Dear Church of the Open Bible,
What do you slow down for? What do you take your time to notice, appreciate, and do well? One of the most important commodities each of us has been given is time, and everybody wants it! So what we give time to speaks, to what matters to us.
It’s interesting what the gospel writer, Luke, spends his time writing about. He spends two chapters on Jesus’ first twelve years (52,560 hrs/ch). Then Luke spends sixteen chapters on Jesus’ final three years (1,642.5 hrs/ch). Then Luke slows down even further by taking six chapters on Jesus’ final week (28 hrs/ch). And within that final week, Luke spends two chapters on Jesus’ last 24 hrs. (12 hrs/ch). I’m sure a graph or chart could communicate this more clearly (if you make one, pass it along!), but Luke slows down the story because of the significance of what is happening.
The historical death and resurrection of Jesus Christ are at the center of what we believe. If Christ has not been raised from the dead, then our preaching and faith are in vain (1 Cor 15:14). My encouragement for you this week is to join Luke in slowing down and considering what Jesus did for you on the cross. Take some time during a meal this week to read these few chapters. Reflect on the responses of the two criminals crucified with Jesus (Luke 23:39-43). Discuss how Jesus’ death and resurrection impact your life today. Take the time.
The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead. - Acts 17:30-31