YE4A.1 · Activity Page
2 Chronicles 7:14
Proverbs 16:9
Ecclesiastes 5:1-10
Matthew 21:1-11
John 12:12-19
James 4: 5-10
James 4:10
1 Peter 2:21-22
HUMILITY - a modest opinion of one’s own importance or rank; meekness
DONKEY - a long-eared, slow, surefooted domesticated mammal, related to the horse, used chiefly as a beast of burden
Have you ever visited England? Did you get to go to the stables at Buckingham Palace and see the royal carriages? At a royal wedding or coronation there’s not just a lot of stuff, there’s a lot of very expensive stuff – horse drawn carriages, jeweled crowns, beautiful clothing, pomp and circumstance, and pageantry. It’s awesome!
In England, the royal couple rides in a glass coach from Buckingham Palace through the streets of London to St. Paul’s Cathedral for their wedding. Six beautiful sleek horses pull this carriage. Nothing is too good for a king, queen or future king or queen.
The King of England certainly isn’t the first person to be very rich. Jesus’ ancestor, King David’s son, Solomon, was the wealthiest king on earth. God appeared to Solomon in a dream one night and told him to ask for anything he wanted, and it would be given to him. Wow, what an offer!
What would you have asked for? Solomon didn’t ask for riches or honor. He asked for wisdom. It pleased God so much that Solomon asked for wisdom, that He gave him riches and honor as well. This king had plenty of stuff. He became the richest and wisest of all the kings of the earth.
Jesus and His disciples approached Jerusalem one day. They were near the town of Bethphage on the Mount of Olives. Jesus sent two of the disciples ahead to get a donkey for Him to ride on as He made His entry into Jerusalem – the Holy City. His instructions to the disciples were “Just as you enter, you will see a donkey tied there, with its colt beside it. Untie them and bring them here. If anyone asks you what you are doing, just say, ‘The Master needs them,’ and there will be no trouble.”
The two disciples followed Jesus’ instructions and brought the colt to Him. They threw their coats over the donkey for Jesus to sit on. People in the crowd threw their coats on the road in front of Jesus and the colt. Others cut branches from trees and spread them out before Jesus.
As the crowd went ahead and behind Jesus they announced His coming by shouting “God bless King David’s Son!”. . . “God’s Man is here! Bless him, Lord!”. . . “Praise God in highest heaven!”
This didn’t go unnoticed. The entire city of Jerusalem paid close attention as Jesus entered and they ask, “Who is this?” The crowd responded by saying “It is Jesus of Nazareth.” This journey took Jesus to the Temple in Jerusalem where He entered.
But why did Jesus tell His disciples to get a mere donkey, rather than a beautiful sleek horse with a carriage for Him to ride in to Jerusalem? After all, He is the King of kings! Like other kings, He could afford it because His Father owns everything! But more stuff wasn’t what He was after.
As the promised Messiah, there were many Old Testament prophecies that Jesus had to fulfill while He was on this earth. This was one of them. But what was the point of the prophecy? It was to “Tell Jerusalem her King is coming to her, riding humbly on a donkey’s colt!” Do you think King Charles III or Prince William would be caught dead riding on a mere donkey to Buckingham Palace? Jesus didn’t choose a beautiful sleek horse to make His entry into Jerusalem. Instead, He chose a long-eared, slow, surefooted domesticated beast of burden to ride. But even stranger than that, it was a donkey’s colt! Why, because it symbolized the humility and peace. Jesus made His entry into Jerusalem as a lowly humble servant.
Physical stuff just wasn’t important to Jesus. Even Solomon, with all of his riches, learned that stuff just isn’t that important. He said, “The more you have, the more you spend, right up to the limits of your income, so what is the advantage of wealth – except perhaps to watch it as it runs through your fingers!”( Ecclesiastes 5:11 TLB). Solomon concluded this book by saying “fear God and obey his commandments, for this is the entire duty of man. For God will judge us for everything we do, including every hidden thing, good or bad.”
Can you see that the stuff Jesus was made of was humility? But what kind of stuff should you be made of? In 1 Peter 2:21b it says “Christ, who suffered for you is your example. Follow in his steps.” What did He do that shows His humility? Verse 22 says, “He never sinned, never told a lie, never answered back when insulted; when he suffered he did not threaten to get even; he left his case in the hands of God who always judges fairly.
The stuff the King of kings chose was not more physical things. It was humility and service. He chose to ride the long-eared beast of burden. Then He carried our burdens on Himself and gave up everything He had when He died for our sins. This was the greatest act of service anyone could do and He did it humbly. Will you follow in Jesus’ footsteps, repent of your ego, pride and vanity and humbly follow Jesus’ example? Will you start putting sin out of your life, stop lying and stop answering back even when insulted? Will you start humbly serving others?
Jesus humbled Himself more than any man. When Jesus returns to this earth He will come with great glory riding on a horse, not a long-eared beast of burden. He will have the exalted position as King of kings! God wants to exalt you as well. But before He can, you must humble yourself. “Humble yourself in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up” (James 4:10).
Humility pays big! It’s the right stuff!
Almighty God,
Thank you for your Son who was truly made of the right stuff. He didn’t choose physical stuff such as riches and fame. He made His entry into the Holy City on a long-eared beast of burden and humbly gave His life for my sins. It was the greatest act of service ever! Help me to show humility by putting sin out of my life, stop lying and stop answering back even when I’m insulted.
In Jesus’ name I pray.
Amen.
Sunday: Matthew 21:1-11
Monday: John 12: 12-15
Tuesday: 1 Peter 2:21
Wednesday: Ecclesiastes 5:1-10
Thursday: James 4: 5-10
Friday: Proverbs 16:9
Saturday: 2 Chronicles 7:14
Isaiah 33:15-16
Isaiah 56:6-8
Matthew 6:19
Matthew 21:12-17
Mark 11:15
Luke 12:15
John 2:13-17
1 Timothy 6:10
MONEYCHANGERS - Men who trimmed and clipped small amounts of silver and gold from coins, and charged to change money.
STENCH - unpleasant odor or smell
Mike was three years older than Katie and was often seen sketching people. His art work wasn’t bad. He had sold a few drawings at street markets hoping someday to make it rich as an artist. Katie thought Mike was cute. And she couldn’t keep her mind off of him. Being only 14, Katie knew her parents would disapprove of her dating a guy three years older than she was. So she just admired him from a distance.
Mike’s home life was pretty rough. His mother had mental problems and his dad had divorced her and remarried. Mike and his two siblings disrespectfully called their new step mother the “Ugly Witch.” It wasn’t long before a new baby came along. Dad had never really spent much time with his kids. Neither did their step mom. But now the new baby got all of their attention. To say the least, Mike felt rejected and lonely. Life was bad, he thought.
It wasn’t long before Mike turned to drugs for comfort, relief and money. Every time Katie walked by his house, she saw a different car across the street. Suspicion began to grow in her mind that Mike was dealing in drugs. Later a friend confirmed that Mike was a big drug dealer – making lots of money off the kids at school.
Three short months passed, and out of the blue Katie’s friend came running to her door. “They’ve found Mike, and he’s dead!” the friend screamed. Katie followed her to the creek bed on a nearby vacant lot. Police cars were everywhere. What an awful sight! Mike was hanging lifeless from a tree. His problems seemed huge, but the solution was deadly. No one knows who killed Mike, or if he hung himself. But the results are the same. He’s dead!
For whatever reasons, Mike lost his purpose. He not only sought relief from his misery and comfort in drugs, but he also became greedy. He wasn’t willing to wait for the right time to develop his artistic skills and make a good honest living. He wanted to make a killing now!
Some people in Jesus’ day were equally greedy. They too were unwilling to wait for the right time and right place to make an honest living. We learned in our last lesson that Jesus humbly rode on a long-eared, slow beast of burden into the Holy City. The Passover season was approaching. People were coming to Jerusalem to offer their sacrifice. This muscular young Jesus approached the outer court of the Temple and was met with the smell of a barn. This was the only area in the Temple where Gentiles were allowed to come and pray. As Jesus entered, He found oxen, sheep and crates of doves all over God’s house. The smell of incense mixed with the odor of manure was a ghastly stench!
Merchants knew pilgrims traveling into Jerusalem to keep the Passover would need an animal to sacrifice. These merchants wanted to make a fast buck, and were willing to be dishonest in their dealings in order to do it. They didn’t set up their market stalls in down town Jerusalem. They set them up in the beautiful Temple of God. Even worse, they set them up in the only place in the Temple where Gentiles could worship. The Temple was not just a place where Jews and Israelites worshiped, Gentiles worshiped there as well. The moneychangers not only robbed the people in their dishonest dealings, they robbed the Gentiles of their place of worship. Jesus saw them doing wrong and dealt with it.
How would you have felt walking into a sacred building, God’s Temple, and finding merchants selling sheep, oxen and doves? What would you have done? Jesus didn’t even try to hide His disappointment, disgust and righteous anger. It’s no wonder that Jesus was angry. His Father had designed the Temple. God, Himself, gave specific instructions for the building of this structure. It may have been more beautiful than any building on earth at this time.
As Jesus cracked His whip doves’ feathers flew, sheep and oxen fled. “My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations” Jesus thundered. Those words echoed throughout the Temple. Jesus knocked over their tables and ran them and their customers out saying they had turned His Temple into a den of thieves.
Jesus came to die for the sins of all people. He is not just the Savior for the Jews and Israelites. He is also the Savior for the Gentiles as well. “As for the Gentiles, the outsiders who join the people of the Lord and serve him and love his name, and are his servants and don’t desecrate the Sabbath, and have accepted his covenant and promises, I will bring them also to my holy mountain of Jerusalem and make them full of joy within my House of Prayer. I will accept their sacrifices and offerings, for my Temple shall be called ‘A House of Prayer for all people’”( Isaiah 56:6-8 TLB).
Dr. Dobson says, “Whatever a person hungers for, Satan will appear to offer.” Mike wanted to get rich quick. So he allowed one thing to lead to another in his life. In his misery, he tried to get rich fast and he paid for it with his life. The moneychangers tried to short cut the system by setting up markets in the Temple and robbing the people. Jesus gave their business a severe blow by running them and their animals out of the Temple. “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions” (Luke 12:15). Obeying God always pays. No matter our pain or circumstances, God will honor the person who deals honestly with all people.
Great God and Father,
Thank you for giving us the Ten Commandments that show us how to live our lives in such a way to prevent getting hurt. We know that getting involved in drugs put Mike’s life at risk. And he paid a terribly price for it. Help me never to even consider using or dealing in drugs.
In Jesus’ name I pray.
Amen.
Sunday: Matthew 21:12-17
Monday: John 2:13-17
Tuesday: Isaiah 56:6-8
Wednesday: Luke 12:15
Thursday: 1 Timothy 6:10
Friday: Matthew 6:19
Saturday: Mark 11:15
Matthew 7:19-21
Matthew 21:18-22
Mark 11:12-14
Mark 11:20-24
Galatians 5:19-26
Galatians 5:22
James 3:16-18
Revelation 22:1-5
EXCELLENCE - the fact or state of excelling; superiority
PICTURESQUE - visually charming or quaint
ASTONISHING - causing surprise or amazement
Have you ever gone to the mountains to ski? Snow is a most necessary part of this excursion– no snow, no skiing. So if there’s not a good pack of snow on the ski slopes, they put up signs that say “pray for snow.” If you’ve gone to all the trouble to get your ski cloths and gear, you want it to snow, and snow a lot of that white powdery stuff. You want to see snow on the evergreens and drifts and mounds stacked high. Oh, that beautiful white stuff! What’s prettier than a fresh fall of snow? We all love the picturesque winter wonderland. It’s beautiful!
But what if that big snow fall comes as you’re starting down the mountain for home? Every car, roof top and the roads are now covered with blanket of at least a foot of snow. The weather report says flakes are piled two, three and five feet tall and getting deeper. What if you have no chains for your tires? The snow may look beautiful, but getting down the mountain safely can be more important than looks. Driving in snow can be very dangerous if you don’t have chains. Icy spots can form. Before long you can do a fast 180 and find your car pointed in a direction you had never intended to go. There is more to snow than just looks. It can cause a person’s death.
Jesus had spent the night in Bethany and the next morning He headed out to Jerusalem. He was hungry and notice a beautiful fig tree beside the road that was all leafed out. Fresh ripe figs right off the tree can taste mighty good when you’re hungry. So Jesus went over to the tree to find some figs to eat. He pushed back the branches and the leaves and began searching for at least a single fig, but only found leaves. That fig tree looked beautiful with all its leaves, but there was no fruit on the tree. The tree hadn’t served its purpose, which was to bear fruit. So Jesus made the point that there’s more to a fig tree than just looking good.
He said to the fig tree, “Never bear fruit again!” An astonishing thing happened. In just a short time, the fig tree went all limp and withered up. He had some of His disciples with Him and they were utterly amazed. They asked Jesus, “How did the fig tree wither so quickly.” You know, they may have asked the wrong question. Maybe they should have asked, “Why did the fig tree wither so quickly?”
Oh, Jesus was hungry, but was eating a fig to satisfy His hunger that important to Him? Remember, He fasted for forty days before Satan tempted Him. So He knew He wouldn’t die if He didn’t find a fig to eat on that tree. But what about the tree? It died!
If Jesus could make do without having a fig to eat, what was He trying to tell us? Jesus said, “Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them” (Matthew 7:19). This fig tree on which Jesus searched for figs, didn’t bear any fruit, so He told it to never bear fruit again and it immediately withered or died. What is the message for you? There are two. One message is that we must bear fruit or we will wither and die just like that fig tree did. We will be cut down and thrown into the fire. And two, Jesus knows that we are His children by the kind of fruit we bear.
What are fruits a Christian should bear? Galatians 5:22 says the fruit of the Spirit is “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” Does this sound like the type of person you are? Can your friends at school see these fruits in your life? If Jesus went searching for fruits in your life and looked beyond the “leaves’ such as designer jeans and Tommy Hilfiger sweaters, would he see a heart filled with love, joy, and peace? What about patience and kindness? Are you a little short on patience and kindness when your sibling doesn’t do what you want and when you want it?
What about goodness? Do you know what that means? Goodness is moral excellence. Would you say a person with moral excellence wouldn’t use drugs, smoke, have sex until he’s married, including oral sex? Do you think a person filled with goodness would cheat on an exam or shoplift? Would they be home at the time their parents set for them?
Obtaining these fruits are for your own good. But if you’re going to have goodness, or moral excellence, you must go beyond doing what is good for you and do good to others. Look around you, there’s never a day that passes that someone in your community doesn’t need help that you can give. If your moral excellence is more than looks, start with your family. What can you do each day to lighten your mom’s load? She get’s tired too. Can you put the dishes in the dishwasher, fold the clothes, clean your room, feed the dog, or put the groceries away, without being asked or complaining?
What about your church? Is there an elderly or sick person you can send a card? Can you help straighten chairs after service? Can you hand out songbooks or the bulletin? What about your community? Can you serve meals to the poor and needy at your local Salvation Army on Christmas day? This is not keeping Christmas. It’s taking care of the needs of the poor and hungry. The Salvation Army usually runs short of volunteers on this holiday. Can you adopt an elderly person at a nursing home and take them flowers, read the Bible to them, pick up things they need from the store? Bearing these fruits will keep you from withering as the fig tree did. These things are goodness – moral excellence. Doing these things are more than looks!
Loving God,
There was a reason why Jesus caused the fig tree to wither. It wasn’t bearing fruit. Thank you for this lesson that shows so clearly that I must bear fruit or I may wither as fast as the fig tree. Help me now to live a life that is more than looks. Grant that I may have a life filled with moral excellence.
In Jesus’ name I pray.
Amen.
Sunday: Matthew 7:19-21
Monday: Matthew 21:18-22
Tuesday: Mark 11:12-14
Wednesday: Mark 11:20-24
Thursday: Galatians 5:19-26
Friday: Revelation 22:1-5
Saturday: James 3:16-18
1 Thessalonians 5:1-6
1 Thessalonians 5:2-3
Matthew 24:1-51
IMMINENT - likely to occur at any moment
RAMPANT - unchecked; widespread
September 11, 2001 began like any other day in New York City. The people awakened, got dressed, had breakfast, and with various means of transportation, made their way to work and to school. Some went to the World Trade Center Twin Towers. As usual, these people felt safe. After all, they lived in a nation where wars just aren’t fought on our soil, so they thought. They didn’t have a clue that destruction was imminent. So they pushed their way into crowded elevators. The door closed and the elevator started up the tower. Some got out on the second floor and started their day’s work. Then the elevator ascended to the third floor, the tenth floor, 39th, 50th , 99th floor, etc.
No one would have imagined that within a couple of hours nearly three thousand people in those twin towers would be dead and many more injured. Who would have dreamed that anyone would be so evil as to fly a plane into a building. . . intentionally? But even more astonishing, four people were evil enough to do this. The rush to the stairs began. Smoke filled the buildings. And people ran for their lives. The temperature began to rise from the fire until it passed one thousand degrees. No one could have imagined that the steel structure in these two buildings would melt to the ground. It was no ordinary fire – it was still burning three months later. No one expected this tragedy. But this horrible destruction happened suddenly. This is how Jesus said that the end time events that lead to His return would happen.
Do you remember we talked about the fig tree last week? Jesus has something else He wants us to learn from the fig tree. “When a fig tree’s branch is tender and the leaves begin to sprout, you know that summer is almost here. Just so, when you see all these things beginning to happen, you can know that my return is near, even at the doors. Then at last this age will come to a close” (Matthew 24:32-34 TLB).
Do you want to know what the future holds for you? Have you always found the Book of Revelation intriguing, but never understood it? What are these things that will begin to happen? As Jesus sat on the slopes of the Mount of Olives He outlined these things, to His disciples, that will precede His return. We find this in Matthew 24. Jesus first said that many would come claiming to be the Messiah. But He warned us not to believe them.
Jesus went on to tell His disciples that there would be wars, famines and earthquakes in many places. We know there have always been wars, famines and earthquakes. So did Jesus. And He told us that these things are not the end – it’s only the beginning of things that will happen.
Next He mentions religious persecution, false prophets trying to lead people astray, and sin being rampant. Then He warns us not to let our love for Him cool down, and He promises that those who remain faithful to the end will be saved. The “Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it, and then, finally, the end will come.” In your life time this has not only become possible, but a reality with the Internet and web sites. Anywhere around the world you can listen to the Born to Win program on the CEM web site. The address is www.cemnetwork.com.
At this point Jesus gave some extremely important information to those who will be living in the hills of Judea around Jerusalem at the end times. He refers back to a time when Antiochus Ephiphanes erected a pagan altar to Zeus in the Temple of God in 168 B.C. He warns that something very similar will happen again. Jesus went on to say, “Let those in Judea flee to the mountains.” Leave immediately, He said, and don’t even go back into your houses to get a coat.
Jesus begins to explain why He must come back. Sin, sickness, crime and violence will be unprecedented. He’s sees that if He doesn’t intervene, everyone will be destroyed. So His return is a rescue mission. Just as He saved the Israelites from horrible slavery, He will once again intervene and save His people from even worse.
In verse 29 Jesus begins to explain the heavenly signs that will take place just before He returns. “The sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light: and stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.” He says it’s “At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the nations of the earth will mourn.” Why do you think they will mourn? He will send His angels with a loud trumpet call to gather His true believers from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other to save them and give them eternal life!
Do you want Jesus to return to this earth real soon? Will you be ready, or will you be one who mourns? What can you do to be sure you are ready? Jesus will not save anyone who does not believe on Him and has not repented of their sins. “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38). That gift of the Holy Spirit will give you eternal life! Are you ready for the end to come?
Jesus alerts us to be prepared, for we don’t know what day He will come. The people in the World Trade Center had no signs that those towers would collapse on 9-11. But Jesus gave all who believe on Him signs of the end to watch for. “You are not in the dark about these things, and you won’t be surprised as by a thief when that day of the Lord comes. For you are all children of the light and of the day, and do not belong to darkness and night. So be on your guard, not asleep like the others. Watch for his return and stay sober” (2 Thessalonians 5:4-6).
Great God and Father,
Thank you that you will send your Son back to this earth. Our world is in such a mess and we know it’s not going to get better until you come back and make it right. Help me Father, to love you more, to live a life that pleases you and to want your Kingdom to come.
Amen.
Sunday: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-3
Monday: 1 Thessalonians 5:4-6
Tuesday: Matthew 24:1-8
Wednesday: Matthew 24:9-14
Thursday: Matthew 24:15-26
Friday: Matthew 24: 27-39
Saturday: Matthew 24:40-51
Isaiah 53:1-6
Isaiah 53:5
Matthew 26:17-30
Mark 14:12-26
Luke 22:7-38
John 13:1-38
John 14:1-31
Hebrews 9:21-25
PRONOUNCEMENT - a formal or authoritative announcement
BAR MITZVAH - A ceremony that permits a boy of 13 into the Jewish community as an adult
RAMADAN - the daily fast for Islam
No matter where your friends attend church, they have days they celebrate and ceremonies they perform. All religions do. Some may be very different and some very similar to what you do. Your Christian friends at school may have had a confirmation ceremony. Your Jewish friends have probably had their Bar Mitzvah by now or will very soon. Islamic people celebrate Ramadan when they fast during the day and are only allowed to eat at night. Jesus had days He celebrated and ceremonies He performed. He was obedient to His Father’s commands and always celebrated the Passover.
It was the spring of the year and all of the Israelites were cleaning their homes to get the leavening out before the Days of Unleavened Bread began. The disciples went to Jesus and asked, “Where shall we plan to eat the Passover?”
“He replied, ‘Go into the city and see Mr. So- and-So, and tell him, ‘Our Master says, my time has come, and I will eat the Passover meal with my disciples at your house. So the disciples did as he told them, and prepared the supper there” (Matthew 26:17b-19).
The sun had set and the day of the Passover had arrived. Jesus sat down with His twelve disciples. He took off His robe and wrapped a towel around His waist. He poured water into a basin and begin to wash His disciple’s feet. Peter protested, “Master, you shouldn’t be washing our feet like this!” Jesus told Peter that he didn’t understand why He was doing this. Again Peter said, “you shall never wash my feet.” Jesus told him that if he wouldn’t allow Him to wash his feet, “you will have no part with me.” At that point Peter got a little excited and said, “Lord don’t just wash my feet, but my hands and head as well.”
Jesus looked at His disciples and said, “One of you will betray me.” This must have shocked eleven of His disciples because this thought had never entered their minds. They all began to ask, “Am I the One?” Jesus told them that it was the one He had served first. He went on to explain that He was going to soon die as it had been prophesied. But Jesus’ betrayer was still on His mind, and He said “woe to the man by whom I am betrayed. Far better for that one if he had never been born.”
Wow! What a pronouncement. How would you feel if Jesus told you that it would have been better if you had never been born? Judas got his courage up and asked Jesus if he would be the one to betray Him. There was no doubt in Judas’s mind that he was the one. But he had to know if Jesus really knew that he was. Notice verse 14. Judas had already gone to the chief priests and asked them how much they would pay him to deliver Jesus into their hands. They gave him 30 silver coins. Then Judas began to look for an opportunity to betray Jesus. Yes, Jesus did know and He confirmed that Judas was the betrayer.
At this Passover, Jesus introduced new symbols into the service. He took unleavened bread and broke it explaining to the disciples to “Take it and eat it, for this is my body.” What? Jesus was giving them bread, not His human flesh. So what did He mean? He meant that the bread represented or was a symbol of His body that He would give for their healing in less than 24 hours. “But he was wounded and bruised for our sins. He was chastised that we might have peace; he was lashed – and we were healed!” (Isaiah 53:5 TLB).
The next new symbol Jesus introduced into the Passover service was wine. Jesus took a cup of wine and blessed it. He gave it to the disciples and told them to drink from this cup, “for this is my blood, sealing the New Covenant.” But the Bible strictly forbids the drinking of blood.
What did Jesus mean when He said this was His blood? Again, He was using the wine as a symbol for His blood. And He knew that in less than 24 hours He would shed His life’s blood so that your sins, my sins and the sins of the world could be forgiven. He knew that this was the only way we could have forgiveness of our sins.
In Old Testament times, when people sinned, they went to the Temple and offered the blood of an animal sacrifice for their sins. This was done looking forward to this Passover when Jesus Christ would give His life’s blood for the sins of the world. He- brews 9:22 says “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.” In other words, the only way your sins can be forgiven is through the shedding of blood – the blood of Jesus Christ. That’s how bad and how serious sin is. And this is what the small glass of wine in the Passover service represented when Jesus took it with His disciples and when we take it today.
All Passover services should be very solemn, and this one was particularly solemn. For Jesus knew He would soon suffer horribly and die. He told His disciples that this was the last time that He would keep the Passover with them until His Kingdom is set up on earth. Then they sang a hymn and went out to the Mount of Olives.
Think about how difficult this must have been for Jesus. He knew that every one of His disciples would desert Him in this terrible trial that He was facing. Jesus told them that they would. Oh, they didn’t think they would. Peter even reassured Jesus that “if everyone else deserts you, I won’t.” Jesus knew better. He told Peter that he would deny Him three times before the rooster crows at dawn. What would it take for you to desert Jesus? Are you as sure as Peter was that it could never happen? But when you turn your back on obeying God’s law, you are deserting Jesus. That is sin. And Jesus died that you might have forgiveness of your sins. He came to be your Lifeboat and save you from your sins. Will you repent of breaking God’s law? Will you obey Him? He gave His all for you. Will you give your life to Him?
Gracious Father,
It is totally inadequate for me to just say thank you for giving your Son as a sacrifice for my sins. He paid the full penalty for what I should have received – death. I owe Him my all. I want to live every day of my life for Him. Forgive me of my sins and provide me with the strength to show Jesus how much I love and appreciate Him.
In Jesus’ name I pray.
Amen.
Sunday: Matthew 26:17-30
Monday: Mark 14:12-26
Tuesday: Luke 22:7-38
Wednesday: John 13:1-28
Thursday: John 14:1-31
Friday: Isaiah 53:1-6
Saturday: Hebrews 9:21-26
Proverbs 20:13
Proverbs 24:30-34
Matthew 25:1-13
Matthew 26:30-56
Luke 13:24
Luke 22:39-46
John 18:1-12
Romans 13:11-14
LEUKEMIA - cancer of the bone marrow characterized by an increase in white blood cells which brings about anemia
Katie and Diane grew up in the same small town and started the first grade together. They were best friends who lived within three blocks of each other. Rarely a day passed without them seeing each other. They laughed and played together. Frequently they slept over at each other’s houses. As luck would have it, they were always in the same class. Katie was like Diane’s shadow – when you saw Diane, you knew Katie wasn’t far behind.
Oddly enough, they even had the same birthday. Their moms always planned one birthday party for the two of them. Their birthday parties were big celebrations. They got such neat presents and had so much fun.
At Katie’s and Diane’s 12th birthday party, everyone noticed how pale Katie looked. She was always tired. Her mother took her to the doctor to see if there was a problem. She was in and out of the hospital for tests. It seemed as though every test in the book was run on her. The results came back and the news was not good. Katie had leukemia. Treatments didn’t arrest the disease. And Katie grew weaker and weaker.
The bad news came that Katie wasn’t expected to live through the night. The one thing she found to be a real comfort to her was her friend, Diane. She had such fond memories of the many times they had spent the night together. Diane could always make Katie laugh. In the past, spending the night with Diane had been an all night laugh session. So her last request was that Diane come to the hospital and spend the night with her. Diane being a true friend, was there to hold Katie’s hand, to try to make her laugh, and to pray for a miracle. But Katie lost the battle.
Have you ever had a friend with terminal cancer or visited someone who is dying? What do you say to him? How do you act around him? What kind of reassuring words can you give at a time like this? If your closest friend was dying, could you stay awake all night long and be there to give strength and encouragement?
After Jesus and His disciples finished with the Passover, Jesus and 11 of His best friends headed over to the Garden of Gethsemane. He knew that the very next day He would die a horrible death. Jesus said to His disciples, “My soul is crushed with horror and sadness to the point of death. . . stay here. . . stay awake with me.”
Even though Jesus was the Son of God and soon to be a Spirit being, He was still just as human as you are. He had needs and fears. The thought of dying was just as difficult for Him as it would be for you. This was the toughest night of His life. He needed the encouragement and comfort of His friends, the disciples.
“He went forward a little, and fell face downward on the ground, and prayed, ‘My Father! If it is possible, let this cup be taken away from me. But I want your will, not mine’.” He returned to His friends – the disciples, and found them asleep.
Do you remember Peter in our last lesson? He said He would never deny Jesus, but here he was asleep when Jesus needed him. He couldn’t even stay awake one hour when his Friend, his Savior, was filled with sorrow and sadness beyond words. Then Jesus encouraged His disciples to stay alert and pray. Otherwise temptation would overpower them. And He left them again to pray.
This time Jesus said, “My Father! If this cup cannot go away until I drink it all, your will be done.” He went back to His friends. Again, their eyes were heavy and they were asleep. So
He went back and prayed the third time. “Then an angel from heaven appeared and strengthened him, for he was in such agony of spirit that he broke into a sweat of blood, with great drops falling to the ground as he prayed more and more earnestly ”(Luke 22:43-45 TLB).
He was absolutely exhausted from grief as He returned to His disciples and found them asleep again. He told them to get up and pray that they would not fall when they were tempted. As these words were coming out of His mouth, a mob led by Judas the betrayer showed up. He gave Jesus a “friendly” kiss on the cheek so the mob could identify Him. At last the sleepy friends came awake enough to realize this mob was going to arrest Jesus.
It would be easy for us to think that we could stay awake with our friend if he knew he would be killed the next day. And maybe we could. But are we a sleepy friend of Jesus, that is spiritually asleep, or are we really awake? In Matthew 25 Jesus gave a parable of five wise and five foolish virgins. The five wise virgins had oil in their lamps. Oil is a symbol of having God’s Spirit. The five foolish virgins slumbered and slept. The bridegroom came, which is symbolic of Jesus returning to this earth, but the door was shut to the foolish virgins who slumbered and slept. The message here is that we can’t make it into God’s Kingdom if we are a sleepy friend of Jesus. We must have His Spirit and be busy doing the work of our Father. Are you a sleepy friend of Jesus? Or are you awake and on fire for Jesus with God’s Spirit directing your life?
Oh Merciful Father,
Thank you so much for my Savior, Jesus Christ. Please give me oil in my lamp, your Spirit, that I may be on fire for Jesus and have His Spirit directing every aspect of my life. Please help me to never be a sleepy friend of Jesus.
I pray this in His holy and righteous name.
Amen.
Sunday: Matthew 26:30-56
Monday: Luke 22:39-46
Tuesday: John 18:1-12
Wednesday: Matthew 25:1-13
Thursday: Proverbs 20:13
Friday: Romans 13:11-14
Saturday: Proverbs 24:30-34
Matthew 26:57-68
Matthew 27:1-2
Mark 14:53-65
Luke 22:51
Luke 23:1-48
John 3:16
Romans 12:1
Romans 12:1-3
VERDICT - any judgment or decision
SYMBOLICALLY - serving as a symbol; something that represents something else
BLASPHEMY - an act of cursing or reviling God
A cloud of dust covered a café parking lot as a motorcycle gang on Harley-Davidson’s roared to a screeching halt. As they set down their kickstands, they noticed they had parked next to a Peterbilt truck whose driver they knew. “Just wait until that wimp see us,” one gang member said as they stomped into the café.
“Who’s this sissy sitting at the counter?” they asked. The man at the counter continued to eat his meal as the gang approached. One gang member grabbed the truck driver’s ice tea and poured it on his head. The driver didn’t say a word as he wiped his face and shirt with his napkin.
The12 gang members surrounded the truck driver forming a semicircle. The truck driver appeared unperturbed. One of the gang picked up a handful of mashed potatoes and stuck them in the truck driver’s ear. Then he wiped his hands on the driver’s shirt. The driver still didn’t say a word. The truck driver paid his bill and started for his truck. The gang leader laughed and said “What a wimp. That guy ain’t much of a man.”
The owner of the café paused, looking out the window of the café, and said, “No, he ain’t much of a man either. He just ran over 12 Harleys.” This story from Smokey and the Bandit reminds us of when Jesus encountered a gang of men who also thought He was a wimp. Judas arrived in the Garden of Gethsemane with a mob wanting blood. Armed with swords and clubs, they were sent by the chief priests and elders – the religious leaders of the day – to find Jesus.
Judas had given prior instructions to arrest the man he greeted. He went straight to Jesus and gave Him a “friendly” kiss. Jesus knew why Judas came with this gang. He also knew why He came to this earth. He came to be Our Lifeboat – our Savior to die for our sins. He told Judas to go ahead and do what he had come to do.
Peter immediately came to Jesus’ defense. He pulled out a sword and slashed off the ear of the High Priest’s servant. “Put away your sword.” Jesus touched the place where the man’s right ear had been and made it whole. He told Peter, “Those using swords will get killed. Don’t you realize that I could ask my Father for thousands of angels to protect us, and he would send them instantly? But if I did, how would the Scriptures be fulfilled that describe what is happening now? ‘Am I some dangerous criminal,’ he asked, ‘that you had to arm yourselves with swords and clubs before you could arrest me? I was with you teaching daily in the Temple and you didn’t stop me then.’”
Then the mob arrested Jesus and led Him to Caiaphas the High Priest’s house where the entire Jewish Supreme Court was gathered. They were trying to put a case together so they could kill Jesus. The only way they could do it was to find liars. But the liars didn’t even agree with one another.
“Finally two men were found who declared, ‘This man said, ‘I am able to destroy the Temple of God and rebuild it in three days.’
“Then the High Priest stood up and said to Jesus, ‘Well, what about it? Did you say that, or didn’t you?’ But Jesus remained silent.” Do you think the truck driver may have been a Bible reader and thought it wise to follow Jesus’ example? Whatever his reason, it was an especially wise decision since12 gang members were up against one truck driver.
Jesus was accused of blasphemy! The High Priest asked for a verdict from the mob and they shouted, “Death! – Death! – Death!”
The mob spat in Jesus’ face, struck Him and slapped Him. Then they sent Him in chains to Pilate, the Roman governor. When the Jewish religious leader accused Jesus, He said nothing. Jesus was anything but a wimp. He showed strength of character, courage and self control. He knew what He was born to do. And He was willing to do it.
It was the Jewish religious custom to release one prisoner every year on the Passover, and Jesus’ arrest happened on the Passover. Pilate’s wife had a dream, or nightmare, and sent her husband a message that he should release Jesus. Pilate knew the religious leaders had arrested Jesus out of envy because of His popularity with the people.
Barabbas, a notorious criminal was in jail. The chief priests and Jewish leaders convinced the crowed to ask that Barabbas, rather than Jesus be released on the Passover. Pilate went before the crowd and asked what he should do with Jesus, their Messiah. They shouted, “Crucify Him.”
Pilate saw that he wasn’t getting anywhere, and a riot was shaping up. So he asked for a bowl of water and washed his hands, symbolically showing that he was not responsible for Jesus’ death. He said, “I am innocent of the blood of this good man. The responsibility is yours!”
Was Pilate truly innocent? Were the religious leaders solely responsible for the death of Jesus? Or, do the Roman soldiers bear this responsibility? Who did kill Jesus? He was a perfect man who had never sinned, yet He submitted Himself to humiliation, extreme suffering and death. It was for the sins of the world, my sins and your sins, that Jesus died. “For God so loved the world (you and me) that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes on Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). We are all responsible for the death of Jesus Christ. If you had been the only person to ever sin, Jesus would have still had to die to pay the penalty for your sins. Jesus set us an example of how to live, how to face suffering and how to die. He paid the supreme penalty for our sins. What do we owe Him? We owe Him a repentant obedient life that always puts Him first. We owe Him everything!
Gracious Father,
Thank you for giving your Son, Jesus Christ, for my sins. I am responsible for the death of Jesus Christ. He suffered horribly to pay for my sins. Help me to always show my gratitude in an obedient life where I put Him first.
In Jesus’ name I pray.
Amen.
Sunday: Matthew 26:57-66
Monday: Luke 23:1-16
Tuesday: Matthew 27:1-2
Wednesday: Mark 14:53-65
Thursday: Luke 23:17-34
Friday: Romans 12:1-3
Saturday: Luke 23:35-48
Joshua 24:15-16
Matthew 26:32-53
Matthew 27:26-61
Mark 15:1-47
Luke 23:1-56
John 18:28-40
John 19:1-:38
Ephesians 2:8
SANHEDRIN - the high court of the Jews
CYRENE - an important city in Libya in North Africa
SNEERED - to smile or laugh in a manner that means scorn
EXCRUCIATING - intense suffering; tormented
GRACE - God’s unmerited favor and love
Early in the morning the noisy crowd gathered in Jerusalem to watch the executions. The mob shouted louder and louder, “Crucify him! Crucify him! Crucify him!” They wanted blood. And they wanted it to be the blood of Jesus Christ, an innocent man.
Pilate, the Roman Governor, would have no more of it. So he washed his hands symbolically saying that he was not going to be responsible for Jesus’ death. “‘I am innocent of this man’s blood,’ he said, ‘It is your responsibility!’”
The mob shouted back, “Let his blood be on us and on our children!” What a chilling response from a bloodthirsty crowd!
It was a Passover season custom to spare a life and let one man go free. The mob chose Barabbas, a common criminal, and he was set free. Pilate sent Jesus to be flogged, and handed him over to the Roman Soldiers to be crucified. Flogging was so brutal that the victim sometimes died before they were crucified.
They stripped Jesus of His clothes and put a scarlet robe on Him. They made a crown from thorns, a prickly plant, and put it on His head. Then they placed a scepter in His hand and bowed down to Him and mocked Him. “Hail, King of the Jews” they yelled. This wasn’t humiliating enough, they thought. So they spat on Him. They took a stick and beat Him on the head.
They still weren’t satisfied. So they removed the robe that was put on Him. They put His own clothes back on Him before heading out to Golgotha which means, The Place of the Skull. On the way they met a man from Cyrene, named Simon, and forced him to carry the stake on which Jesus was to be crucified. Simon was probably a Jew who had come to Jerusalem for the Passover.
Two other criminals were led out to be crucified with Jesus – one on the right side and the other on the left. The three of them were nailed to their stakes to die. The mob must have looked upon this as a spectator sport. They came to watch, and the religious rulers sneered. The soldiers divided up Jesus’ clothes by casting lots. As Jesus hung on the stake in agony He said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”
“He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Christ of God, the Chosen One” they yelled. ‘If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.’”
Sometime in your life you’ve had someone make fun of you. Was it a maddening experience? But what if you were being executed to pay for the crime they had done. How would you feel? This is what Jesus was doing. The Roman soldiers, the mob, and religious leaders pulled out all stops to make Jesus’ dying the worst. They found every hurtful and humiliating thing they could do to Him. Then they placed a sign above Him. It said “THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.”
At noon the earth became dark as night. About three o’clock in the afternoon, Jesus shouted “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani,” which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Can you think of a more forsaken feeling than having your own father turn his back on you? But Jesus had to experience this. Why? Because our Savior had to suffer the full penalty for our sins – the penalty that you and I deserve.
Someone ran and dipped a sponge in vinegar, put it on a stick and held it up for Jesus to drink. When He tasted it, He wouldn’t drink it. Jesus cried out one more time and died. At that moment the curtain in the Temple split from top to bottom, and an earthquake shook the ground.
How did you feel when the crowd chose Barabbas, a common criminal to be set free instead of Jesus? How did you feel when you read about what the Roman soldiers and the religious leaders did to Jesus, a sinless man? Did it make you angry? Did you ask in your mind, “How dare you do such a thing to a completely innocent Man?”
When Pilot washed his hands, did that make him innocent of Jesus’ death? No, it didn’t. What about you? Just because you weren’t there that day, are you innocent of Jesus’ death? No one who has ever lived is innocent of Jesus’ death.
Jesus lived a perfect life. Yet, He died the most excruciating criminal’s death. Why? He did it because He loves you and me so much. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). All of us have sinned. “The wages of sin is death.” There was only way God could prevent you and me from dying eternal death and never living again. It is by the grace of God. He sacrificed His only Son to shed His blood for our sins. We all deserve the same death that Jesus died. But we don’t have to experience it. God provided a way – a free gift. To receive this gift you must not be like the crowd that chose Barabbas. You must choose Jesus Christ as your Savior, repent of your sins and be baptized. Won’t you accept this free gift of eternal life? Won’t you live a Christian life to show your love for Jesus who paid the supreme sacrifice for you?
Almighty God and Father,
I am so humbled by what I have just read. Jesus, my Savior lived a perfect life. He willingly submitted Himself to an excruciating death so that I may live forever. Oh Father, help me to show my appreciation daily in the life I live. I accept Jesus as my Savior. Thank you for this wonderful gift.
I thank you in Jesus’ name.
Amen.
Sunday: Matthew 27:26-31
Monday: Mark 15:24-38
Tuesday: Matthew 26:32-37
Wednesday: Matthew 26:38-53
Thursday: John 18:28-40
Friday: Joshua 24:15-16
Saturday: John 19:14-24
Matthew 28:1-20
Luke 24:1-34
John 11:25-26
John 20:1-31
John 21:1-25
1 Corinthians 15:14-22
INTERN - Someone, as a student or recent graduate, working as an apprentice or trainee to gain practical experience in an occupation
A young government intern was having an affair with a well known senator. About the time his wife was coming to town, the intern disappeared. The D.C. police questioned the senator. They searched his apartment for clues to the missing girl. They spent days with dogs going over every inch of nearby parks in search of the missing intern. The girl was never found and the mystery is yet to be solved. How would you feel if your friend was missing and no one could find her?
Jesus was missing too. It was also a mystery His disciples and friends wanted to solve. After Jesus had died and while He was still hanging on the stake, a Roman soldier broke the legs of the two criminals hanging on either side of Jesus to ensure they died quickly. Since Jesus was already dead, the soldier pierced His side with a spear, and blood and water flowed out. This fulfilled a prophecy that said “‘Not one of his bones shall be broken,’ and ‘They shall look on him whom they pierced.’”
A rich man, Joseph of Arimathea, had been a secret disciple of Jesus. He went to Pilate and asked permission to take Jesus’ body down off the stake and bury it in his new tomb that was nearby. The First Day of Un- leavened Bread was fast approaching, so Joseph and Nicodemus rushed to wrap Jesus’ body in a long linen cloth that was saturated with spices. This was a Jewish custom.
The chief priests and pharisees went to Pilate and told him, “Sir, that liar once said, ‘After three days I will come back to life again.’ So we request an order from you sealing the tomb until the third day, to prevent his disciples for coming and stealing his body and then telling everyone he came back to life! If that happens we’ll be worse off than we were at first.” (Matthew 27:62b-64 TLB). So they sealed the tomb with a stone and used the Temple police to guard it to make sure nothing happened.
Very early Sunday morning Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to Jesus’ tomb. Suddenly there was an earthquake! What caused it? An angel of God came down from heaven and rolled the stone sealing Jesus’ tomb away. Then he sat down on the stone. This was such a frightening experience the Temple police guard fainted out of shear fear.
When Mary Magdalene and the other women arrived at the tomb, they were expecting to see Jesus’ body. For they had come with spices to anoint it. But their Friend’s body was missing. They didn’t find Jesus there. They too were so badly frightened that they ran from the tomb when the angel told them that Jesus was missing, He had come back to life. The angel told them to quickly go and tell the disciples the good news about Jesus’ resurrection.
They headed down the road to find the disciples. Guess what happened next? Jesus was suddenly in front of them and said “Good morning!” The women fell to the ground and worshiped Him.
Jesus told them to tell the disciples to meet Him in Galilee. In the meantime, the Temple police rushed to the chief priests and told them that Jesus was missing – He was alive! They quickly called a meeting of the Jewish leaders. It was decided to bribe the Temple “police to say they were asleep when Jesus’ disciples came during the night and stole his body.” The police took the bribe and did as they were told. This story spread all over the place and it’s even believed to this very day.
What do we need to learn from this lesson? Why was Jesus resurrected? And what does His resurrection mean to you?.
“And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. . . But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive” (1 Corinthians 15:14, 20- 22 NIV). If we do not live until Christ returns, our only hope of living again is in the resurrection of the dead. Christ had to be resurrected first or we would have no hope of being resurrected. It is through His resurrection that we have hope of eternal life.
The Bible tells us that there is no forgiveness of sin without the shedding of blood. The Roman soldier pierced Jesus’ side and His blood was shed for your sins. If you will accept the sacrifice Jesus made by giving His blood for you, you have forgive- ness of your sins. But the death of Jesus alone cannot save you. It is through Jesus’ life that we are saved – His resurrection to life! Praise God, He Lives!
Almighty God and Father,
Thank you for raising Jesus Christ from the dead. It is through His shed blood that I have forgiveness of my sins and through His life that makes it possible for me to live forever! Help me to always live my life to reflect my appreciation for this awesome event.
In the name of my living Savior I ask these things.
Amen.
Sunday: Matthew 28:1-10
Monday: Luke 24:1-12
Tuesday: Luke 24:13-26
Wednesday: John 20:26-31
Thursday:1 Corinthians 15:14-22
Friday: John 11:25
Saturday: Matthew 28:11-20
Mark 16:9-20
Luke 24:44-53
John 14:12
John 16:7-8
John 18:36
Acts 1:6-11
Hebrews 7:24-25
PRIMARY - an election to select the presidential candidate
EULOGIZED - to praise or extol
MALADIES - a disorder or disease of the body
In 1968 Robert Kennedy won the California primary for the Democratic presidential nomination. He was a handsome young man with a lovely wife and many children. Life could have not looked more promising. But this was short lived. On his way to his hotel room disaster struck and he was shot dead! His brother, Senator Edward Kennedy eulogized his slain brother at his funeral. “As he said many times, in many parts of this nation, to those he touched and who sought to touch him; some men see things as they are and say, ‘Why?’ I dream things that never were and say, ‘Why not?’” Had Robert Kennedy lived, he may have changed the world.
Surely Jesus, even more than Robert Kennedy, dreamed things that never were and said “Why not?” He was born of a young virgin, and lived a perfect life. He grew in wisdom and in favor of men. He healed the sick, cast out demons, raised people from the dead. And He was constantly teaching the way of God. He gave Himself as a sacrifice so that all mankind might come to the knowledge of God and be saved. He changed the world from then through eternity.
As a teenager, one of the last things you may want to hear is that you’ve gotta work. And it may really sound dumb to say work is a source of happiness. But if you want to change the world, you will have to work. “The most unhappy of all men is the man who cannot tell what he is going to do, who has got no work cut out for him. . . . For work is the grandest cure of all the maladies and miseries that ever beset mankind” (Thomas Carlyle, Rector of the University of Edinburgh.) After 33 years of hard, productive work, Jesus finished the work He was sent here to do. And He changed the world forever.
“It was early on Sunday morning when Jesus came back to life, and the first person who saw him was Mary Magdalene – the woman from whom he had cast out seven demons. She found the disciples wet-eyed with grief and exclaimed that she had seen Jesus, and he was alive! But they didn’t believe her!
“Later that day he appeared to two who were walking from Jerusalem into the country, but they didn’t recognize him at first because he had changed his appearance. When they finally realized who he was, they rushed back to Jerusalem to tell the others, but no one be- lieved them.
“Still later he appeared to the eleven disciples as they were eating together. He rebuked them for their unbelief – their stub- born refusal to believe those who had seen him alive from the dead.
“And then he told them, ‘You are to go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone, everywhere. Those who believe and are baptized will be saved. But those who refuse to believe will be condemned.
“‘And those who believe shall use my authority to cast out demons, and they shall speak new languages. They will be able even to handle snakes with safety, and if they drink anything poisonous, it won’t hurt them; and they will be able to place their hands on the sick and heal them.’
“When the Lord Jesus had finished talking with them, he was taken up into heaven and sat down at God’s right hand” (Mark 16:9-20 TLB).
The Apostles watched with strained eyes trying to get the last glimpse of Jesus as this awesome event took place. While they watched two angels appeared to them and said, “Men of Galilee, why are you standing here staring at the sky? Jesus has gone away to heaven, and someday, just as he went, he will return!”
Jesus hasn’t stopped working now that He is in heaven. What is He doing? Jesus told His disciples in John 16:7, 8 “But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment” (NIV). The “Counselor” Jesus is speaking of is the Holy Spirit.
“. . . Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them” (Hebrews 7:24-25). Day and night Jesus is there to go to the throne of God and make intercession for you. He pleads your cause to the Father when you pray. You were born to win! Jesus will do everything in His power to ensure that you do. He has sent His Spirit to help you.
Salvation is by the grace of God. But that doesn’t mean you can sit on your duff and never do anything. Jesus had to do the work of His Father when He was on earth. That work was never easy. But His rewards are wonderful! We are no better than Jesus. We must also do the work of our Father. That work requires our wholehearted belief in Jesus Christ. It requires a changed life. It requires enduring to the end and never giving up. Remember, Jesus sits at the right hand of His Father always willing to help you. But you must ask.
You too can change your world. And like Jesus, your rewards will be wonderful. Now go do it!
Great God and Father,
You have called me to make a difference in the world I live in. I was born to win! Help me to do my part in changing the world.
In Jesus’ name I pray.
Amen.
Sunday: Mark 16:9-11
Monday: Luke 24:44-53
Tuesday: Acts 1:6-11
Wednesday: John 16:7-8
Thursday: Hebrews 7:24-25
Friday: Mark 16:12-20
Saturday: John 18:36
