Devotional: He is Alive!
Posted by kenneth - 12/04/09 at 01:04:34 pmOn the Road to Calvary
This week we will explore a few of the many events that took place during the week prior to Christ’s crucifixion and his resurrection from the dead on the first day of the week, the day we call Easter. Let us walk with Jesus as he walked those last steps of his life on the road to Calvary.
EASTER SUNDAY, April 12
Reading: John 20:1-9
The Empty Tomb
1Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. 2So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!”
3So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. 4Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 5He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in. 6Then Simon Peter, who was behind him, arrived and went into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, 7as well as the burial cloth that had been around Jesus’ head. The cloth was folded up by itself, separate from the linen. 8Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed. 9(They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.)
Can you imagine hiding in fear for your very life? Grieving over the loss of the only hope you have ever known? Gone. How can you go on? What will you do? His love, truth, authority, power, protection, hope. All gone. This was Christ’s disciples. A shadow had fallen on their lives. Yet, we are no different than they. Our condition is dark. Despair, our master. The disciples did not know Jesus was alive. And even though we walk with Christ, we, too, sometimes live like we don’t know that Jesus is alive.
Into the dark tomb came the explosive power of Life, and death was banished forever. It no longer exists. That which held sin’s answer now holds God’s life. There is no fear. There is no sting. He, Jesus, is Alive! He destroyed the power of Death. He walked out of the grave into our lives to liberate us from that which held us in bondage. He is now Lord of all, and all things are under His feet! He is alive!
I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades. ~ Revelation 1:18
Prayer: Jesus, help me live in you as you live in me. Please let the power of your resurrection transform me even as it did your body. Amen.
Saturday: Silence Hidden
Posted by kenneth - 10/04/09 at 01:04:09 pmOn the Road to Calvary
This week we will explore a few of the many events that took place during the week prior to Christ’s crucifixion and his resurrection from the dead on the first day of the week, the day we call Easter. Let us walk with Jesus as he walked those last steps of his life on the road to Calvary.
SATURDAY, April 11
Reading: John 12:23-25
(In the Gospels there is very little written about the days Jesus was in the tomb)
23Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. 25The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.
Devotional: Silence Hidden
Jesus was executed.
Travelers prepared to go home.
Hope was low.
The High Priest was smug.
The devil thought that he had won.
The Romans had squelched another potential rebellion.
The world, the flesh and the devil were in control.
In the ground lay the broken and dead seed, hidden from the sight of man, waiting for the power of God to conquer the sting of death and grant new life to His creation. In silence it lay hidden, and the world would never be the same again.
Our hope is not in what we see, but in what is promised.
For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
~ Colossians 3:3-4
Prayer: Jesus, create within me an excited expectation for the power of God to regenerate new life in me where death once reigned. Amen.
Friday: Jesus Walks Ahead Alone
Posted by kenneth - 09/04/09 at 01:04:29 pmOn the Road to Calvary
This week we will explore a few of the many events that took place during the week prior to Christ’s crucifixion and his resurrection from the dead on the first day of the week, the day we call Easter. Let us walk with Jesus as he walked those last steps of his life on the road to Calvary.
FRIDAY, April 10
Reading: John 19:28-42
The Death of Jesus
28Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” 29A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. 30When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
31Now it was the day of Preparation, and the next day was to be a special Sabbath. Because the Jews did not want the bodies left on the crosses during the Sabbath, they asked Pilate to have the legs broken and the bodies taken down. 32The soldiers therefore came and broke the legs of the first man who had been crucified with Jesus, and then those of the other. 33But when they came to Jesus and found that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. 34Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus’ side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water. 35The man who saw it has given testimony, and his testimony is true. He knows that he tells the truth, and he testifies so that you also may believe. 36These things happened so that the scripture would be fulfilled: “Not one of his bones will be broken,” 37and, as another scripture says, “They will look on the one they have pierced.”
The Burial of Jesus
38Later, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Now Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jews. With Pilate’s permission, he came and took the body away. 39He was accompanied by Nicodemus, the man who earlier had visited Jesus at night. Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds. 40Taking Jesus’ body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen. This was in accordance with Jewish burial customs. 41At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had ever been laid. 42Because it was the Jewish day of Preparation and since the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.
Devotional: Jesus Walks Ahead Alone
Earlier, Jesus told his disciples he was going where they could not go. The crowds had left him. Even Peter denied him. Yet, Jesus knew this was the plan. There was to be only one perfect sacrifice, the second Adam.
Jesus was completely aware of the history of sin in mankind and its devastation and effect for thousands of years yet to come. His road was to be traveled alone. His earthly destiny would be led by men who had no understanding of who he was or his role in their redemption. God gave his son Jesus the Creator into the hands of the created, those now fallen, corrupted and full of death.
Arrested, mocked, beaten beyond recognition, humiliated, abandoned, falsely condemned, and nailed to a rough cruel cross, Jesus submitted himself to his Father’s plan. Then God placed the sin of all mankind on his only son, from the first sin of the first man Adam to the last sin to be committed by the last man on earth. The burden was so great that only a perfect sacrifice could bear it. And when, at the perfect time, Jesus gave up his spirit and died, Joseph of Arimathea laid his body in a tomb. And there he lay guarded.
Once more Jesus said to them, “I am going away, and you will look for me, … Where I go, you cannot come.” ~ John 8:21
Prayer: Jesus, thank you for loving me so much that you did for me what I could not do, die for my sin. I love you, Jesus. Amen.
Thursday: Father Knows Best
Posted by kenneth - 08/04/09 at 01:04:37 pmOn the Road to Calvary
This week we will explore a few of the many events that took place during the week prior to Christ’s crucifixion and his resurrection from the dead on the first day of the week, the day we call Easter. Let us walk with Jesus as he walked those last steps of his life on the road to Calvary.
THURSDAY, April 9
Reading: John 13:1-17
Jesus Washes His Disciples’ Feet
1It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love.
2The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus. 3Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.
6He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”
7Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”
8″No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.”
9″Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!”
10Jesus answered, “A person who has had a bath needs only to wash his feet; his whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.” 11For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean.
12When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. 13″You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.
Devotional: Father Knows Best
When we walk with Jesus we sometimes have needs that we believe God should meet in a certain way – uh, our way. We spend time in prayer boldly asking, and in some cases, demanding God to change this or do that. We forget that God has a plan. A perfect plan. He knows our needs, physically, spiritually and emotionally, long before we are even aware of them. We get afraid or impatient and get lost in our own answers.
Peter was just like us. Jesus was ministering to the disciples just as they needed. He was teaching them just what they needed to know. Peter resisted it and demanded more, even something different.
Jesus wants us to know that the Father has established the path for our life. He knows what we need and when we need it. Indeed, our Father knows best! The question is, can we see and receive his leading?
Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” ~ John 13:7
Prayer: Jesus, help me trust you with my life. Enable me to see the wisdom in your plan for me. Amen.
Wednesday: Our Intended Purpose
Posted by kenneth - 07/04/09 at 01:04:50 pmOn the Road to Calvary
This week we will explore a few of the many events that took place during the week prior to Christ’s crucifixion and his resurrection from the dead on the first day of the week, the day we call Easter. Let us walk with Jesus as he walked those last steps of his life on the road to Calvary.
WEDNESDAY, April 8
Reading: Matthew 21:12-17
Jesus at the Temple
12Jesus entered the temple area and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. 13″It is written,” he said to them, ” ‘My house will be called a house of prayer,’ but you are making it a ‘den of robbers.’ ”
14The blind and the lame came to him at the temple, and he healed them. 15But when the chief priests and the teachers of the law saw the wonderful things he did and the children shouting in the temple area, “Hosanna to the Son of David,” they were indignant.
16″Do you hear what these children are saying?” they asked him. ”Yes,” replied Jesus, “have you never read, ” ‘From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise’?”
17And he left them and went out of the city to Bethany, where he spent the night.
Devotional: Our Intended Purpose
As a child, did you ever go exploring at your grandparents’ house and discover an interesting object and you did not know what it was? Maybe you’ve been shopping at a yard sale or antique shop and saw an item for which you had to ask the owner, “What exactly is this and what was it used for?” As adults, we may even possess objects that our own children or grandchildren have to ask us about. And if we do not pass on this information to them, its use may be lost at our death.
In today’s scripture passage, this is what happened with the temple. It angered Jesus and he drove out the money changers. He then re-established the temple’s intended purpose as “A House of Prayer”. He called it “His House”.
When we give our life to Jesus, we are then “His House of the Holy Spirit”. Let us ask our Maker, “What was my original intended purpose? What did You create me to do?” God alone knows, and if we ask him to re-establish that purpose, he will drive out everything that hinders and even blocks us from becoming all that he wants us to be.
Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails. ~ Proverbs 19:21
Prayer: Jesus, please help me let you re-establish your original intended purpose in my life. I confess sometimes I don’t even know what that is. Thank you that you are waiting and willing to drive out all that hinders my development in you. Amen.
Tuesday: Watch in Expectation
Posted by kenneth - 06/04/09 at 01:04:34 pmOn the Road to Calvary
This week we will explore a few of the many events that took place during the week prior to Christ’s crucifixion and his resurrection from the dead on the first day of the week, the day we call Easter. Let us walk with Jesus as he walked those last steps of his life on the road to Calvary.
TUESDAY, April 7
Reading: Matthew 25:1-14; Mark 13:32-35
The Parable of the Ten Virgins
1″At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2Five of them were foolish and five were wise. 3The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. 4The wise, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. 5The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.
6″At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’
7″Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. 8The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’
9″ ‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’
10″But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.
11″Later the others also came. ‘Sir! Sir!’ they said. ‘Open the door for us!’
12″But he replied, ‘I tell you the truth, I don’t know you.’
13″Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.
The Day and Hour Unknown
32″No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come. 34It’s like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with his assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch.
35″Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back—whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn.
Devotional: Watching in Expectation
Jesus. Won’t it be great to see him? To bow before him and kiss his feet in worship? To thank him for all his love and forgiveness and provision? To praise him for how he has changed you and your family?
In his last days here on earth, Jesus made it clear that he will come back to get us. There are times it is so hard to live here without him in physical form to encourage us. That is why we must watch for his coming. There are two things that are true here. First, Jesus is coming. We don’t know when, but he will come back anytime, any day. I personally can’t wait. Second, we are easily distracted. Every day is filled with our needs, pain, fear, unforgiveness, anger, and yes, even rebellion.
We need to ask Jesus to teach us to watch for him. We really don’t know how to wait in expectation for his return. An application is found in our daily reliance on Jesus. See, when a need appears we ask for his intervention, then we look for him to come and meet us in that need. We rely on him and we expect him to care for us. Likewise, we can watch for his coming and wait expectantly, knowing it will come to pass. God’s Word is true. Jesus is coming again!
“… This same Jesus … will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.” – Acts 1:11
Prayer: Father, teach me how to look for Jesus to come to me in my everyday needs. Then, teach me to watch for Him ‘til he comes for us all. Amen.
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