Cornerstone

Luke 24:36-53

I could not get it. My head had begun to hurt proving that my brain was stretched beyond its normal boundary. I had carefully followed the procedure. I had worked the problem over and over. I had even tried some creative ways to come to a suitable solution. Finally my pride had to be stuffed into the hole of submission and I went to the teacher’s desk. Esther Ruth Collins was probably the smartest high school teacher I had ever known. She would be able to help me. And she did. The algebra problem was worked before my eyes with such ease and speed that I felt small, insignificant, dumb and grateful all at the same time. It was one of those, “Oh yeah, I knew that” times.

The disciples must have felt somewhat the same way. Luke says, 24:37 “But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit.” KJV At that time they were not bragging about their overwhelming grasp of theological concepts. Jesus began to carefully go through it all one more time. How many times had He explained to them before? He does that for us. He confirms His love over and over. He lets us know that it is okay when we don’t understand or even remember, All we need to do is come to Him. He never gets tired of hearing, “Would you please help me with this problem?”

Dr. Gayle Woods

Luke 24:1-12

This angelic announcement was a precursor to the Great Commission. It reminds me of an embarrassing reprimand. We were on break. We had enjoyed our cookies and coffee that our wives had packed. Our nail pouches and hammers lay on the ground beside us. We told stories and laughed. It was good to relax. Time must have gone faster than normal that day because we were somewhat surprised when the boss stopped by to say, “Are you men going to sit there all day? This house isn’t going to build itself.”

The angels looked at the disciples and said, “Why are you standing around with your hands in your pockets?” “You have a hammer in your hand, why don’t you use it?” “There is a world to be won why are you wasting your time?” “There are people going to hell without hearing the good news, why are you spending so much time reading the bad news?” “There is a kingdom to build, you have the tools God has given you in your hands, why are you spending all of your time looking at the blueprint?” ?” Jesus said it this way: Matt 28: 19 “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” KJV

Dr. Gayle Woods