Verse for the week: “Like newborn babes, long for
the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up to salvation; for you have
tasted the kindness of the Lord.” I
Peter 2.2-3
Prayer for the week: Lord God almighty, every year
you renew the face of the earth, and it is your will to renew the world fallen
into sin and death. Grant us faith so
that we may know in your Son the dawning of the true life and daily be made
into his new creation; for he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever. Amen.
Bible reading for the day: Luke 24.13-35
13That very day two of them
were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from
Jerusalem, 14 and they were talking with each other
about all these things that had happened. 15 While
they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went
with them. 16 But their eyes were kept from
recognizing him. 17 And he said to them, “What
is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you
walk?” And they stood still, looking sad. 18 Then
one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only visitor to
Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these
days?” 19 And he said to them, “What
things?” And they said to him, “Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who
was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the
people, 20 and how our chief priests
and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified
him. 21 But we had hoped that he was the one
to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since
these things happened. 22 Moreover, some women of
our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning, 23 and when
they did not find his body, they came back saying that they had even seen
a vision of angels, who said that he was alive.24 Some
of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had
said, but him they did not see.” 25 And he said to
them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets
have spoken! 26 Was it not necessary that the
Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” 27 And beginning
with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the
Scriptures the things concerning himself.
28 So they drew near to the village to which
they were going. He acted as if he were going farther, 29 but
they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, for it is toward evening
and the day is now far spent.” So he went in to stay with them. 30 When
he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and
gave it to them. 31 And their eyes were opened, and
they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight. 32 They
said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to
us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?”33 And
they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the
eleven and those who were with them gathered together,34 saying,
“The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!”35 Then
they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them
in the breaking of the bread.
Prayer (based on
T.R.I.P. method**): Gracious and almighty Father, thank you: you
love to give foolish, slow-hearted disciples like me faith in Jesus. Thank you!
It is so easy for my brothers & sisters and me to get preoccupied with our
own conversations, our own words… and neither hear nor recognize you. Thank you
that our faith is your work, not ours. Repent us of our own interpretations of
your word. Open the scriptures to us and interpret us by your living Word… that
our hearts may burn with sweet longing that is joy in Christ. In his name I ask
this, amen.
Hymn: follow this
link to a beloved, classic which gives further voice to today’s conversation
with the Lord: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztugxIfwP4c
“Thy kingdom come…”
What does this mean?
The kingdom of God comes indeed by itself, without our
prayer, but we pray in this petition that it may also come to us.
How is this done?
God's kingdom comes when our heavenly Father gives us his
Holy Spirit, so that by his grace we believe his holy Word and live a godly
life now and in eternity. (from The
Small Catechism, by Martin Luther ©Reclaim Resources, Sola Publishing, 2011)
Benediction: The
peace of God which surpasses all understanding keep your hearts and your minds
in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen. Phil 4.7
*There are many patterns for devotions. This pattern has been followed by God’s
people for centuries.
**The T.R.I.P. approach to
prayer is based on the way Martin Luther prayed and taught others to pray. It was later developed by Walter and Ingrid
Trobisch and then adapted by Mount Carmel Ministries (Alexandria MN
T:
thanksgiving
R: regret
(repentance)
I:
intercession (asking God to take a specific action)
P:
plan or purpose
Reading a biblical text and
then applying this method gives one a sound, simple way to form one’s
prayers...not to mention that it helps one learn how to faithfully reflect on
God’s Word and talk to God.
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