8.3 Fill My Cup, Lord – Luke 24:13-35

Read Luke 24:13-35.

Take time to read through the story of two disciples’ “Walk to Emmaus.” Note the actions Jesus took with those disciples (walking, talking, listening, teaching, breaking bread, praying, going on ahead to who knows where …). What actions is Jesus inviting you to take with a friend today?

8.2 Fill My Cup, Lord – Mark 16:1-20

Read Mark 16:1-20. The encounter with the empty tomb in Mark’s gospel is told a little differently in Mark’s gospel. Here the women depart from the tomb in fear and are unable to say anything to anybody. When has good news paralyzed you? When has the good news set you free to say “Jesus is alive!”?

8.1 Fill My Cup, Lord – Matthew 28:1-20

Read Matthew 28:1-20. Ponder the "Great Commission" in today’s reading and ask yourself, “who is Jesus sending me to reach today?” Where do you need help to fulfill this commandment? What more do you need to learn? Who do you need to support you? Remember Jesus’ promise that he is with you until the end of the age.

6.4 – Assurance of Eternal Life – 1 John 2:17

Memorize 1 John 2:17

The world and its desire are passing away, but those who do the will of God live forever (NRSV).

The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever (NIV).

Reflect on 1 John 2:17

Read 1 John 2:7-17 from the NRSV, the NIV , or The MESSAGE.
When the Bible talks about "the world" to what is it referring?
How are you influenced by "the world?"
Do you remember the bumber sticker which said, "The one who dies with the most toys wins!" Is this in line with John's word about who finds eteranl life?

6.3 – Assurance of Eternal Life – John 3:16

Memorize John 3:16

For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life (NRSV).

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life (NIV).

Reflect on John 3:16

Read of Jesus' encounter with Nicodemus in John 3:1-21 in the NRSV, the NIV, or The MESSAGE.
God gave his only Son for you and for me. How does that make you feel?
What gift does God offer for our belief in Jesus?
John restates this understanding this way, "God's love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins (1 John 4:9-10, NRSV). What new insights do you receive from this passage?

SOAP on Matthew 28:8 – Were You There …?

Scripture: So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples (Matthew 28:8, NRSV).

Observe the Context: The women have come to prepare Jesus’ body for burial. The impending Sabbath had left unfinished the burial preparations on a Friday that is now called “Good.” A holy Sabbath of muttering under their breath, slamming fists against walls, hand-wringing, emptying tear ducts, and wailing crashed into this morning walk to the tomb. And now the tomb is empty … what does that mean? Could it mean? Does it mean? No wonder they ran with JOY and FEAR. Had our “were you there’s” turned into “did you hear?

Continue reading “SOAP on Matthew 28:8 – Were You There …?” →

7.4 Fill My Cup, Lord

Read Matthew chapter 28. Resurrection! Jesus’ resurrection gives Christians hope for all times and all
places. The Gospel promises us “It will get better, so much better.” Eternal life with God waits for all who believe in Jesus Christ. Whatever circumstance has pinned you down today will be overcome. Not even death could conquer Jesus. Life really does go on. Not just on this earth, but in heaven as well. Our physical life here is but temporary in the grand scheme of God’s time. Our troubles will be just a fleeting memory when we gather with all the saints and meet God face to face. Resurrection really does happen. Thanks be to God. Amen.

7.3 Fill My Cup, Lord

Read Matthew chapter 27. Jesus died for the sins of the world. Take time today to ponder this holy mystery … in the death of the One Son of God, all are made whole. Is there something in your life you are having trouble putting behind you? Confess your sin before the Lord and let Him make you as white as snow. There is nothing Jesus can’t forgive.

7.2 Fill My Cup, Lord

Read Matthew chapter 26. Today’s lesson reminds us that Jesus knows the pain and suffering others can inflict. Who among us hasn’t been rejected or betrayed by someone else? Who hasn’t been in a situation where those around let us down or denied us? What does it mean to you to know that Jesus has shared in the same victimizations that we have face?

7.1 Fill My Cup, Lord

Read Matthew chapter 25. Tying these three parables together today is the theme that being ready for the Lord is not a “wait and see” approach; instead the correct action seems to be “wait on and serve.” Are you using all you’ve been given to serve the least of these; or are you trifling away your time and talent? How could you re-organize your time to be most pleasing to God?