Daily Scripture:He [Jesus] took her by the hand and called out, ‘Child, get up!’ Her spirit returned, and she got up at once. Then he directed them to give her something to eat. Her parents were astounded; but he ordered them to tell no one what had happened. (Luke 8:54-56)Daily Reflection:This 12-year-old girl who had died was the only daughter of a synagogue leader. He had fallen at Jesus’ feet and begged him to come to his house and save her. Jesus went to his home; took her hand…… “Child, get up!”…..and her spirit returned and she got up. Wow! The girl’s life had been returned; the man’s faith had been rewarded; in one simple, powerful, miraculous act by Jesus. No wonder they were astounded! Now I don’t know about you, but I could not have done what Jesus said to them next….. “tell no one what happened”. I’d want to tell everyone!Why did he say this? Perhaps, as incredible as it was, he didn’t just want to be known as a miracle worker. Perhaps he wanted people to listen to his message and bring healing to everyone? He can bring healing into our lives too. Revd David
Daily ScriptureThen their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight. They said to each other, ‘Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us? (Luke 24.31-3Daily ReflectionTwo disheartened followers of Jesus met a stranger as they walked who gave them fresh hope by talking about the Jewish scriptures of the Old Testament. Hope enough that they welcomed him to their table. It was only then, as they shared the food and drink, that ‘their eyes were opened’ – not literally because ‘he vanished’. But they had ‘seen’ how the loss of Jesus, his death, was not the end of hope but the very reason for it – we are not abandoned, walking alone, we are accompanied and loved. Psalm 119 includes the prayer “Open my eyes, so that I may behold wondrous things out of your law”. David Harmsworth
Daily ScriptureWhen they saw him, they worshipped him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations…..And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’ (Matthew 28:17-19a, 20b)Daily ReflectionAfter the disciples had seen Jesus arrested, beaten, and crucified, many of them ran and hid – probably fearing they would be next. That was not the end of the story, of course, as God resurrected Jesus from death; and here, sometime later, Jesus meets with the disciples back in Galilee. Is it any wonder after what they had witnessed, and with how they were feeling, that some of them doubted?Then Jesus spoke these words – words which are known now as The Great Commission; this is to be their job: go and make disciples of all nations. That is our commission too! Impossible? “Remember, I am with you always,” says Jesus. Revd David
Daily Scripture:In dying (Christ) died to sin once for all; in living he lives to God. See yourselves therefore as dead to sin; and alive to God in Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 6, 10-11)Daily Reflection: What makes you feel 'alive'? Standing on the beach watching the waves on a blustery day? Doing some 'forest bathing'? Our verse today makes a stark contrast between being 'dead' and being 'alive'. Christians know a 'new life', a life with Jesus at the helm, and this life is full of continual hope. A life without Christ is like trying to steer a rudder-less ship - we continually get stuck on the banks. Paul exhorts us to turn away from our old life, a life dead to sin, and turn towards Jesus for a new life, a new hope. Jesus has done the hard work in preparing the way for your new life - today, choose life, choose hope, and enter into the new way of living that He has prepared for you. It's a free gift, and it's yours to take hold of. Vicki Young
