Traveler's Log

Paige Bruner

April 4, 2012

Today's Passage: Luke 24

Hi, my name is Paige Bruner. I am the very proud wife of almost three years to Brady Bruner, and Mama to Jubilee Scout, who just turned 1 last month! I have two crazy dogs, Brinker and Banjo.

I am a Dallas transplant, after my husband (boyfriend at the time) dragged me here from the mountains of Wyoming, where I was teaching mountaineering all over the west. We still love to go back and play whenever we can. Now I am blessed to stay home with our baby girl every day and paint or knit in my (rare) spare time.

Key Verse:

[A]nd as the women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, "Why do you seek the living One among the dead? He is not here, but He has risen. . . ." (Luke 24:5-6)

Central Truth:

Jesus Christ fulfilled the long awaited promise that God would send a Savior to take the sins of the world upon His shoulders. He was crucified and then rose again on the third day so that we could spend eternity with God in heaven.

RUN TO THE LIVING

Where do I like to run first when things go poorly? When they don't go my way, or they hurt, or painful situations arise, where do I turn first? Sometimes that looks like me wrecking my body at the gym so that I don't feel it anymore, or scrubbing my house from top to bottom until I have cleaned the pain away. It could also look like avoidance or shopping, or drugs, or alcohol, or food addiction . . . anything for us to just forget about what is going on in our world so that we don't have to face it. But why do we "seek the living among the dead"?

I cannot imagine being the men in Luke 24:13-35 who encountered the resurrected Jesus -- to walk with Him, talk with Him, break bread with Him. Oh, what it must have been like! He had foretold the events that had just happened, but their minds had not been opened to them until that moment. He opened their eyes, just as He can do the same for us. "He Himself stood in their midst and said to them, 'Peace be to you'" (verse 36). He says the same to us 2,000 years later! When you want to run towards anything to numb the hurt, the pain, or the addiction, instead run towards the Living God. He was resurrected from death three days after being crucified on a cross so that you and I can also be made alive through the resurrection power of Jesus Christ.

Jesus is ALIVE! He is RISEN! Jesus fulfilled God's promise that He would send a Savior in order that we might have eternal life . . . a life full of the power of the resurrection. It's not just for when we get to heaven. It's for now as well. Just like resurrection was impossible for anyone but God, the power behind His resurrection has the ability to strengthen us in places we would never be strong on our own. It is time to change where we run to! Jesus is ALIVE! Let's live in Him.

Discussion Questions:

1. Where do you find yourself running first when things get too hard to handle?

2. Do you believe in the power of the resurrection? What does that mean to you?

3. What is an example of a time in your life when you sought something other than Jesus for healing or strength? How did it turn out?

4. What is an example of a time in your life when you sought Jesus first for healing or strength? How did it turn out differently?

WEEKLY FAMILY ACTIVITY

LUKE 22-JOHN 2 (APRIL 2-6)

This week, we will read through Luke 22-24. Break it up however you need to for your kids.

Each day ask:

• What happened to Jesus is today's Scripture?
• What was hard? What was sad?
• Did you learn anything new about Him?

On the last day also ask:

• Why did Jesus choose to go through all the really hard things that we read about this week?
• Why did He have to die on a cross?
• Have you accepted His sacrifice as the payment for your sins?

Comments

Sue Bohlin

April 4, 2012 07:30:58 AM

Paige, thanks for the reminder that the Lord's amazing resurrection power is for THIS earthly life--not just reserved for heaven! I chewed on the three occurrences of the word "open" in this chapter: the disciples' eyes were opened (v. 31), Jesus opened the Scriptures to them (v. 32), and He opened the minds of the larger group of disciples to understand the Scriptures (v. 45). I did a search of the other places the word "open" appears in the NT, and discovered that the Lord opened blind eyes, both physically and spiritually, opened deaf ears, He opened minds to understand, opened hearts to Himself, and He opened the Scriptures for people. It seems that part of His redemption is opening elements of His creation that sin closed up--or closed down. Lord, open our eyes to see You everywhere; open our ears to hear Your voice; open our minds to understand the spirit life; open our hearts so we can surrender every molecule of it to You; and open Your word to us so we can understand it, receive it, and be transformed by its marvelous power!

Jana

April 4, 2012 07:39:27 AM

What an awesome commentary!!! So simply stated, but such TRUTH. My favorite statement: "Just like resurrection was impossible for anyone but God, the power behind His resurrection has the ability to strengthen us in places we would never be strong on our own." I'm posting that one on my mirror :) I am at a time in my life right now where everything is changing. My divorce is final, I am working full time, just moved myself and my kids, etc...and the days that I choose to rely on His strength are, of course, the most peaceful and productive ones. Praise Jesus that his strength is made perfect in my weakness!!!

David Morrison

April 4, 2012 07:40:23 AM

Paige!! Loved it. Was a blessing to read this morning.

Lamp

April 4, 2012 09:11:25 AM

The last paragraph in Reflections is what it's all about! Thanks for the reminder this morning!

Elaine Word

April 4, 2012 09:43:48 AM

Blessings, Paige. You are such a breath of fresh air, imported from Wyoming, and missing the beauty of the mountains, I bet. I'm an import from the Jersey Shore, and I miss the ocean so very much. Here in our Metroplex there are many ways people run and hide in other things, and I appreciate your view on the Scripture today, as He spoke to your heart, and ministered to mine. It is absolutely true that we often run to other things first. We de-stress by watching TV, playing games, sports, etc... when Jesus tells us, "Come to me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Perhaps we stay away because some of the reason we have heavy burdens has to do with our own sin, our own idols, our own foolishness, and we just don't wish to think about it, and busy-ness is the best way to hide??? No matter what the cause... you are clearly right... We need to go (run) to Him... He is THEE only answer for whatever the problem. Thank you for your loving reminder. Now for you, I pray you find renewed peace and contentment here in the DFW area, that you are able to take your mountain loving nature, and transfer it to something natural in this part of the world that brings you an equal feeling of joy and home, and that in so doing, you will flourish, and further enrich the lives of those you love... your family, your church, and your community. May God Bless you richly!

amanda

April 4, 2012 10:11:47 AM

I'm with 'Lamp' on this one. Thank you Paige - truly spoke to my heart.

April 4, 2012 11:03:37 AM

encouraged Paige!

Scott Jones

April 4, 2012 01:21:48 PM

I'm with Lamp and Amanda. What an awesome thought on which to meditate as we prepare for Easter!

Mike B.

April 4, 2012 03:55:55 PM

Paige, What a beautiful expression of the love of Christ manifested in you. It is such a blessing to have your heart and soul as an influence to others. And what a blessing to Brady and that sweet baby Jubilee Scout. Thank you for brightening my day.