empowered

Luke 24:46

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

47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem."

“Peter went out and wept bitterly.” The cock crowed; he had denied Jesus three times. Like Peter, we crumble under fear. Willpower fails; our strength is never enough. Without Jesus, we are weak and broken.

Yesterday’s verse—“Then He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures”—captures the pivotal post-resurrection moment: Jesus shows how His suffering, death, and resurrection fulfill Old Testament prophecies. Despite years with Him and deep Scripture knowledge, the disciples couldn’t grasp it alone. They needed God’s help. True understanding requires divine intervention; human insight falls short.

This was true for them—and for us. At Pentecost, the Holy Spirit ignited faith in Peter and the disciples; they preached, and thousands believed. On the road to Damascus, Jesus converted Paul, who then evangelized and wrote most of the New Testament. You and I can be used in God’s plan too. With Jesus’ love inside, we are empowered to stand for Him.

Like empowered Peter!

Like empowered Paul!

Like countless empowered saints!

Like the empowered you!