Heralds Digest

“And He said to them, “Why are you troubled? And why do doubts arise in your hearts?” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭24:38‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/luk.24.38.nkjv Complexity in handling the dreads of insecurity involves the combined control of the outward terror and the management of the inward torment. When doubts arise, fear sets in and produces torment, thereby preventing useful productivity and fruitful engagements in life. The disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ have had to handle the setback caused by their sense of insecurity from doubts immediately after the arrest, crucifixion and death of their ‘untouchable’ Master. Even with all the several evidences of the relevance of these awful occurrences in the scheme of God’s redemption plan, the dread from doubt subsist. And just like the Saviour asked “Why are you troubled? And why do doubts arise in your hearts?” and without any response from the disciples, the basis for doubts has always been unfounded. Yet, the dreads from doubts are alwa...

“Now it came to pass, as He sat at the table with them, that He took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they knew Him; and He vanished from their sight. And they said to one another, “Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?”” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭24:30-32‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/luk.24.30-32.nkjv Since secret things belong to God, several matters in human affairs are partially or permanently shrouded in secrecy, depending on the quality of human relationships with God. Painfully, there are certain depth of relationships that are considered not deep enough to unveil the seal for deeper revelation of the glory of God. For example, while Jesus walked, talked, and expounded the scriptures with these disciples from Jerusalem to Emmaus, they were unable to discover the person in relationship with them. The revelation of Jesus was reserved until they pleaded for a closer r...

“Then He said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory?”” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭24:25-26‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/luk.24.25-26.nkjv In moments of confusion and uncertainty, finding the best understanding of mysterious matters can truly be an expensive expenditure. Projects of life can be opened or reopened without clearly defined focus and objectives. For the two disciples on the road to Emmaus, the list of their confusion was long until the company of the resurrected Jesus Christ was unknowingly entertained. Although the disciples were rebuked for being slow of heart to believe prophesies concerning the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ, their confusion and uncertainty were removed by their entertainment of Jesus, who turned their rough road to revelation road. Otherwise, inevitable rough roads in the life affairs of these disciples and all ...

“Then, as they were afraid and bowed their faces to the earth, they said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, saying, ‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.’ ”” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭24:5-7‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/luk.24.5-7.nkjv Resurrection story is not just a strange concept to people in our contemporary times, even the disciples who heard the preparatory message before the event did not accept nor believe the story until after the event. Starting with the women who expressed their love and affection with a weekend-long preparation of expensive fragrances and spices as offering to the dead, the 11 disciples who regarded the story as idle tales after receiving the strange news from the women, even to believers and admirers of the bible stories, life expenditures still take an expensive turn to the tune of ou...

“Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a tomb that was hewn out of the rock, where no one had ever lain before.” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭23:53‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/luk.23.53.nkjv Although life is a compendium of lonely and lousy activities and engagements, notable achievements are often assumed to be determined by lousy portions of human preoccupation. Whereas, the life of Joseph of Arimathea or his engagement towards providing the tomb testimony teaches that soberness and lonely disposition can be the precious ingredients of a great virtue in life. Given the capacity to hew a grave out of the special rock, it implies that Joseph was blessed with material wealth, privileged position and the ability to be engaged in lousy activities. Notwithstanding, the renown public figure chose to be engaged in unpublished activities, as long as they are aligned with his convictions. Unknowingly to Joseph then, his lonely engagement with the body of the crucified Saviour will la...

“And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, “Father, ‘into Your hands I commit My spirit.’ ” Having said this, He breathed His last.” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭23:46‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/luk.23.46.nkjv There is a possibility of uncertainty about the significance of the two events surrounding the Cross of Calvary; that is, the 3-hour event before Jesus breathed His last breath on the Cross and the 3-day event after the death of Jesus in the grave. The 3-hour event brought darkness all over the whole earth and the veil of the temple, that represented the separation of the congregation of people and their priests from the presence of Holy of Holies, was divided into two. Obviously, the period represented the climax of the battle between the light and darkness, and the removal of the standing restraints into the presence of God. It was after this final victory of Jesus over the forces of darkness that Jesus said “It is finished!”, and then committed His Spirit into the hands...

“Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” And they divided His garments and cast lots....Then he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭23:34, 42-43‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/luk.23.34,42-43.nkjv Life is full of purposeless activities. Even at Calvary, Jesus had to pray for the forgiveness of men’s sinful expenditure of their time resources; and one of the criminals who were crucified with Jesus became the first beneficiaries of the Saviour’s priestly supplication. Then he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom”. A criminal whose entire life had been wasted on purposeless activities suddenly became convinced of the need to seek the kingdom of God. Whereas, many other religious people and rulers were distracted by their pursuit of religious activities and self righteousness. Likewise tod...