What’s It All About? Minds opened to understand!
Oh! Now I get it! What you’re saying is …
How many times do you suppose you utter those words in one week? I seem to be doing it pretty often lately. Because there is so much I simply don’t know on any given day. What does mahalo mean? What is Tencel fabric? What was/is the Old Alcohol Plant in Jefferson County? How will good come from this hard season?
That last one … good resulting from hard … that is dependent upon our minds being opened to understand God’s working in us and amongst us so that we might testify to His truth, His care and provision. It’s trusting the truth of God’s Word … from long ago and in these last days.
This weekend we come to the final three paragraphs of the Gospel According to Luke.
The inspired biblical author Luke ends his Gospel on the highest note … Jesus carried up into heaven and His followers’ grief turned to joy having understood that Jesus’ suffering and death were always part of the plan for God’s redemption of His people. Jesus leaves them with their mission and purpose: to be His witnesses to all the nations.
Luke 24.36-53 Resurrected Jesus … appears to His disciples and then ascends!
36 As they were talking about these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, “Peace to you!” 37 But they were startled; and frightened and thought they saw a spirit. 38 And he said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? 39 See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” 40 And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. 41 And while they still disbelieved for joy and were marveling, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” 42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43 and he took it and ate before them.
44 Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” 45 Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, 46 and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, 47 and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”
50 And he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. 51 While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven. 52 And they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, 53 and were continually in the temple blessing God.
What’s it all about? Minds opened to understand!
This coming week, our church begins part 2 of our all-church study of the Acts of the Apostles – the true story of the spread of the gospel message of salvation through belief in Jesus as God and Savior. I hope you will be a part of this adventure in understanding with us!
Blessings, Colleen
All Scripture is from English Standard Version (ESV) unless stated otherwise.
Answers to my sampling of myriad questions above …
Mahalo means thank you, gratitude, or appreciation … reflecting a mindset of living in thankfulness.
Tencel is a sustainable, plant-based textile made from sustainably harvested wood pulp (usually eucalyptus). It is a lovely fabric for those of us who aren’t enthused about feeling overly warm or ironing weekly 😊
The Old Alcohol Plant Inn in Port Hadlock, Washington, is a historic 1910 industrial building that now operates as a boutique hotel, restaurant, and community support center.
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