Week 11 Monday
Exodus turns to the practical laws of everyday holiness, Psalm 48 praises the might of our God, and Luke's Gospel closes with the risen Jesus proving Himself alive and ascending in glory.
Exodus 22
📖 What are we reading?: Laws on stealing, property damage, dishonesty and social responsibility, all summed up in the opening of verse 31: "You are to be my holy people."
✞ What does this passage say about God? In all these laws, He is protecting two relationships at once - people to God, and people to each other.
🛐 How does this passage teach us to live? Holiness isn't just a Sunday matter. God calls us to be honest, responsible and fair in the ordinary, practical details of daily life.
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➡️ The bigger picture: Exodus, meaning "departure", was written by Moses around 1400 BC. It tells the thrilling story of Israel's miraculous deliverance from slavery in Egypt - a picture of Christ setting us free from the prison of sin.
Psalm 48
📖 What are we reading?: Powerful words of God's might and strength ring throughout this Psalm, as the people of Zion praise Him for His unfailing love and faithful deeds.
✞ What does this passage say about God? He is a great mighty fortress, worthy of praise, unfailing in His love, our guide to the end.
🛐 How does this passage teach us to live? We're called to meditate on God's unfailing love and to tell the next generation about Him, just as the Psalmist does.
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♫ A worship song to go with this reading.
➡️ The bigger picture: The Psalms is a collection of 150 poems and songs, written by David and others, expressing the full range of human emotion in response to God and to life.
Luke 24:36-53
📖 What are we reading?: Jesus appears to the Eleven in the upstairs room and proves that He is truly risen. Luke's Gospel ends much like it began - with words of praise and worship - as Jesus ascends into heaven.
✞ What does this passage say about God? Jesus keeps His word exactly as promised - risen, in the flesh, not merely in spirit. The whole Christian faith is built on His rising from the dead! Let’s also remember that He is the bringer of peace to the startled and frightened, and the blessing He gave as He ascended still rests on us.
🛐 How does this passage teach us to live? As witnesses of His power, we are called to respond to the risen Christ with great joy and worship.
Looking for some extra info?
➡️ The bigger picture: Luke's Gospel was written by Luke, a Greek physician and companion of Paul, around AD 60-62. It is the most detailed account of Jesus' life, and is especially attentive to the poor, to women, and to outcasts.
🎤 Luke preaches on Jesus' appearance to the disciples in the upper room.
📝 A devotion series about the Jesus’ Ascension at the end of this chapter.
A Prayer for the Day
🙏 Lord, thank You that You call us to be holy in the everyday details of life, that You are our mighty fortress worthy of praise, and that Jesus is truly risen from the dead. Help us to worship You with great joy today. Amen.
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