Two convicts are crucified alongside Jesus in the canonical gospels. But only Luke narrates their words: “Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” one of the dying criminals mockingly asks. The other convict rebukes him, “for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong.”
The images here, details from a 15th century painting in the Städel Museum, portray the first convict with a demon at his mouth extracting his soul.
(music: Godspeed You! Black Emperor "Fire at Static Valley")
Jumping into Luke's recounting of Passion Week... but only one chapter this time... 😉
SCRIPTURE:
Then they returned and prepared spices and perfumes.
And they rested on the Sabbath according to the commandment.
~ Luke 23:56
OBSERVATION:
They - the women who followed Him - returned from the pain and, well, horror, of watching His crucifixion... and prepared what was required - what was expected - and prepared to serve Him in (what they assumed to be) the best and final way they could...
And then they "...rested on the Sabbath..." - recalling God's Word (the commandment)...
...that His Word and Will take precedence... over what I assume is the right thing to do...
Their reaction and actions were what was expected...
What God did (and does) can often be what I least expect...
APPLICATION:
Follow His commandments... despite circumstances...
Serve Him in the best way(s) I can...
But be prepared for His unexpectedness...
PRAYER:
Father God - Accept my doing what's expected as a part of my trying to surrender my will for Yours, and I ask that Your Holy Spirit remind me to expect Your unexpected and be joyfully ready for what You have in store... I Jesus's Name, Father, and for Your glory above all...
Tomorrow we'll pick up at Luke 24...
Expecting His unexpected - with you and for us all...
The Morning Devotional for October 12, 2023
The Westminster Confession of Faith 32.1-2
I. The bodies of men, after death, return to dust, and see corruption;a but their souls (which neither die nor sleep), having an immortal subsistence,b immediately return to God who gave them. The souls of the righteous, being then made perfect in holiness, are received into the highest heavens, where they…
ENCOUNTERS / I ASSURE YOU
‘In the midst of all the darkness, ugliness, mockery, condemnation, hatred and cruelty which infests this scene, this want-to-be renegade the hears truly rebellious yell of Divine forgiveness...'
Here’s my longer sermon notes from this afternoon’s Metro Christian Centre service (dated 20th November 2022), continuing our new series ENCOUNTERS.
As with most of our Sunday ministry, you can also watch/listen to this via MCC’s YouTube channel (just give us time to get the video uploaded 😉)
DIMMED
We are continuing our ENCOUNTERS series, looking at a handful of the gospel accounts where…
BLACK SAILS (2014-2017)
LUKE ARNOLD as JOHN SILVER & RICHARD WRIGHT-FIRTH as MULDOON
They say the worst of it don't last long. What the water does to you once it's got you. It makes you cold, makes you scared. It shows you things. Bad things. But then it warms you. It settles you. It shows you the places you've been. Like the people you've loved. They're all there waiting for you. It doesn't sound so bad.
“Well, having to eat five pieces of cake in a single day isn’t as easy as you might imagine… Though Beel would probably have no problem at all handling that much.”
“If you’re going to complain, then I’m not giving you any of this, Simeon!”
“Ooh…sorry Luke. I take back what I said. I’d like some, please.”
But the mob shouted louder and louder, demanding that Jesus be crucified, and their voices prevailed.
~ Luke 23:23
OBSERVATION:
The voices of temptation - of my disobedience - shout louder and louder...
...how often do they prevail?
Yet again, I fear the answer is in the asking...
APPLICATION:
Silence the voices...
Move away from the mob of temptation...
Listen to - for - the Spirit's voice - sometimes a whisper, but it can always be heard...
Pray for His leading to prevail... not in my own strength, but in and through His...
PRAYER:
Father God - I confess that too often I find myself surrounded by temptations and distractions that I would not find if I had stayed on the path and not wandered off on my own... their voices calling and shouting to drown out Your Word - and yet Your Spirit speaks louder, reminding me of Your grace and to be obedient to Your commands... forgive those times when I plow on ahead, seeking my willful desires over Your perfect will and desire for my life... Thank You, Father, for Jesus's forgiveness of those - including me - who don't always know what they're - we're - I'm doing - In His Name, and for Your glory and honor and worshipful praise and thanksgiving...
Hoping that this coming third week of Advent opens up the majesty and wonder of His coming to be among us...
Yours, in Him and His wonder, majesty, and coming...
Luke is not the type of guy to ask you to change positions or tell you to do something. He’s strong enough to make you do it himself.
He easily moves your body around as if it was nothing, throwing you to the bed and prying you legs open to push them all the way up to your chest, put you on all fours and lifting your ass, pin your hands above your head or behind your back, or shove you to your knees to suck his cock.
Luke finds it absolutely endearing to have such control over you. And you find it really hot to be used around by a powerful jedi so effortlessly.
You like it, he’s sure of it because he can read your thoughts about how much you enjoy it, specially when you are riding him and you get tired, just so he can grab your hips and make you bounce on his cock like a toy.
welcome to my first ever kinktober! its about to get nasty in here so get ready sluts. 16 days because i don't trust myself at all to do a whole 31. fics vary in length, honestly depends how motivated i was the day i wrote it. i really hope you guys enjoy, I'm very excited for it. thanks for all the support 💕
PSA: YALL WE MAKIN THIS KINKVEMBER ATP I WILL SERVE I PROMISE