The Upper Room Daily Devotion – Saturday, 28 December 2013 “We
Serve the Lord” Read Luke 24: The Walk to Emmaus
13 Now on that same day two of them were going to a village
called Emmaus, about seven miles[a] from Jerusalem, 14 and talking with each
other about all these things that had happened. 15 While they were talking and
discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, 16 but their eyes were
kept from recognizing him. 17 And he said to them, “What are you discussing
with each other while you walk along?” They stood still, looking sad.[b] 18
Then one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only
stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place there
in these days?” 19 He asked them, “What things?” They replied, “The things
about Jesus of Nazareth,[c] who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before
God and all the people, 20 and how our chief priests and leaders handed him
over to be condemned to death and crucified him. 21 But we had hoped that he
was the one to redeem Israel.[d] Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third
day since these things took place. 22 Moreover, some women of our group
astounded us. They were at the tomb early this morning, 23 and when they did
not find his body there, they came back and told us that they had indeed seen a
vision of angels who said that he was alive. 24 Some of those who were with us
went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but they did not see
him.” 25 Then he said to them, “Oh, how foolish you are, and how slow of heart
to believe all that the prophets have declared! 26 Was it not necessary that
the Messiah[e] should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?” 27
Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the
things about himself in all the scriptures.
28 As they came near the village to which they were going, he
walked ahead as if he were going on. 29 But they urged him strongly, saying,
“Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over.” So
he went in to stay with them. 30 When he was at the table with them, he took
bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. 31 Then their eyes were
opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight. 32 They said
to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us[f] while he was talking
to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?”
Footnotes:
a. Luke 24:13 Gk sixty stadia; other ancient authorities read a
hundred sixty stadia
b. Luke 24:17 Other ancient authorities read walk along, looking
sad?”
c. Luke 24:19 Other ancient authorities read Jesus the Nazorean
d. Luke 24:21 Or to set Israel free
e. Luke 24:26 Or the Christ
f. Luke 24:32 Other ancient authorities lack within us
Joshua said, “As for
me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”(Joshua 24:15 (NRSV))
For many years as a
family, my wife and I did not pray at meals. But as we have grown older, our
faith has grown deeper. So when we had grandchildren, we decided that the best
thing we could give them and their parents is a good example. So now we give not
only food and fellowship at the table; we give glory to God for all God gives
us. As Joshua said to the people of Israel, “As for me and my household, we
will serve the Lord.” Jesus was recognized for who he was as he shared a meal
with two of his followers he had met on the road to Emmaus. When Jesus broke
the bread and gave thanks, their eyes were opened; they knew who Jesus was. At
our table I also want to reflect who I am in my faith and give thanks to the
Lord. Now, when the table is set, as we serve the food we also serve the Lord.(The
Author-Jim M. Quint (Kansas, USA))
Thought for the Day: There
is no better time than now to serve the Lord.
Prayer: O God, may we
thirst and hunger as much for your holy word as we do for the food and drink
that is before us. We give thanks for your natural and spiritual blessings.
Amen.
Prayer focus: To set a
good example for others
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