Good Morning Friends
There are seasons when the world seems to shake beneath our feet—when headlines feel like aftershocks and the suffering of distant people lands close to home. Conflict reminds us that every “strike” is a person, every “target” is a family, and every “retaliation” ripples through communities who never asked to be caught in the crossfire. Scripture never promises that nations will avoid conflict. In fact, the prophets often speak of wars and rumors of wars. But Scripture does promise that God is near to the brokenhearted, attentive to the cries of the oppressed, and steadfast in love even when human power is unstable. As we move from Easter toward Pentecost, Scripture shows us that meeting the risen Jesus through the Holy Spirit is what makes the Empty Tomb more than a past event—it becomes the power that shapes a new life of loving God, loving others, and making disciples to bring peace where there is conflict.Today’s passages reveal that Jesus meets us both personally and communally. On the road to Emmaus, He opens the Scriptures and is revealed in the breaking of bread, the Bread of Life during the Feast of Unleavened Bread. In Acts, He works through Peter and John as they heal a man at the Temple, helping us realize that Christ in us is the New Temple. Together these scenes show us that Christ comes alongside us on the journey and then sends us to share His life with others who so desperately need to be freed. So we ponder: What can we share on the journey?
Scripture (Summary)
Acts 3:1–10
Peter and John meet a man lame from birth at the Beautiful Gate. He asks for money; instead, Peter offers what he truly has—Jesus. In Christ’s name the man is healed, rises, walks, and praises God, leaving the crowd amazed.
Luke 24:13–35
Two disciples walk to Emmaus, confused and grieving. Jesus joins them, though they do not recognize Him. He opens the Scriptures, stays for a meal, breaks bread—and their eyes are opened. Their hearts burn as they realize the risen Christ has been with them all along.
Matthew 5:15–16
A lamp is meant to shine. So are we. Our good works reveal God’s glory.
Message: We often think we have little to share, certainly not miracles. But Scripture reminds us that healing is not only physical; it is the restoration of hope, dignity, and relationship. Jesus did not heal everyone, yet He always addressed the deep connection between the physical and the spiritual. Acts 3 shows this same pattern in the early Church.Fast forward… Pentecost has just happened. The Spirit has filled ordinary people with extraordinary courage. And now, on an ordinary walk to prayer, Peter and John meet a man who wants coins but receives something far greater. He never asked for healing. He never expressed faith. Yet the Spirit moves, and Peter responds. This is one of the rare moments when healing comes unrequested. It is not about Peter’s power or the man’s worthiness—it is about the Spirit revealing the risen Jesus through His people. And that same Spirit lives in us. The Spirit who raised Jesus, who opened the Scriptures on the Emmaus Road, who empowered Peter to act—that Spirit prompts us to share Christ’s life in ways that may seem small but carry eternal weight. To “let our light shine” is simply to be available. When the Spirit nudges, we respond. When love is needed, we offer it. When hope is thin, we share ours.To hold the suffering before God. To resist the temptation to dehumanize. To pray for leaders to choose wisdom over pride To remember that every person in every nation is made in the image of God This is Jesus’ way.
And So, like the Emmaus disciples, we can let Jesus walk on or we can invite Him in. When we welcome Him—when we allow His presence to shape our lives—the Spirit creates space for quiet miracles: restored relationships, renewed courage, unexpected joy, and the healing power of love that is available for everyone.
Pray to recognize love as a healing miracle. Pray to see Jesus revealed in the healing of people today that live in the midst of conflict. Pray to trust the Holy Spirit with your health, your past, and your future. Pray to notice God’s work in your relationships. Pray to believe in the Spirit’s power to transform lives. Pray to remember that the same Spirit who filled Peter fills you. Pray to value availability over ability. Pray to share the gifts God has given—knowing the more we share, the more we receive.
Blessings,
John Lawson
Daily Devotionals 