Today’s scripture: Luke 24:36-53 (ESV-text and audio) (KJV) (The Message)
As you read, consider: What might God be saying to me? Summarize your thoughts in a sentence or two.
My thoughts (Mark Shoup):
Today’s scripture passage marks the end of Luke, and our Be Still journey through that book. And while our editor may be excited about the prospect of moving on to a new topic (after six months!) the end of Luke is really only the first part of a larger narrative that encompasses Luke and Acts. Maybe the only reason we have two separate books today is because the combined volume of Luke and Luke, Part II (Acts) would not have fit on one scroll!
Acts picks up exactly where Luke ends, and like the beginning of Luke, is addressed to Theophilus. Theophilus, whether a real person, or a general term meaning those loved by God, is then told about the adventures of the first century church as it carried the good news of Jesus throughout the known world. In a very real sense, the work we are doing in the church today is an extension of what Paul and the early apostles — and Jesus himself — were doing in the first century.
So, thinking in these terms, and viewing our work in the church as an extension of the books of Luke and Acts, an interesting question becomes, “Would I do things differently if I were going to be included in a book of the Bible?”
I have to admit that I wouldn’t want some of my actions recorded in any book, to say nothing of the Bible itself. And the times I actually did do the right thing, I often still had the wrong attitude while doing it. In fact, there is a pretty good chance that, had I been one of the people written about in Luke or Acts, I might have also been written about in the book “Famous Jerks of the Bible!”
So starting now, I’m going to try to imagine how I would feel if my actions were recorded in the Bible, and live accordingly.
Thought for the day: What would I do differently if I were going to be one of the characters in Luke, Part III?
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the guidelines on the How to Pray page.