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In Luke 24:13–35 we follow two discouraged disciples traveling on the road who unknowingly encounter the risen Jesus. Through their story, we are challenged to consider how our expectations and misunderstandings might blind us to Christ’s presence in our lives. What kind of Jesus are you looking for? Are you seeking someone to help you or someone to redeem you? As Jesus opens the Scriptures to these travelers their hearts burn within them, and they finally recognize him during the ordinary act of breaking bread. This invites us to recognize the risen Lord not only in dramatic signs, but in the quiet, faithful rhythms of Scripture, community, and grace. Have you encountered the risen Christ? If so, who can you tell?

Luke 24:1-12 captures the moment when a group of women were stunned by what they didn't find in the tomb of Jesus. The resurrection of Jesus shook the world with life. This means Christians have much more than the profound sayings of a religious leader who died long ago. Christians relate with a living Lord through the living word. The Lord still speaks, transforms, and calls each of us into new beginnings. The empty tomb means the story of Jesus isn’t over and there is room in his story for you. What do you see when you look in the empty tomb?

As Jesus breathes his last breath in Luke 23:44–56, his death is marked by signs that prove its profound significance: darkness covers the land, and the temple curtain is torn. Jesus, the Light of the World, enters into the darkness of sin and death so that we might enter into the light and life of God. His final cry is not one of defeat, but one of trust in the Father and triumph over evil. His death cry was not one of earthly defeat but eternal hope. What do you hear in Jesus’s cry? Do you hear a man defeated, or do you hear the voice of a Savior?

Luke 23:26-43 describes the crucifixion of Jesus, focusing on his suffering, the reactions of those around him, and the interaction with a repentant thief. It highlights Jesus's forgiveness of his executioners, the mocking of the crowd and soldiers, and the promise of paradise to the thief who confessed faith in him. 

As Jesus is being crucified, he tells the crowd not to weep for him, but for themselves and their children, as difficult times are coming. The passage emphasizes Jesus's role as a suffering servant who, even in his final moments, offers forgiveness and salvation. It also highlights the contrast between the mocking and unbelief of many and the faith of the repentant thief.
Are you showing love and forgiveness toward those you come into contact with this week?

In Acts 28:1-16, Paul concludes a long and tumultuous voyage to Rome, the heart of the Roman Empire. Along the way Paul experiences trial and suffering in the form of shipwreck and snake bite. Despite these difficulties, that are both real and painful, God brings Paul safely to Rome where the gospel continues to advance. The various difficulties Paul endured along the way opened the door for gospel opportunities. Let Paul’s journey be an encouragement to you that through suffering (individual or corporate) God will bring about gospel opportunities. Our trials are never meaningless; God will use them for his glory and purpose. Where can you step into occasions for gospel ministry this week? 

In Luke 23:13-25, Jesus is on trial before Pilate. In a shocking reversal, Pilate finds Jesus innocent while the Jews demand his crucifixion. Even a historically ruthless and pagan governor can see Jesus’ innocence, while those who were supposed to recognize their Messiah condemn him to death. Although Herod, Pilate, the Gentiles, and the people of Israel were gathered against Jesus, God ultimately determined that it would happen this way. How the Scriptures describe this event reveals that God sovereignly ordains all that comes to pass, yet people still freely choose what they want and will be held accountable for their choices. Exactly how this works is beyond human comprehension; God is infinite, we are not.
This section of scripture concludes with Barabbas, an insurrectionist and murder, being released while Jesus is condemned. In the release of Barabbas, we see a powerful picture of the substitutionary atonement of Christ in which the record of debt that stood against God’s people with its legal demands is set aside, as Jesus is nailed to the cross (Col 2:13-14). Who can you tell about the good news of Jesus this week?

In Luke 23:1-12, Jesus stands before two powerful Roman politicians, Pilate and Herod. Pilate, wrestling with political convenience, finds no guilt in Jesus but refuses to act justly. Herod, craving entertainment, mocks Jesus when he doesn't speak or perform miracles on command. Through these encounters, we see the innocence of Jesus affirmed even by hostile figures. We also witness the sovereignty of God orchestrating redemption through even human injustice. This passage challenges us to confront our response to Jesus —not as a figure to manipulate for personal gain, but as the true King who invites us into his kingdom through repentance and faith.

In Luke 22:54-71 we see more responses to Jesus. Peter denied, others mocked, and some accused. Through all of this we are also able to observe Jesus's response. When given the chance, he doesn't defend himself. In a way, he provides the testimony that brings about his conviction. In a theological sense Jesus is on trial for us. He stands on trial where we ought to be standing. The judge becomes judged so sinners can be rescued from judgment.

The betrayal of Jesus in Luke 22:47-53 reveals both the pain of betrayal and the sovereignty of God. Judas’s act of betrayal underscores the deep emotional wound caused when trust is broken, especially by someone close. Yet, in the face of this treachery, Jesus responds with compassion, healing the ear of the servant and demonstrating that his kingdom is not advanced through violence but through sacrificial love. Even as the forces of darkness appear to prevail, Jesus acknowledges their limits, declaring, “This is your hour, and the power of darkness.” This evil moment unfolds under God’s sovereign plan, turning betrayal and suffering into the means of redemption. Jesus’s response challenges us to face wrongdoing in the same way, while his acknowledgment of God’s control assures us that no trial or evil act lies outside God’s redemptive purpose.

Life’s trials are unavoidable, but they are not without purpose. Romans 5:1-5 reveals a transformative pathway through suffering: endurance builds character, and character nurtures hope—a hope that is secure because of God’s love poured out through the Holy Spirit. This message unpacks how God uses suffering to sanctify His people, conforming them to the image of Christ while equipping them to serve others. It challenges us to embrace endurance as the bridge between pain and joy, grounded in the unshakable truth of the Gospel, and empowered by the example and strength of Jesus, who endured the cross for our sake.

In Luke 22:35-46, Jesus begins by telling his disciples to rely on God’s provision, while reminding them that all of their needs will be supplied. He goes on to say that he will be falsely tried as a transgressor or criminal, even though he is sinless. This is a reminder that these false accusations and his ultimate crucifixion were all part of God’s plan. This led the disciples to want to use swords against these accusers, to which Jesus urged them not to. We then see Jesus going to his customary place of prayer, the Garden of Gethsemane, to ask the Father if there was a way to spare him from the suffering and death. Even though Jesus was in great anguish and literally sweated drops of blood, he ultimately submitted to the will of God the Father. Finally, he used his time of praying as a teaching moment for the disciples to remain vigilant in prayer so as not to enter into temptation.

In 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 we learn how the message of the cross, though seemingly foolish to the world, reveals God's ultimate wisdom and power. Human wisdom falls short of knowing God, because salvation doesn't come through impressive signs or intellectual pursuit. God brings salvation through the simple yet profound proclamation of Christ crucified. Even though many perceive the message of a crucified Christ as foolishness, it is actually powerful and wise because through it God saves sinners. God's cruciform wisdom overturns and subverts worldly wisdom and by doing so God receives eternal glory.

The teachings of Jesus in Luke are often countercultural. In Luke 22:24-34, Jesus reveals how the worldly view of greatness contrasts with his own; those who are great should be as the youngest and servants at heart. Jesus not only taught what it means to be great, but modeled it by laying down his life for his people. These passages exalt Christ’s example of greatness (to be followed), diminish the worldly view of greatness (to be avoided), and reveal the failure and limitations of human leaders (to be acknowledged). 
While pride often prevents us from serving others, looking to Christ’s example of humble service can help overcome this obstacle. In what ways can we be servant-minded followers of Jesus this week?

In Romans 8:28-30 we learn two promises that provide Christians with a joy that cannot be taken away (John 16:22). Because of the resurrection of Jesus, 1.) your bad things will turn out for good, and 2.) the best is yet to come. Bad things turning out for good doesn't mean bad things are somehow reclassified as good. It does mean that if the worst thing to ever happen in the world – the execution and death of the Son of God – worked out for good, then Christians can be assured all of their bad things will turn out for good too. And knowing the best is yet to come means all the good things in this life are gifts, not gods. All of the joys, delights, pleasures, and loves of this life are precious gifts from God given as a taste, an appetizer, of an eternal and glorious life to come. A life so glorious that "the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us” (Rom. 8:18).

Palm Sunday is all about the fact that Jesus is King. But what does the kingliness of Jesus consist of? Luke 19 and John 13 give us three vignettes about the kind of King we have in Jesus. In Luke 19:34-41 we learn we have a king who weeps. In Luke 19:45-46 we learn we have a king who has anger, because he wants us. And in John 13:1-5 we learn we have a king who loves us to the end. In all of your efforts for true love and for the deepest kind of friendship, in all of your efforts to find a genuine and true leader you can follow, Jesus is the one you ultimately seek. Jesus is everything you need and all you want. He is a lion and a lamb.