Burning Within the Soul, A Knowing

 “The Lord is risen indeed,…” Luke 24:34 NASB

On the way to Emmaus Jesus teaches the two, Cleopas and the other, recounting the accounts of Moses, the Prophets. Jesus reminds them what the Holy Scriptures reveal about the Messiah. Coming near the village, the two invite their companion to stay for the night. As they sit down to a meal, Jesus takes the bread, blesses and breaks it, and gives it to them. Immediately their eyes are open; they know Jesus, and He vanishes. For the first time they recognize the risen Christ. In the breaking of bread they are renewed by the Living Bread, both in amazement and joy and with a new spiritual hunger.

Blackaby writing about spiritual memory and how important it is to a Christian’s faith walk says, “A spiritual marker identifies a time of decision when you clearly know that God guided you.” After Jesus vanishes, the two recall, “Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?” Recognizing Jesus reveals the burning within their souls, the revelations of the Scriptures. This spiritual marker prompts their response. “So they rose up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven and those who were gathered together, saying, “The Lord is risen indeed, and has appeared to Peter!” These two not only proclaim their belief in the resurrection of Jesus, but confess their previous doubt about the messages earlier that day. The presence of Jesus stirs the soul and sears the heart with a holy passion and sacred hunger that requires compelling action. 

“Lord, always give us this bread”. For You mark me with a holy fire, a passion of knowing love and a desire to share this love. Sometimes I am like the father with the sick son who said, “I believe; help my unbelief!” Help me not to doubt. Kindle my soul, again and again! – dho

Maundy Thursday 2026 - Living Bread - The Last Supper

Living Bread ~ Jesus said to them, “I am the Bread of Life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst.” John 6:35                                                                                    

During this season of reflections and renewal, join me in exploring the Bread of Life. When we encounter Jesus Christ, this Living Bread feeds, satisfies, and transforms us. Come on this journey and remember this True Bread “is broken for you”. ~ Donna Oswalt

Jesus, reclining at the table with the apostles said, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; for I say to you, I shall never again eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” Luke 22:15-16 NASB

This would be the last Passover Jesus would eat with His disciples. In fact, the blood sacrifice of Jesus the next day would transform the Passover celebration of redemption forever. Those who recline with Jesus do not understand that the suffering will come in the form of the cross. Those who rest beside him do not realize the implication of “never again”. Only one, the betrayer, keeps a secret, and even he does not understand God’s plan.

In this room, Jesus celebrates tradition and, at the same time, creates a new way. While the apostles relax in this time together, Jesus contemplates the emotional betrayal, the physical suffering, the mental agony he must endure. Jesus knows the cost of grace; yet, He expresses great joy in sharing this intimate time together. God’s sovereign purpose to rescue humanity offers Christ as the Passover Lamb, once and for all.

Jesus, I try to see myself in this room, reclining at the table, listening to Your words. Forgive my preoccupation with my personal agenda because I completely miss the big picture. Forgive my careless ways of not noticing the suffering of another. Forgive my failure to recognize the Passover Lamb before me. As I ask, “Lord, always give us this bread”, open my eyes! – dho

Focus Point: God’s sovereign purpose to rescue humanity offers Christ as the Passover Lamb, once and for all.

All rights reserved; copyright 2016 by Donna Oswalt/Christian blogger and author “Kindled Soul, Holy Fire” Lenten devotions/prayers

Lent 2026 - Living Bread - Tears for Jerusalem as Holy Week Begins

Living Bread ~ Jesus said to them, “I am the Bread of Life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst.” John 6:35 

 During this season of reflections and renewal, join me in exploring the Bread of Life. When we encounter Jesus Christ, this Living Bread feeds, satisfies, and transforms us. Come on this journey and remember this True Bread “is broken for you”. ~ Donna Oswalt

As Jesus came near Jerusalem, he saw the city and cried for it, saying, “I wish you knew today what would bring you peace. But now it is hidden from you. The time is coming when your enemies will build a wall around you and will hold you in on all sides. They will destroy you and all your people, and not one stone will be left on another. All this will happen because you did not recognize the time when God came to save you.” Luke 19:41-44 NCV 

Within 40 years, the tears of Jesus turn to reality. Again at Passover, the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Jews fill Jerusalem to celebrate Passover, but the Romans refuse to let them out. After months of violent fighting, in 70 AD the Romans completely demolish the entire city of Jerusalem, leveled, laid even with the ground, leaving nothing. The historian Josephus records 1.1 million died, the majority Jewish. God’s judgement for failure to recognize the Messiah waits 40 years, 40 years of many recorded warnings, 40 years of hope for repentance.

Only the Gospel of Luke tells how Jesus weeps for Jerusalem as He enters the city. By the end of this historical week, Jesus will be nailed to a Roman cross. In time, rejection of the Messiah brings its own consequences. The people’s shouts “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the LORD!” would turn to chants “Crucify him! Crucify him!” This Passover celebration marks the most important week on earth. On this Passover, the Lamb of God becomes the perfect sacrifice for all humanity, but the people do not recognize the Bread of Life.

God, how many times do I shout “Glory to God” and “Praise to the Lord” when just short time later, I deny Your provision, question Your plan, make a wrong choice. I marvel at the beauty of creation but ignore the Spirit’s whispers or pray,  “Lord, always give us this bread” but complain, “it’s NOT enough!’ or celebrate the goodness of Your blessings but respond with anger at life’s circumstances. From shouting to chanting, I am the crowd who does not recognize You. Forgive me. – dho

Focus Point:  On this Passover, the Lamb of God becomes the perfect sacrifice for all humanity, but the people do not recognize the Bread of Life.

All rights reserved; copyright 2016 by Donna Oswalt/Christian blogger and author “Kindled Soul, Holy Fire” Lenten devotions/prayers

Lent 2026 - Living Bread - Soul Food

Living Bread ~ Jesus said to them, “I am the Bread of Life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst.” John 6:35        

During this season of reflections and renewal, join me in exploring the Bread of Life. When we encounter Jesus Christ, this Living Bread feeds, satisfies, and transforms us. Come on this journey and remember this True Bread “is broken for you”. ~ Donna Oswalt

For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. John 6:38 NASB

Reinforcing His relationship to the Father, Jesus explains His purpose fulfills God’s plan and does not include a personal agenda. While God’s sovereignty never changes, Jesus reveals a unity with the Father. Together, the plan of salvation unfolds before the people. Living Manna from heaven brings redemption to a lost people. God’s soul food!

God provides the food, but humanity still gets to choose. God’s sovereignty allows us to come to Christ by faith, each individual by personally believing. Verse 40 explains God’s plan: believe in Jesus, the Son of God, and have eternal life. Grace comes through faith in Jesus. Perfect Love demonstrates obedience to the Father’s plan. God chooses each of us. How will you reply?

Lord, I struggle to lay down my agenda, my plan, my dreams. Sometimes, I want life to evolve on my terms, my timetable, my truth. You call me by name and invite me to call You Father, to rest in Your purpose. You ask me to believe! Teach me how to pray “Lord, always give us this bread” so that I find Living Manna. - dho

Focus Point: Perfect Love demonstrates obedience to the Father’s plan.

All rights reserved; copyright 2016 by Donna Oswalt/Christian blogger and author “Kindled Soul, Holy Fire” Lenten devotions/prayers

Lent 2026 - Living Bread - I Am the Bread of Life

Living Bread ~ Jesus said to them, “I am the Bread of Life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst.” John 6:35    

During this season of reflections and renewal, join me in exploring the Bread of Life. When we encounter Jesus Christ, this Living Bread feeds, satisfies, and transforms us. Come on this journey and remember this True Bread “is broken for you”. ~ Donna Oswalt

And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.”   John 6:35 NKJV

Teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum, telling those who crowd in to hear, Jesus explains the bread of God comes down from heaven. The crowd says, “Lord, always give us this bread.” Recognizing their spiritual blindness, Jesus clarifies, “I am the bread of life.” The Bread of heaven is spiritual food that completely nourishes the soul. Jesus declares “I am this bread!”

Listening but not understanding, the people struggle with the spiritual concept. Jesus, the Messiah, the Bread of heaven, sits in front of them, speaks directly to them; yet, they do not believe. Today, the Living Bread of heaven still calls each person into a relationship with Him, offers to love us, to meet all our spiritual needs, but like these people 2,000 years ago, we hesitate and sometimes we step back further into the crowd. Jesus sees our uncertainty but repeats believe in Me. Jesus waits, and we remain hungry! 

Bread of life ~ sometimes my thoughts are dull and shallow. I say, “Lord, always give us this bread”, but I miss Your point. Believing doesn’t mean the answers will be simple or the questions easy, doesn’t come with a guarantee of life without difficulty or disappointment. As I find my nourishment in You, I discover new strength for the sadness, fresh hope for the hard times, and  inner joy for the journey. Jesus, I believe! – dho

Focus Point: The Bread of heaven is spiritual food that completely nourishes the soul. Jesus declares “I am this bread!”

All rights reserved; copyright 2016 by Donna Oswalt/Christian blogger and author “Kindled Soul, Holy Fire” Lenten devotions/prayers

Lent 2026 - Living Bread - Daily Bread

 Living Bread ~ Jesus said to them, “I am the Bread of Life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst.” John 6:35  

                                                                            

During this season of reflections and renewal, join me in exploring the Bread of Life. When we encounter Jesus Christ, this Living Bread feeds, satisfies, and transforms us. Come on this journey and remember this True Bread “is broken for you”. ~ Donna Oswalt

Give us day by day our daily bread. Luke 11:3 NKJV

On the way up to Jerusalem the Disciples said, “Lord, teach us to pray.” Eugene Peterson writes, “This is the only time in the Gospels that the disciples ask to be taught.” By now, the disciples seem to grasp that prayer means developing a relationship with God, not mere ritual or religious posturing, common among the Pharisees. Witnessing Jesus praying aloud and praying alone, these men want a better understanding of prayer. Jesus responds with an example of proper petition that includes worship, provision, and forgiveness.

Starting with worship, a person should acknowledge God: Father, holy authority and sovereign, come. In this example of prayer, like in the Sermon on the Mount, give us daily bread represents every-day-manna, asking God to meet each day’s basic physical needs. Jesus tells the disciples to ask God to forgive personal sins; likewise, then forgive others. Ask God for help to resist evil. Prayer opens the heart to recognize one’s daily dependence on God.

Lord, humbled to think of all than is beyond my ability, I praise Your holy name, for You are full of power. I need daily bread, both to nourish my body and my soul. Forgive my failures, my arrogance that holds others accountable for my mistakes, that uses others to cover my faults. Protect me from evil. “Lord, always give us this bread”. -dho

Focus Point: Prayer opens the heart to recognize one’s daily dependence on God.

All rights reserved; copyright 2016 by Donna Oswalt/Christian blogger and author “Kindled Soul, Holy Fire” Lenten devotions/prayers