to get up, and the son did exactly what Jesus commanded: “The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother” (Luke 7:15). Rightly so, the people were struck with awe and glorified God. How could they not do so when they saw resurrection in their midst?
We may not have seen resurrection take place, but we know the stories of the Bible. If we truly believe this Word we’re studying, we, too, should be filled with holy fear and resounding praise when we think of Christ. He is still the Lord of life!
PRAYER: “Jesus, You are life. Thank You for defeating death and giving us the promise of life.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Joshua 13:1-15:12; Luke 7:36-8:8