Devotionals

Holy Saturday—A New and Holy Identity

Peruse: John 19:38-42 (TPT) Jesus’ Burial
38 After this, Joseph from the city of Ramah, who was a secret disciple of Jesus for fear of the Jewish authorities, asked Pilate if he could remove the body of Jesus. So Pilate granted him permission to remove the body from the cross. 39 Now Nicodemus, who had once come to Jesus privately at night, accompanied Joseph, and together they carried a significant amount of myrrh and aloes to the cross. 40 Then they took Jesus’ body and wrapped it in strips of linen with the embalming spices according to the Jewish burial customs. 41 Near the place where Jesus was crucified was a garden, and in the garden there was a new tomb where no one had yet been laid to rest. 42 And because the Sabbath was approaching, and the tomb was nearby, that’s where they laid the body of Jesus.

Ponder: Jesus changes lives. Even through his death he changed lives. He changed the life of the repentant criminal who hung on the cross next to him. He changed the Roman centurion’s life as he watched Jesus take his last breath and realized he was truly the Son of God. And, Jesus changed Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus’ lives. How do we know? They came out of fear and hiding to ask the Romans for the body of Jesus so they could get it ready for burial. Yes, Jesus changes lives when we begin to understand his identity as Truth…he is the Living God! May we walk in the Truth each day for the glory of the Father.

Prayer: Lord, life with you requires change. Thank you for laying down your life, so I could be changed by you from the inside out. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Good Friday—An Attempt to Kill Holy Life

Peruse the following Scriptures:
John 18:1-8 (TPT) Garden of Gethsemane
18 After Jesus finished this prayer; he left with his disciples and went across the Kidron Valley to a place where there was a garden. 2 Judas, the traitor, knew where this place was, for Jesus had gone there often with his disciples. 3 The Pharisees and the leading priests had given Judas a large detachment of Roman soldiers and temple police to seize Jesus. Judas guided them to the garden, all of them carrying torches and lanterns and armed with swords and spears.

John 18:12-13 (TPT) Arrest
12 Then the soldiers and their captain, along with the Jewish officers, seized Jesus and tied him up. 13 They took him first to Annas, as he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year.

John 19:10-11(TPT) Trial
10 Pilate said, “Don’t you know that I have the power to grant you your freedom or nail you to a tree?”11 Jesus answered, “You would have no power over me at all, unless it was given to you from above. This is why the one who betrayed me is guilty of an even greater sin.”

John 19:16-18 (TPT) Crucifixion
16 Then Pilate handed Jesus over to them. So the soldiers seized him and took him away to be crucified. 17 Jesus carried his own cross out of the city to the place called “The Skull,” which in Aramaic is Golgotha. 18 And there they nailed him to the cross. He was crucified, along with two others, one on each side with Jesus in the middle.

John 19:28-30 (TPT) Death
28 Jesus knew that his mission was accomplished, and to fulfill the Scripture, Jesus said: “I am thirsty.” 29 A jar of sour wine was sitting nearby, so they soaked a sponge with it and put it on the stalk of hyssop and raised it to his lips. 30 When he had sipped the sour wine, he said, “It is finished, my bride!” Then he bowed his head and surrendered his spirit to God.

Ponder: The Lord of all Creation was crucified at the place called the Skull—a skull-shaped hill in ancient Jerusalem. He was nailed to the cross—by his hands and feet—and above him at the top of the cross was a placard stating his crime: King of the Jews. Jesus surrendered his Spirit, so humanity could choose to gain his Spirit—It is Finished! When Jesus said, “It is finished” it was another way of saying, “Paid in full.” We can enter into eternal life and fellowship with God.

Humanity no longer has to walk in darkness; the Light of the World has brought believers salvation and the wisdom of God. We can now live as children of the Light; all empowered by grace. The Good News of Great JOY—abundant LIFE—awaits believers each day.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the sacrificial way you have loved me—paying my sin debt. Guide me by your Spirit. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Maundy Thursday–Washed by the Holy

Peruse: John 13:1-6, 12 (TPT) Jesus Washes Feet
1 Jesus knew that the night before Passover would be his last night on earth before leaving this world to return to the Father’s side. All throughout his time with his disciples, Jesus had demonstrated a deep and tender love for them. And now he longed to show them the full measure of his love. 2 Before their evening meal had begun, the accuser had already planted betrayal into the heart of Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon.

3 Now Jesus was fully aware that the Father had placed all things under his control, for he had come from God and was about to go back to be with him. 4 So he got up from the meal and took off his outer robe, and took a towel and wrapped it around his waist. 5 Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ dirty feet and dry them with his towel. 6 But when Jesus got to Simon Peter, he objected and said, “I can’t let you wash my dirty feet—you’re my Lord!”

12 After washing their feet, he put his robe on and returned to his place at the table. “Do you understand what I just did?

Ponder: The disciples are in the Upper Room with Jesus. In the midst of the Passover celebration, Jesus knows he will soon lay down his life to be the sacrificial Lamb who takes away the sins of the world. He deeply loves and accepts His disciples, yet He understand they need a lesson on assuming the proper posture before Father God, as well as the proper attitude about themselves and one another. The enemy is present in their midst; Satan is busy making plans to kill the Holy One and is using Judas as a host. But, Jesus knows the plan of the Father in bringing salvation to the world involves the betrayer, so he turns to the remaining disciples and makes modeling truth to them his focus.

Jesus humbly bends down and washes the dust/filth of the world from the feet of his disciples. Jesus does the same for us. Holiness must wash over every disciple; we are to live separated and distinct from the world. Holiness is only gained from a humble relationship with Jesus. We cannot pursue holiness without Christ. Peter understood the message, but it took awhile. He then wrote about it later in his letter to believers everywhere. “So you must live as God’s obedient children. Don’t slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. You didn’t know any better then. But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy” (1 Peter 1:14-15).

Prayer: Lord, you have washed my soul so the soles of my feet can follow you into a new inheritance of grace and power. May my life reveal the respect I have for your authority and holiness. Help me live my life in a full measure of love for you and for others. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Holy Wednesday–Betraying the Holy

Peruse: John 13:21-22, 25-32 (TPT)
21 Then Jesus was moved deeply in his spirit. Looking at his disciples, he announced, “I tell you the truth—one of you is about to betray me.”

22 Eyeing each other, his disciples puzzled over which one of them could do such a thing. 25 Then the dearly loved disciple leaned into Jesus’ chest and whispered, “Master, who is it?”

26 “The one I give this piece of bread to after I’ve dipped it in the bowl,” Jesus replied. Then he dipped the piece of bread into the bowl and handed it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. 27 And when Judas ate the piece of bread, Satan entered him. Then Jesus looked at Judas and said, “What you are planning to do, go do it now.” 28 None of those around the table realized what was happening. 29 Some thought that Judas, their trusted treasurer, was being told to go buy what was needed for the Passover celebration, or perhaps to go give something to the poor. 30 So Judas left quickly and went out into the dark night to betray Jesus.

Ponder: We have all betrayed the Holy Word of God—the Messiah—haven’t we? Isn’t it amazing that Jesus is aware of humanity’s ongoing betrayal and yet loves and chooses to die for this sinful world anyway? Throughout Scripture, we note the Messiah loves those who love him, as well as those who hate him. However, the cross of the Messiah stands between that which is holy and evil; it calls for a decision and commitment. We cannot just have an opinion about the cross, we must choose it for salvation. On the cross Jesus became the substitutionary sacrifice for sin. So, we need to accept the Savior’s work in our behalf to separate and protect us from evil, as well as the future action of judgement God will take against evil. If you want to look back into the Old Testament to see more imagery, you will find the Messiah is the Passover Door [the Holy One] who separates the faithful from the sinful world, as well as the Passover Lamb [the Holy blood] who protects the lives of the faithful from the judgement of God.

In our lesson today, John the beloved disciple [faithful to the Holy] is on one side of Jesus and Judas [filled with Satan] is on the other. In a matter of days Jesus will repeat a similar position as he is raised on a cross between an unrepentant criminal headed for hell and a newly forgiven believer headed for life in paradise. The bowl of judgment sits before every person. May God help humanity run to the outstretched arms of our Savior so we stop betraying the Holy Word of God.

Prayer: Lord, my heart turns to your Word; I know my salvation comes from you each day. Thank you shedding your blood for my sin. Give me spiritual eyes to see and help me partake of the Bread of Truth that leads to eternal life with you. Continue to separate and protect believers while we remain in this evil world, Lord. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Holy Tuesday–Holy Disciples

Peruse: John 12:20-26 (TPT) True Seekers
20 Now there were a number of foreigners from among the nations who were worshipers at the feast. 21 They went to Philip (who came from the village of Bethsaida in Galilee) and they asked him, “Would you take us to see Jesus? We want to see him.” 22 So Philip went to find Andrew, and then they both went to inform Jesus.
23 He replied to them, “Now is the time for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 Let me make this clear: A single grain of wheat will never be more than a single grain of wheat unless it drops into the ground and dies. Because then it sprouts and produces a great harvest of wheat—all because one grain died. 25 “The person who loves his life and pampers himself will miss true life! But the one who detaches his life from this world and abandons himself to me, will find true life and enjoy it forever! 26 If you want to be my disciple, follow me and you will go where I am going. And if you truly follow me as my disciple, the Father will shower his favor upon your life.

Ponder: In our passage today, Jesus is preparing his disciples for His death. Jesus must lay down his physical life, so His followers may enjoy new spiritual life in Him. What does new spiritual life as a disciple of Christ look like for you? As disciples, we are to be made new in the image of Christ; the salvation Christ offers brings sanctification (holiness). By faith, we begin to produce the spiritual fruit of righteousness that is revealed in our physical lives. For me, three words in our passage stand out to bring some answers on how a disciple victoriously enters this new life: 1) detaches, 2) abandons, and 3) favor.

First, new life does not mean we “pamper” ourselves—embracing the temporal things of this world and living with passion to fulfill all pleasure. Never forget we have been called out of the world by name for a spiritual journey of faith. Instead, a disciple “detaches” or separates from the power of the world and its ways. “No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other” (Mat 6:24). Second, a disciple “abandons” himself or herself to the work of Christ. In this context, abandon means to give oneself over unrestrainedly; this means we must abandon our own plans in exchange for the will and pleasure of God to produce righteousness in us. Remember the seed that must grow in us is God’s Word and it is the “thorns” or pleasures of this world that chokes out spiritual life (Luke 8:14). Lastly, if we are willing to follow Jesus wherever he leads, then the Father will shower us with “favor” or grace—a spontaneous gift from God for the undeserving. Grace is God’s power and resources for His disciples to live holy. “From His fullness we have all received, grace upon grace” (John 1:16).

Prayer: Lord, there is so much I want to learn from You, as well as many ways I need Your comfort, today. Yet, the most important thing I can articulate in the moment is to simply say I need You, Jesus! I want to be a life-grain that produces a harvest of righteousness. Help me to live detached and abandoned in the fullness of Your grace. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Peruse: John 12:1-11 (NLT) Jesus Anointed at Bethany
12 Six days before the Passover celebration began, Jesus arrived in Bethany, the home of Lazarus—the man he had raised from the dead. 2 A dinner was prepared in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, and Lazarus was among those who ate with him. 3 Then Mary took a twelve-ounce jar of expensive perfume made from essence of nard, and she anointed Jesus’ feet with it, wiping his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance.

9 When all the people heard of Jesus’ arrival, they flocked to see him and also to see Lazarus, the man Jesus had raised from the dead. 10 Then the leading priests decided to kill Lazarus, too, 11 for it was because of him that many of the people had deserted them and believed in Jesus.

Ponder: Jesus—the resurrection and the life—is welcome in the home of Lazarus, Martha, and Mary. They love Jesus so much they must find ways to proclaim, serve, and worship him. Lazarus proclaims and worships Jesus as the True Son of God who raised him back to life and crowds in Bethany and Jerusalem hear his testimony. Love compels Lazarus to share the Truth and many accept Jesus as the prophesied Messiah. Love compels Martha to prepare a feast as a way to worship and serve Jesus. Love compels Mary to anoint the feet of Jesus with nard; the fragrance fills the house. Her tears spill forth as she expresses her gratitude and worships him. In this moment, the presence and grace of God surrounds these worshipers as they gather to love and listen intently to the heart of their Creator. This is what we, as disciples of Christ, do when we gather around the Word of God; we proclaim, serve, and worship the Lord out of love and gratitude. Welcome Jesus into the home of your heart and let him speak Truth to your soul, today. Like Lazarus, Martha and Mary let love compel you to express your worship and gratitude for all he has done for you.

Prayer: Lord, may the fragrance of your anointed presence permeate my home, my heart, and my life. I love and worship you! In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Intro: In our passage today, we are reminded why Jesus had to become human. Jesus was not by nature flesh and blood. While on earth, Jesus subjected himself to temptation because he wanted to be able to understand and sympathize with his human family. Our Lord felt the pressure of temptation, just like you and me…yet, he resisted it. He chose to put on flesh, so he could pay the penalty for the sins of our flesh, as well as defeat Satan and his power over death. So, Jesus came to die in order to bring us salvation; that was his purpose and how he would redeem his children. He came to put on humanity, so we could put on divinity and become the Father’s sons and daughters. Let the Holy Spirit lead you, today.

Hebrews 2:10-18 NLT
10 God, for whom and through whom everything was made, chose to bring many children into glory. And it was only right that he should make Jesus, through his suffering, a perfect leader, fit to bring them into their salvation.

11 So now Jesus and the ones he makes holy have the same Father. That is why Jesus is not ashamed to call them his brothers and sisters. 12 For he said to God,
“I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters.
I will praise you among your assembled people.”
13 He also said,
“I will put my trust in him,”
that is, “I and the children God has given me.”

14 Because God’s children are human beings—made of flesh and blood—the Son also became flesh and blood. For only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of the devil, who had the power of death. 15 Only in this way could he set free all who have lived their lives as slaves to the fear of dying.

16 We also know that the Son did not come to help angels; he came to help the descendants of Abraham. 17 Therefore, it was necessary for him to be made in every respect like us, his brothers and sisters, so that he could be our merciful and faithful High Priest before God. Then he could offer a sacrifice that would take away the sins of the people. 18 Since he himself has gone through suffering and testing, he is able to help us when we are being tested.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for understanding me and my needs. You are always there to help me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Intro: The Bible is essential for God’s people, because the Holy Spirit moves upon the Word to bring a greater understanding of the truth found within its lessons about faith. Although the author of the letters to the Hebrews is not clearly identified, this disciple of Christ is certainly writing to Hebrew Christians or believers who are seeking to walk by faith with God. These writings come during a time of great persecution for the believers, so the first chapters are written to share the gospel [Good News] of faith and encourage the readers to hold fast to the teachings or revelation of Christ. Otherwise, they will drift away from the truth and into deception.

If God announces He is sending Good News into the world, then we must face the reality and existing presence of undesirable situations or bad news. Good News is sent to overcome the bad news. The bad news is humanity is guilty of sin against God’s holy commands; the punishment is death. However, because of his great love God has chosen to send his Son—Jesus—to pay the penalty for our sin. Jesus took God’s judgment against our sin when he died on the cross. Faith calls us to place our sins upon the cross of Christ, so we can be forgiven and saved from the penalty of death and separation from God.

According to Scripture, there are two deaths: physical death “first death” and eternal death or “second death.” The Holy Spirit raised Christ from the first death to live eternal life with Father God. When Christ returns for His Church [rapture/taking believers to heaven], the living believers on earth at that time—those who trust in his substitutionary sacrifice for our sins—there will be no first or second death [Good News of eternal life]. At that time, Christ will also raise the bodies of believers who experienced the first death, but will enjoy eternal life and never experience the second death [again Good News]. When all the believers have been taken to heaven, for those on earth who have rejected Christ’s sacrifice, they will have a window of time and opportunity [in the midst of intense tribulation/suffering] to believe or they will face the first and second death [the bad news with no hope for salvation]. Now, is the time to believe and accept the work of Christ on the cross.

We, too, need to hold onto this gospel of grace and encourage one another: Christ came to provide forgiveness of sin to all who will believe and receive the promise and miracle of eternal life with God. While we wait, we hold fast to the Holy Spirit who helps us faithfully stay the course in accomplishing God’s purpose to redeemed and save a world of sinners. Please tell someone today about the love of God found in Jesus our Savior.

Hebrews 2:1-4 NLT A Warning against Drifting Away
1 So we must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard, or we may drift away from it. 2 For the message God delivered through angels has always stood firm, and every violation of the law and every act of disobedience was punished. 3 So what makes us think we can escape if we ignore this great salvation that was first announced by the Lord Jesus himself and then delivered to us by those who heard him speak? 4 And God confirmed the message by giving signs and wonders and various miracles and gifts of the Holy Spirit whenever he chose.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the sacrifice of your life for my sin and for the gifts and work of the Holy Spirit who brings new eternal life to me. Keep my heart attuned to your gospel of grace; please don’t let me drift to the right or to the left of your perfect plumb line of truth. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Intro: Sometimes we gravitate to the Scriptures that portray Jesus the way we want to see him. We love hearing about Christ’s many miracles, “Hallelujah!”… Christ’s affirming acts of kindness to the oppressed, “Glory be to God!”…and we celebrate the power of Christ to take down evil, “Yes and Amen!” Yet, many times we neglect to focus on the Messiah and the truths of his suffering for righteousness that is revealed in Scripture. Truthfully, as disciples of Christ, we would like to pass right on by the Scriptures that speak about our need to deny self, pick up our cross of shame to walk into wholeness, or faithfully endure suffering [mistreatment] for the advancement of the gospel.

In our passage today, Jesus takes his disciples aside for the purpose of helping them spiritually see the things that must take place; the suffering that is forthcoming. Therefore, Jesus reminds them of everything the prophetic Scriptures have said about him—a portion of the truth they had not understood, but will understand as each one is fulfilled.

Some of the prophetic predictions are a bit concealed in the Old Testament, but speak about the unfolding mission of Messiah:
Betrayal “Even my best friend, the one I trusted completely, the one who shared my food, has turned against me” (Psalm 41:9)

Crucifixion “My enemies surround me like a pack of dogs; an evil gang closes in on me. They have pierced my hands and my feet. I can count all my bones. My enemies stare at me and gloat. They divide my garments among themselves and throw dice for my clothing” (Psalm 22:16-18). “Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God, a punishment for his own sins!. But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed. All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the Lord laid on him the sins of us all. He was oppressed and treated harshly, yet he never said a word. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter. And as a sheep is silent before the shearers, he did not open his mouth (Isaiah 53:4-7).

Resurrection: “For you will not leave my soul among the dead or allow your holy one to rot in the grave. You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever” (Psalm 16:10-11).
Humanity’s sin against God is responsible for Christ’s suffering and although that may be hard to hear, it is the truth nonetheless.

Luke 18:31-34 NLT Jesus Again Predicts His Death
31 Taking the twelve disciples aside, Jesus said, “Listen, we’re going up to Jerusalem, where all the predictions of the prophets concerning the Son of Man will come true. 32 He will be handed over to the Romans, and he will be mocked, treated shamefully, and spit upon. 33 They will flog him with a whip and kill him, but on the third day he will rise again.”
34 But they didn’t understand any of this. The significance of his words was hidden from them, and they failed to grasp what he was talking about.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for sending Jesus to pay the penalty for my sin against you. I rejoice knowing resurrection follows suffering. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Intro: It is not uncommon to hear of a nation who boasts about the power of its armies and military weapons. Watch the news and it will become apparent just how overly confident (faithlessly wicked) some leaders are in their own human strength and abilities. If you like history, review the past and read up about what happens to overly confident leaders; in time they fall, self-slaughter, or are destroyed. Of course, believers recognize this as truth, because God’s Word tells us: “Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness before a fall” (Prov 16:18). Humility and obedience before God—fear of the Lord—is always the position of the wise (Ps 149:4). Sadly, I rarely see the fear of the Lord in government leaders. Actually, in the Spirit, I see many of the world’s leaders shaking their fists in defiance against God.

Our passage today is a songful prayer written by King David who is about to lead Israel into a battle instigated by the Ammonites—a battle that has not been anticipated (2 Sam 10). So, David prays and asks the Lord to give his humble warriors the victory; to strengthen and save them. Clearly, David does not trust in the same strategies as the leaders of other nations. Therefore, David reveals a huge contrast in leadership, because he trusts God abundantly more than what human strength can ever accomplish. David has been pushed into a spiritual war, so he/his ambassadors lead the people to call upon the name of the Lord for salvation.

We are all engaged in a spiritual war of some kind; this war cannot be won through human strength or weaponry. Our first line of defense should be to pray and ask the Lord for wisdom, revelation, and divine strength to navigate the battle. We must humbly place our trust in Jesus who makes a righteous way for us to be successful; to bring the resources of the Kingdom to our aid (Mat 6:33). Faith is essential and we use it through prayer and by thanking God for the victory yet to come. Trusting God works! Depending upon God for guidance is wise! Humility in leadership brings God’s anointing for victory! I am so very grateful for Jesus—the Anointed One—who continually brings salvation to his own.
Psalm 20:7-8
7 
Some nations boast of their chariots and horses,    but we boast in the name of the Lord our God.
8 
Those nations will fall down and collapse,    but we will rise up and stand firm.

Prayer: Lord, please forgive us for being a prideful creation. We can do nothing without You; we have no strength that can sustain our flesh. Our very breath is given by You. Holy Spirit, please bring humility to humanity and overshadow the world’s leaders with Your righteousness. I pray for the leaders of this nation, as well as the leaders of all nations, to bow before Your throne in fear and awe. I pray for the Ukrainian government and people; please save them and fight for them, Lord. In Jesus’ name. Amen.