Throughout His ministry, Jesus asked who people said He is.  It was an opportunity for expectations to be corrected.   Matthew 16:13-16, Mark 8:27-29 and Luke 9:18-20 all record the questions “Who do people say I am? Who do you say I am?” 

The crowds had multiple ideas involving primarily prophets, but Peter’s confession was, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the Living God.”

The two men walking on the Road to Emmaus, had a clear identification of Jesus as a prophet, powerful in word and deed, and that He was from Nazareth.  But that’s where His credentials ended for them. They needed an update.

Questions for further thought:

Why do you think some in the crowd thought He was Elijah, some Jeremiah, and some thought He was one of the prophets from long ago or John the Baptist “brought back to life”?

Why might the disciples have believed a prophet of old or John the Baptist could be brought back to life, but not considered that Jesus could after His crucifixion?

How did the raising of Lazarus (John 11: 43-44) differ from the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Son of God?

Principle: If a prophet could be resurrected, so could the Son of Man. Especially if He told you He would be.

Prayer:

Help us to see, Lord Jesus, the importance of Your resurrection and how it is much more meaningful than even the resurrection of Lazarus during his earthly life.  Help us to know Your eternal work on our behalf and the forgiveness of sin that You offer to us. Help us to embrace Your love for us and the promise of eternal life in You.  Amen.

===

Lent began Ash Wednesday, March 5, 2025, and will continue until Resurrection Sunday, Easter (April 20, 2025). I hope you’ll join me and be prepared to have your eyes opened. I know mine have been in writing this series, “The Way it Had to Be.”

The author gratefully acknowledges Grok XI for assisting with this year’s pictures.
Technology can be amazing.

If you’re already signed up on my Home Page sidebar to receive posts, you’ll get the 2025 Lent Devotionals automatically. Or you can “Like” Seminary Gal on Facebook and they’ll be delivered to your Facebook news feed. If you haven’t signed up, today is a great day to do so. Advent and Lenten devotionals remain among my most popular offerings. You don’t want to miss this encounter with God to prepare your heart for Easter! Understanding that prior years’ devotionals continue to minister, you may want to have access to a full series ahead of time:

“Seeing His Love with New Eyes” was the topic for 2024 and it explored looking at God’s love beyond the superficial and trite notions of love. They are archived beginning February 14, 2024.

Lent 2013 looked at The Letter to the Romans: Paul’s Masterpiece to reclaim foundations of our Christian heritage and began February 13, 2013.

A very special and ever popular offering was Lent 2014’s Be Still and Know that I AM God  which can be obtained through the archives beginning in March 2014. 

Lent 2015 began on February 18, 2015 with a series entitled With Christ in the Upper Room: Final Preparations.  We explored what is often called “The Upper Room Discourse” found in John chapters 13-17. 

ReKindle, the Lent 2016 series, began on February 10, 2016 and encouraged us to rekindle our spiritual lives.

Light: There’s Nothing Like It was the 2017 Lent series and explored this metaphor often used to portray Christ.  It is archived beginning March 1, 2017.

Lent 2018, we explored the questions of Pi and Chi (the Greek letter beginning the word Christos, which means Christ, Messiah, the Anointed One). We asked and answered the questions “Why?” from the movie Life of Pi as we discovered the uniqueness of Jesus Christ in a world of many faiths.

Lent 2019 gave us a deeper window into Easter “More to the Easter Story” since we miss so much when we rely only on a superficial understanding of the work of Christ. These devotionals are archived beginning March 6, 2019.

Our Lent 2020 devotional series offered prayer points surrounding “Be Thou My Vision” and were aimed at helping us to see God for who He is. The full set of devotionals are archived beginning February 26, 2020.

The theme for 2021 Lent Devotionals was how to live between two worlds while waiting for Christ’s return. Into the gap between the City of Man and its fixation upon sin and the City of God with its demand for holiness, two words minister peace: But God. Praise God for His intervention! They are archived beginning February 17, 2021.

Revelation in 40 devotionals for 2022 offered 40 vignettes, scenes, concepts, and thoughts to inspire us to read the Book of Revelation as it is written and to go deeper. They are archived beginning March 2, 2022.

“Created to Display His Image” explored what it truly means to be made in God’s Image and the profound significance of that fact. They are archived beginning February 22, 2023.

Lent Devotionals will resume tomorrow
after today’s Sabbath rest to reflect, refresh, and worship Him.

“The LORD is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love.
The LORD is good to all; He has compassion on all He has made.
All Your works praise You, LORD; Your faithful people extol You.”
(Psalm 145:8-10)

“Jesus asked them, ‘What are you discussing together as you walk along?’ They stood still, their faces downcast. One of them, named Cleopas, asked Him, ‘Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened here in these days?’

‘What things?” He asked.’” (Luke 24:17-19)

I find myself thinking He must have had a chuckle in His heart and a twinkle in His eyes as He asked that. Of course, He’d heard! But just as in the Garden of Eden when God called out to Adam “Where are you?” it’s not an information-driven question for location coordinates for GPS.  In both cases (and how often in our lives as well!), God was doing an assessment of where they’re at and creating an opening for dialogue.  Talk to Me.

Principle: We need to be open to conversation with God. 

Questions for further thought:

In Isaiah 1:18 it says, “Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.”  It also is translated “let us reason together.”  Why does God often engage us in conversation?

Humans are unique among the animal kingdom of being capable of high-level reasoning.  How does it uphold the dignity of humanity by having a conversation?    Why would that be important to God?  (See Genesis 1:27 for insight).

Prayer:  Lord Jesus, I long to have a deep conversation with You about the things that matter, to have Your perspective on the events in my life and in our world, and to hear from Your Holy Spirit about work You are doing and ways I can join you.  Please give me ears to hear Your voice above the noise.  I want to hear and obey.  I love you, Lord.  Amen.

===

Lent began Ash Wednesday, March 5, 2025, and will continue until Resurrection Sunday, Easter (April 20, 2025). I hope you’ll join me and be prepared to have your eyes opened. I know mine have been in writing this series, “The Way it Had to Be.”

The author gratefully acknowledges Grok XI for assisting with this year’s pictures.
Technology can be amazing.

If you’re already signed up on my Home Page sidebar to receive posts, you’ll get the 2025 Lent Devotionals automatically. Or you can “Like” Seminary Gal on Facebook and they’ll be delivered to your Facebook news feed. If you haven’t signed up, today is a great day to do so. Advent and Lenten devotionals remain among my most popular offerings. You don’t want to miss this encounter with God to prepare your heart for Easter! Understanding that prior years’ devotionals continue to minister, you may want to have access to a full series ahead of time:

“Seeing His Love with New Eyes” was the topic for 2024 and it explored looking at God’s love beyond the superficial and trite notions of love. They are archived beginning February 14, 2024.

Lent 2013 looked at The Letter to the Romans: Paul’s Masterpiece to reclaim foundations of our Christian heritage and began February 13, 2013.

A very special and ever popular offering was Lent 2014’s Be Still and Know that I AM God  which can be obtained through the archives beginning in March 2014. 

Lent 2015 began on February 18, 2015 with a series entitled With Christ in the Upper Room: Final Preparations.  We explored what is often called “The Upper Room Discourse” found in John chapters 13-17. 

ReKindle, the Lent 2016 series, began on February 10, 2016 and encouraged us to rekindle our spiritual lives.

Light: There’s Nothing Like It was the 2017 Lent series and explored this metaphor often used to portray Christ.  It is archived beginning March 1, 2017.

Lent 2018, we explored the questions of Pi and Chi (the Greek letter beginning the word Christos, which means Christ, Messiah, the Anointed One). We asked and answered the questions “Why?” from the movie Life of Pi as we discovered the uniqueness of Jesus Christ in a world of many faiths.

Lent 2019 gave us a deeper window into Easter “More to the Easter Story” since we miss so much when we rely only on a superficial understanding of the work of Christ. These devotionals are archived beginning March 6, 2019.

Our Lent 2020 devotional series offered prayer points surrounding “Be Thou My Vision” and were aimed at helping us to see God for who He is. The full set of devotionals are archived beginning February 26, 2020.

The theme for 2021 Lent Devotionals was how to live between two worlds while waiting for Christ’s return. Into the gap between the City of Man and its fixation upon sin and the City of God with its demand for holiness, two words minister peace: But God. Praise God for His intervention! They are archived beginning February 17, 2021.

Revelation in 40 devotionals for 2022 offered 40 vignettes, scenes, concepts, and thoughts to inspire us to read the Book of Revelation as it is written and to go deeper. They are archived beginning March 2, 2022.

“Created to Display His Image” explored what it truly means to be made in God’s Image and the profound significance of that fact. They are archived beginning February 22, 2023.

The two men walking on the Road to Emmaus assumed everyone in Jerusalem had heard about the events.  What is remarkable and what the Scriptures don’t indicate in this scene is that Jerusalem likely had residents numbering around 120,000 men (according to Josephus) but the numbers swelled nearing 3-4,000,000 during Passover as Jews were commanded from all around to go “up to Jerusalem.”  The songs of ascents (Psalms120-134) were sung on such occasions as pilgrims made their way for the major festivals, most notably the Passover.

“One of them, named Cleopas, asked Him,
“Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know
the things that have happened there in these days?” (Luke 24:18)

Principle: Word of mouth and oral tradition were the media of the day in ancient Jerusalem.

Questions for further thought:

How could 3 million people all know what was going on before social media?

Why would this news spread like wildfire?

What happens with oral tradition?  Think back to the game of “telephone” when you were a child.

Why might Jesus want to know what they’d heard?

Prayer:  Lord Jesus, we know You’ve told us about Your return, “Look, He is coming with the clouds,” and “every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him”; and all peoples on earth “will mourn because of Him.” So shall it be! Amen. (Revelation 1:7).  Grant that we would believe it today, knowing that technology makes these Scriptures far more likely to be fulfilled now than in Jesus’ day.

Help us to keep a watchful eye for Your return and share the Gospel until that day like it’s the most paramount message of our time because Your return is just that important in its eternal significance. May we be found faithfully at work and bring glory to You in all we do. Amen.

===

Lent began Ash Wednesday, March 5, 2025, and will continue until Resurrection Sunday, Easter (April 20, 2025). I hope you’ll join me and be prepared to have your eyes opened. I know mine have been in writing this series, “The Way it Had to Be.”

The author gratefully acknowledges Grok XI for assisting with this year’s pictures.
Technology can be amazing.

If you’re already signed up on my Home Page sidebar to receive posts, you’ll get the 2025 Lent Devotionals automatically. Or you can “Like” Seminary Gal on Facebook and they’ll be delivered to your Facebook news feed. If you haven’t signed up, today is a great day to do so. Advent and Lenten devotionals remain among my most popular offerings. You don’t want to miss this encounter with God to prepare your heart for Easter! Understanding that prior years’ devotionals continue to minister, you may want to have access to a full series ahead of time:

“Seeing His Love with New Eyes” was the topic for 2024 and it explored looking at God’s love beyond the superficial and trite notions of love. They are archived beginning February 14, 2024.

Lent 2013 looked at The Letter to the Romans: Paul’s Masterpiece to reclaim foundations of our Christian heritage and began February 13, 2013.

A very special and ever popular offering was Lent 2014’s Be Still and Know that I AM God  which can be obtained through the archives beginning in March 2014. 

Lent 2015 began on February 18, 2015 with a series entitled With Christ in the Upper Room: Final Preparations.  We explored what is often called “The Upper Room Discourse” found in John chapters 13-17. 

ReKindle, the Lent 2016 series, began on February 10, 2016 and encouraged us to rekindle our spiritual lives.

Light: There’s Nothing Like It was the 2017 Lent series and explored this metaphor often used to portray Christ.  It is archived beginning March 1, 2017.

Lent 2018, we explored the questions of Pi and Chi (the Greek letter beginning the word Christos, which means Christ, Messiah, the Anointed One). We asked and answered the questions “Why?” from the movie Life of Pi as we discovered the uniqueness of Jesus Christ in a world of many faiths.

Lent 2019 gave us a deeper window into Easter “More to the Easter Story” since we miss so much when we rely only on a superficial understanding of the work of Christ. These devotionals are archived beginning March 6, 2019.

Our Lent 2020 devotional series offered prayer points surrounding “Be Thou My Vision” and were aimed at helping us to see God for who He is. The full set of devotionals are archived beginning February 26, 2020.

The theme for 2021 Lent Devotionals was how to live between two worlds while waiting for Christ’s return. Into the gap between the City of Man and its fixation upon sin and the City of God with its demand for holiness, two words minister peace: But God. Praise God for His intervention! They are archived beginning February 17, 2021.

Revelation in 40 devotionals for 2022 offered 40 vignettes, scenes, concepts, and thoughts to inspire us to read the Book of Revelation as it is written and to go deeper. They are archived beginning March 2, 2022.

“Created to Display His Image” explored what it truly means to be made in God’s Image and the profound significance of that fact. They are archived beginning February 22, 2023.

Bad news travels fast, as they say. 
When people have some gossip to tell, they often do. 

According to https://englishpluspodcast.com/bad-news-travels-fast-understanding-the-proverb/
There are a few reasons behind the speed of bad news:
>Evolutionary Bias: Humans developed a negativity bias as a survival mechanism. Being alert to dangers and threats would have been more advantageous for our ancestors than focusing on the positive.
>Social Currency: Sharing bad news can make us feel connected to others, particularly   through commiseration or a sense of shared concern.
>The Power of Surprise: Unexpected negative events are more newsworthy and attention-grabbing than the routine or predictable.

I’d add one: it makes us feel empowered and even superior to know information before others do…especially as it relates to bad news.  Sir Francis Bacon is cited as an original source for the common aphorism “Knowledge is power.”

The two men on the Road to Emmaus seem genuinely astonished that Jesus would even ask “What things?”

Principle: Jesus knew far more about the resurrection than they did, but His purpose wasn’t triumphalism.  His purpose was relational.

Questions for further thought:

Is God obligated to tell us the full details when there is something to be gained from getting to know Him incrementally?

Think about the rest of Scripture.  Are there things that have yet to come to pass? 

If God is omniscient, He knows the mysteries of the apocalypse already.  Why might He not tell us everything clearly ahead of time?

Jesus told His disciples time and again that He would be handed over to be crucified.  Why do you think they didn’t know even after having been explicitly told?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, give us ears to hear what You have to say in Your Word and hearts to believe what is written for our good and so we may know You better.  Help us to pay close attention to what we have learned and put it into practice.  For Your glory, Amen.

===

Lent began Ash Wednesday, March 5, 2025, and will continue until Resurrection Sunday, Easter (April 20, 2025). I hope you’ll join me and be prepared to have your eyes opened. I know mine have been in writing this series, “The Way it Had to Be.”

The author gratefully acknowledges Grok XI for assisting with this year’s pictures.
Technology can be amazing.

If you’re already signed up on my Home Page sidebar to receive posts, you’ll get the 2025 Lent Devotionals automatically. Or you can “Like” Seminary Gal on Facebook and they’ll be delivered to your Facebook news feed. If you haven’t signed up, today is a great day to do so. Advent and Lenten devotionals remain among my most popular offerings. You don’t want to miss this encounter with God to prepare your heart for Easter! Understanding that prior years’ devotionals continue to minister, you may want to have access to a full series ahead of time:

• Lent 2013 looked at The Letter to the Romans: Paul’s Masterpiece to reclaim foundations of our Christian heritage and began February 13, 2013.
• A very special and ever popular offering was Lent 2014’s Be Still and Know that I AM God  which can be obtained through the archives beginning in March 2014. 
• Lent 2015 began on February 18, 2015 with a series entitled With Christ in the Upper Room: Final Preparations.  We explored what is often called “The Upper Room Discourse” found in John chapters 13-17. 
• ReKindle, the Lent 2016 series, began on February 10, 2016 and encouraged us to rekindle our spiritual lives.
• Light: There’s Nothing Like It was the 2017 Lent series and explored this metaphor often used to portray Christ.  It is archived beginning March 1, 2017.
• Lent 2018, we explored the questions of Pi and Chi (the Greek letter beginning the word Christos, which means Christ, Messiah, the Anointed One). We asked and answered the questions “Why?” from the movie Life of Pi as we discovered the uniqueness of Jesus Christ in a world of many faiths.
• Lent 2019 gave us a deeper window into Easter “More to the Easter Story” since we miss so much when we rely only on a superficial understanding of the work of Christ. These devotionals are archived beginning March 6, 2019.
• Our Lent 2020 devotional series offered prayer points surrounding “Be Thou My Vision” and were aimed at helping us to see God for who He is. The full set of devotionals are archived beginning February 26, 2020.
• The theme for 2021 Lent Devotionals was how to live between two worlds while waiting for Christ’s return. Into the gap between the City of Man and its fixation upon sin and the City of God with its demand for holiness, two words minister peace: But God. Praise God for His intervention! They are archived beginning February 17, 2021.
• Revelation in 40 devotionals for 2022 offered 40 vignettes, scenes, concepts, and thoughts to inspire us to read the Book of Revelation as it is written and to go deeper. They are archived beginning March 2, 2022.
• “Created to Display His Image” explored what it truly means to be made in God’s Image and the profound significance of that fact. They are archived beginning February 22, 2023.
• “Seeing His Love with New Eyes” was the topic for 2024 and it explored looking at God’s love beyond the superficial and trite notions of love. They are archived beginning February 14, 2024.

One can only imagine the grief of these two disciples.  They’d seen enough even if they hadn’t been two from among the Twelve.  They’d heard enough to question everything they’d believed.  Cut to the heart.  Emotionally immobilized.

 
“Their faces downcast.” (Luke 24:17)

They were kept from recognizing the very One who was able to turn their mourning into dancing and clothe them with joy (Psalm 30:10-12).  He is able to “provide for those who grieve in Zion– to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.”  (Isaiah 61:3)

Principle: Grief prepares us for praise.

Questions for further thought:
How does enduring sadness prepare us to recognize true joy when it comes in the morning? 

If there were to be no sadness in life, how would we recognize joy?

Jesus says, “Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28).  How did His coming into conversation with these two men on the Road to Emmaus help them to share their burden?

Prayer: Thank You, Lord, for being with us in our sadness, for taking our burdens upon Yourself and giving us Your peace in its place.  Help us to know that even sad times have a purpose in Your plan for us and that wherever our pain takes us, Your grace goes before us and follows us through it all.  We are thankful for Your presence.  Amen.

===

Lent began Ash Wednesday, March 5, 2025, and will continue until Resurrection Sunday, Easter (April 20, 2025). I hope you’ll join me and be prepared to have your eyes opened. I know mine have been in writing this series, “The Way it Had to Be.”

The author gratefully acknowledges Grok XI for assisting with this year’s pictures.
Technology can be amazing.

If you’re already signed up on my Home Page sidebar to receive posts, you’ll get the 2025 Lent Devotionals automatically. Or you can “Like” Seminary Gal on Facebook and they’ll be delivered to your Facebook news feed. If you haven’t signed up, today is a great day to do so. Advent and Lenten devotionals remain among my most popular offerings. You don’t want to miss this encounter with God to prepare your heart for Easter! Understanding that prior years’ devotionals continue to minister, you may want to have access to a full series ahead of time:

• Lent 2013 looked at The Letter to the Romans: Paul’s Masterpiece to reclaim foundations of our Christian heritage and began February 13, 2013.
• A very special and ever popular offering was Lent 2014’s Be Still and Know that I AM God  which can be obtained through the archives beginning in March 2014. 
• Lent 2015 began on February 18, 2015 with a series entitled With Christ in the Upper Room: Final Preparations.  We explored what is often called “The Upper Room Discourse” found in John chapters 13-17. 
• ReKindle, the Lent 2016 series, began on February 10, 2016 and encouraged us to rekindle our spiritual lives.
• Light: There’s Nothing Like It was the 2017 Lent series and explored this metaphor often used to portray Christ.  It is archived beginning March 1, 2017.
• Lent 2018, we explored the questions of Pi and Chi (the Greek letter beginning the word Christos, which means Christ, Messiah, the Anointed One). We asked and answered the questions “Why?” from the movie Life of Pi as we discovered the uniqueness of Jesus Christ in a world of many faiths.
• Lent 2019 gave us a deeper window into Easter “More to the Easter Story” since we miss so much when we rely only on a superficial understanding of the work of Christ. These devotionals are archived beginning March 6, 2019.
• Our Lent 2020 devotional series offered prayer points surrounding “Be Thou My Vision” and were aimed at helping us to see God for who He is. The full set of devotionals are archived beginning February 26, 2020.
• The theme for 2021 Lent Devotionals was how to live between two worlds while waiting for Christ’s return. Into the gap between the City of Man and its fixation upon sin and the City of God with its demand for holiness, two words minister peace: But God. Praise God for His intervention! They are archived beginning February 17, 2021.
• Revelation in 40 devotionals for 2022 offered 40 vignettes, scenes, concepts, and thoughts to inspire us to read the Book of Revelation as it is written and to go deeper. They are archived beginning March 2, 2022.
• “Created to Display His Image” explored what it truly means to be made in God’s Image and the profound significance of that fact. They are archived beginning February 22, 2023.
• “Seeing His Love with New Eyes” was the topic for 2024 and it explored looking at God’s love beyond the superficial and trite notions of love. They are archived beginning February 14, 2024.

Jesus comes upon the two men who are walking on the Road to Emmaus and asked them, “‘What are you discussing together as you walk along?’ They stood still, their faces downcast.” (Luke 24:17)

Stop the presses! they must have thought. Someone is completely out of touch! Bad news travels fast, but this guy must have been under a rock.

Behind one, yes, almost humorously, but not the least bit out of touch. In fact, He knows it more fully than anyone what happened behind that rock. Yet He invites these two men to share their hearts, bringing to Him their disappointments and sorrows, their confusion and worry.

Principle: Jesus wants to minister in the areas of your greatest sadness.

Questions for further thought:

Why do you think they stood still when He asked that?

Jesus was crucified as an enemy of Jewish elites and political Rome.  How might fear have kept them from wanting to state their discussion topic to a stranger?

How does Jesus’ omniscience as the Risen Lord allow Him to ask without invading a confidential, private, and personal pain?

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, thank You for entering our world and opening opportunities for You to meet us in our pain.  Thank You that You can sympathize with us because You suffered and will give comfort that You received from the Father.  Correct our perspectives on pain and suffering in those areas where context is merited, grant us peace in places of confusion and unjust suffering, and in every case, give us grace in persevering.  Help us to know foundationally that You cause all things to work together for the good of those love You and are called according to Your purpose.  Not as some trite Christian cliche, but as truth grounded in the character of our all-wise and loving Father. Give us eyes of faith and great courage in troubling times.  Amen.

===

Lent began Ash Wednesday, March 5, 2025, and will continue until Resurrection Sunday, Easter (April 20, 2025). I hope you’ll join me and be prepared to have your eyes opened. I know mine have been in writing this series, “The Way it Had to Be.”

The author gratefully acknowledges Grok XI for assisting with this year’s pictures.
Technology can be amazing.

If you’re already signed up on my Home Page sidebar to receive posts, you’ll get the 2025 Lent Devotionals automatically. Or you can “Like” Seminary Gal on Facebook and they’ll be delivered to your Facebook news feed. If you haven’t signed up, today is a great day to do so. Advent and Lenten devotionals remain among my most popular offerings. You don’t want to miss this encounter with God to prepare your heart for Easter! Understanding that prior years’ devotionals continue to minister, you may want to have access to a full series ahead of time:

• Lent 2013 looked at The Letter to the Romans: Paul’s Masterpiece to reclaim foundations of our Christian heritage and began February 13, 2013.
• A very special and ever popular offering was Lent 2014’s Be Still and Know that I AM God  which can be obtained through the archives beginning in March 2014. 
• Lent 2015 began on February 18, 2015 with a series entitled With Christ in the Upper Room: Final Preparations.  We explored what is often called “The Upper Room Discourse” found in John chapters 13-17. 
• ReKindle, the Lent 2016 series, began on February 10, 2016 and encouraged us to rekindle our spiritual lives.
• Light: There’s Nothing Like It was the 2017 Lent series and explored this metaphor often used to portray Christ.  It is archived beginning March 1, 2017.
• Lent 2018, we explored the questions of Pi and Chi (the Greek letter beginning the word Christos, which means Christ, Messiah, the Anointed One). We asked and answered the questions “Why?” from the movie Life of Pi as we discovered the uniqueness of Jesus Christ in a world of many faiths.
• Lent 2019 gave us a deeper window into Easter “More to the Easter Story” since we miss so much when we rely only on a superficial understanding of the work of Christ. These devotionals are archived beginning March 6, 2019.
• Our Lent 2020 devotional series offered prayer points surrounding “Be Thou My Vision” and were aimed at helping us to see God for who He is. The full set of devotionals are archived beginning February 26, 2020.
• The theme for 2021 Lent Devotionals was how to live between two worlds while waiting for Christ’s return. Into the gap between the City of Man and its fixation upon sin and the City of God with its demand for holiness, two words minister peace: But God. Praise God for His intervention! They are archived beginning February 17, 2021.
• Revelation in 40 devotionals for 2022 offered 40 vignettes, scenes, concepts, and thoughts to inspire us to read the Book of Revelation as it is written and to go deeper. They are archived beginning March 2, 2022.
• “Created to Display His Image” explored what it truly means to be made in God’s Image and the profound significance of that fact. They are archived beginning February 22, 2023.
• “Seeing His Love with New Eyes” was the topic for 2024 and it explored looking at God’s love beyond the superficial and trite notions of love. They are archived beginning February 14, 2024.

Luke 24:14 They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. 15 As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus Himself came up and walked along with them; 16 but they were kept from recognizing Him.

Back in 1995, Joan Osborne released (If God was) “One of Us” and prompted an international conversation about seeing God in everyday life.  In American Songwriter, Eric Bazilion identified his intent in writing the song.  “[It’s] about what happens to you when you look at something that has completely changed your worldview, which could be meeting God…it could be anything like that.”

The men on the Road to Emmaus might have related to this.

The song’s lyrics are so applicable to them although they wouldn’t have used the word “slob.”

Principle:  Jesus wants you to believe the Truth, not just your assumptions.

Questions for further thought:

What do you do when all your prior assumptions are challenged? What does it do to your faith?
*
Why might an acknowledged encounter with Christ completely change your worldview?
*
What if Jesus came to you incognito and appeared as just another traveler on the road of life, in your daily routine, or in your workplace?  We’re told in Hebrews 13:2, angels can be incognito, and some have shown them hospitality without even knowing it.
*
How did the men on the Road to Emmaus encounter God as just a stranger trying to make his way home?
*
What would you ask Jesus if you could ask Him just one question?

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, You told Your disciples that “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (John 20:29).  Help us to see with our hearts and our spirits what we cannot see with our eyes in this present world.  We want to know You.  We want to see You at work in our lives. Grant us faith enough to see.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

===

Lent began Ash Wednesday, March 5, 2025, and will continue until Resurrection Sunday, Easter (April 20, 2025). I hope you’ll join me and be prepared to have your eyes opened. I know mine have been in writing this series, “The Way it Had to Be.”

The author gratefully acknowledges Grok XI for assisting with this year’s pictures.
Technology can be amazing.

If you’re already signed up on my Home Page sidebar to receive posts, you’ll get the 2025 Lent Devotionals automatically. Or you can “Like” Seminary Gal on Facebook and they’ll be delivered to your Facebook news feed. If you haven’t signed up, today is a great day to do so. Advent and Lenten devotionals remain among my most popular offerings. You don’t want to miss this encounter with God to prepare your heart for Easter! Understanding that prior years’ devotionals continue to minister, you may want to have access to a full series ahead of time:

• Lent 2013 looked at The Letter to the Romans: Paul’s Masterpiece to reclaim foundations of our Christian heritage and began February 13, 2013.
• A very special and ever popular offering was Lent 2014’s Be Still and Know that I AM God  which can be obtained through the archives beginning in March 2014. 
• Lent 2015 began on February 18, 2015 with a series entitled With Christ in the Upper Room: Final Preparations.  We explored what is often called “The Upper Room Discourse” found in John chapters 13-17. 
• ReKindle, the Lent 2016 series, began on February 10, 2016 and encouraged us to rekindle our spiritual lives.
• Light: There’s Nothing Like It was the 2017 Lent series and explored this metaphor often used to portray Christ.  It is archived beginning March 1, 2017.
• Lent 2018, we explored the questions of Pi and Chi (the Greek letter beginning the word Christos, which means Christ, Messiah, the Anointed One). We asked and answered the questions “Why?” from the movie Life of Pi as we discovered the uniqueness of Jesus Christ in a world of many faiths.
• Lent 2019 gave us a deeper window into Easter “More to the Easter Story” since we miss so much when we rely only on a superficial understanding of the work of Christ. These devotionals are archived beginning March 6, 2019.
• Our Lent 2020 devotional series offered prayer points surrounding “Be Thou My Vision” and were aimed at helping us to see God for who He is. The full set of devotionals are archived beginning February 26, 2020.
• The theme for 2021 Lent Devotionals was how to live between two worlds while waiting for Christ’s return. Into the gap between the City of Man and its fixation upon sin and the City of God with its demand for holiness, two words minister peace: But God. Praise God for His intervention! They are archived beginning February 17, 2021.
• Revelation in 40 devotionals for 2022 offered 40 vignettes, scenes, concepts, and thoughts to inspire us to read the Book of Revelation as it is written and to go deeper. They are archived beginning March 2, 2022.
• “Created to Display His Image” explored what it truly means to be made in God’s Image and the profound significance of that fact. They are archived beginning February 22, 2023.
• “Seeing His Love with New Eyes” was the topic for 2024 and it explored looking at God’s love beyond the superficial and trite notions of love. They are archived beginning February 14, 2024.

Lent Devotionals will resume tomorrow
after today’s Sabbath rest to reflect, refresh, and worship Him.

“Let us acknowledge the LORD; let us press on to acknowledge Him.
As surely as the sun rises, He will appear;
He will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth.”
(Hosea 6:3)

Jesus overheard what the two men were discussing as they walked.  Before we get the idea that the two men were shouting or Jesus was a divine eavesdropper, consider that the Risen Jesus is Immanuel and always “God with us.”  God is omnipresent.  Even on the Road to Emmaus.

“As they talked and discussed these things with each other,
Jesus himself came up and walked along with them.”
(Luke 24:15)

Who knows exactly what the men were discussing? A simple recounting of the events? Possible reasonable scenarios to explain the empty tomb?  Trying to reconcile their Scriptural understanding and expectations that the Messiah would be a military leader who would vindicate the Chosen People with the fact of Jesus’ death?

Jesus comes alongside them, and He knows it all but draws them into the truth. That’s just one of the reasons this story is one of the most remarkable resurrection appearances. It tells us much about Jesus and Scripture. 

Principle: Jesus is “God with us” even when we don’t know He’s there.

Questions for further thought:
Put yourself in their sandals.  You are a disciple. The tomb is empty.  Women come to the Eleven remaining disciples who hear the women’s stories about an empty tomb that the disciples then went and verified.  What would you be thinking about and discussing?
*
Think of other examples of miraculous things that natural/reasonable explanations cannot answer.  How do you handle them?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, when we don’t understand the circumstances around us and we’re feeling like the world is full of uncertainty, remind us that You remain the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow.  As “God with us” You are anchor for our souls, and in You, our hope is secure.  Amen.

===

Lent began March 5, 2025, and will continue until Resurrection Sunday, Easter (April 20, 2025). I hope you’ll join me and be prepared to have your eyes opened. I know mine have been in writing this series, “The Way it Had to Be.”

The author gratefully acknowledges Grok XI for assisting with this year’s pictures.
Technology can be amazing.

If you’re already signed up on my Home Page sidebar to receive posts, you’ll get the 2025 Lent Devotionals automatically. Or you can “Like” Seminary Gal on Facebook and they’ll be delivered to your Facebook news feed. If you haven’t signed up, today is a great day to do so. Advent and Lenten devotionals remain among my most popular offerings. You don’t want to miss this encounter with God to prepare your heart for Easter! Understanding that prior years’ devotionals continue to minister, you may want to have access to a full series ahead of time:

“Seeing His Love with New Eyes” was the topic for 2024 and it explored looking at God’s love beyond the superficial and trite notions of love. They are archived beginning February 14, 2024.

Lent 2013 looked at The Letter to the Romans: Paul’s Masterpiece to reclaim foundations of our Christian heritage and began February 13, 2013.

A very special and ever popular offering was Lent 2014’s Be Still and Know that I AM God  which can be obtained through the archives beginning in March 2014. 

Lent 2015 began on February 18, 2015 with a series entitled With Christ in the Upper Room: Final Preparations.  We explored what is often called “The Upper Room Discourse” found in John chapters 13-17. 

ReKindle, the Lent 2016 series, began on February 10, 2016 and encouraged us to rekindle our spiritual lives.

Light: There’s Nothing Like It was the 2017 Lent series and explored this metaphor often used to portray Christ.  It is archived beginning March 1, 2017.

Lent 2018, we explored the questions of Pi and Chi (the Greek letter beginning the word Christos, which means Christ, Messiah, the Anointed One). We asked and answered the questions “Why?” from the movie Life of Pi as we discovered the uniqueness of Jesus Christ in a world of many faiths.

Lent 2019 gave us a deeper window into Easter “More to the Easter Story” since we miss so much when we rely only on a superficial understanding of the work of Christ. These devotionals are archived beginning March 6, 2019.

Our Lent 2020 devotional series offered prayer points surrounding “Be Thou My Vision” and were aimed at helping us to see God for who He is. The full set of devotionals are archived beginning February 26, 2020.

The theme for 2021 Lent Devotionals was how to live between two worlds while waiting for Christ’s return. Into the gap between the City of Man and its fixation upon sin and the City of God with its demand for holiness, two words minister peace: But God. Praise God for His intervention! They are archived beginning February 17, 2021.

Revelation in 40 devotionals for 2022 offered 40 vignettes, scenes, concepts, and thoughts to inspire us to read the Book of Revelation as it is written and to go deeper. They are archived beginning March 2, 2022.

“Created to Display His Image” explored what it truly means to be made in God’s Image and the profound significance of that fact. They are archived beginning February 22, 2023.