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Enough Day 9 Perfect Prophet: Digging Deeper

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Digging Deeper Days

Finding the original intent of Scripture and making good application to our everyday lives as we become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

Yesterday’s Journey Study connects with today’s!
Check out Perfect Prophet!

The Questions

1) What had happened that led to the discussion taking place in verse 14?

2) Given how they explained the events that had occurred, what do we learn in verses 19-21 about these two men walking along the road?

3) Who was the stranger, and what did His response in verses 25-26 reveal about Himself?

Luke 24:13-26

13 Now that same day two of them were on their way to a village called Emmaus, which was about seven miles from Jerusalem. 14 Together they were discussing everything that had taken place. 15 And while they were discussing and arguing, Jesus himself came near and began to walk along with them. 16 But they were prevented from recognizing him. 17 Then he asked them, “What is this dispute that you’re having with each other as you are walking?” And they stopped walking and looked discouraged. 18 The one named Cleopas answered him, “Are you the only visitor in Jerusalem who doesn’t know the things that happened there in these days?” 19 “What things?” he asked them. So they said to him, “The things concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet powerful in action and speech before God and all the people, 20 and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him. 21 But we were hoping that he was the one who was about to redeem Israel. Besides all this, it is the third day since these things happened. 22 Moreover, some women from our group astounded us. They arrived early at the tomb, 23 and when they did not find his body, they came and reported that they had seen a vision of angels who said 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 they did not see him.” 25 He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Wasn’t it necessary for the Messiah to suffer these things and enter into his glory?”

Original Intent

1) What had happened that led to the discussion taking place in verse 14?
The passage of Scripture we are digging deeper into begins with the word “now” in the CSB (Christian Standard Bible). The original Greek words καί (kai) and ἰδού (idou) translate into “and behold.” The translators chose “now” to indicate the transition to a new scene, but also had a desire to keep the urgency of the moment. (netbible.org) We know from the verse that “now” is the “same day” in which the tomb of Jesus had been found to be vacated. (Luke 24:1-3) These disciples of Jesus, not part of “the Twelve,” had heard about the empty tomb. Although the CSB uses the word “arguing”, the term indicates only that this was an emotional dialogue between the two. Whether the men were actually debating we don’t know, but it was most certainly an intense conversation about the events of the past few days. (verse 15) And why wouldn’t it be?! The events described in Luke 23 are dramatic and difficult to understand. These disciples were attempting to process together as they walked along. I imagine a present-day scene in which two eyewitnesses are walking away from a horrific car accident, in which they overhear there were no major injuries or fatalities. They begin to talk with each other about what they saw and heard. Each one gets more and more animated as they process their reactions out loud. This was the scene on the road to Emmaus that day.

2) Given how they explained the events that had occurred, what do we learn in verses 19-21 about these two men walking along the road?
We are told only one of the names of the men walking along. We know that neither were one of Jesus’ original disciples because we read in verse 33 how they joined the “eleven” later. After Jesus joins them, He opens by asking them a question that references their conversation. Based on His words, we can discern that Jesus had walked silently with them for a while, simply listening while they walked along. It was evident they were saddened by what had happened. (verse 17) Shocked that the stranger did not seem to know what was going on, they began to explain the current events. Their explanation to Jesus demonstrated some important things these men had come to believe about Jesus. They knew His name and where He was from. They said He was a prophet who was mighty in how He acted and spoke. They shared with the stranger that Jesus had been crucified by the religious leaders. They remembered He had promised to redeem Israel and they had hoped it was true. Now, because it was the third day, they were uncertain and confused. Possibly they had heard the prophet say something significant would happen by the third day. It is unclear whether these men were fully convinced about the Christ of whom they were speaking. What is clear is Luke’s priority by including this scene in his Gospel narrative. “The importance of the affirmation of the two disciples here in Luke 24:19 must not in any way be underestimated. It is integral to Luke’s theology and purpose.” (Walter Liefeld, The Expositor’s Bible Commentary on Luke)

3) Who was the stranger, and what did His response in verses 25-26 reveal about Himself?
What a shocking response! The men walking along thought they had been approached by a clueless visitor. (verse 18) How could anyone be so uninformed as it appeared this man seemed? Then He begins rebuking them! (verse 25) The Bible tells us these men were unable to recognize Jesus. (verse 16) Somehow, Jesus’ appearance was altered. It is difficult to know what this means, although there is no indication He was frightening or odd to them. All we are able to discern is that they did not immediately recognize who He was at this point. Still, Jesus’ response and demeanor apparently drew them to Him instead of becoming frustrated at Him. He spoke as one who knew them and knew more of the story. They did not shrink back from His critique. Instead they listened intently to His lengthy message and explanation. Later in verses 31-32 it is revealed that their hearts were stirred as “He interpreted for them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures.” (verse 27)

Everyday Application

1) What had happened that led to the discussion taking place in verse 14?
What a nightmare the previous days had been. These had been agonizing moments for everyone who followed closely to Jesus. Luke 22-23 provides many details. What eyewitnesses saw and heard was incomprehensible. Even though Jesus had previously spoken of the events as prophetic descriptions, it is obvious His hearers just did not get it. His closest friends even missed it. Before we are too hard on them, I must confess my own tendency to be confused when things do not seem to line up. Instead of trusting what I know to be true about God, I often doubt. Instead of rehearsing God’s promises, I often linger far too long in my own thinking. I look around and cannot see how it is possible for God to work things out for my good. There are times when nothing points to victory. It is easy to let the bad things we experience become our sole point of focus. How foolish of us! Instead, the psalmist reminds us to pause and preach the goodness of God to our souls. (Psalm 103)

2) Given how they explained the events that had occurred, what do we learn in verses 19-21 about these two men walking along the road?
I love the fact that these two men were not famous people. The disciples walking along the road that day following Passover were ordinary followers of Jesus who seem to be unlikely candidates for His after-resurrection appearance. Yet, there they were, talking to the Messiah Himself. They had no idea it was Him, yet they spoke with courage and confidence about what they had seen. They even boldly confessed that the religious leaders were the ones who had crucified Jesus. Can you imagine the scene, friend? They sincerely wanted to believe the best. They said as much, “But we were hoping that He was the one who was about to redeem Israel.” (verse 21) When we face disappointment, it is easy to be discouraged and lose hope, but our Lord invites us to pray and trust. Commentator David Guzik says, “Jesus wanted to know from them what He wants to know from us today.” He then asks the reader, “can we believe without seeing with our own eyes?”(Guzik, Enduring Word) Sometimes we fall at the feet of Jesus like the father mentioned in Mark 9:23-24 and must confess, “we believe, Lord. Help our unbelief!”
Sister, He is here. He is present. Oh, for grace to trust Him more!

3) Who was the stranger, and what did His response in verses 25-26 reveal about Himself?
As he does so often, gospel-writer Luke painted the scene in such dramatic fashion I feel like I am right there with them! Two men were walking along discussing Jesus’ death as well as the confusing message they had heard of His resurrection. Without realizing it, there was Jesus! Some Bible teachers have offered this scene as a parallel to Jesus’ presence with His often-non-perceptive disciples in our modern age. Luke’s implication was that they were ‘being prevented’ from recognizing Jesus. Apparently, Jesus appeared like the real man He was, but they could not identify Him. The key to us recognizing Jesus as exactly Who He claims, is to keep digging into the Scriptures that teach us what He looks like in real life scenes. Perhaps you’re familiar with the letters WWJD, prompting believers to ask, “What Would Jesus Do?” However, the better question to ask ourselves as we seek Jesus in the Scripture would be, “Is this who the real Jesus is?” If the answer is clarified in our souls through the Spirit, we can proceed in faith and confidence. We can know that The Christ is among us, teaching us, leading us, inspiring us, saving us! Who He reveals Himself to be in His Word will never contradict other Scriptures about Himself. He encourages us to keep seeking that we find Him! (Matthew 7:7) “Open my eyes, that I may see glimpses of truth Thou hast for me; Place in my hands the wonderful key that shall unclasp and set me free. Silently now I wait for Thee. Ready, my God, Thy will to see. Open my eyes, illumine me, Spirit divine! (Open my Eyes by Clara Scott)

What do YOU think?! Share Here!
Missing the connection to our other Journey Study?
Catch up with Perfect Prophet!

Digging Deeper is for Everyone!

1) Take this passage (or any other passage).
2) Read it, and the verses around it,
several times
3) Write down your questions
as you think of them.
4) Ask specific culture related questions and be ready to dig around for your answers. Google them, use www.studylight.org, or look them up in a study Bible and read the footnotes (click on the little letters next to a word and it will show you
other related verses!). (www.esvbible.org)
5) Check your applications with other trusted Christians that you are in community with and embrace the fullness of God
in your everyday!

Digging Deeper Community

Share What You’ve Learned!
Pray Together!
Join us in the GT Facebook Community!

Our Current Study Theme!

This is Enough Week Two!
Don’t miss out on the discussion!
Sign up to receive every GT Journey Study!

Why Dig Deeper?

Finding the original meaning is a huge deal when we study Scripture and can make all the difference in our understanding as we apply God’s truths to our everyday lives.

In our modern-day relationships, we want people to understand our original intention as we communicate; how much more so between God and humanity?!

Here’s a little bit more on why we take Digging Deeper so seriously.

Study Tools

We love getting help while we study and www.studylight.org is one of many excellent resources, providing the original Hebrew (Old Testament) or Greek (New Testament) with an English translation.

Want to know more about a specific word in a verse? Click on “Strong’s Interlinear Bible” then click the word you’d like to study. Discover “origin”, “definition” and hear the original pronunciation – That Is Awesome!

Want more background? Click “Study Tools”, then pick a few commentaries to read their scholarly approach, keeping in mind that just because a commentary says it, doesn’t mean it’s true. (just like the internet :-))

Memorize It!

Download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!
Tap and hold on your mobile device to save.

Follow Day 7 A Time To Act: Digging Deeper

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Digging Deeper Days

Finding the original intent of Scripture and making good application to our everyday lives as we become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

Yesterday’s Journey Study connects with today’s!
Check out A Time To Act!

The Questions

1) Why is Nehemiah in Susa and who is the remnant? (verses 1-3)

2) Why does the unbuilt wall cause Nehemiah to weep and what did he do with his grief? (verses 4 and following)

3) In 2:2 Nehemiah is clearly afraid. What does he do with his fear?

Nehemiah 1:1-2:5

The words of Nehemiah son of Hacaliah:

During the month of Chislev in the twentieth year, when I was in the fortress city of Susa, 2 Hanani, one of my brothers, arrived with men from Judah, and I questioned them about Jerusalem and the Jewish remnant that had survived the exile. 3 They said to me, “The remnant in the province, who survived the exile, are in great trouble and disgrace. Jerusalem’s wall has been broken down, and its gates have been burned.”

4 When I heard these words, I sat down and wept. I mourned for a number of days, fasting and praying before the God of the heavens. 5 I said,

Lord, the God of the heavens, the great and awe-inspiring God who keeps his gracious covenant with those who love him and keep his commands, 6 let your eyes be open and your ears be attentive to hear your servant’s prayer that I now pray to you day and night for your servants, the Israelites. I confess the sins we have committed against you. Both I and my father’s family have sinned. 7 We have acted corruptly toward you and have not kept the commands, statutes, and ordinances you gave your servant Moses. 8 Please remember what you commanded your servant Moses: “If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the peoples. 9 But if you return to me and carefully observe my commands, even though your exiles were banished to the farthest horizon, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place where I chose to have my name dwell.” 10 They are your servants and your people. You redeemed them by your great power and strong hand. 11 Please, Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of your servant and to that of your servants who delight to revere your name. Give your servant success today, and grant him compassion in the presence of this man.
At the time, I was the king’s cupbearer.

2 During the month of Nisan in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was set before him, I took the wine and gave it to the king. I had never been sad in his presence, 2 so the king said to me, “Why do you look so sad, when you aren’t sick? This is nothing but sadness of heart.”

I was overwhelmed with fear 3 and replied to the king, “May the king live forever! Why should I not be sad when the city where my ancestors are buried lies in ruins and its gates have been destroyed by fire?”

4 Then the king asked me, “What is your request?”

So I prayed to the God of the heavens 5 and answered the king, “If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor with you, send me to Judah and to the city where my ancestors are buried, so that I may rebuild it.”

Original Intent

1) Why is Nehemiah in Susa and who is the remnant? (verses 1-3)
As the book of Nehemiah opens we find him in the city of Susa, one of the Persian Empire capitals. Jerusalem had been overtaken in 586 BC by the Babylonians, who were later overtaken by the Persian Empire, and many of the residents dispersed into the existing empire. With this takeover and captivity, the city of Jerusalem was destroyed. This destruction included Solomon’s Temple and the city walls. However, a remnant of Israel, God’s chosen people, was left behind in Jerusalem. This remnant was extremely poor and represented a significantly small fraction of the total Jewish population that had once lived in Jerusalem. God was working behind the scenes both in Jerusalem and in Susa as He stirred hearts to serve and follow Him as only He could. He was preparing to use Nehemiah in his perfect placement in Susa for His glory and for the benefit of the remnant.

2) Why does the unbuilt wall cause Nehemiah to weep and what did he do with his grief? (verses 4 and following)
Before Nehemiah asked permission from the king to personally return to Jerusalem, there had been two other waves of Israelites who had gone home and left Susa. These Jews had restored the Temple in their time there, but not the city wall. Nehemiah receives word of this destruction and is broken by the news. He knew the city wall was vitally important because without a fortified wall, the city was defenseless against any attack. The city would have also held no value in the ancient world without a wall. A wall also meant a gate for entry. These gates served as a meeting place and a city council type place to conduct business affairs. Without a wall and gates, the prominence of the city would have been obsolete. Nehemiah is broken for his homeland, even though he had actually never lived there. Nehemiah allows himself to feel his grief, but then he moves into action. Nehemiah 1:4 tells how he fasted and prayed, acknowledging the sin of his people and asking God for favor. His action doesn’t stop there, however, this was not simply an emotional response. Nehemiah asked the king for permission to return to Jerusalem with the plan to rebuild the walls. Nehemiah leads the charge to rebuild the city walls in 52 days; an absurd impossibility! What an incredible testimony of what God did through Nehemiah because he was willing to put his grief into action.

3) In 2:2 Nehemiah is clearly afraid. What does he do with his fear?
Nehemiah does not ignore his fear. Instead, he owns his fear. However, Nehemiah doesn’t get stuck in his fear. He chooses to turn to the “God of heaven” and pray. While earlier in chapter 1 Nehemiah shares his specific prayer with his audience in Nehemiah 2:5 we are not privy to what he said. His exact words are unimportant in the grand scheme of the situation. What is important however, is he took his fear to the God of the universe trusting him with what would come next in the conversation with the king. Nehemiah knew who was really in control and acknowledged that through his actions.

Everyday Application

1) Why is Nehemiah in Susa and who is the remnant? (verses 1-3)
Nehemiah had been born in exile and lived his entire life in the Persian Empire. Foreign lands were all he knew as home. He had risen to a position which placed him in direct contact with the king as the king’s cupbearer all while there was a small number of Israelites who had been allowed to stay in Jerusalem and continue living there. Nehemiah’s book opens with Nehemiah in a city in the Persian Empire hearing of what is taking place in Jerusalem with the remnant, or small number, still there. We see the stage being set for God to use Nehemiah right where he was even though he wasn’t in Jerusalem. As believers, we can be encouraged when we are surrendering our desire to control our life over to God. He will use us exactly where we are. Our circumstances, or even geographical location, may not always make sense to us, but God is able to use even these ordinary things for His glory when we allow Him to be our Lord over all.

2) Why does the unbuilt wall cause Nehemiah to weep and what did he do with his grief? (verses 4 and following)
Jerusalem is in ruins, no longer a place of prominence in the ancient world. While the Temple has been rebuilt much of the city wall remained in shambles. The city was no longer the place of prominence it had once been and if left unrepaired likely would have become a city to never be heard about again. Nehemiah is broken by the news of his home. He chooses to feel his grief and mourn but he does not stay there. Instead, he chooses to move forward, using his position, to lead the way for change. Nehemiah was a cupbearer, a servant for the king, but that allowed him to be in audience of the king. He sees the opportunity he has and after spending time in fasting and prayer asks God to “give him success”. Nehemiah allowed himself to be used by God even as a servant. We too can be used by God regardless of where we are, what we do, or the grief we may be walking in. God used 1 man to change Jerusalem for the better and God can use us exactly where we are. We don’t have to be pastors to make a Kingdom impact we simply have to be willing to be used and leave the rest up to God. Nehemiah led a charge to rebuild an entire city wall in 52 days… a feat which seems impossible! This willingness to step into action shows us that while we need to feel our grief and take time to mourn we cannot stay there. We too must choose to step into action and God can do what seems impossible through our lives as well. The question we must ask ourselves is are we willing?

3) In 2:2 Nehemiah is clearly afraid. What does he do with his fear?
When standing before the king being given the opportunity to speak, Nehemiah was afraid. I imagine if faced with the same situation, I too would be afraid. In Nehemiah’s days you didn’t speak boldly to the king. Nehemiah could have chosen to become stuck in his fear, but instead he chooses to turn to the God of heaven. In that split moment we see Nehemiah acknowledge his weakness and turn it over to the One who is ultimately in control. Sisters, I don’t know about you but for me this year has been filled with fear, disappointment, frustration, and so many other emotions. We have lost loved ones, been asked to stay home, watched people suffer physically, emotionally, financially, and spiritually and there are moments everything has felt completely overwhelming. At times, I have been tempted to give in to the fleshly emotions but these verses in Nehemiah remind me my God is bigger than my emotions. I can choose, just as Nehemiah did, to turn them over to God trusting that He knows what is best and is in control. When I do I find the same boldness Nehemiah found as he addressed the king. I urge you in those moments to make the same choice as Nehemiah and trust the God of the heavens. He is trustworthy!

The book of Nehemiah shows us the kind of significant impact one individual can have on a nation. Nehemiah served in secular offices, using his position to bring back to the Jews order, stability, and proper focus on God.

God uses all manner of people in all manner of places doing all manner of work. Do you feel you must be “in ministry” in order to serve God? Be encouraged; He is not limited by your vocation. In fact, God has placed you where you are for a purpose. Have this attitude about your work: “Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father”

What do YOU think?! Share Here!
Missing the connection to our other Journey Study?
Catch up with A Time To Act!

Digging Deeper is for Everyone!

1) Take this passage (or any other passage).
2) Read it, and the verses around it,
several times
3) Write down your questions
as you think of them.
4) Ask specific culture related questions and be ready to dig around for your answers. Google them, use www.studylight.org, or look them up in a study Bible and read the footnotes (click on the little letters next to a word and it will show you
other related verses!). (www.esvbible.org)
5) Check your applications with other trusted Christians that you are in community with and embrace the fullness of God
in your everyday!

Digging Deeper Community

Share What You’ve Learned!
Pray Together!
Join us in the GT Facebook Community!

Our Current Study Theme!

This is Follow Week Two!
Don’t miss out on the discussion!
Sign up to receive every GT Journey Study!

Why Dig Deeper?

Finding the original meaning is a huge deal when we study Scripture and can make all the difference in our understanding as we apply God’s truths to our everyday lives.

In our modern-day relationships, we want people to understand our original intention as we communicate; how much more so between God and humanity?!

Here’s a little bit more on why we take Digging Deeper so seriously.

Study Tools

We love getting help while we study and www.studylight.org is one of many excellent resources, providing the original Hebrew (Old Testament) or Greek (New Testament) with an English translation.

Want to know more about a specific word in a verse? Click on “Strong’s Interlinear Bible” then click the word you’d like to study. Discover “origin”, “definition” and hear the original pronunciation – That Is Awesome!

Want more background? Click “Study Tools”, then pick a few commentaries to read their scholarly approach, keeping in mind that just because a commentary says it, doesn’t mean it’s true. (just like the internet :-))

Memorize It!

Download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!
Tap and hold on your mobile device to save.

Sola Day 3 The Ordinary Man

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Ephesians 2:1-10
Matthew 19:16-26
Genesis 2:18-2

Sola, Day 3

An avid storyteller and musician.
A man passionate about marriage, family, and hospitality.
A sinner desperately aware of the futility of a lifetime’s efforts to produce his own righteousness . . .
. . . and a redeemed child of the King, dedicated to sharing the freedom and forgiveness he received from his Father.

Martin Luther lived in the 16th century, heading the Protestant movement across Europe. He is most famously known for presenting 95 theses to Roman Catholic leaders in 1517, igniting a larger “reformation” of the church. And yet, even in light of this great impact, Luther’s journey is still simple and relatable . . . the journey of an ordinary man.

As a young man, caught in the midst of an intense storm and facing death, Luther cried out to the Lord to save him. Motivated by such a powerful encounter with his living God, Luther decided to join a monastic community and commit his life to God. He awoke early, praying without ceasing, fasting, and reflecting.

Yet, despite his best efforts to uphold the rituals of monastic life, he was plagued by heavy despair. Luther was deeply disturbed by the realization his life of religious pursuit was not earning him righteousness. Instead, he harbored deepening self-hatred born of his unrelenting and unsuccessful war against his flesh.

Have you walked the same road, dear friend?
Have you tried to force yourself to do better, to be better, holier, more righteous?
And when you inevitably fail, have you redoubled your doomed efforts as you begin to hate every bit of who you are?

Then you know.

Separated from the Father’s forgiveness and grace, hopelessness descends in a black, suffocating fog.

During this time, Luther earned a teaching position at the University of Wittenberg. Delving deeply into the Scriptures, Luther was gripped by the books of Psalms and Romans. He was faced with the reality of Jesus Christ, and the truth that His blood covers all of our sins, giving us freedom in obedience.

Luther realized salvation comes through no religious ritual, or any other
source, outside of Jesus himself.
Forgiveness, salvation, and righteousness,
Found in Christ alone.
Through faith alone.
By grace alone.
Revealed through the Spirit-inspired Word of God alone.
To the glory of God alone.

As the light of understanding dawned in his heart, Luther exclaimed, “At last meditating day and night, by the mercy of God, I [. . .] began to understand that the righteousness of God is that through which the righteous live by a gift of God, namely by faith […] Here I felt as if I were entirely born again and had entered paradise itself through the gates that had been flung open.”

Can you feel it, friend? 

Lost in hopelessness, weighed down to a breaking point by the impossible burden of perfection, wounded again, and again, and again by the accuser (or your own thoughts) . . . Suddenly, three words reverberate through the fog around you.

“It is finished.”

The clamor of self-flagellating accusations is silenced by a deafening CRACK as the shackles binding you to the crushing weight of your sin and failed righteousness break and fall away.

As the swirling mist begins to lighten, you are able to make out Someone approaching. He crouches before your crumpled self, wrapping a scarred hand around your own. “My child,” He says with gentle authority, “you are free. I carried your sin burden to My cross, and I left it behind in My empty tomb. My righteousness is now your own. Accept My grace and walk in faith.” This was Luther encountering the freedom found in Christ alone, through faith alone, by grace alone, in Scripture alone, for the glory of God alone.

Longing for his fellow believers to experience the same transformation unto freedom, Luther clearly outlined his newfound understanding of salvation in the publication of the 95 Theses. His theses spread across Europe, calling the church to eliminate practices distorting the New Testament’s teaching on the truth of salvation in Christ. Eyes everywhere were opened to the authority, power, and sovereignty of Christ and His role as head of the church.

Yet, despite his fame, Luther remained a simple man devoted to his family. With his wife, Katharina, and their six children, he shared his passion for music, story, and the grace and joy found in following Christ.

In fact, Martin and Katie Luther were influential in changing cultural perspectives on marriage and family. Fighting prevailing views of marriage as a distraction from the holy, Luther argued for the sacred nature of a God-centered marriage, explaining: “There is no more lovely, friendly, and charming relationship, communion, or company than a good marriage” (Robinson, 2017).

The Luthers’ approach to family portrayed it as an important, God-given gift, shaping us to be more like Christ. Their home was warm, lively, and full of joy.

The Luther family continued to put feet to their faith as they often welcomed others into their home, housing orphans and ministry leaders. Their gift of hospitality was clear and rooted in their love for the Father.

The true peak of Luther’s life wasn’t the Theses, nor his lifelong public ministry. Rather, he most treasured the moments spent in quiet communion with the Father, listening to His voice and experiencing His love. Martin would often wake before sunrise and sit with the Prince of Peace, even through the intensity of depression and sickness. In the face of trials, he gained strength and endurance in Christ alone.

As Luther’s life testifies, our Father’s love is steadfast and transforms our hearts and lives, from our most intimate interactions with those closest to us to our most public efforts to share the forgiveness, grace, and hope we find in God alone.

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Embracing God’s fullness in our lives is rooted in scripture and memorizing His word is vital to our continued growth and depth with Jesus. Tap and hold from your mobile device to download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!

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Sketched VII Day 8 Born Again

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Read His Words Before Ours!

John 3:1-21
John 7:45-53
John 19:38-42
Ezekiel 36:24-30

Sketched VII, Day 8

My dear Yeshayahu,
It has been far too long since we were last close enough to exchange words. I never intended to wait so long, but the days slip quietly into weeks, months and years in their effortless way, don’t they? It feels like I was young and strong only moments ago, but time can be cruel to those who’ve weathered much of it. Glimpses of memories from decades long past stand out in stark relief in my mind’s eye, while simple things I heard only yesterday slip through my grasp like a fine oil. This is what you have to look forward to, my son! If the Lord wills it, you will live to a ripe old age, too.

My eyesight is fading and my hand trembles, but I need to tell you a story, my son. My story.

I need to tell you about how I came to know Yeshua Maschiach. Jesus, our Messiah.

I heard him before I saw him in Jerusalem that day, and his voice is forever etched into my memory in a way I will fail to describe.

It was warm, and gentle, but it carried an authority I had never heard before. As he spoke, I surveyed a crowd of men, women and children, and I was surprised to see there were dozens of children kneeling and sitting cross-legged on the ground near him. Some even pressed against his feet as they looked up at him! Their mothers were not far beyond, and this in itself was shocking. Intrigued by such an unusual sight, I craned my head to catch a better glimpse of this man who had both confounded and incensed so many of my Pharisee counterparts. I pressed between men and women, moving forward as quietly as possible, until I found a space to peer through.

Finally, I caught a glimpse of his face. To be honest? He was completely…ordinary. His complexion and features were dark, just like any one of the other young Jewish men who peppered the crowd. He could have been anyone’s son, or brother, or nephew. It was difficult to make out his stature from where I stood, but he struck me as average height and build.

But.

There was something about him. When he spoke, something stirred inside my chest and caught in my throat. It was as though he were speaking only to me. And as I glanced around at the wondering eyes of the men and women closest to me, I could see they felt it, too.

I turned quickly and continued toward the temple. Who was this man? I wondered, as I walked. I had heard of the miracles and signs he had performed; the wildly impossible stories conflicted with the image of the unassuming man I had just seen. They said he turned water into wine at that wedding. Who has the power to do such a thing? 

I didn’t know what to think. The other Pharisees had been in an uproar over his public display at the temple when he wrecked the tables and drove the moneychangers out. They had raged about his rebellion and refusal to follow the Law, but fear colored their voices.

Yeshayahu, I tried to shake the memory of that man, that voice, from my mind, but he wouldn’t leave. It was almost as if he had called me by name that day.

My thoughts swirled, and with each new report of miracle and healing, the stirring in me grew. I wrestled with myself, with what I knew, with what I believed to be true. With the way of our fathers. I wanted to go back to the way things were, but I couldn’t. I had to know more. I decided to speak with him.

The air was cool and dry that night; the darkness was punctuated only by the crisp gleam of stars overhead and the soft glow of the windows and doors I passed. My sandals padded quietly across the earth, but I couldn’t hear anything above the cadence of my heart as it thundered in my ears.

Finally, I reached him.

I brought him my confusion, my history, the things I knew and the things I didn’t, and I asked him, the ordinary man. I took my questions to his feet, and he didn’t turn me away. He listened.

And Yeshayahu, he answered

I didn’t understand what he shared with me that night, but he understood me. He spoke to me about impossible things. Things my natural mind could not fully grasp.

Of being born of water and of spirit.
Of a Kingdom unlike any other.
Of the Son of Man.
Of a God who sent his son not to condemn the world, but to rescue it.
Of a God who loved the world so much, that he gave his only son, so that whomever would believe in him would not perish, but have eternal life. 

Yeshayahu, I crept home to consider all he told me, but that night with Yeshua planted something in me. I believed. I didn’t understand it all, but I believed what he said. And I knew that he was the Son of Man he referenced. Days and weeks went by, and everything began to change.

More importantly, I began to change.

I followed him, quietly. I wrestled with what I had believed for so long in the face of what I now knew to be true, but my fear began to fade. Boldness sprouted up in the place it once was. When the other Pharisees were willing to forsake our traditions to get rid of him, I confronted them and reminded them of our laws.

When I heard that he was taken in the garden, everything in me grew quiet.

And I knew, even then, that I had to be there with him until the end. 

When he stumbled beneath the weight of the cross, my very spirit screamed.
And when I saw him breathe his last, it felt like my own lungs would still with his.

What should one do for a King who is hated? What can one offer a Rescuer who is murdered by the very ones he came to save?

When I heard Joseph had given his tomb, I brought the finest linen, myrrh and aloes. Together, we wrapped his body. His dead body. My King, my Messiah. Broken and battered. His average features were unrecognizable. The warmth and gentleness of his gaze, gone. That voice…silenced.

When we left him there, in that cold place of death, I wept.

The Light was gone.

But.

Three days later, a murmur began to whisper through the disciples of Christus, and before long, it grew to a roar.

He was alive.

Yeshayahu, make no mistake. Yeshua Maschiach was dead. I was there. I saw him. I held his stiff body in my arms as we wrapped him for burial.

BUT
HE
WAS
ALIVE!

Suddenly, the things he told me that night began to spin and stir in my spirit until all that he told me began to make sense. He did not come to abolish the law, but to fulfill it. He was the Light, the Son of Man, the perfect spotless lamb, our Messiah! 

Do you know what it is to be born again, Sister-friend? Perhaps you know the words, but do you know the experiential reality? Do you know the transformation He waits to cultivate within your spirit and very life? 

When we believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of the Living God, and that He died and rose again to defeat sin and death forever, and choose to accept the spirit of adoption He alone extends to each one of us, we
can
have
eternal
life! 

From that moment, we are “born again” of the spirit, and He sparks within us the beginning of transformation. From this moment, our part is to let. it. happen. 

Sister, where are you in your journey? Have you accepted Christ as your Savior, but you struggle to release your grip to let Him change you? Have you heard His call, but you have been afraid of what He might ask you to do…or give up? Pray with me today.

Jesus, I believe that you are the Son of God. I believe that you came to earth to die for my sins, and that you defeated death, the grave and hell when you rose after three days. I confess that I am a sinner in need of Your forgiveness. I give my spirit, soul, body and life to You alone today. I want a real relationship with You. Come into my life and make me new. Everything I am and have belongs to You. Thank You, Lord. In Jesus’s name, and for Your glory, amen.

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A Note About Sketched
In this series, we are stepping into the shoes of various characters throughout history. Some are biblical, some are well-known in modern day times, and some are people our writers know personally. We do our best to research the culture and times surrounding these individuals to give an accurate representation of their first-person perspectives on life and the world, but we can’t be 100% accurate. “Sketched” is our best interpretation of how these characters view(ed) God, themselves, and the world around them. Our hope is that by stepping into their everyday, we will see our own lives a little differently!
Enjoy!
And keep watching for Sketched Themes to pop up throughout the year!

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Embracing God’s fullness in our lives is rooted in scripture and memorizing His word is vital to our continued growth and depth with Jesus. Tap and hold from your mobile device to download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!

Thanks for joining us today as we journeyed into Sketched VII Week Two! Don’t miss out on the discussion below – we’d love to hear your thoughts!

Looking for other journeys from this theme?
Here’s a link to all past studies in Sketched VII!