A Lenten Devotion for Wednesday, April 16
- ontrakk
- Apr 16
- 1 min read

Luke 24:33-34
They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.”
The accounts in scripture of Jesus’ resurrection are somewhat difficult to pin down and diagram. But they are so very real—like life during any miraculous, unbelievable event might be. Many excited accounts, several different attempts to put the events to paper are all recorded. And each person delivering their news or hearing the news, putting these new pieces in place, adding to the general happy confusion. But the happiness and relief for those who knew and loved Jesus must have been intense, different for each. May Easter bring sincere thankfulness and joy to every believer.
Holy Lord, May I live out my life full of thanks to you, full of praise and gratitude, for all of your many blessings. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen
Becky, transforming
What excitement they must have been experiencing as they were running back with the news! As confusing as this all is, the miracle of the resurrection is becoming clear and the joy described is palpable.
I remember the joy and excitement as a child, running out to find my Easter basket, getting to wear a pretty new dress and bonnet, the bustle at the church, carrying in my Lenten offering in a special little can, the flowers and beautiful music. Of course it wasn’t until I was much older that I understood the true meaning of Easter and was joyful for Jesus’s resurrection, but even as a child I knew that Easter Sunday was a very special time.
Heavenly Father,…
Luke 24:33-34.
When I read Max Lucado's writing today it reminded me of a poem on a journal I use. The journal had belonged to my Mom and now I use it. It speaks to those moments when we are ready to give up. Some of the disciples were probably ready to give up and go fishing. The poem is called "Don't Quit" by Jill Wolf.
Don't quit when the tide is lowest,
For it's just about to turn;
Don't quit over doubts and questions,
For there's something you may learn.
Don't quit when the night is darkest,
For it's just a while 'til dawn;
Don't quit when you've run the farthest,
For the race is almost won.
Don't quit…
Last week of Lent ( 37th day of Lent)
Wednesday, April 16th, 2025
Luke 24:33-34
And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!”
This passage implies the eleven were already gathered when the two men from Emmaus arrived, carrying the news that Jesus had appeared to them. This contradicts the previous verses where the disciples are shown in a state of uncertainty and disbelief. One of the men on the road is named Cleopas, and the other remains unnamed. While Cleopas is explicitly named, his companion is not, the verse indicates that "Simon" (Peter) had…
Luke 24:33-34
We spoke last evening of the scattering of the disciples and in today’s reading Lucado addresses this directly. The concept of abandoning Jesus only to see Him return if we but bear a repentant heart is just as operative today. How many times has it played out over the centuries? A person grows up in the church, but stops attending in their teens only to return when they have children of their own. In each instance, for those who find the faith lost in the blandishments of a world to explore, Jesus walks through the wall the world tried to build and welcomes them back home. God is faithful, and that is one thing that should strengthen our…