He is risen! He is risen indeed!

Today’s Readings: Joshua 14-17; Luke 7

What a privilege to post my journal a day after the most important celebration of the year, the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.

I can only imagine what the day after Christ’s resurrection was like on earth.  Can you imagine the joy, exhilaration, and relief His followers must have felt?  Jesus’ promise of His resurrection were recorded in Matthew 16:21, Mark 9:3, and John 2:19-22.

After Jesus’ resurrection, numerous people are recorded in the New Testament as having seen Jesus on earth. According to the Biblical accounts, Jesus appeared to various individuals and groups over a period of 40 days before ascending to Heaven. Here are some of the recorded appearances:

      1. Mary Magdalene (John 20:11-18, Mark 16:9)
      2. Other women at the tomb (Matthew 28:8-10)
      3. Peter (Luke 24:34, 1 Corinthians 15:5)
      4. Two disciples on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-32)
      5. The disciples, minus Thomas (Luke 24:36-43, John 20:19-23)
      6. The disciples, including Thomas (John 20:24-29)
      7. Seven disciples by the Sea of Galilee (John 21:1-14)
      8. The disciples on a mountain in Galilee (Matthew 28:16-20)
      9. Over 500 believers (1 Corinthians 15:6)
      10. James, Jesus’ brother (1 Corinthians 15:7)
      11. Paul, on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:3-6, 1 Corinthians 15:8)

In Luke 17, there are several key themes related to the resurrection of Jesus and Easter:

      1. Faith and Salvation: Throughout Luke 17, Jesus emphasizes the importance of faith. He teaches His disciples about the necessity of forgiveness and the power of even small amounts of faith. This theme resonates with Easter, as the resurrection of Jesus is the ultimate demonstration of God’s power and the fulfillment of His promises, which requires faith to believe.
      2. Repentance and Forgiveness: Jesus instructs His followers to forgive others who sin against them, even if they repent repeatedly. This echoes the message of Easter, which is centered on the forgiveness of sins through the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus. Easter is a time of repentance and reconciliation, as we celebrate the forgiveness and redemption made possible by Christ’s victory over sin and death.
      3. Gratitude and Thankfulness: In Luke 17, Jesus heals ten lepers, but only one returns to thank Him. Jesus emphasizes the importance of gratitude and praises the man’s faith. This theme of gratitude aligns with Easter, as we express thankfulness for the gift of salvation and new life through the resurrection of Jesus. Easter is a time of rejoicing and giving thanks for God’s grace and mercy.
      4. The Kingdom of God: Jesus speaks about the coming kingdom of God in Luke 17, warning His followers to be prepared for its arrival. He compares it to the days of Noah and Lot, emphasizing its sudden and unexpected nature. This theme connects with Easter, as we look forward to the ultimate fulfillment of God’s kingdom when Jesus returns in glory. Easter serves as a reminder of the hope of eternal life in God’s kingdom, made possible through the resurrection of Jesus.

Overall, the key themes of faith, repentance, forgiveness, gratitude, and the kingdom of God in Luke 17 resonate with the significance of the resurrection of Jesus and Easter for us. These key themes underscore the transformative power of Christ’s resurrection and its implications for salvation and the future hope we have as believers. He is risen!  He is risen, indeed!

Written with the assistance of ChatPPT

Published by

Chad Bandy

I am a Jesus follower, husband, and father. I am a work in progress who tries to be better each and every day, with the help of Christ.