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Psalm 116 is a psalm of thanksgiving. It expresses gratitude to God for deliverance from distress. The word Sheol is used to mean a place after death or a death-like power that invades life. This psalm becomes part of the readings for the Jewish Passover meal and eventually part of the readings for the Christian sacrament of the Lord’s Supper. In both instances, God is the source of salvation.

In winter, the grass looks brown and dead. Most trees have a bare, skeletal appearance. However, beneath the cold earth of winter, roots sleep and wait for rebirth. Nature seems to flow with these cycles of barrenness and apparent death into new life. A human life is full of such cycles of death and renewal. However, we rarely sense the flow of it. Phases of barrenness and loss—common to every life—come with painful feelings of being abandoned or crushed, lost to Sheol.

The psalmist knows a truth: Distressing times are part of life, and God is with us.

Amid distress we have the privilege to call out to God, who loves us. This psalm reminds us that there is deliverance for us in times of distress. This psalm also encourages us to remember the times we have been delivered in the past. Giving thanks to God for sustaining us is like adding rocket fuel to our spiritual journey. Asking God for deliverance and giving thanks for deliverance help us to become part of the evidence of Jesus’ resurrection. Call out to God for help with a grateful heart. Remember the times God has seen you through into new life.

I call out to you, O God. Deliver me. Thank you for bringing me this far. Help me to be aware of your loving hand at work so that your saving power in my life makes me an example of your salvation. Lord, even in distress, make my life luminous with evidence of resurrection. Amen.

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Leer Luke 24:13-35

Luke 24:13-35

¹³ On that same day, two disciples were traveling to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. ¹⁴ They were talking to each other about everything that had happened. ¹⁵ While they were discussing these things, Jesus himself arrived and joined them on their journey. ¹⁶ They were prevented from recognizing him. ¹⁷ He said to them, “What are you talking about as you walk along?” They stopped, their faces downcast. ¹⁸ The one named Cleopas replied, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who is unaware of the things that have taken place there over the last few days?” ¹⁹ He said to them, “What things?” They said to him, “The things about Jesus of Nazareth. Because of his powerful deeds and words, he was recognized by God and all the people as a prophet. ²⁰ But our chief priests and our leaders handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him. ²¹ We had hoped he was the one who would redeem Israel. All these things happened three days ago. ²² But there’s more: Some women from our group have left us stunned. They went to the tomb early this morning ²³ and didn’t find his body. They came to us saying that they had even seen a vision of angels who told them he is alive. ²⁴ Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found things just as the women said. They didn’t see him.” ²⁵ Then Jesus said to them, “You foolish people! Your dull minds keep you from believing all that the prophets talked about. ²⁶ Wasn’t it necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and then enter into his glory?” ²⁷ Then he interpreted for them the things written about himself in all the scriptures, starting with Moses and going through all the Prophets. ²⁸ When they came to Emmaus, he acted as if he was going on ahead. ²⁹ But they urged him, saying, “Stay with us. It’s nearly evening, and the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them. ³⁰ After he took his seat at the table with them, he took the bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. ³¹ Their eyes were opened and they recognized him, but he disappeared from their sight. ³² They said to each other, “Weren’t our hearts on fire when he spoke to us along the road and when he explained the scriptures for us?” ³³ They got up right then and returned to Jerusalem. They found the eleven and their companions gathered together. ³⁴ They were saying to each other, “The Lord really has risen! He appeared to Simon!” ³⁵ Then the two disciples described what had happened along the road and how Jesus was made known to them as he broke the bread.

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Leccionario Semanal

April 20–26, 2020

Resumen de la Escritura

As we consider further the power of Jesus’ resurrection, how should we respond? This is the question posed to Peter in the reading in Acts. Peter’s first instruction is to repent, to change course in our thinking and our living to align more with God’s way. The psalmist proclaims his gratitude to God because God has heard his cry, but the process began with the psalmist turning to the Lord. First Peter states that because we have turned and have faith and hope in God, we ought to love one another deeply from the heart. Luke tells the story of two men who meet Jesus on the road to Emmaus. They recognize him only as he breaks the bread, symbolizing that Christian fellowship is also part of a changed life.

Preguntas para la reflexión

Read Acts 2:14a, 36-41. How might you allow Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection to disrupt your life or your faith? How would such a disruption change you?
Read Psalm 116:1-4, 12-19. When have you learned of God’s great joy for you? How do the Psalms remind you that you are beloved?
Read 1 Peter 1:17-23. How can you take the author’s advice to “act like someone who knows [you are] loved”?
Read Luke 24:13-35. Recall times throughout your life when Jesus has been revealed to you. Which of these encounters have been logical? Which have been supernatural?

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Psalm 116:1-4

Luke 24:13-35

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