Lent 2023 – Day 40 – Luke 24 v 1-12
Welcome to our Daily reflections for Lent.
We have provided a number of ways of using these reflections.
- You can listen to it in podcast style by clicking on the first audio file. (approx 18 minutes);
- You can listen to the reflection and the prayers with a shortened length for personal prayer (approx 6 minutes);
- You can read your own version of the Bible and then listen to the reflection, play the hymn in the embedded YouTube clip and then listen to the prayer section;
- You can choose to just read through it and ignore the audio files; or
- any combination of the above.
Full Audio of today’s reflection.
Read Luke Chapter 24 verses 1-12. In your own preferred version. The audio uses the NIV.Audio of reflection
“He is not here; he has risen!”
What a happy and glorious morning. The morning of the resurrection.
The women come to the tomb and find it empty. In Luke’s gospel there is no meeting with the risen Jesus but through the few short words of the angels, present in the tomb, the women’s hearts are lifted and their memories stirred. All of the gospel events of their lives with Jesus are brought flooding back into their minds by these short words. “He is not here; her has risen!” Summed up in the reading again by a few words. “Then they remembered his words”.
Now they have found the empty tomb and been reminded of the things Jesus had said in his ministry they came flooding back into their minds. The things that Jesus had said during his ministry which were opaque to them suddenly become clear. Words of prophecy and their fulfillment which the followers could not interpret or understand are suddenly seen in their full glory.
As we look on to this scene we too are filled with understanding. The whole of Jesus’ ministry, all of the parables he had told, all of the miracles he had performed start to make sense.
As we approach the end of this Lenten journey through the Gospel of Luke, let us be reminded that everything Jesus said was brought to fulfillment by his resurrection. The work of redemptive love has been completed and we are embraced by the new covenant God has given to us.
Hymn: Singing the Faith – 297 “Christ is alive, let Christians sing”
Contemplation Words
“He is not here; he has risen!”
Let us pray together.
Contemplative Prayer
Think of the words in order to understand context and meaning, Feel the meaning of the words with and in your heart, Pray, using the words, for yourself or others. With only a name and without explaining the reasons or pre-defining any answers. Listen for God’s voice in the quiet of your prayers. Pray using your own prayers or one of those which have been prepared below.Twitter Prayer
Loving Lord, we thank you for the wonderful reality of your resurrection. AmenFull Prayer
As we celebrate this wonderful morning, we pray that we may follow Jesus’ example in reaching out to the poor, the marginalized, the least among us. Help us to be good neighbours to all those we meet. We pray that through our lives and the work of our church we will be beacons of hope and justice to the world which is in such need of your love.
We shout out loud to all who will hear. Jesus is alive, Hallelujah!
Amen.
Copyright Notices
Reflections and Prayers
By Chris HancockHymns
Hymn words where displayed are in the Public Domain. Hymn organ recordings where used are from Small Church Music. Copyright notice: Rev. Clyde McLennan, performer in this collection, has assigned his performer rights in this collection to Hymnary.org. Non-commercial use of these recordings is permitted. Other hymns are from YouTube and covered by YouTube copyright processes.Bible Readings
Bible readings are from the New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.Images
Images where used are from pixabay.com and free for commercial use no attribution required.Background Music
The background music in today’s recordings is: Music from Pixabay Relaxing Music Vol.12 – Relaxing Time slightly edited by Chris Hancock as permitted by the Pixabay licence.
