Light of Christ Journey

Jesus’ Version of Cloaking

Paula K. Graves

April 7, 2026

If you have watched space science fiction shows, you have seen spaceships cloaking to hide from their enemies. In this week’s story, we see Jesus’ version of cloaking. He is walking with two disciples, and they don’t realize it is Jesus.

Why was Jesus’ Identity Hidden?

Two disciples were returning home to Emmaus after the Passover when Jesus died. The death of Jesus was the talk of the town, and these two were still discussing it. Luke 24:¹⁵As they talked and discussed these things, Jesus himself suddenly came and began walking with them. ¹⁶But God kept them from recognizing him.[1]

Why would God prevent these two disciples from recognizing Jesus? In yesterday’s blog, we saw that Jesus’ purpose was not what His disciples expected. If they had immediately recognized Jesus, He wouldn’t have had the opportunity to teach, because the disciples would have been emotionally distracted.

By joining Cleopas and his companion anonymously, Jesus had the chance to use one of the most effective methods of teaching: walking and talking. These two most likely knew much of the Old Testament by heart, so Jesus could present the scriptures from a different perspective. Unfortunately, we don’t have this teaching recorded, and I’ve always wished I could have listened to it.

Jesus Revealed His Identity at the Right Time

By the time the threesome arrived at the disciples’ home, Jesus had given them a new understanding of Scripture. Yet they wanted more, and even though Jesus acted as if He intended to keep going, they invited Him in for a meal.

The disciples now understood Jesus’ mission and the need for Him to suffer and die. Luke 24:³⁰As they sat down to eat, he took the bread and blessed it. Then he broke it and gave it to them. ³¹Suddenly, their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And at that moment he disappeared![2] At this point, God knew they were ready to know the true identity of their traveling companion.

How Does God Reveal Himself to Us?

Often, we may have preconceived ideas of who God is and how He acts. God knows this and frequently tells us the Gospel in unusual ways. We may hear testimony about how God has changed others’ lives. We may even read Scripture. But it may not be until we are willing to spend time with Jesus and invite Him into our lives that Jesus will reveal Himself to us. We find new life with a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, who died and rose again to pay the price for our sins.

Jesus’ version of cloaking is surprising. Click here to hear more:

https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/foreshadowing-of-the-resurrection

Jesus Does the Unexpected

Paula K. Graves

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April 6, 2026

What if Jesus does the unexpected in your life? Will you be offended and walk away from Jesus? Or will you use this as an opportunity for a new adventure with the Lord?

The Disciples Had Expectations of the Kingdom of Jesus

The two disciples walking from Jerusalem to Emmaus shared their expectations of Jesus and His kingdom. We understand that these men were discouraged and disappointed because God did not do what they wanted Him to do.

Luke 24:^19b“He was a prophet who did powerful miracles, and he was a mighty teacher in the eyes of God and all the people. ²⁰But our leading priests and other religious leaders handed him over to be condemned to death, and they crucified him. ²¹We had hoped he was the Messiah who had come to rescue Israel. This all happened three days ago.”[1].

The Needed Rescue

Jesus certainly was a prophet and a teacher, but what did they mean by “rescue Israel?” The Jews anticipated that the Messiah would be a military and political figure who would free them from Roman oppression. They knew much of what we would call the Old Testament by memory. Yet the suffering servant passages of prophecy didn’t fit with their vision of the Messiah, so they ignored those scriptures.

They didn’t realize their most significant need was not to be free from Roman rule but from their slavery to sin. Therefore, God couldn’t intervene to save Jesus from the cross. So, when Jesus died, they lost all hope. But Jesus’ death and resurrection would offer the greatest hope possible. It was three days after Jesus’ death, and these two couldn’t see that anything had changed.

What Expectations do We Have of Jesus?

Some preachers promise that if you follow Jesus, you will become wealthy and have no problems. This has caused great disillusionment in the church because while this sounds great, it isn’t Biblical. Jesus gave a warning to His disciples. John 16: ³³I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth, you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart because I have overcome the world.”[2] Here, Jesus tells us that there will be problems in this earthly life. But as a follower of Jesus, we can have peace because ultimately, Jesus overcomes.

Paul warned Timothy that life can be challenging for a follower of Jesus. 2 Timothy 3:¹² Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.[3] We may have expectations of what Jesus will do in our lives, but often God surprises us. When this happens, we can choose to be offended or humble ourselves and continue to follow Jesus. Usually, God takes us on some of the biggest spiritual adventures of our lives at these times. We can always trust that God has a plan for us, even if it is unexpected.

What if Jesus does the unexpected? To hear more, listen here:

https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/foreshadowing-of-the-resurrection

Can We Believe the Resurrection?

Paula K. Graves

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April 5, 2026

Can we believe the resurrection? The two disciples walking from Jerusalem to the village of Emmaus had heard reports of Jesus’ resurrection. But were these reports true? Even today, we hear many things reported on, and some turn out to be false. We have learned to use discernment as we listen to the reported information.

Conflicting Reports

These two believers on the road to Emmaus had heard reports about the women who had gone to the tomb to anoint Jesus’ body. They said the grave was empty, and that angels had told them Jesus rose from the dead. Even Peter and John had checked the tomb and found it empty. But could Jesus have come back to life? That sounded too good to be true.

On the other hand, the chief priests said that the disciples had stolen the body of Jesus to perpetuate the story that Jesus Himself had told. After Jesus had fed the thousands, He spoke to His disciples. Mark 8:³¹Then Jesus began to tell them that the Son of Man must suffer many terrible things and be rejected by the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He would be killed, but three days later, he would rise from the dead. [1]

Jesus predicted His death a second time after the transfiguration. Mark 9:^31b“The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of his enemies. He will be killed, but three days later he will rise from the dead.”[2]

Jesus predicted His death for the third time as they were heading to Jerusalem for the Passover. Mark 10:³³“Listen,” he said, “we’re going up to Jerusalem, where the Son of Man will be betrayed to the leading priests and the teachers of religious law. They will sentence him to die and hand him over to the Romans. ³⁴They will mock him, spit on him, flog him with a whip, and kill him, but after three days he will rise again.”[3]

What to Believe?

The two disciples on the way to Emmaus weren’t part of the twelve disciples but were part of the larger group of Jesus’ followers. They knew Jesus was a prophet, but were discouraged because He had died but they had a choice. They could either believe the women’s report of the empty tomb earlier that day or find it unbelievable. It appears they chose the second option.

A.W. Tozer said, “The gospel is light, but only the Spirit can give sight.”^[4]

It is the Holy Spirit that can reveal the truth to us. John 16:¹³When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. [5] When we have conflicting reports of “truth,” we can turn to the Holy Spirit and ask Him for the truth. He will reveal the truth and guide us in our daily lives in the spiritual realm.

Can we believe the resurrection? Click here to hear more:

https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/foreshadowing-of-the-resurrection

^[4] Barton, B. B., Veerman, D., Taylor, L. C., & Osborne, G. R. (1997). Luke (p. 561). Tyndale House Publishers.

The End of the Harvest

Paula K. Graves

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April 4, 2026

As we do in the fall, Israel, too, celebrated a thanksgiving for the end of the harvest. The Festival of Tabernacles was the last of the Holy Days listed in Leviticus 23 and took place on the 15^th of the Jewish seventh month. This would be in September or October on our calendar today. By this time, the people had harvested all the crops.

Prophecy of Celebrating the End of the Harvest

The Jewish people knew the schedule of God’s Festival days from Leviticus 23. These were to be celebrated through the ages. But there were prophecies that they would celebrate the Festival of Tabernacles in a new way when the Messiah ruled. Prophesies foretold a great celebration at the end of the harvest of souls.

Zechariah 14:¹⁶In the end, the enemies of Jerusalem who survive the plague will go up to Jerusalem each year to worship the King, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, and to celebrate the Festival of Shelters. [1] The work of Jesus on the cross would make this possible.

Jesus Gives Salvation to All Who Believe

Simeon made a prophecy over the baby Jesus. Luke 2:³⁰I have seen your salvation, ³¹which you have prepared for all people. ³²He is a light to reveal God to the nations, and he is the glory of your people Israel!”[2] Not only would Israel be able to be saved through faith in Jesus, but the Gentiles would also be gathered into the harvest of souls.

The question in the early church was “did a Gentile need to become a Jew before he could receive salvation?” Peter explained a council in Jerusalem. Acts 15:⁷At the meeting, after a long discussion, Peter stood and addressed them as follows: “Brothers, you all know that God chose me from among you some time ago to preach to the Gentiles so that they could hear the Good News and believe. ⁸God knows people’s hearts, and he confirmed that he accepts Gentiles by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as he did to us. ⁹He made no distinction between us and them, for he cleansed their hearts through faith. [3]

Salvation for Believers

There will be a great harvest of souls at the end of the age because of what Jesus did on the cross. John tells us that even the martyrs in heaven will worship Jesus with palm branches. Revelations 7:⁹After this I saw a vast crowd, too great to count, from every nation and tribe and people and language, standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white robes and held palm branches in their hands.[4] To hear more about the end of the harvest, listen here:

https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/the-festival-of-tabernacles

Schedule of Sacrifices Was Simplified

Paula K. Graves

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April 3, 2026

As Jesus came to fulfill the Festival of Tabernacles, an elaborate schedule of sacrifices was simplified. The cross was the pivot point between the old and new covenants.

An Elaborate Sacrifice Schedule

The Festival of Tabernacles was an eight-day celebration. God gave an elaborate schedule of sacrifices for this Festival in Numbers 29. There, in 28 verses, there is a specific sacrifice for each day of the Festival. By the end of the celebration, 199 animals were sacrificed.

Sacrifice Simplified

Now, under the new covenant that Jesus brought, the sacrifice is simple. It is the blood of Jesus shed on the cross. Hebrews 9:¹²With his own blood—not the blood of goats and calves—he entered the Most Holy Place once for all time and secured our redemption forever.

¹³Under the old system, the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer could cleanse people’s bodies from ceremonial impurity. ¹⁴Just think how much more the blood of Christ will purify our consciences from sinful deeds so that we can worship the living God. For by the power of the eternal Spirit, Christ offered himself to God as a perfect sacrifice for our sins. ¹⁵That is why he is the one who mediates a new covenant between God and people, so that all who are called can receive the eternal inheritance God has promised them. For Christ died to set them free from the penalty of the sins they had committed under that first covenant.[1]

Jesus Foreshadowed in the Sacrifice

God required blood to cover the sins of His people. While the Festival of Tabernacles was a joyful celebration of God’s presence and provision, sacrifices were still required. Now that Jesus has come, He is God with us and provides forgiveness for us.

Ephesians 1:⁵God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. ⁶So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son. ⁷He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins.[2]

To hear how an elaborate schedule of sacrifice was simplified, listen here:

https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/the-festival-of-tabernacles

Waving of Palm Branches

Paula K. Graves

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April 2, 2026

We have seen that the waving of palm branches was a tradition of the Festival of Tabernacles. Worshippers also recited Psalm 118 during the celebration. Some of the words from this Psalm 118 include: ²⁵Please, Lord, please save us (Greek – Hosanna) ²⁶Bless the one who comes in the name of the Lord.[1]

Jesus Enters Jerusalem to the Waving of Palm Branches

John 12:¹²The next day, the news that Jesus was on the way to Jerusalem swept through the city. A large crowd of Passover visitors ¹³took palm branches and went down the road to meet him. They shouted, “Praise God! Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord!
Hail to the King of Israel!” [2]

Even though Jesus entered Jerusalem just before Passover, the people borrowed a custom from the fall Festival of Tabernacles. These people viewed Jesus as their Messiah King and believed He had come to deliver them from the Romans. Unless we understand the context of the Festival of Tabernacles, we don’t grasp the depth of what the people meant by their actions.

The people knew that the Messiah would raise the dead, and Jesus had just raised Lazarus (John 11). This was the talk of the town. John 12:¹⁷Many in the crowd had seen Jesus call Lazarus from the tomb, raising him from the dead, and they were telling others about it. ¹⁸That was the reason so many went out to meet him—because they had heard about this miraculous sign. [3]

The Pharisees’ Opposition Increased

So, as Jesus entered Jerusalem, the people honored Him as God in their midst. They were praising Him as the King of Israel. They saw Jesus as the fulfillment of Israel’s and the world’s hope. As a result, the Pharisees’ opposition grew, and they pushed back angrily. John 12:¹⁹Then the Pharisees said to each other, “There’s nothing we can do. Look, everyone (the world) has gone after him!”[4]

The Pharisees had opposed Jesus before, but their plans had never worked because it was not God’s time. Now it was approaching Passover. It was God’s time as Jesus would die “as the lamb that takes away the sins of the world” on Passover.

Jesus was Immanuel, or God with us, and was the perfect sinless lamb that God sent to pay the price for our sins. He was, as the people of Jerusalem declared, the One who would save us. Only they had not anticipated what it would take to bring salvation to the world. But God knew and had set up a calendar that foretold what Jesus would do. Jesus would die on Passover, remove our sin during the Festival of Unleavened Bread, and rise on the Festival of First Fruits. Then the Holy Spirit would come on the Festival of Pentecost. God had a plan for our salvation that was put into place over 1400 years before Jesus was born! What a God we serve! To hear more about the waving of palm branches, listen here:

https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/the-festival-of-tabernacles

The Temple Lighting Ceremony

Paula K. Graves

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April 1, 2026

Another Temple tradition that had developed during the Festival of Tabernacles was the Temple Lighting ceremony. God had not commanded this tradition, but it pointed to God as the source of light.

Giant Candles Lit the Temple

On the first day of the Festival of Tabernacles, the priests constructed three seventy-five-foot-high candles in the court of the Women at the Temple. This was an outer court where everyone could come, and it was also the place of the Treasury. These candles had several ladders on which the young priests would climb to the top to fill a reservoir with olive oil. The wicks were made from linen from the priests’ old garments. These candles would light all of Jerusalem.

These lights commemorated the glory of God that filled Solomon’s Temple at its dedication. 2 Chronicles 5:¹⁴The priests could not continue their service because of the cloud, for the glorious presence of the Lord filled the Temple of God.[1] These giant lights also anticipated a time when God’s glory would return as Ezekiel predicted in 43:1-6.

Jesus’ Surprising Statement as the Lights are Extinguished

Jesus was standing and teaching near the treasury on the last day of the Festival of Tabernacles (John 8:20). After these candles were extinguished, Jesus made a surprising statement. John 8:¹²Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.”[2]

The Pharisees, upon hearing this, immediately knew that Jesus had claimed to be the Messiah. They knew the prophecies of the Messiah. Isaiah 49:⁶He says,“You will do more than restore the people of Israel to me. I will make you a light to the Gentiles, and you will bring my salvation to the ends of the earth.”[3]

As 21^st-century Christians, we miss this because we do not understand the Festival of Tabernacles and the context in which Jesus made this statement. Those who opposed Jesus wanted Him arrested, but it was not His time yet. (John 8:20)

Later that same day, Jesus reinforced His statement by healing a blind man. There, Jesus said in John 9: ⁵But while I am here in the world, I am the light of the world.”[4] The light or salvation that Jesus offered would not light just the Temple as the candles but would light the whole world.

To hear how the Temple lighting ceremony points to Jesus, listen here:

https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/the-festival-of-tabernacles

The Water-Libation Offering

Paula K. Graves

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March 31, 2026

During the time of Jesus, the tradition of the water libation offering had developed. This was a tradition and not something God had commanded. Jesus used the occasion to announce His identity to the people.

Thanking God for Water During an Offering

The land of Israel has an arid climate, and rain is essential for crop growth. During the Festival of Tabernacles, a tradition had developed to ask God to provide rain for the next season. This tradition also pictured the spiritual need of humans to have their souls watered by God.

Each day of the Festival a priest would take a golden pitcher to the pool of Siloam. Worshippers followed the priest. They waved palm branches and chanted the Hallel Psalms, Psalm 113 -118. The priest would fill the pitcher with water at the pool, then return to the Temple with the worshippers. At the Temple, on the altar, the priest would pour out the water while praying for God to provide what only God could provide: sufficient rain.

Jesus adds to the Water Libation Offering

Jesus was a Jew and, as such, celebrated the Festival Days that God had given. Jesus was a controversial figure; some saw Him as the Messiah, while many doubted Him. By His third year of ministry, the Pharisees openly opposed Him. At this time, Jesus went to the Temple during the celebration of Tabernacles. There, amid controversy, He taught at the Temple. Many wondered if He was the Messiah.

On the last day of the Festival, when priest had poured the water on the altar, Jesus made a usual announcement. John 7:³⁷On the last day, the climax of the festival, Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds, “Anyone who is thirsty may come to me! ³⁸Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.’” ³⁹When he said “living water,” he was speaking of the Spirit, who would be given to everyone believing in him. But the Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus had not yet entered into his glory.[1]

Only God could supply water, and now Jesus said He would provide water. If we understand Jesus’ statement in the context of the Festival of Tabernacles, He was announcing that He is the Messiah.

Division at Announcement

At this, many believed that Jesus was the Messiah, but the Pharisees sent the Temple guards to arrest Jesus. John 7:⁴⁵When the Temple guards returned without having arrested Jesus, the leading priests and Pharisees demanded, “Why didn’t you bring him in?”

⁴⁶“We have never heard anyone speak like this!” the guards responded.

⁴⁷“Have you been led astray, too?” the Pharisees mocked.[2] We can see that the water libation offering was an opportunity for Jesus to tell the crowd He was the Messiah, even though many still would not believe. To hear more, listen here:

https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/the-festival-of-tabernacles

Depend on God

Paula K. Graves

no comments

March 30, 2026

When the people were in the wilderness after leaving Egypt, they had to depend on God for their provision. God provided food and water and didn’t let their clothes wear out. The Festival of Tabernacles also celebrates God’s provision in the past and the present, and looks forward to His provision in the future.

Remembering Their Dependence on God

During the eight days of the Festival of Tabernacles, the people would build three-sided structures of tree branches and camp in them. The people would pray, eat, and even sleep in these structures. These flimsy structures are known by many names: tabernacles, booths, shelters, and the Hebrew word Sukkot, which simply means “tabernacle.”

When the nation of Israel was in the wilderness after leaving Egypt, they also lived in flimsy structures or tents. They had to depend on God because there were no crops to harvest and often no water. God provided manna and water from rocks to feed His people.

When the people came into the promised land, they were able to grow crops and harvest them. But even here, they were still dependent on God to provide water and good weather. By the time of the Festival of Tabernacles, they had finished with all the harvest. They had harvested barley during the time of First Fruits. Then they harvested wheat at the time of Pentecost. Now, they harvested the last of the crops: olives and grapes. It was time to give thanks.

Our Salvation Depends on Jesus

Just as the Jews remembered their dependence on God during the Festival of Tabernacles, we remember that we are dependent on Jesus for our salvation. Ephesians 2:⁴But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, ⁵that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!…⁸God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. ⁹Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. [1]

Any efforts we make to save ourselves are as flimsy as the structures in which people lived during the Festival of Tabernacles. God knows that, as sinful humans, we can’t save ourselves just like the Jews couldn’t feed themselves in the desert. But God is loving and gracious and takes care of the children, both physically and spiritually. He planned to send Jesus so that when we believe in Him, we can spend eternity with God.

To hear how to depend on God, listen here:

https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/the-festival-of-tabernacles

God’s Presence with His People

Paula K. Graves

no comments

March 29, 2026

The Festival of Tabernacles is the seventh festival listed in Leviticus 23 and celebrates God’s presence with His people. It was celebrated in the fall, five days after the Day of Atonement. It was a pilgrimage festival, meaning that, if possible, a devout Jew would travel to Jerusalem and the Temple to celebrate it.

God Demonstrated His Presence in the Wilderness

God visibly showed His presence with His people as He guided them out of Egypt and through the wilderness. Exodus 13:²¹The Lord went ahead of them. He guided them during the day with a pillar of cloud, and he provided light at night with a pillar of fire. This allowed them to travel by day or by night. ²²And the Lord did not remove the pillar of cloud or pillar of fire from its place in front of the people.[1]

After they left Egypt, God gave Moses instructions to build the Tabernacle. This tent was always to be in the center of the camp. When completed, it was a visible demonstration of God’s presence. Exodus 40:³⁴Then the cloud covered the Tabernacle, and the glory of the Lord filled the Tabernacle. ³⁵Moses could no longer enter the Tabernacle because the cloud had settled down over it, and the glory of the Lord filled the Tabernacle[2]. Thus, the cloud by day and pillar of fire by night was now over the Tabernacle in the center of the camp.

The Festival of Tabernacles was a time to remember that God had done this. People would camp out in small structures made of branches to remember their time in the wilderness.

Jesus was God Present with His People

John presents Jesus as the Word who was present with God the Father from the beginning. Then he describes how Jesus became human and walked the earth. John 1:¹⁴And the Word became flesh and tabernacled among us. We looked upon His glory, the glory of the one and only from the Father, full of grace and truth.[3] Most Bible translations say the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. But the word used for ‘dwelt’ is actually the Greek word for ‘tabernacle’.

The reference to Jesus tabernacling with humans recalls God living in the Tabernacle during the wilderness journey. Just as God had shown His presence to the people through the pillar of fire and cloud, now Jesus was a visible presence of God here on earth. John 1:¹⁷That is, the law was given to us through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. ¹⁸No one has ever seen God. The only Son is the one who has shown us what God is like. He is himself God and is very close to the Father. [4]

To hear more about God’s presence with His people, listen here:

https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/the-festival-of-tabernacles

Why was Jesus’ Identity Hidden?

Jesus Revealed His Identity at the Right Time

How Does God Reveal Himself to Us?

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The Needed Rescue

What Expectations do We Have of Jesus?

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Conflicting Reports

What to Believe?

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Prophecy of Celebrating the End of the Harvest

Jesus Gives Salvation to All Who Believe

Salvation for Believers

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An Elaborate Sacrifice Schedule

Sacrifice Simplified

Jesus Foreshadowed in the Sacrifice

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Jesus Enters Jerusalem to the Waving of Palm Branches

The Pharisees’ Opposition Increased

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Giant Candles Lit the Temple

Jesus’ Surprising Statement as the Lights are Extinguished

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Thanking God for Water During an Offering

Jesus adds to the Water Libation Offering

Division at Announcement

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Remembering Their Dependence on God

Our Salvation Depends on Jesus

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God Demonstrated His Presence in the Wilderness

Jesus was God Present with His People

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