September 2026 – Page 63

September 15, 2026

THE IMPORTANCE OF THE RESURRECTION / LUKE 24:46

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) Luke 24:46

And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:

The Cornerstone of Our Faith: Why the Resurrection Changes Everything

In Luke 24:46, Jesus stands among His disciples after defying the grave and declares: “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day.”

This moment is not just a happy ending to a tragic story. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the absolute cornerstone of the Christian faith. Without it, our theology falls apart, but with it, everything changes.

Here is why the resurrection matters so deeply for us today:

1. It Validates Jesus’ Identity and Authority

Throughout His ministry, Jesus made bold claims. He claimed to be the Son of God, to have the power to forgive sins, and to be the only way to the Father. Anyone can make these claims, but Jesus backed them up by doing the impossible. By defeating death, He proved that He is exactly who He said He is—the sovereign Lord of all.

2. It Guarantees Our Justification

The cross was the place where our debts were paid, but the empty tomb is the receipt. The resurrection is proof that God accepted Jesus’ sacrifice on our behalf. Because He lives, we are completely forgiven, justified, and made right in the sight of God.

3. It Promises Defeat Over Death

Death is humanity’s greatest enemy, but the resurrection stripped death of its power. Jesus was the “firstfruits” of those who have fallen asleep. His victory means that physical death is no longer a permanent end for believers, but a doorway into eternal life.

4. It Provides Power for Present Living

The same Holy Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead lives inside every believer today. We do not worship a dead historical figure; we serve a living Savior who actively empowers us to break chains of sin, endure hardships, and live with radical hope.

A Closing Prayer for Hope and Renewal

Heavenly Father,

We thank You for the glorious reality of the empty tomb. Thank You that Jesus did not remain in the grave, but rose again on the third day, just as the Scriptures foretold. Because He lives, we have a living hope that cannot be shaken by the trials of this world.

We pray that the power of the resurrection would actively transform our lives today. Roll away the stones of doubt, fear, and complacency in our hearts. Fill us with the Holy Spirit so that we may boldly witness to Your goodness and grace.

Fix our eyes on the promise of eternal life, and help us to walk in the newness of life every single day. We place our trust, our future, and our lives into Your living hands.

In the mighty name of Jesus Christ, our risen Savior, Amen.

Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Bible Study Tools I Use

NIV Bible
King James Bible
www. biblegateway.com
www.biblestudytools.com
Map Pencils
College Ruled Spiral Notebook
Ballpoint Pens
Some links may be affiliated. By purchasing an item from an affiliate link, I receive a small commission – but you are not charged more or less by clicking or purchasing through the link. Thank you for supporting me!

Some of our Post That Might Interest You, All Out of the Current Book / Chapter

Thanks for stopping by the blog today! I love having you here. If this post resonated with you, please drop a comment below and share your thoughts. See you in the next post!

Blessings, Margarita & Stace

September 15, 2026

A GHOST DOES NOT HAVE FLESH / LUKE 24:39

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) Luke 24:39

Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.

More Than a Phantom: Embracing the Physical Reality of the Resurrection

In a world filled with abstract concepts and spiritualized ideas, it is easy to relegate the resurrection of Jesus Christ to the realm of the poetic. We talk about his memory living on in our hearts, or his spirit guiding our paths. But on that first Easter Sunday, as the disciples huddled together in fear and confusion, Jesus shattered their assumptions with a startlingly grounded declaration.

In the Gospel of Luke 24:39, the risen Savior stands among his terrified followers and says, “Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.”

When Jesus appeared in that locked room, the disciples did not immediately break into songs of praise. Instead, they were startled and frightened, assuming they were seeing a phantom or a ghost. Their reaction was entirely human. They knew Jesus had died. They knew his body had been mangled on a Roman cross and sealed behind a massive stone. The only logical explanation their minds could conjure was that his restless spirit was visiting them.

But Jesus firmly corrected this superstition. He did not want them to settle for a disembodied memory. He invited them to engage their physical senses—to look at the nail marks, to reach out their hands, and to feel the solid reality of his resurrected flesh and bones. To prove the point even further, he later sat with them and ate a piece of broiled fish. Ghosts do not eat dinner.

This physical reality matters immensely for our faith today. The resurrection is not a metaphor. Christ’s victory over death was a literal, physical triumph. By raising Jesus bodily from the grave, God affirmed the goodness of creation and the tangible value of our human existence. It means that the ultimate hope of the Christian faith is not an eternity as floating, shapeless spirits in an ethereal cloud, but a future restoration where our own bodies will be redeemed and perfected.

When you encounter doubts or feel like your faith has become nothing more than a list of intellectual concepts, remember the scars of Jesus. He still bears the marks of his love for you, preserved in a resurrected body that is as real today as it was in that upper room. He invites us to look, to believe, and to find anchoring peace in the historical reality of the empty tomb.

Closing Prayer

Lord Jesus, we praise You as the resurrected and reigning King. Forgive us for the times we spiritualize Your truth or treat Your victory as a mere story. Thank You for the physical reality of Your resurrection, which guarantees our eternal hope and proves that death has been fully swallowed up in victory. When doubts rise in our hearts and fear threatens to steal our peace, open our eyes to see You clearly. Let the truth of Your nail-pierced hands and feet ground our faith today. Fill us with the joy of Your presence and empower us to live as bold witnesses of Your living reality. In Your holy and mighty name, we pray. Amen.

Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Bible Study Tools I Use

NIV Bible
King James Bible
www. biblegateway.com
www.biblestudytools.com
Map Pencils
College Ruled Spiral Notebook
Ballpoint Pens
Some links may be affiliated. By purchasing an item from an affiliate link, I receive a small commission – but you are not charged more or less by clicking or purchasing through the link. Thank you for supporting me!

Some of our Post That Might Interest You, All Out of the Current Book / Chapter

Thanks for stopping by the blog today! I love having you here. If this post resonated with you, please drop a comment below and share your thoughts. See you in the next post!

Blessings, Margarita & Stace

September 15, 2026

HE EXPLAINED … THE SCRIPTURES / LUKE 24:27

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) Luke 24:27

And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.

The Greatest Bible Study in History: Unlocking the Scriptures with Jesus

Imagine walking down a dusty road, heavy-hearted and confused, mourning the death of the one you believed was the Savior. Your hopes are shattered, and the future looks entirely bleak. This was the exact reality for two disciples on the road to Emmaus. But everything changed when a supposed stranger joined their walk and flipped their despair into burning awe.

In Luke 24:27, we witness what can only be described as the greatest Bible study in human history: “And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.”

The resurrected Jesus chose not to immediately reveal His identity through a miraculous sign or a sudden flash of glory. Instead, He chose to reveal Himself through the written Word. He walked them through the Old Testament, weaving together centuries of prophecies, shadows, and promises to show them a profound truth: the Messiah had to suffer to save His people.

For these disciples, the cross felt like a tragic failure. But as Jesus opened the Scriptures, they began to see that the suffering of the Messiah was actually the central master plan of God’s redemption.

He likely took them back to the very beginning, to Genesis 3:15, pointing out the promise of the seed who would crush the serpent’s head, even as His own heel was bruised. He may have spoken of Abraham on Mount Moriah in Genesis 22, where God provided the ram as a substitute, foreshadowing the ultimate sacrifice of the Father’s only Son.

Imagine their hearts starting to stir as He traced the lineage through Judah in Genesis 49 and the rising star of Jacob in Numbers 24. Then, He would have brought them to the raw, agonizing detail of the Psalms. In Psalms 22, they would hear the exact cries of the crucifixion—”My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”—written a thousand years before Roman crucifixion was even invented.

Jesus would have illuminated the soaring words of Isaiah. In Isaiah 53, the image of the Suffering Servant came to life: a man of sorrows, pierced for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities, and bringing us peace through His wounds. From the righteous Branch of Jeremiah to the smitten shepherd of Zechariah, every page of the Law and the Prophets pointed to the exact events they had just witnessed in Jerusalem.

This passage reminds us that the Old Testament is not a disconnected collection of ancient rules and history; it is a beautifully orchestrated map that points directly to Jesus. When we read the Scriptures through the lens of Christ, the text comes alive. Despair gives way to revelation, and our hearts, just like those of the disciples on the road, begin to burn within us with a renewed fire of faith.

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for the beautiful unity and perfection of Your Holy Word. We praise You that from the very beginning, Your plan was to pursue us, redeem us, and restore us to a relationship with You through the suffering and victory of Your Son, Jesus Christ.

Holy Spirit, open our eyes just as Jesus opened the eyes of the disciples on the road to Emmaus. Give us a deeper hunger for Your Word. Help us to see Jesus on every page, from Genesis to Revelation. When our hearts are heavy or confused, bring us back to the truth of the Scriptures, and let Your promises set our hearts on fire with hope, faith, and love. May our lives reflect the beautiful story of redemption You have written for us.

In Jesus’ holy name, we pray. Amen.

Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Bible Study Tools I Use

NIV Bible
King James Bible
www. biblegateway.com
www.biblestudytools.com
Map Pencils
College Ruled Spiral Notebook
Ballpoint Pens
Some links may be affiliated. By purchasing an item from an affiliate link, I receive a small commission – but you are not charged more or less by clicking or purchasing through the link. Thank you for supporting me!

Some of our Post That Might Interest You, All Out of the Current Book / Chapter

Thanks for stopping by the blog today! I love having you here. If this post resonated with you, please drop a comment below and share your thoughts. See you in the next post!

Blessings, Margarita & Stace

September 15, 2026

JESUS … A PROPHET / LUKE 24:19

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) Luke 24:19

And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people:

The Prophet Mighty in Deed and Word: Unpacking Luke 24:19

Imagine walking down a dusty road, heavy-hearted, processing the deepest grief and confusion you’ve ever known. This was the reality for two disciples on the road to Emmaus. When a seemingly random stranger joins their walk and asks what they are discussing, they stop, downcast.

In Luke 24:19, they give a striking response about the late Jesus of Nazareth: “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people.”

Even in their momentary confusion and grief following the crucifixion, these early followers pinned a profound title on Jesus: He was “the prophet.”

The Promised Prophet Sent from God

To fully understand what the disciples meant, we have to look back at the expectations of the Jewish people. Centuries earlier, God had promised Moses in Deuteronomy 18:15: “The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your fellow Israelites. You must listen to him.”

The Gospel writers and early Christians recognized that Jesus was the ultimate fulfillment of this promise. He was not just any prophet; He was the long-awaited Prophet sent from God:

Mighty in Deed: Like Moses and Elijah before Him, Jesus’s ministry was validated by extraordinary miracles. He healed the sick, cast out demons, and raised the dead, showing authority over the physical and spiritual realms.
Mighty in Word: Jesus did not speak with the borrowed authority of the scribes; He spoke with inherent, divine authority. His teachings offered radical love, truth, and structural restoration to the broken.
The Ultimate Messenger: While historical prophets were streams reflecting God’s truth, Jesus was the very fountain of revelation—the Word made flesh.

More Than a Voice in the Wilderness

Throughout the Gospels, we see that people continually tried to categorize Jesus. In Mark 6:4, Jesus Himself acknowledges the unique path of a prophet, noting that they are rarely accepted in their hometown. Later, in the early church, Peter boldly proclaims in Acts 3:22 that Jesus was indeed the exact prophet Moses foretold, warning that everyone must heed His voice.

Jesus perfectly filled the definition of a prophet: one who accurately represents the heart and message of the One who sent Him. But as the Emmaus road story later reveals, He was also vastly more. He wasn’t just a messenger pointing to the Kingdom; He was the King Himself, conquering death to bring eternal redemption.

Today, let us remember Jesus not only as our Savior and King but as our perfect Prophet. His words are completely reliable, and His deeds have reshaped history. When we read His words, we are listening directly to the heart of God.

A Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father,

We thank You for sending Your Son, Jesus Christ, to be the perfect Prophet, mighty in both word and deed. Thank You that He did not leave us in the dark, but perfectly revealed Your heart, Your truth, and Your immense love to us. Help us to be faithful listeners of His words and active followers of His deeds. When our hearts are downcast or confused, like the disciples on the road to Emmaus, open our eyes to recognize His living presence right beside us. May our lives reflect the truth of His message to the world around us. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Bible Study Tools I Use

NIV Bible
King James Bible
www. biblegateway.com
www.biblestudytools.com
Map Pencils
College Ruled Spiral Notebook
Ballpoint Pens
Some links may be affiliated. By purchasing an item from an affiliate link, I receive a small commission – but you are not charged more or less by clicking or purchasing through the link. Thank you for supporting me!

Some of our Post That Might Interest You, All Out of the Current Book / Chapter

Thanks for stopping by the blog today! I love having you here. If this post resonated with you, please drop a comment below and share your thoughts. See you in the next post!

Blessings, Margarita & Stace

September 15, 2026

JESUS HIMSELF CAME UP / LUKE 24:15

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) Luke 24:15

And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them.

When the Road Gets Heavy, Jesus Himself Comes Up

We have all been on that heavy, exhausting road. For two disciples in Luke 24, that road was the seven-mile stretch from Jerusalem to Emmaus. Their world had just shattered. The Master they loved, the one they believed would redeem Israel, had been crucified. Heartsick, confused, and grieving, they walked away from the city, dissecting the tragedy of the last few days.

Then, something incredible happened. Luke 24:15 tells us:

“As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them…”

He didn’t send an angel. He didn’t yell directions from afar. Jesus Himself stepped into their dust, their sadness, and their confusion.

He Meets Us in the Question Marks

What is fascinating about this moment is that the disciples didn’t recognize Him at first. They were so blinded by their grief and unmet expectations that they saw Him merely as a fellow traveler.

How often do we do the same? When a diagnosis drops, a relationship fractures, or financial stress mounts, we often feel entirely abandoned. We analyze the problems over and over in our minds, just like the disciples “talked and discussed” their despair.

Yet, this verse offers a beautiful guarantee: Jesus does not wait for us to have perfect faith, perfect theology, or a perfect mood before He shows up. He approaches us right in the middle of our mess, our doubts, and our long, sad walks.

The Ultimate Traveling Companion

Jesus didn’t just appear to show off His resurrected body; He came to listen, to teach, and to stay. As they walked, He opened the Scriptures to them, shifting their focus from their broken plans to God’s grand, redemptive design. Later, when they invited Him into their home, their eyes were finally opened over broken bread.

If you are walking a lonely, confusing path today, take heart. You are not walking it alone. Turn your gaze away from the impossibility of your circumstances and remember the Savior who draws near. He is right beside you, whispering truth into your heartache, ready to reveal Himself in ways that will make your heart burn with hope once again.

A Closing Prayer

Lord Jesus,

Thank You that You are not a distant God who watches our struggles from afar. Thank You that when our hearts are heavy and our paths are confusing, You close the distance. You Himself come up and walk beside us.

Forgive us for the times our eyes are blinded by grief, anxiety, or disappointment, keeping us from recognizing Your presence. Right now, we invite You into our conversations, our worries, and our hidden pains. Open our eyes to see You. Open our hearts to receive Your comfort and Your truth.

When the road is long, grant us the peace of Your presence. Let Your Word burn within us, reviving our hope and strengthening our weary steps. We trust that You are with us today, tomorrow, and through every step of this journey.

In Your holy and precious name, we pray. Amen.

Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Bible Study Tools I Use

NIV Bible
King James Bible
www. biblegateway.com
www.biblestudytools.com
Map Pencils
College Ruled Spiral Notebook
Ballpoint Pens
Some links may be affiliated. By purchasing an item from an affiliate link, I receive a small commission – but you are not charged more or less by clicking or purchasing through the link. Thank you for supporting me!

Some of our Post That Might Interest You, All Out of the Current Book / Chapter

Thanks for stopping by the blog today! I love having you here. If this post resonated with you, please drop a comment below and share your thoughts. See you in the next post!

Blessings, Margarita & Stace

September 15, 2026

HE HAS RISEN! / LUKE 24:6

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) Luke 24:6

He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee,

He is not here; He has risen! This powerful declaration from Luke 24:6 stands as the ultimate turning point in human history. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is not a beautifully crafted myth or a metaphor for spring; it is an undeniable historical reality.

When we look at the evidence left behind, we find a foundation of faith that is completely unshakable. Here are five undeniable facts that confirm Jesus truly rose from the dead:

1. The Empty Tomb

If Jesus’ enemies had stolen His body, they easily could have displayed it to crush the early Christian movement. Instead, they went to extreme lengths to cover up the truth, even bribing the Roman guards (Matthew 27:62-66). On the other hand, if the disciples had stolen the body, they would not have willingly suffered brutal tortures and executions for what they knew to be a hoax. People do not die for a deliberate lie. The empty tomb stands as permanent proof that Jesus is exactly who He claimed to be: the Son of God.

2. The Radical Transformation of the Early Church

Following the crucifixion, the disciples were paralyzed by sorrow, despair, and fear. Yet, just days later, that same broken group was filled with extraordinary joy, courage, and hope (Luke 24:52-53). What could cause such a sudden, permanent shift? Only an encounter with the living, resurrected Christ.

3. The Writing of the New Testament

The men who penned the New Testament devoted and sacrificed their entire lives for the message of Christ. As the Apostle Paul noted in 1 Corinthians 15:12-19, if Christ had not risen, their preaching and faith would be entirely useless. They would never have spent their lives writing about a Savior whose ministry ended in absolute defeat and death.

4. The Outpouring of the Holy Spirit

The dramatic event of Pentecost and the continuing gifts of the Holy Spirit serve as direct evidence of Jesus’ victory. Before His death, Jesus promised that He must return to the Father for the Advocate to come (John 16:7). The tangible power, spiritual gifts, and dynamic presence of the Spirit in the church today prove that Jesus returned to His place of honor in heaven.

5. Millions of Changed Lives

For over 2,000 years, millions of people across the globe have experienced the life-transforming presence of Jesus. This is not a matter of mere philosophy; it is a reality felt in the heart. Through the Holy Spirit, broken lives are continually renewed, addictions are broken, and despair is turned into everlasting hope.

The resurrection means that death has lost its sting, sin has lost its power, and we have a living Savior who walks with us today. He is risen indeed!

A Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father,

We praise You today for the glorious truth of the resurrection. Thank You for the empty tomb and the undeniable proof that Jesus Christ conquered death, hell, and the grave. Our hearts rejoice because we do not serve a dead leader, but a living Savior.

Lord, let the power that raised Jesus from the dead be at work in our lives today. Renew our hearts, strengthen our faith, and fill us with the same joy and courage that transformed the early church. May Your Holy Spirit empower us to be bold witnesses of Your truth to a world that desperately needs hope.

We anchor our souls in the promise of Luke 24:6. Because He lives, we can face tomorrow.

In the mighty and victorious name of Jesus, we pray, Amen.

Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Bible Study Tools I Use

NIV Bible
King James Bible
www. biblegateway.com
www.biblestudytools.com
Map Pencils
College Ruled Spiral Notebook
Ballpoint Pens
Some links may be affiliated. By purchasing an item from an affiliate link, I receive a small commission – but you are not charged more or less by clicking or purchasing through the link. Thank you for supporting me!

Some of our Post That Might Interest You, All Out of the Current Book / Chapter

Thanks for stopping by the blog today! I love having you here. If this post resonated with you, please drop a comment below and share your thoughts. See you in the next post!

Blessings, Margarita & Stace

September 15, 2026

FATHER INTO YOUR HANDS / LUKE 23:46

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) Luke 23:46

And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.

The Ultimate Surrender: Finding Peace in the Father’s Hands

At the absolute climax of human history, hanging from a brutal Roman cross, Jesus uttered His final words. The sky had turned black, the heavy temple curtain split right down the middle, and the physical toll of crucifixion was suffocating His remaining breath. Yet, what happened next was not a defeated whimper.

Luke 23:46 records: “Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, ‘Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!’ And having said this, he breathed his last.”

In this single, breathless moment, Jesus demonstrated the ultimate act of voluntary surrender. He yielded every moment of His life, even unto death, to God’s perfect plan and purpose.

A Voice of Victory, Not Defeat

It is easy to misread the cross as a tragic ending, but Jesus’ final prayer completely reframes the narrative. Historians and theologians note that victims of crucifixion typically died of slow exhaustion, losing their ability to speak. But Jesus called out with a loud voice.

This was a declaration. He was not having His life stolen from Him by Roman soldiers or religious authorities; He was voluntarily laying it down. He had finished the work of salvation He was sent to do. The debt was paid, the victory was won, and He chose the exact moment to yield His spirit.

Reclaiming Intimacy

When Jesus cried out, He began with a beautiful word: “Father.”

Just moments earlier, in the deep agony of bearing the world’s sins, He had cried out Psalms 22: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” But now, the separation was over. The work was complete. Jesus returned to a posture of deep, unbroken intimacy, resting entirely in His Father’s love.

He was quoting Psalms 31:5, a familiar scripture that Jewish mothers traditionally taught their children as an evening prayer before sleep: “Into your hand I commit my spirit; you have redeemed me, O Lord, faithful God.” But Jesus added that one deeply personal word to the beginning of it: Father.

How We Can Live in Surrender

Jesus’ final breath shows us not only how He died, but how we are called to live.

Every day, we face uncertainties, anxieties, and moments where we desperately want to control our own outcomes. True peace is found when we stop gripping our lives so tightly and learn to deposit our days, our worries, and our futures into the hands of God. If the hands of the Father were safe enough for Jesus in His dying hour, they are certainly safe enough to hold your circumstances today.

A Closing Prayer

Father God,

Thank You for the profound love and radical obedience displayed by Jesus on the cross. Thank You that He willingly and voluntarily surrendered His life so that we might know true freedom and eternal life.

Lord, we confess that it is often hard for us to let go. We hold tightly to our plans, our worries, and our fears. Today, we want to practice the posture of Jesus. We place our families, our jobs, our health, and our unknown futures directly into Your capable hands. Teach us to trust Your heart, even when we cannot see the road ahead. Wrap us in the peace of Your presence, and let our lives be a daily echo of perfect trust.

In Jesus’ beautiful name, Amen.

Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Bible Study Tools I Use

NIV Bible
King James Bible
www. biblegateway.com
www.biblestudytools.com
Map Pencils
College Ruled Spiral Notebook
Ballpoint Pens
Some links may be affiliated. By purchasing an item from an affiliate link, I receive a small commission – but you are not charged more or less by clicking or purchasing through the link. Thank you for supporting me!

Some of our Post That Might Interest You, All Out of the Current Book / Chapter

Thanks for stopping by the blog today! I love having you here. If this post resonated with you, please drop a comment below and share your thoughts. See you in the next post!

Blessings, Margarita & Stace

September 15, 2026

CURTAIN OF THE TEMPLE WAS TORN /LUKE 23:45

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) Luke 23:45

And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst.

The Day the Barrier Broke: Understanding the Torn Curtain in Luke 23:45

In the middle of the afternoon on a Friday outside Jerusalem, the world went dark. The sky grew black, the earth trembled, and a man named Jesus hung dying on a Roman cross. Amidst the chaos of the crucifixion, Luke 23:45 records a quiet, internal miracle happening inside the city walls: “And the curtain of the temple was torn in two.”

To the modern reader, a torn curtain might sound like minor property damage during a storm. But to anyone living in the first century, this was an earth-shattering event. It was a visual sermon preached by God Himself, declaring that the relationship between humanity and divinity had changed forever.

The Great Divide: What the Curtain Represented

To understand the beauty of the torn curtain, we have to look back at the old covenant system. In the center of Jerusalem stood the temple. Deep inside its walls was a room called the Holy of Holies, or the Most Holy Place, which represented the physical presence of God on earth.

Guarding that room was an incredibly thick, heavily woven curtain. This wasn’t a standard window drape. Historical traditions describe it as a massive tapestry, several stories high and an explicit, visual boundary line.

The curtain was a massive sign that read: “Keep Out.”

The Barrier: It symbolized how human sin separates us from a perfect, holy God.
The Restriction: No ordinary person could cross it. Only the High Priest could enter, and only once a year on the Day of Atonement, carrying the blood of an animal sacrifice to cover the sins of the people.

For centuries, access to God was limited, dangerous, and distant. God was holy, man was sinful, and the curtain stood firmly between them.

Redefining Access: Why the Tearing Matters

When Jesus breathed His last, God took the initiative. He did not wait for humanity to fix themselves; He ripped the boundary line apart. The parallel accounts in the Gospels tell us it was torn from top to bottom—a detail showing that no human hand caused it. It was an act of God.

Here is what the torn curtain means for your life today:

1. Bold, Direct Access

You no longer need an earthly intermediary, a priest, or a special ritual to speak with the Creator of the universe. The barrier is gone. Because of what Jesus accomplished, you can bring your fears, your failures, and your praises directly to the throne of grace, anytime and anywhere.

2. The Price is Paid

The curtain didn’t split because God decided to take sin lightly. It split because the price of sin was fully paid. As Jesus’ body was broken on the cross, the ultimate sacrifice was completed. The debt was canceled, making a way for unholy people to be reconciled to a holy God.

3. Invitation Over Separation

If you have ever felt like you are “too broken” or “too far gone” for God, the torn curtain is your proof that God wants you close. He didn’t build the wall higher; He destroyed the wall completely. The invitation is universal: come as you are to the Savior who made a way for you.

Reflection for the Week

The next time you feel distant from God, remember the temple curtain. There is no distance too great, no past too dark, and no guilt too heavy that can rebuild the barrier Jesus destroyed. The way is open. Step into His presence with confidence today.

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father,

We look at the cross and we are humbled by the length to which You went to bring us home. Thank You for breaking down the barrier that our sin had built. Thank You that when the temple curtain tore, You declared once and for all that we are welcome in Your presence.

Forgive us for the times we try to hide from You, or when we live as though the barrier is still standing. Help us to live in the freedom of the direct access we now have through Jesus Christ. May we approach Your throne boldly with our prayers, our hurts, and our lives, trusting that You hear us and love us.

In the holy and precious name of Jesus, we pray, Amen.

Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Bible Study Tools I Use

NIV Bible
King James Bible
www. biblegateway.com
www.biblestudytools.com
Map Pencils
College Ruled Spiral Notebook
Ballpoint Pens
Some links may be affiliated. By purchasing an item from an affiliate link, I receive a small commission – but you are not charged more or less by clicking or purchasing through the link. Thank you for supporting me!

Some of our Post That Might Interest You, All Out of the Current Book / Chapter

Thanks for stopping by the blog today! I love having you here. If this post resonated with you, please drop a comment below and share your thoughts. See you in the next post!

Blessings, Margarita & Stace

September 15, 2026

YOU WILL BE WITH ME IN PARADISE / LUKE 23:43

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) Luke 23:43

And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.

You Will Be with Me in Paradise: The Scandalous Grace of Luke 23:43

We often complicate what it takes to come to God. We think we need a pristine track record, a flawless understanding of theology, or a lifetime of good deeds to earn His favor. But if you want to see the beautiful, scandalous reality of God’s grace, you only have to look at a dying man hanging on a cross next to Jesus.

In Luke 23:43, Jesus turns to a convicted criminal and delivers one of the most comforting promises in all of Scripture:

“Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”

This short interaction shatters our human ideas of earning salvation and reveals two life-changing truths about the heart of God.

1. The Simplicity of Saving Faith

The dying thief was no theologian. He likely didn’t fully comprehend Jesus’ entire mission, and he may have had only a vague understanding of Jesus’ true identity as the Son of God. Yet, in his final hours, he recognized two critical things: his own guilt, and Jesus’ absolute innocence and kingship (“Lord, remember me when You come into Your Kingdom”).

With a wasted life behind him and minutes left to live, he made a simple request. And amazingly, Jesus granted it—and so much more.

This shows us the staggering greatness of Jesus’ mercy. God’s grace does not depend on our goodness. He has not made it a complicated, agonizing hurdle to yield our lives to Him and receive eternal life. (While living out that commitment daily will cost us a great deal, entering into it requires only a surrendered heart). No matter where you have been, what you have done, or what has been done to you, the assurance of salvation is only a simple request away.

2. The Reality of Paradise

Jesus didn’t tell the thief that he would drift into a state of unconsciousness or wait in a holding cell. He said, “Today you will be with me in Paradise.”

Scripture uses the term “paradise” to refer to heaven and the literal, conscious presence of God—the beautiful place of rest and delight between death and resurrection (a truth made clear when Paul links “heaven” and “paradise” in 2 Corinthians 12:2, 4). Jesus teaches us here that the moment a believer closes their eyes in physical death, they go immediately into His presence (2 Corinthians 5:8; Philippians 1:23).

For the believer, death is not a dark void; it is an instant transit to the side of our Savior.

A Urgent Call to Share the Good News

If salvation is this simple, this merciful, and this secure, we cannot keep it to ourselves. The thief on the cross reminds us that it is never too late, and no one is too far gone. Because the gift of eternity is just a sincere prayer away, we must make it our mission to spread Christ’s message to as many people as possible. Everyone deserves the opportunity to hear, to choose, and to follow Him.

A Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father,

We are humbled by the magnitude of Your grace. Thank You that Your love does not depend on our perfection or our worthiness, but entirely on Your mercy. We thank You for the cross, where the price for our brokenness was paid in full.

Lord, thank You for the comforting assurance that our future is secure, and that to be absent from the body is to be immediately home in Paradise with You. Give us the courage and the urgency to share this beautiful, simple gospel with a world that is desperately searching for hope. Let our lives reflect Your love, so that many more may turn to You and receive Your free gift of eternal life.

In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Bible Study Tools I Use

NIV Bible
King James Bible
www. biblegateway.com
www.biblestudytools.com
Map Pencils
College Ruled Spiral Notebook
Ballpoint Pens
Some links may be affiliated. By purchasing an item from an affiliate link, I receive a small commission – but you are not charged more or less by clicking or purchasing through the link. Thank you for supporting me!

Some of our Post That Might Interest You, All Out of the Current Book / Chapter

Thanks for stopping by the blog today! I love having you here. If this post resonated with you, please drop a comment below and share your thoughts. See you in the next post!

Blessings, Margarita & Stace

September 15, 2026

THE PEOPLE STOOD WATCHING / LUKE 23:35

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) Luke 23:35

And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God.

Choosing to Look with Compassion: Moving From Onlookers to Healers

One of the surest proofs of the presence of darkness and corruption in the human heart is the fact that people take pleasure in violence, blood, and death. Throughout history, humanity has struggled with a morbid fascination with suffering. We see it in the ancient Roman and Greek arenas, where packed spectators cheered as gladiators and prisoners fought and killed each other. We see the historical evidence of it in the brutal persecution of Christians and other marginalized groups over the centuries.

We even sense it on the hill of Calvary, where onlookers gathered to watch Jesus die a slow, horrible death. As Luke 23:35 records, “The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him.”

Shockingly, this darkness is not unique to the ancient world. We see evidence of it in modern society as well. Today, millions of adults and children find pleasure and entertainment in television, movies, video games, and online media that vividly picture violence, brutality, and death. As Romans 1:32 warns, it is dangerous not only to commit such acts but to approve of and find entertainment in those who practice them.

A Heart Transformed by Christ

Jesus died to change this exact attitude of the heart. He came to break our desensitization to pain and to show true love for life and humanity. Where the world looks at tragedy with curiosity or indifference, Jesus wants us to see the impact of sin on human life through the eyes of compassion. He calls us to hear the groaning of suffering people with a genuine willingness to respond to their hurts and needs (Luke 13:16).

Because our culture is saturated with violence, it is the responsibility of parents and guardians to guard themselves and their families. We must actively protect our homes against all influences that would harden our hearts to human pain and tragedy (Matthew 18:6). Instead of standing by as mere onlookers, we are called to be the hands and feet of Jesus, bringing healing to a broken world.

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father,

We come before You recognizing the brokenness of our world and the ease with which our own hearts can become hardened. Forgive us for the times we have looked at suffering with indifference, or allowed ourselves to be entertained by violence and tragedy.

Lord, renew our minds and soften our hearts. Give us eyes of compassion like Jesus, so that we may see the pain of others and move toward them with love and healing. Protect our families and our children from the desensitizing influences of this modern world. Help us to guard our hearts and to honor the sacred value of every human life.

In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Bible Study Tools I Use

NIV Bible
King James Bible
www. biblegateway.com
www.biblestudytools.com
Map Pencils
College Ruled Spiral Notebook
Ballpoint Pens
Some links may be affiliated. By purchasing an item from an affiliate link, I receive a small commission – but you are not charged more or less by clicking or purchasing through the link. Thank you for supporting me!

Some of our Post That Might Interest You, All Out of the Current Book / Chapter

Thanks for stopping by the blog today! I love having you here. If this post resonated with you, please drop a comment below and share your thoughts. See you in the next post!

Blessings, Margarita & Stace