We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints (Colossians 1:3-4)

Two small words—always and when—carry a powerful message in these verses. Paul writes that he always thanks God when he prays for the saints. His prayers weren’t limited to requests; they were filled with thanksgiving. He lived what he preached—just as he encouraged the Philippians to pray about everything with thanksgiving (Phil. 4:6), he practiced it faithfully. Gratitude was a regular rhythm of his prayer life.

The word “when” points to a habit of prayer, not a random act. Paul was a man of prayer—and not just for his own needs, but for others. That kind of consistent intercession flows from a heart focused on Jesus. When we’re aligned with Him, people naturally come to mind because they’re already on His heart.

Jesus Himself modeled this. In Luke 22:31-32, He prayed for Peter before Peter even failed. And now, as Hebrews 7:25 reminds us, Jesus continually lives to intercede for us. If Jesus does that for us, how much more should we do it for one another?

So when you pray for others, don’t just ask God to move—thank Him for how He already has. Thank Him always, when you remember them. Let your prayers be marked by intercession and overflowing with gratitude. It shapes your heart and honors the heart of God.

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the saints and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father. (Colossians 1:1-2)

As Paul opens his letter to the Colossians, he doesn’t just introduce himself by name—he includes his role and, more importantly, the authority behind it: “an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God.” That detail might seem small, but imagine how the letter would’ve landed if he had left it out. The early church often faced criticism and skepticism, and Paul knew the weight that spiritual authority carried—especially for those who might question his position.

It’s reminiscent of the Pharisees questioning Jesus: “By what authority are you doing these things?” (Matt. 21:23). They couldn’t accept the authority of the very Son of God. Paul may have once been among those asking such questions, which makes his acknowledgment of divine authority all the more significant. He wasn’t self-appointed. He was sent.

And then Paul closes his greeting with a blessing: “Grace to you and peace from God our Father.” This wasn’t just pleasantry—it was intentional. Perhaps it softened the way for the hard truths that would follow, giving the recipients space to receive correction through the lens of grace. But maybe it also grounded Paul himself—reminding him to write from a place of peace, not pride.

Whether giving or receiving truth, we all need that anchor: grace and peace from God our Father. So today, may we lead in both humility and boldness.

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.” Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. 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.” (Luke 24:44-49)

As Jesus stood with His disciples in those final moments before ascending to the Father, He did what only He could do – He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. These were men who had walked closely with Him for three years. They had heard His teachings, seen His miracles, and witnessed His death and resurrection. But they still needed Him to help them truly understand the Scriptures.

We are no different.

The Bible is not a book to be mastered by intellect alone. The Bible is living and active (Hebrews 4:12), and it must be spiritually discerned (1 Corinthians 2:14). Without the illuminating work of Christ, the Scriptures remain like a sealed book – factual, perhaps even interesting, but void of power in the life of the reader. We must come to Jesus, accept Him as Lord of our life and Savior of our soul, and then He will open our mind to help us see and know and believe what He has written.

And what’s even more amazing is that Jesus didn’t stop there. He continued by commissioning them as His witnesses when he told them, “You are witnesses of these things.” And then came the promise that He had spoke of earlier when he told them He wouldn’t leave them as orphans: “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.”

That promise was fulfilled on the day of Pentecost in Acts 2, when the Holy Spirit descended with power, filling and equipping the disciples to boldly proclaim the gospel to the nations. And that same Spirit lives in every believer today.

We are now the continuation of this mission – the ones entrusted to carry the good news of Christ’s death and resurrection to the ends of the earth. But just as the first disciples needed the Holy Spirit’s power, so do we. We can’t walk in truth, speak with boldness, or love with sincerity apart from the Holy Spirit. He is our Helper, our Comforter, our Teacher – and He clothes us with power from on high so we can be faithful ambassadors of Jesus.

It’s not about striving in our own strength. **It’s about living surrendered, with open minds and willing hearts, walking daily in the Spirit – truly denying ourselves and taking up our cross daily as we follow Jesus.

After speaking these words, Jesus led them out and ascended into heaven (Luke 24:50–51). Jesus will return one day soon – but until then, we have work to do. Let’s be found faithful, busy with our Father’s business, with minds opened by Christ and hearts empowered by His Spirit.

As we close this journey through the Gospel of Luke, may we hold fast to this calling – to know Him through His Word and in prayer, to walk in the power of His Spirit as we serve with joy and purpose, and to be ready and watching for the return of our King Jesus.

P.S. We’ll be going through the book of Colossians next!

As they were talking about these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, “Peace to you!” But they were startled and frightened and thought they saw a spirit. And he said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? 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.” And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. And while they still disbelieved for joy and were marveling, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate before them. (Luke 24:36-43)

As Jesus stood among His disciples, “Peace to you” were His first words to them after His resurrection. But instead of rejoicing, His disciples “were startled and frightened and thought they saw a spirit.” These were the same men who had walked with Him for three years, seen Him feed the multitudes, calm the storms, raise the dead, and teach with unmatched authority. And yet, when the fulfillment of His own words stood before them, alive and resurrected, their hearts were slow to believe.

It might be an initial response to have a “tisk tisk” type attitude towards the disciples, but if we’re honest with ourselves – isn’t that just like us?

How often do we know the truth of God’s Word, having we seen His provision, heard His promises, and tasted His mercy – yet still hesitate to believe when fear, grief, or doubt enters the scene? Sometimes we become so accustomed to the routine of walking with Jesus that we can lose the wonder of what He’s really said, what He’s truly done, and what He’s still doing.

But look at how Jesus responds. “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself.”

Here’s the amazing part – Jesus didn’t shame them. He didn’t turn away. He didn’t demand perfect faith. Instead, He invited them closer - “Touch me and see.” He offered His wounded hands and feet – the very marks of His love and sacrifice – as proof; not because He had to, but because He is gracious and kind. Jesus met them right in the middle of their disbelief.

And then, to further ease their troubled hearts, He asked for food and ate in their presence. Not because He was hungry, but to show them He was real, tangible, alive – risen.

What a Savior. So patient with our fragile faith and so willing to meet us in our weakness.

We are all susceptible to disbelief – no matter how long we’ve walked with Jesus. The key is not pretending that we never doubt, but trusting that He remains faithful, even when we falter. As Paul reminds us in 2 Timothy 2:13, “If we are faithless, He remains faithful—for He cannot deny Himself.”

So today, let’s choose childlike faith – the kind that trusts even when we don’t fully understand, the kind that believes because He said it, not because we’ve seen it. And when God, in His kindness, does give us signs of His presence and faithfulness, may we respond with a deep gratitude and humble worship, not demanding more proof, but offering more praise.

So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He acted as if he were going farther, but they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent.” So he went in to stay with them. When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight. They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?” And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread. (Luke 24:28-35)

As the disciples walked the dusty road to Emmaus, though the risen Jesus had drawn near and walked with them, their hearts were heavy and confused because they hadn’t yet recognized Him. And Jesus had explained the Scriptures, revealing how the Messiah must suffer and enter His glory, but even with such truth laid bare, their eyes remained closed. It wasn’t until the moment of shared intimacy – when He broke the bread – that their eyes were opened and they knew Him.

This was just an ordinary meal but for them it echoed back to the Last Supper, where He had taken bread, blessed it, broken it, and given it to His disciples, saying, “This is my body, given for you.” (Luke 22:19) That moment of intimate fellowship carried divine significance. And now, post-resurrection, it was in that same kind of moment that their eyes were opened. And how beautiful that it was in that quiet, simple act of breaking bread, that Jesus revealed Himself.

Sometimes we search for God in the grand and the spectacular, yet He so often meets us in the ordinary – at a table, in a quiet prayer, during the simple obedience of daily faithfulness. The breaking of the bread was not just a meal; it was a reminder of covenant love, of sacrifice, of communion. And it was in that space that the disciples weren’t just told who Jesus was – they recognized Him.

Their response is striking. Gone were the long-winded debates and analytical discussions. Gone was the slow-hearted unbelief. Instead, they rose that very hour and returned to Jerusalem. Though it was night and the journey was long, they could not contain the truth. Now because of this personal experience, like the women – they were compelled to testify of it.

What a beautiful picture of how revelation leads to action. Their eyes were opened, and their hearts, once burning with mystery, now burned with urgency and joy. The facts they had been discussing were now saturated with faith, and that faith propelled them into bold proclamation.

For us today, the invitation remains the same: draw near to Jesus not only through intellectual understanding, but through intimacy – through remembering Him in communion, in prayer, in fellowship, in studying God’s Word. He is still revealing Himself to those whose hearts are open.

Let us also rise and go to the places God sends us, joyously proclaiming that the Lord is risen and sharing about our personal experiences with the living God.

While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. And he said to them, “What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?” And they stood still, looking sad. Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” And he said to them, “What things?” And they said to him, “Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened. Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning, and when they did not find his body, they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.” And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. (Luke 24:15-27)

Some followers of Jesus walked the road to Emmaus, trying to make sense of everything that had happened. Their words were filled with facts: Jesus' ministry, His crucifixion, the empty tomb, and even the strange report from the women who claimed He was alive. They had all the information—but still, they were discouraged, confused, and slow to believe.

As they talked and reasoned together, Jesus Himself came near but they didn’t recognize Him. And as He asked them what they were discussing, they poured out their disappointment, their bewilderment, and their hopes dashed. The hard truth is, they knew the Scriptures, they had heard Jesus’ own words, and yet, their faith hadn’t yet connected with what they knew.

How often are we just like them?

We gather facts, quote verses, and try to make sense of God’s ways through discussion and analysis. But there’s a danger in circling through facts without bringing faith into it. Understanding can be helpful—but it’s not a substitute for believing.

The resurrection is one of the most powerful moments in all of history, and yet it’s also one of the greatest mysteries. How did it happen? What exactly took place in those unseen hours between death and life? We may never fully understand it, and we don’t have to, because our faith isn’t grounded in our ability to comprehend – our faith is grounded in the truth that it did happen, and in the One who made it so.

Jesus gently rebuked the disciples, saying, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken!” The problem wasn’t a lack of evidence – it was a lack of faith. They had been waiting for everything to make sense, when what they really needed was to trust the Word of God.

In our modern world, we often feel pressure to understand every detail – especially when it comes to matters of faith. But some things God has done, and still does, goes beyond our capacity to fully explain and understand. Miracles don’t always follow human logic, grace doesn’t fit into equations, and the resurrection – while historically attested and spiritually powerful – is still a divine mystery that we accept by faith.

As Paul wrote in Romans 6:5, “For if we have been united with Him in a death like His, we shall certainly be united with Him in a resurrection like His.” We may not understand how resurrection works, but we believe that because Jesus was raised, we too will be raised because God has promised it.

Let’s not be content to walk in circles around the facts. Let’s resolve to move toward deeper faith, believing what God has said even when we don’t fully understand how He’ll bring it about. His peace surpasses understanding, so let’s press in by faith and have our hearts and minds guarded by the peace of God.

Now it was Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them who told these things to the apostles, but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. But Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home marveling at what had happened. (Luke 24:10-12)

That morning the tomb was empty, the stone had been rolled away, angels had appeared, and Jesus was alive – just as He said.

That was the message the women returned with to tell the apostles. But rather than spark instant joy or celebration, their message was met with skepticism. “These words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them.”

In a time and culture where the testimony of women was often dismissed, the reaction was, sadly, predictable. But what’s remarkable is that despite the culture, the women shared anyway. They didn’t let their cultural position, gender, or the fear of being disbelieved stop them from speaking the truth. They had seen and heard something life-changing, and it compelled them to share.

That’s the essence of a testimony: it isn’t about convincing others—it’s about faithfully declaring what God has done. The responsibility of belief lies with the hearer.

And in this passage, we see two distinct responses. Most of the apostles dismissed the women’s words. But Peter – impulsive, passionate, imperfect Peter – ran. He didn’t argue, he didn’t wait – he ran to see for himself. And though he didn’t yet fully understand, Scripture says he “went home marveling.”

The same is true today. When we share what God has done in our lives – how He has rescued, healed, redeemed, or transformed us – some will dismiss it. They’ll label it wishful thinking, coincidence, or even delusion. But others will hear, and something in them will stir. They may not believe fully in that moment, but they’ll be drawn to investigate and search for truth; and the Spirit of God will work through that curiosity.

So, keep sharing.

Don’t be silenced by the fear of rejection. Don’t let someone else’s potential unbelief prevent you from proclaiming your testimony of truth and hope. You’re not responsible for converting people, but you have been called to faithfully share the gospel. Some will hear and believe, and others will hear and reject – but the response of others shouldn’t shape our faithfulness to the call of God.

My friend has a tattoo of a quote that is a great reminder; it says, “Your story could be the key that unlocks someone else’s prison.” Your story, like the women at the tomb, can be used by God in the lives of others – but that requires actually sharing those testimonies of how God has worked in your life.

As Paul says in 1 Corinthians 1:27-29, “God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise… so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.” God delights in using unexpected messengers to proclaim His power. And yes, sometimes it is a humbling experience every time you share certain testimonies, especially if God corrected you in something – but it not only has the opportunity for God to use that in someone else’s life, but it further cements the lesson God taught you in the first place.

Your testimony matters.

Even if it’s dismissed as “an idle tale,” speak it anyway. Someone like Peter may be listening and end up running toward Jesus because of what you share.

He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.” And they remembered his words, and returning from the tomb they told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. (Luke 24:6-9)

When the women went to the tomb that morning, they came with spices to anoint a body they thought was still lifeless. But instead of finding death, they encountered two angels declaring the most glorious news the world has ever heard: “He is not here, but has risen!”

Yet even in that incredible moment, the angelic messengers didn’t introduce a new idea. They simply reminded the women of what Jesus had already said.

“Remember how He told you…”

Jesus had not been secretive about His mission. Over and over again, He told His disciples that He would suffer, die, and rise again. But grief, fear, and confusion had clouded their memories. It took divine prompting to reignite what had been tucked away in their memory. And once they remembered, they moved into action.

The women left the tomb not with spices in hand, but with the truth on their lips, ready to tell the others. Luke tells us, “they told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest.” The message that Jesus was alive was too powerful, too essential, too life-altering to keep to themselves. Remembering His words, led to witnessing.

We are often like these women. We know the truth – Jesus is risen, His Word is true, His promises are sure; yet in the chaos and sorrow of life, sometimes we forget. We become overwhelmed by circumstances or discouraged by delay, and we lose sight of what He’s already told us.

But when we return to the Word and remember what He has said, our hearts and minds are renewed; and that renewal compels us to speak.

This is the heartbeat of the Gospel: Jesus died, was buried, and rose again – just as He said. And we are not called to come up with something new or flashy. We are called to remember His words and tell them to others.

Paul reminds us in Romans 10:17, “Faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” As we meditate on what Jesus has said, our faith grows. And as we share it, the gospel spreads.

Don’t underestimate the power of remembrance. And don’t withhold the joy of the resurrection from those who need to hear. Like the women at the tomb, may we be people who remember what Jesus has said and carry that message boldly into the lives of others. May what we do and speak truly be a testimony of God’s redeeming love.