They could have left to pursue their own devices. But instead they gathered and prayed and watched and waited. And in their wait, they set an example for each of us.

This account of breakfast with Jesus is one of the most compelling in Scripture. Let’s think about the simple meal Jesus himself fixed for his amazed disciples.

We often hear “doubting Thomas” said with a sneer, as if it’s wrong to think twice before deciding to believe something fantastic. But maybe we need to give Thomas a break.

We can imagine the words meant more to the disciples that day than ever before. They had likely never felt less at peace.

I wonder how often God has shown up in my life and I haven’t noticed.

Long after the hoorays and hallelujahs and happiness of Easter, it’s good for us to ponder the resurrection.

Jesus, God himself made flesh, came to earth not just to speak or heal or surprise. He came to suffer. That means something to us caregivers.

If I were concocting a story about a new savior of the world, this is not at all how I would have written it.

Isn’t it encouraging to believe God has a mission for each of us, despite how often we don’t live up to our good intentions?

Why did Judas betray Jesus? And why do we insist on taking actions to prod God to do things our way?

Like the disciples, we were experiencing life much as we expected until everything changed in the space of a very short time.

They were as shocked to see his humble service as we may be by the necessity that we do something similar.

We’ve used up all the physical strength and spiritual sustenance afforded to us yesterday. We need resources just to get through today.

Any of us might have pride fed by our self-derision of others. Today’s story helps us resist the tendency.

We can identify with the suffering of this widow, and that makes her example all the more compelling.

Let’s focus on just one aspect of just one character in this, perhaps the most famous of the stories Jesus told. What might we conclude about the older brother’s consistent service?

For those who are a part of the kingdom, the harvest is a good thing, something to look forward to; an occasion of joy, not fear.

“A person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.”

Like Times Square revelers and the quiet worshippers Simeon and Anna, we wait.

Christmas holds the promise that there’s something more than the worries and weariness of this life.