Has despair haunted you at times in your life? Maybe you’re experiencing disappointment, grief, or hardship today. Jesus sees your despair, and He is walking with you. Jesus has risen! He is reaching out His hand to lead you from despair to joy and worship. I hope you will take His hand and walk with Him.
Below is an adaptation of a meditation on the resurrection of Jesus as described in Luke 24. You can scroll down to watch the full message on YouTube.
For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve. After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep. After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles. Then last of all He was seen by me [Paul] also, as by one born out of due time. … But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming. (1 Corinthians 15:3-8; 20; 23)
Our Savior Has Risen! Does that declaration bring you delight?
Risen from death to life forever. New life. Glorious life. Jesus rose from the dead to be with you and me eternally.
Our Savior Has Risen!
Sweet Fruit
Is that sweet to your ears . . . to your taste . . . to your eyes? Sisters, taste and see the sweetness of Jesus.
We’re blessed in Southern California with the many fruits that we can grow in our backyards. Do you delight as you breathe in the fragrance of the beautiful orange blossoms? Then, you watch the green buds grow bigger. Eventually, they turn orange.
You wait … and wait … and wait.
Finally, you pick an orange off the tree. You peel it, all the while enjoying its fragrance. Then you separate a section. You slowly put it in your mouth, close your eyes. The sweetness is a delight. First fruits of the season.
Paul tells us that our Savior has become the FirstFruits of the harvest of life eternal. The seeds of the harvest grew from Christ’s suffering and death on the cross.
Passover
The day Christ died on the cross was the day of the Passover. It was a time to remember when the Israelites sacrificed a perfect lamb. They painted its blood on the doorposts and lintels of their homes, so that their homes would be passed over and the firstborn males would be saved from death.
Jesus was our Passover Lamb. He was sacrificed on the cross for you and me so that we can enjoy eternal life with Him.
From Despair
He was buried in a borrowed tomb. Despair filled those who had hoped He would redeem Israel.
Passover marked the death of Jesus. The next day was the Sabbath.
The following day, the first day of the week was the day that Israel would celebrate the Feast of FirstFruits.
On that day, Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James and other women took spices to the tomb where Jesus had been buried. The women were in deep despair.
From Despair to Joy
Heartbroken women are walking to the tomb where they laid Jesus.
“Who will roll away the stone?” Heads shaking.
“The stone’s rolled away!” They step into the tomb, “His body isn’t here.”
Two men in dazzling white ask, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He’s not here but is risen!”
Matthew 28:8 tells us that the women “went out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy and ran to tell His disciples. … Jesus met them, saying, “Rejoice!” (emphasis added)
From despair to joy.
But the apostles didn’t believe the women. Silly women!
Yet, Peter ran to the tomb and saw the linen cloths lying by themselves. He left marveling . . . amazed and wondering. No broken heart for Peter. Wonder!
From Broken Hearts to Burning Hearts
Cleopas and a companion were on their way to Emmaus. They talked about what had happened to Jesus.
A stranger caught up with them, “Why are you so sad? What are you talking about?”
“Are you the only one who doesn’t know what happened in Jerusalem? We had hoped that Jesus of Nazareth was going to redeem Israel. But they crucified Him! Today, some of the women told us that the tomb was empty. Angels told them that Jesus had risen from the dead!”
“Oh, foolish ones!”
The stranger explained that Moses and the prophets pointed to Jesus.
Their hearts burned as He spoke. They reached Emmaus.
“Come in and stay with us.”
They sat down to eat. Instead of the host serving everyone, the stranger took the bread, blessed it, broke it, and gave it to them.
“You’re Jesus!” Jesus vanished.
“Jesus is risen!”
Even though the road to Jerusalem was dangerous at night, they hurried back to Jerusalem to tell the disciples, “Jesus is Risen!”
As they were telling the disciples, Jesus suddenly appeared in the room.
“Peace to you.” They were terrified.
“Behold My hands and feet.” They didn’t believe.
“Do you have anything to eat?” He ate a piece of broiled fish and honeycomb.
No more confusion. Jesus is Risen!
From Confusion to Understanding
“Then He said to them, ‘These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.’ And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures.” Luke 24:44-45
We have a wonderful love letter from God … the Bible. We can gain knowledge through studying it. But it needs to sink into our hearts, into our very being. Each time we pick up this love letter, we need to ask the Holy Spirit to open our understanding as we sit at the feet of Jesus and consume His Words.
“Then He said to them, ‘Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day’” Luke 24:46
Jesus died and rose — never to die again. Christ conquered death! He is the Resurrection and the Life! Eternal Life! Jesus is Risen!
Do you have everlasting life—life that never dies?
“Then He said to them, ‘Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And you are witnesses of these things.’” Luke 24:46-48
It is necessary that we repent. The word for repentance means a change of mind, a change in the purpose and direction of a person, a turning from sin and focusing on following Jesus.
Repentance brings remission of sins. Remission means, “forgiveness, a release from bondage or imprisonment.” Jesus paid the price we owed for our sins so that we would be released from bondage to our sins.
What are we to do in response to this wonderful gift? The second half of the verse tells us: “preach repentance and forgiveness of sins in Jesus’ name to all nations.”
Are you proclaiming the Gospel through your actions? Through your words?
Feast of FirstFruits
The FirstFruits Feast was a time to celebrate the Promised Land’s first harvest. It became a celebration of the Promised One’s (Jesus) first harvest – from death to eternal life.
God told Moses that when the Israelites came into the Promised Land, they were to celebrate the first fruits of the harvest by presenting a sheaf or bundle of the first of the harvest to the priests.
The priest waved the sheaf of grain as a heave offering, lifting the grain and waving it to the north, south, east and west. He took some of the grain and threw it into the fire. Then he offered an unblemished male lamb as a burnt offering and a drink offering of wine.
The day was a celebration of the first of the harvest and the harvest that was to come. There was dancing, singing, and great joy.
Charles Spurgeon describes Jesus as the FirstFruits of the harvest like this:
“So when Christ rose as a heave-offering from the sepulchre, and when he went about among the people as a wave-offering, moving among his disciples, he consecrated the whole harvest. All the righteous dead were virtually risen in him; all the chosen members of his body had a resurrection when their head appeared as “risen indeed;” and moreover, they were all dedicated and consecrated to God, by his dedication as the firstfruits to the Most High.” (Charles H. Spurgeon)
Are you dedicated and consecrated to God, the Most High?
The day of FirstFruits marked the day of Jesus’ Resurrection. New Life!
Harvest began with Jesus in Jerusalem. It has spread to the ends of the earth. The harvest continues through the Power of the Promise.
From Weakness to Power
“Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.” Luke 24:49
The Promise—the Holy Spirit. But wait until you have the power of the Promise.
If you have accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, the Holy Spirit is dwelling within you, teaching you, correcting you, giving you the words to share with others about Jesus, interceding for you, perfecting your prayers, and much more. Full of Power!
“And He led them out as far as Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and blessed them.” Luke 24:50
Jesus blessed or consecrated His friends, His followers. He set you and me apart for a higher purpose—to proclaim the Gospel to the nations.
“Now it came to pass, while He blessed them, that He was parted from them and carried up into heaven.” Luke 24:51
Jesus was with the disciples and others for 40 days and then He ascended into Heaven. He is now seated at the right hand of God speaking on behalf of you and me when Satan accuses us.
From Despair to Joy and Worship!
“And they worshiped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple praising and blessing God. Amen.” Luke 24:52-53
The Gospel of Luke begins in the temple with the angel’s announcement of the birth of John the Baptist to Zacharias and Elizabeth. Luke ends with the believers in the temple praising and blessing God with great joy!
Why? Jesus is Risen!
We’ve enjoyed a great adventure through the book of Luke. We caught glimpses of our Lord’s earthly family. His ministry demonstrated His compassion and love of the rich, the religious leaders, the poor, the downtrodden, those in need, and His friends.
Jesus calls believers His friends. He served others. Our Savior taught His followers, healed the sick, raised the dead, blessed the children and all who came to Him. Jesus gave Himself for us. He conquered death. Our High Priest speaks to God on our behalf. Our Redeemer gives eternal life. He gives unspeakable joy that causes His followers to worship Him.
Jesus is Risen!
How’s your joy, dear friends?
From burning hearts remembering Moses, the prophets, and the Psalms.
To celebrating the FirstFruits of the harvest. Christ our Risen Savior!
From joyfully expecting an overflowing harvest.
To praying for the laborers! Sharing the Good News!
Worshiping, praising, and blessing God.
Jesus! Our Savior! Our Redeemer! Our Advocate! Our Bridegroom! Our Friend!
Jesus is Risen! Praise the Lord!
From Despair to Joy and Worship!
Doctor Luke wrote about the Gospel of Luke in Acts.
“The former account I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, until the day in which He was taken up, after He through the Holy Spirit had given commandments to the apostles whom He had chosen, to whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.” Acts 1:1-3.
Luke shared what Jesus began to do in his first letter to Theophilus. But Jesus isn’t finished.
We’ve peeled the orange and tasted its sweetness. But oh, there’s so much more waiting for us. There are hundreds of orange groves and fields. Thousands of believers who need to hear the Good News. The harvest is plentiful ladies.
The book of Acts will reveal the continuing work of Jesus through His church, you and me. The momentum will speed up. The harvest will overflow into the world! There’s still more fruit to harvest—sweet fruit—life-giving fruit!
“The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” Luke 10:2
Are You a Laborer in the Harvest?
Take Home
- Are you proclaiming the Gospel through your actions and words to others?
- Are you continually worshiping, praising, and blessing God?
If you are despairing, may your despair turn to joy. May your broken heart become a burning heart as you marvel at Jesus’ love for you. As you marvel, may He turn your confusion to understanding and your weakness to the power of the Holy Spirit. May you rejoice and worship the King of Kings and Lord of Lord.
Jesus is Risen!
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