As two of Jesus’s followers were conversing together while walking to Emmaus, which is about seven miles from Jerusalem, Jesus encountered and dialogued with them, but they were kept from recognizing him. On this journey he opened their eyes to understand in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. The suffering and glory of Christ were foretold and foreshadowed in the Scriptures, revealing the sovereign will of God in his death and resurrection. Jesus’s death and resurrection are at the center of God’s plan for redeeming his people, and the world.

The wages of sin is death, Paul tells us (Romans 6.23). Only Jesus had no sin, and so only he could conquer death and bring new life. The power of death is broken, the gates of hell are trampled, the strong man is bound. Christ our victor leads us to eternal life.

Lord Jesus, conqueror of death, lead us to new life.

Satan is alive and well, my friend. And he wants to wipe out your worship of God. Most folks can’t be hoodwinked into worshipping Satan directly, but people throughout the world worship him indirectly when they bow to the idol of “self” – by trying to worship “their way.” They add insult to injury when they seek to enforce “their way.” Like Cain, they do permanent harm to innocent people.

~ Vernon Whaley, Called to Worship: The Biblical Foundations of Our Response to God’s Call. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 2009. p. 3

Let God Arise! Seasonal Focus
The Messiah’s Suffering and Glory, Luke 24.13-35

Book Reading
Whaley, Called to Worship