TEXT: Luke 24:45-53

KEY VERSE: He told them: The Scriptures say that the Messiah must suffer, then three days later, he will rise from death. – Luke 24:46 CEV

God has a vision for his kingdom to be a blessing to all its citizens. He has designed a plan on how this will come to pass; the scriptures from A – Z reveal his purposes. There is another kingdom whose goals and objectives equally affect the lives of God’s people; through the scriptures, God reveals how to overcome their oppression and enforce his kingdom’s rule on Earth.

Occasionally, some of the activities of the kingdom of darkness interfere with the lives of God’s children, and heaven permits it if it works for the good of the kingdom and the individual. Still, we are thrown into grief and confusion when we are ignorant.

The suffering of the Messiah was part of God’s plan; the prophets spoke of it, and Jesus knew it and shared it with his disciples, but they refused to accept it.

Jesus began telling his disciples what would happen to him. He said, “The nation’s leaders, the chief priests, and the teachers of the Law of Moses will make the Son of Man suffer terribly. He will be rejected and killed, but three days later, he will rise to live.” Then Jesus explained clearly what he meant. Peter took Jesus aside and told him to stop talking like that. – Mark 8:31-32

Just as Jonah was a sign to the people of Nineveh, the Son of Man will be a sign to the people of today. – Luke 11:30

And the Son of Man must be lifted, just as that metal snake was lifted by Moses in the desert. Then everyone who has faith in the Son of Man will have eternal life. – John 3:14-15

These are some of the things Jesus taught his disciples daily as he travelled around with them, but when the manifestation came to pass, they did not understand. Why was it so? Could they have asked for clarity at other times? Was the meaning something they did not want to happen?

The scriptures contain everything about life and godliness; do you know them? Are you selective about what you are interested in learning from the scriptures?

God’s divine power has given us everything we need to live a truly religious life through our knowledge of the one who called us to share in his glory and goodness. In this way, he has given us the very great and precious gifts he promised so that, using these gifts, you may escape from the destructive lust that is in the world and may come to share the divine nature. – 2 Peter 1:3-4

You have to know what provisions God has made for your life on Earth; you must be aware of what is possible because the world is not yet subject to the rule of God’s kingdom. Thirdly, you must be ready as a kingdom citizen to live to pursue God’s agenda.

They also say that all people of every nation must be told in my name to turn to God, to be forgiven. So beginning in Jerusalem, you must tell everything that has happened. – Luke 24:47-48 CEV

With any unexpected event, heaven allows a part of your transition into the future God has for you. Your future is to serve God’s purposes, to witness his love and salvation to others.

God has not left us to do these things by ourselves; he has provided his Spirit to equip us and guide us into the plan’s details.

I will send you the one my Father has promised, but you must stay in the city until you are given power from heaven. – Luke 24:49

Have you received the promised one? Have you waited for that power, or are you living in your strength alone?

But the Holy Spirit will come and help you because the Father will send the Spirit to take my place. The Spirit will teach you everything and will remind you of what I said while I was with you. – John 14:26

Don’t feel abandoned because of the unexpected events you have been through lately; reach out to the Holy Spirit for clarity, the scriptures contain the answers you desire, but the Holy Spirit reveals these things to us.

As he was doing this, he left and was taken up to heaven. After his disciples had worshipped him, they returned to Jerusalem and were very happy. They spent their time in the temple, praising God. – Luke 24:51-53

As they received understanding, their confusion and fear disappeared, and they began to worship; grief was replaced with joy. Even though they saw him leaving, there was no more fear or doubt about the future.

When you understand the circumstances you are faced with, you will find the courage to move into the future and the strength to remain a worshipper.

His Spirit lets us know that together with Christ, we will be given what God has promised. We will also share in the glory of Christ because we have suffered with him. I am sure that what we are suffering now cannot compare with the glory that will be shown to us. We know that God is always at work for the good of everyone who loves him. They are the ones God has chosen for his purpose, – Romans 8:17-18,28

Prayer

Father, l thank you for your great love that never fails. Thank you for the revelation of your word; give us an understanding of these truths even when it’s hard to take, for the future that awaits us is still better than the past.

Release the strength and grace upon us to work with the Holy Spirit this season until we transition to the future that awaits us in Jesus’ name.

Restore our joy and help us worship in Jesus’ name amid our circumstances. Amen.

Pastor Ada