Archive - Easter Devotions 2008 RSS Feed

He Has RISEN

March 22, 2008 in Easter Devotions 2008 with 2 Comments


Focal Passage: Luke 24:13-34


That same day two of Jesus’ followers were walking to the village of Emmaus, seven miles from Jerusalem. 14 As they walked along they were talking about everything that had happened. 15 As they talked and discussed these things, Jesus himself suddenly came and began walking with them. 16 But God kept them from recognizing him. 17 He asked them, “What are you discussing so intently as you walk along?” They stopped short, sadness written across their faces. 18 Then one of them, Cleopas, replied, “You must be the only person in Jerusalem who hasn’t heard about all the things that have happened there the last few days.” 19 “What things?” Jesus asked. “The things that happened to Jesus, the man from Nazareth,” they said. “He was a prophet who did powerful miracles, and he was a mighty teacher in the eyes of God and all the people. 20 But our leading priests and other religious leaders handed him over to be condemned to death, and they crucified him. 21 We had hoped he was the Messiah who had come to rescue Israel. This all happened three days ago. 22 “Then some women from our group of his followers were at his tomb early this morning, and they came back with an amazing report. 23 They said his body was missing, and they had seen angels who told them Jesus is alive! 24 Some of our men ran out to see, and sure enough, his body was gone, just as the women had said.” 25 Then Jesus said to them, “You foolish people! You find it so hard to believe all that the prophets wrote in the Scriptures. 26 Wasn’t it clearly predicted that the Messiah would have to suffer all these things before entering his glory?” 27 Then Jesus took them through the writings of Moses and all the prophets, explaining from all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. 28 By this time they were nearing Emmaus and the end of their journey. Jesus acted as if he were going on, 29 but they begged him, “Stay the night with us, since it is getting late.” So he went home with them. 30 As they sat down to eat,* he took the bread and blessed it. Then he broke it and gave it to them. 31 Suddenly, their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And at that moment he disappeared! 32 They said to each other, “Didn’t our hearts burn within us as he talked with us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us?” 33 And within the hour they were on their way back to Jerusalem. There they found the eleven disciples and the others who had gathered with them, 34 who said, “The Lord has really risen! He appeared to Peter.

Tyndale House Publishers: Holy Bible : New Living Translation. 2nd ed. Wheaton, Ill. : Tyndale House Publishers, 2004

Every time I read this story I am amazed that Jesus was walking with these guys and they missed Him. They seemed to be so focused on telling the story that they missed the risen savior! To me, that story is extremely convicting. Sometimes when I teach, I am so fixed on telling the story that I miss when Jesus shows up in the middle of it. You know what I mean, I get too concerned with the process and I miss all that God is doing. Have you been there: so busy doing things for God that you miss Him? This Resurrection Day let’s reflect on the last year and answer these questions:

Questions for Reflection and Application:

1. When has Jesus walked you through a difficult time and given you the strength you needed?

2. When did you go through a tough time and only afterwards — in hindsight — you realized Jesus was with you… but you walked as if you were alone?

Prayer:

Our Father, today we push the pause button. We confess that the speed of life has stolen our joy and peace. We want to thank you for the promise of your constant presence in our lives over this past year. Again and again we see your hand of mercy. Thank you for sending your Son to die for my sins and forgive me when I live life on my own. Today, Easter Sunday 2008, I desire resurrection in every area of my life. I want to come alive to you in a fresh new way. I want to live my life so it brings honor to you! Help me live every day in the recognition of your presence. In the name of our resurrected Lords and Savior, Jesus Christ, I pray. AMEN

Passion Week Devotional- Saturday

March 21, 2008 in Easter Devotions 2008 with 1 Comment


Jesus is now considered officially dead. The day before he had been taken from the cross and buried in a borrowed tomb. All four of The Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) are silent on this day. I wonder what was going on in the minds of the disciples. Surely some figured they had made a bad call following this revolutionary and wondered why they did it. Many probably considered all that Jesus had told them and how He changed their lives. Others simply wondered what was next.

So today, let’s answer these questions:

1. Why are you a Christ-Follower? In the quite moments what do you really believe about Jesus?

2. How has following Christ changed your life?

3. What is God’s next step for you to take?

Prayer

Lord, I am humbled by your amazing love for me and how you willingly gave your life so I could have eternal life. Thank you for the forgiveness I have received. Father, I also want to thank you for the following blessings in my life:
1. ____________

2. ____________

3. ____________

4. ___________

5. ____________

Father, I thank you for everything. I pray in the name above all names, Jesus Christ.

Passion Week Devotional- Friday

March 20, 2008 in Easter Devotions 2008 with 1 Comment


GOOD FRIDAY SERVICE
tonight at 7PM

Focal Passage:

Luke 23:34

Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.”  And the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice.
Tyndale House Publishers: Holy Bible : New Living Translation. 2nd ed. Wheaton, Ill. : Tyndale House Publishers, 2004

Friday of Passion Week is the day Jesus died. Many things happened on this day including:

• Jesus arrested in the garden of Gethsemane.

    • Matthew 26:47-56

• Five different Trials

    • John 18:13-24, Matthew 26:57-68
    • Matthew 27:1
    • John 18:28-38
    • Luke 23:6-12
    • Luke 23:14-16

• Jesus is Crucified

    • Matthew 27:32-65

• Jesus forgives the repentant criminal

    • Luke 23:40-43

The forgiveness Christ shows to His killers is amazing. I love the way He gives forgiveness before they even ask for it. Before you are too hard on the soldiers, remember that we received the same treatment from God. The Bible says that God showed His love toward us while we were still walking away from Him (Romans 5:8). When I read the passages that chronicle Friday, I see the absolute physical and spiritual weariness that Jesus had to be experiencing. I must be honest: I am often not very kind or forgiving when I am weary. I struggle with forgiveness when I am well rested, much less tired. Forgiveness is what we receive and are called by God to give away.

Questions for Reflection and Application

  1. Who has wounded you that you need to forgive right now?


    2.

  2. Who have you wounded that you need to ask to forgive you?

Prayer

Our Father, I am so grateful for forgiveness. I haven’t earned it or deserved it and yet you have given it to me through the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. I want to ask you to forgive me for (take a moment and confess anything that comes to mind). Because you have forgiven me Lord, I will forgive ______________ for how they have hurt me. I pray in the forgiving name of Jesus.

Passion Week Devotional- Thursday

March 19, 2008 in Easter Devotions 2008 with Comments Off


Focal Passage: John 13:1-17


Before the Passover celebration, Jesus knew that his hour had come to leave this world and return to his Father. He had loved his disciples during his ministry on earth, and now he loved them to the very end. 2 It was time for supper, and the devil had already prompted Judas,* son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had given him authority over everything and that he had come from God and would return to God. 4 So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, 5 and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him. 6 When Jesus came to Simon Peter, Peter said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” 7 Jesus replied, “You don’t understand now what I am doing, but someday you will.” 8 “No,” Peter protested, “you will never ever wash my feet!” Jesus replied, “Unless I wash you, you won’t belong to me.” 9 Simon Peter exclaimed, “Then wash my hands and head as well, Lord, not just my feet!” 10 Jesus replied, “A person who has bathed all over does not need to wash, except for the feet, to be entirely clean. And you disciples are clean, but not all of you.” 11 For Jesus knew who would betray him. That is what he meant when he said, “Not all of you are clean.” 12 After washing their feet, he put on his robe again and sat down and asked, “Do you understand what I was doing? 13 You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right, because that’s what I am. 14 And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. 15 I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you. 16 I tell you the truth, slaves are not greater than their master. Nor is the messenger more important than the one who sends the message. 17 Now that you know these things, God will bless you for doing them.

Tyndale House Publishers: Holy Bible : New Living Translation. 2nd ed. Wheaton, Ill. : Tyndale House Publishers, 2004, S.

Other events of the day include:

  • Preparation for the Passover

    • Matthew 26:17-19
  • Jesus washed the disciples feet
    • John 13:1-20
  • Identified Judas as the betrayer
    • Matthew 26:21-25
  • The First Prediction of Peter’s denial
    • John 13:31-38
  • The Garden of Gethsemane
    • Matthew 26:30-46

Can you imagine the tension in the room when Jesus begins to wash the disciple’s feet? This was the role of a servant or the “least” of the group, and yet Jesus steps up to serve His disciples. They had to be angry, confused and embarrassed. Would you have responded like Simon, or would you be more like the others who did nothing? Would you have probably responded like Simon, or would you be more like the others who did nothing? Although both responses are a miss, I am more of a Simon guy- act now and decide what it means later. Jesus is basically demonstrating how a Christ-Follower is supposed to lead: by serving. Service is not a function of position. It is the lifestyle of the Christ-Follower.

Questions for Reflection and Application:

1. Who can you serve today in the name of Christ? Your act of service may be:

  • Buying someone lunch
  • Praying for someone

  • Meeting a simple need

Be creative!

Prayer:

Father, I am humbled by the attitude of service I see in Christ. Too often I am looking to be served and critical of the service I get. I want that to change. Please remind me daily to live a life marked by service to others. I pray this in the name of the one who paid the ultimate price of service, Jesus Christ.
Page 1 of212»