Today's Reading: Mark 14:32-34 Today's Reference: Hebrews 2:17 “Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.”
Here in Gethsemane, we have the gift of seeing Jesus’ humanity most clearly. He was “greatly distressed and troubled,” going through emotional turbulence so painful He couldn’t even stand up under it. He knew He was about to have the full wrath of God unleashed upon Him because of your sin and mine. Completely sinless Himself, …
Today's Reading: Mark 14:35-36 Today's Reference: Hebrews 12:1b-2 “…let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”
The Jews and Romans crucified Jesus. He laid down His life for our sin. But ultimately, God was responsible for the death of Jesus. God could have sent legions of angels to “remove the cup” and rescue Jesus—but both Father and Son knew …
Today’s Reading: John 17 Today’s Reference: 1 John 3:1a “See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are.”
Jesus longs to have a personal relationship with you. That’s the whole point of His life on Earth and His sacrificial death. God could have accomplished His purposes in some other way… but this was the only way He could be “God with you,” adopt you into His family, and show you how much He wants your fellowship.
If you already have a personal relationship with Christ, will …
Today’s Reading: Acts 3:11-4:4 Today’s Reference: Hebrews 4:7b “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.”
The story of the crucifixion really only affects people in one of two ways.
For some, and I pray you’re one of them, the story softens the heart. It makes us aware of the severity of our sin and the boundless love of God. It draws us to salvation for the first time, or makes us reaffirm our commitment to Christ in fear and trembling.
But for others—far too many others—the story hardens the heart. Every time they hear it, …
Today’s Reading: John 14:16-17 Today’s Reference: John 20:29 “Jesus said to him, ‘Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not see and yet have believed.’”
“Mary,” He said, and she knew Him at last in the tender sound of her name. Of course, Mary Magdalene was not married to Jesus, but she had traveled with Him and joined with other women who had a close relationship with Him. When she called Him “Lord” or “Master,” she knew Who she was talking to.
You and I don’t have Jesus here on Earth to walk and …
Today’s Reading: John 20:17-18 Today’s Reference: Galatians 3:28-29 “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.”
What would it be like to be possessed by seven devils? You might recall that when Jesus met Mary Magdalene for the first time, He delivered her from the demons that haunted her body. We don’t know how long she lived with these horrid alien beings, but she must have tried everything …
Today’s Reading: John 20:1-16 Today’s Reference: John 1:9-10 “The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him.”
Mary Magdalene stayed at the foot of the cross until the bitter end. She saw where Jesus was laid. After the Sabbath, she was the first one to the tomb, and when she saw it empty, she was so grief-stricken even angels couldn’t rouse her hope in the resurrection.
Nor did she recognize Jesus when she saw Him—looking for a dead body, …
Today’s Reading: John 14:1-7 Today’s Reference: Revelation 1:17b-18 “Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.”
“Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!”
Those who haven’t accepted Christ’s redeeming work have every reason to fear death. Every last affront to God’s holiness will be paid for with their personal suffering—for eternity.
But if we have accepted Christ, we have nothing to fear. Jesus has gone ahead of us to prepare the way, and when we die …
Today’s Reading: Luke 23:46 Today’s Reference: John 10:28-29 “I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my had. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, an no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.”
“Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!”
Jesus’ life wasn’t taken from Him. He delivered it up at precisely the moment He chose; it was the moment He had suffered the full measure of wrath for our sins and His work was done. Now He says …
Today’s Reading: Hebrews 9 Today’s Reference: Hebrews 10:12,14 “But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God…For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.”
“It is finished.”
Jesus came to Earth with a task: to suffer, preach, heal, and die. In the midst of the crucifixion ordeal, He cried out in triumph that He had fulfilled His mission to the last requirement. There was nothing He left undone, nothing to regret.
