Psalm 106 is a lengthy psalm that starts and ends with praise to the LORD. The body of the psalm recounts the unfaithfulness of the people of Israel from the time they were in Egypt, their wandering in the wilderness, their initial taking of the Promised Land, and their ultimate scattering by the LORD for their ongoing unfaithfulness. In minute detail, the psalmist recounts the numerous acts of unfaithfulness the Israelites carried out against the LORD. As we read it, we are reminded the LORD showed tremendous restraint in not destroying Israel before He did. His displayed His grace in the long history of the waywardness of His people, and His retention of them as His people. Time and time again the LORD judged the people, sometimes many died, but always the LORD spared many so they would have the opportunity to live to His glory. We are called as Jesus’ followers today to remember all He has done for us and to live out our faith with gratitude for His great love and faithfulness.
Psalm 107 is a lengthy psalm that moves back and forth between praising God for His faithfulness to those who obey Him, and a reminder He judges those who don’t. This is not so much a recounting of Israel’s past as it is a reminder that in any era God rewards faithfulness and judges sin. May we take it as a reminder to live in relationship with Him and to allow His Holy Spirit to rule our lives in Jesus’ name!
Luke 24 offers us Luke’s account of Jesus’ resurrection. It starts by telling us the women went to the tomb early on the first day of the week–Sunday. The stone was rolled away from the tomb, so they went in, but found it empty. As they stood “perplexed” two men in dazzling apparel stood before them and asked the most powerful question: “Why are you looking for the living among the dead?” Jesus had told His followers over and over that He was going to rise from the dead on the third day. Instead of being ready for it, they assumed Jesus was still dead on the third day, and went to finish the work of embalming Him. Imagine their amazement when Jesus’ tomb was empty and they were greeted by two angels.
The women went back to the apostles and told them what had happened, but no one believed them because it seemed like “an idle tale.” Really? Jesus had told them He would rise from the dead, yet even when the women returned to the group and shared their first-hand experience of being greeted by angels who told them Jesus was alive, they didn’t believe it. Peter ran to the tomb to see for himself, but while he found the tomb empty, there was no Jesus and no angels. He went back marveling, but apparently not believing.
Later that day, two of Jesus’ followers were returning to their home in Emmaus. One of them was named Cleopas. We aren’t told the other’s name. As they walked they were greeted by a stranger, who they thought didn’t know anything about Jesus’ death, because of the comments and questions He made and raised. But it was Jesus. They didn’t recognize Him, and as they walked together, Jesus explained to them from Scripture why the Messiah had to die, and that He would rise again. When they got to their home, the “stranger” pretended to continue on but they invited Him in for dinner. When they sat down and He started to break the bread, they recognized Him as Jesus, and He disappeared. By this time, it must have been nearly nightfall. The roads had not streetlights, or lights of any kind, yet Cleopas and his friend ran back to Jerusalem to tell the others they had seen Jesus.
When they returned to Jerusalem, they heard Jesus had appeared to Simon (Peter). Then they told their story and as they were telling it Jesus appeared among them all. Many were startled and thought it was a ghost, but Jesus showed them His hands and feet and asked them if a ghost had a body. Then He asked if they had anything to eat. They gave Him a piece of broiled fish. Then Jesus opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. He told them they would proclaim His name in the nations and preach repentance and the forgiveness or sin. He told them to wait in Jerusalem until the “promise of the Father” came, which is the Holy Spirit. Then He returned to heaven. They worshiped Him and praised Him and met to pray in the Temple courts. Thus, Luke ends with praise and worship. As we will see when we read Acts, Jesus’ return to heaven brought about the “birth” of the Church, because when Jesus returned to heaven, He sent the Holy Spirit to the believers!