Reading Plan:
Luke 24

The disciples and friends of Jesus knew what Jesus had said. They heard Him explain His purpose on Earth. They walked with Him and were very close to Him. They knew His voice and were familiar with His ways. Yet, in the days following His death on the cross, their grief, shock, and fear caused them to miss it -- they missed the reality of His resurrection! They had all the info and all the clues, but they were looking for the living among the dead.

What is startling to me is how Jesus reacted to all of them. He came with grace and kindness, the truest marks of our Savior. He did not make them feel stupid or berate them, instead, He spoke to them and revealed Himself gently and in ways consistent with His word. He made Himself recognizable to His people.

And that's exactly how He reveals Himself to us.

We have the Holy Bible!

We have the Holy Spirit!

We know how the story ends!

And yet, we can still miss it.

We ask, seek, and expect God to show up and move.

We have evidence and experience of His past faithfulness.

We have hope in what's to come.

And yet, we can still miss it.

The ladies who went to Jesus' tomb were reminded of His words and what He had spoken to them prior to His death.

To the friends on the road to Emmaus, He acted just like Himself -- breaking bread, teaching, and speaking as He had done before.

To Peter and the disciples, He showed Himself to them and gave proof of His identity. In verse 45, we read how He opened their minds. To these closest to Him, Jesus reminded them who He was and what He had promised.

He wants to and will do the same for us! He is not hidden, nor is He dead. He is not ignoring you, nor is He tricking you. He is with you, available to you, and consistent with how He has always been.

He is alive! And He is accessible. Don't miss Him!


Reflection and Response:

• Has God recently reminded you of His Word and promises to you? Don't miss Him!
• Has God recently shown up in your life by performing miracles and drawing your heart to His in ways He has done before? Don't miss Him!
• Has the Holy Spirit opened your mind to new revelations or ideas? Has He reminded you of His presence in your life? Has He reminded you of your purpose? Don't miss Him!
• Ask God to be real in your life, to show up, and to be present. He will! Just don't miss Him!

Have kids?

• The disciples and friends of Jesus knew what Jesus said. They heard Him explain His purpose on Earth. They walked with Him and were very close to Him. They knew His voice and knew how He acted. Even though they spent time with Jesus and knew Him really well after His death on the cross, they missed that Jesus had come back to life. They had all the clues, but they had missed the moment that Jesus came back to life. Jesus would go on to appear to the disciples who would realize that Jesus had come back to life, but at first, they missed the moment. If we aren’t careful, we will all miss moments in life because we are too busy, too distracted, and too hurried.
• Read Luke 24 with your family, and then read the creation story in Genesis 1. Talk about the disciples missing the moment that Jesus came back to life because they were too distracted by other things. Then talk about God creating the world in six days and then resting. Remind your family that resting is how we focus on Jesus. Rest is how we make sure we spend time with Jesus and others.
• One great way to practice being in the moment is to ask your family if you can take them for coffee, ice cream, a meal, or something else they enjoy. Don’t have any agenda besides taking them for something special and being with them. This is a great way to model being present in the moment with your family.