John 10:1-21

When you think of God what comes to mind? You may think of him as Father, Savior, Triune, or any of the other aspects of his character, but one of the most common images for God in the Bible is that of a shepherd. John 10 helps to develop exactly what it means for Jesus to be our shepherd. When Jesus calls himself the good shepherd, he is inserting himself into the slot which God takes in places like Psalm 23 and Psalm 80. This description is an allusion to the divinity of Jesus and to his character. As the “good shepherd,” Jesus is willing to sacrifice himself for his sheep. Though a good shepherd was willing to put himself between harm and his sheep, it would be foolish for them to sacrifice themselves for an animal. As much as you might love your pets, your life is more valuable than theirs. Yet Jesus in true love and humility is willing to do that very thing for us. He is willing to stand between death and judgment, and us. He knows our flaws, sins, shortcomings, and failures—loves us all the same.

As sheep our response should be to know our shepherd and obey his voice. Christ sacrificed himself for us, which means we need to heed his voice by listening and obeying. What a small response for such a great sacrifice. We are to hear his voice and respond by coming to him for salvation and life. Let us listen and obey well.

Father God, thank you that you, your Son, and the Spirit all shepherd me. Let me hear your voices and obey what you are calling me to do. Help me to listen and obey. Amen. 

How should remembering God is your “good shepherd” impact the way you relate to him and his commands?

John 9:1-41

How can there be an all-loving, all-good, all-powerful God; yet such evil and suffering in the world? This is one of the most asked questions from skeptics to Christians. Jesus gives us one particular reason in John 9. The disciples, who had been with Jesus for a while, asked Jesus why a particular man was born blind. The disciples assumed the blind man was either blind because of his own personal sin or the sin of his parents. Their view only allowed for personal sin as a reason for illness. Jesus quickly corrected them: this man was allowed to be born blind so Jesus could display his power in healing him. It had absolutely nothing to do with personal sin. Instead, it was a condition of the fallen world, which God allowed so he could reveal his power and glory. This never would have crossed the disciples’ minds as a possible rationale for his condition until Jesus told them.

As we wrestle with why God allows suffering, and other questions, we need to hear from God for answers. Then, when God speaks about an issue, we need to submit to what he says. The answer may not sit well with us, or it may not make sense to us; but when God speaks, we need to listen, submit, and believe. There are times we also may not know the answer, but we need to learn to trust a God who we know is all-loving, all-powerful, and all-good.

Father God, help me to understand who you are and the way you work so that I can believe and submit to your ways. Amen. 

What issues of theology do you find difficult to understand or believe? How can you pursue further understanding in these areas?

John 8:31-59

When a baby is born everyone tries to decipher whether the child looks more like the mom or the dad. This practice is an understanding that kids look like their parents. This is not meant to be true only of physical features, but in Jesus’ conversation in John 8, it is meant to be true in the way we live. Jesus lays out two ways in which we are to reflect his life in the way we live. The first mark of discipleship is obedience (v.31, 39). A true disciple obeys what his master and Father says. Obedience requires us to take up our cross daily, prioritizing God's favor over that of people, and fighting against our flesh. Choosing obedience is a daily battle, but one in which there is great reward. Yes, it may increase difficulty in the short term, but will be rewarded in eternity.

A second mark of discipleship is that of love (v.42). We shouldn't just obey out of a sense of obligation but out of a love for God, and a desire to please him. He should be our greatest love, desire, and longing. True disciples love God above everything and everyone else. We can see this most clearly in Jesus' call to hate father and mother, and ultimately everything else, compared to him (Luke 14:26). Jesus is the only one who is worthy of our greatest devotion, commitment, and love. Today let us reflect the character of Jesus in the way we obey and love and allow others to see our Father through us.

Father God, help me to truly follow you today. Help me to follow the path you have set for me and pursue you above all else. Amen. 

What should it look like for you to love Jesus above everything

John 8:31-59

When a baby is born everyone tries to decipher whether the child looks more like the mom or the dad. This practice is an understanding that kids look like their parents. This is not meant to be true only of physical features, but in Jesus’ conversation in John 8, it is meant to be true in the way we live. Jesus lays out two ways in which we are to reflect his life in the way we live. The first mark of discipleship is obedience (v.31, 39). A true disciple obeys what his master and Father says. Obedience requires us to take up our cross daily, prioritizing God's favor over that of people, and fighting against our flesh. Choosing obedience is a daily battle, but one in which there is great reward. Yes, it may increase difficulty in the short term, but will be rewarded in eternity.

A second mark of discipleship is that of love (v.42). We shouldn't just obey out of a sense of obligation but out of a love for God, and a desire to please him. He should be our greatest love, desire, and longing. True disciples love God above everything and everyone else. We can see this most clearly in Jesus' call to hate father and mother, and ultimately everything else, compared to him (Luke 14:26). Jesus is the only one who is worthy of our greatest devotion, commitment, and love. Today let us reflect the character of Jesus in the way we obey and love and allow others to see our Father through us.

Father God, help me to truly follow you today. Help me to follow the path you have set for me and pursue you above all else. Amen. 

What should it look like for you to love Jesus above everything

John 8:21-30

Do you have confidence that you have eternal life? If you do, are you walking in a way that reflects and tastes that life now? Or does your life sometimes feel like a slow death? Three times in the ten verses of John 8:21-30 Jesus uses the phrase "die in your sin(s)." Jesus confronts the Pharisees to make clear what is at stake. Either people will die in their sins and have their wickedness permanently separate them from him, or they will experience God's forgiveness and dwell with him for eternity. There is no middle ground. There is nothing that religion, morality, or obedience can offer, outside of Jesus. What is necessary is belief in Christ.

We all have sinned, and outside of Christ sin remains upon us and ushers us into judgment, while in Christ they are removed. The only way to life is Jesus, every other path leads to death. Sin may not be a popular thing to talk about in our world, but popularity does not equate to the importance or necessity of broaching the subject. Everyone we interact with needs to deal with their sin and the only way it can be dealt with is Jesus. So let us share the hope that Jesus offers in giving life. We can have confidence in our eternal life and can experience the fruit of that life today. So, walk in life and run from death.

Father God, thank you I have experienced your forgiveness through my belief in Christ. Thank you I will not die in my sins; instead, I will dwell with you forever. Amen. 

What are ways of bringing up the concept of sin to people who are far from Christ?

John 8:1-20

In John 8, we see two powerful ways Jesus wants to transform our lives. In the middle of a teaching session, an adulteress woman was thrown at Jesus. The religious leaders quoted the Mosaic Law and told Jesus she deserved death. Jesus agreed with them, but said only a perfect person, and thus a true judge, could enact this judgment. The religious leaders slowly slunk away, and Jesus eventually was left with only the woman. Jesus offered her forgiveness, but also called her to "go now and leave your life of sin." Forgiveness is an acknowledgement of a wrong committed, and implicit in receiving forgiveness is a desire to live in a different way. Forgiveness should never be seen as permission to continue repeating the behavior, but a freedom to live differently. Jesus has freed the woman from shame and guilt, so she can now walk in holiness. He left her transformed.

Jesus then turned to the crowd and told them that whoever will follow him "will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." Being a disciple of Jesus means his life is replicated in ours. Jesus is the ultimate light of the world, and as our lives are conformed to his, this light should be evident within us. Part of this light is moral purity and holiness. His character, actions, and thoughts should flow out of us. Another aspect of light is truth since it reveals reality. So, may we be a city on a hill that shines forth the reality and holiness of Christ to our world.

Father God, help me to walk in holiness and obedience, so that the world might see you through me. Amen. 

What will it look like to shine forth as a light today?

John 7:31-53

Have you ever wanted something to happen but it did not? Or maybe you tried to do something, but only much later did it actually occur? In John 7, we are reminded that God’s timing is often very different from ours. Jesus had made his way into Jerusalem during the Feast, despite it being the hub of hostility against him. He faithfully preached concerning his identity as the Messiah and the life which was available in him. The response of some was to put their faith in him, while others sought to arrest him. We are told despite the desire of some to arrest and even kill Jesus, it did not occur “because his time had not yet come.” Jesus continually spoke of the fact that he would eventually go up to Jerusalem and be killed, but that time was not during this Feast, but a later one.

Jesus was able to do what his Father called him to because he perfectly trusted in his will and his timing. Do we have that same mentality? Are we able to submit to the will of the Father whether or not things happen as we desire? Our desires may not come to fulfillment, but in Jesus we receive even greater things than what we could hope. He offers life to all who come to him and gives the Spirit which he compares to “streams of living water.” Living water is fresh water that gives life; that is what the Spirit does. Through him we can experience God’s life through the fruit and power of the Spirit.

Father God, thank you for being the sovereign king over all things. Help me to submit to your timing and your will. Amen. 

Why is it hard to submit to God’s timing? How can you better learn to submit to his will and his ways?

John 7:1-30

When do you feel like you most clearly hear from God? What do you do to understand what is God’s will versus your own desires? Are you willing to surrender your wants in order to accomplish what God is asking of you? Jesus conducted ministry in northern Israel (Galilee) when his brothers told him to go to Judea to perform miracles for the people to see. Rather than simply listening to the voice of his brothers, Jesus listened to the voice of his Father. His brothers wanted him to show off in Jerusalem, but he was unwilling because the “right time” had not yet come. He knew it was not the right time, because, despite the shouts of others, his Father told him not to go.

This ability to break through the noise of the world to hear from God is essential in our lives. Our lives are filled with noise. The unending sound of TV, social media, and the world bombard us and it is so easy to be swayed by its voices—when the only voice we need is God’s. Are you hearing it? Are you consistently making time to stop, listen to God through his Scriptures, and listen to the quiet voice of the Spirit as he seeks to lead? Jesus does what the Father wants because he knows his will and walks in obedience. May we do the same. May we hear from God and courageously walk in obedience to his ways, rather than conform to the voices of the world.

Father God, help me to listen to you. Help me to know what you are asking me to do and choose to obey. Amen. 

What will it look like for you to shut out the sounds of the world to hear from God?

John 6:43-71

“Many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.” This is one of the saddest verses in the Bible. Jesus proclaimed himself to be the bread of life, and, in doing so, he needed to be consumed. This “hard teaching” caused many to walk away. Jesus continued in John 6 with his lengthy dialogue regarding himself as the bread of life. He proclaimed himself as the only one who could satisfy and give life. This exclusive claim caused many to walk away. Whether the language of this passage sits well with us or not, it is the truth. Only those who eat the flesh of Jesus and drink his blood have eternal life. Jesus was referring to the fact that only through his life and ultimately his death can we have eternal life.

This life is only available through receiving the life he offers and through the means which he has provided. He used the language of eating and drinking to convey what participation in his life looks like. We are to take and receive his life and appropriate it into our lives. His life becomes ours. Communion, which uses the language of this passage, is ultimately, a reminder of this greater reality. The juice and crackers do nothing by themselves but point beyond them to taking Christ's life into us, and through this, we become participants in his life that will never end.

Father God, thank you that eternal life is available in Jesus. Help me to walk in this life and proclaim it to others. Amen. 

What will it look like for you to take in Christ's life today and allow it to flow through you to others?

John 6:22-42

What does it take for you to feel satisfied? How much money do you have to have in your bank account, how much sleep do you need, and how much quality time do you need with friends and family to feel content? As Jesus talks with the crowds, he wants them to understand the only source of satisfaction─—it is nothing this world can offer, it is only him. After having been fed by Jesus, the crowds believe Jesus is their gravy train. He can feed them, and they never have to work again. They are looking for a life of handouts from Jesus; failing to realize they should be more interested in Jesus than the stuff he can give.

He is the bread of life, the only one who can satisfy our deepest spiritual hunger. Yet so often we look to this world for satisfaction and contentment, things which this world was never meant to provide. Thankfully, Jesus invites us to come to him, to seek him out, and to feast on him to receive what we truly need. As we partake of the bread of life, we are filled with joy and peace that surpasses all understanding. And just as the bread Jesus provided fed the five thousand, so his life can feed and nourish us. So, let us then seek out Jesus, the bread of life, and feast on him. May he sustain us and guide us on our journey through life. May we recognize the passing reality of this world in contrast to the eternal reality of Christ.

Father God, teach me to seek you for all my needs. Amen. 

Where are you looking to the world to give you what only Jesus can?

John 6:1-21

Jesus is greater than we can comprehend. He is savior, king, creator, sustainer, miracle worker, and so much more. The crowds followed Jesus because "they saw the signs he had performed." They thought of him as a miracle worker who could solve their problems. Then when they were fed by him, they saw him as someone like Moses, who could feed the nation. This added revelation made them want to "make him king by force." The crowds were following Jesus because of what he could do for them, and not truly because of who he was. They wanted the food, the healings, the miracles, the excitement, but were far less concerned with Jesus.

We similarly need to consider why it is that we are following Jesus. Are we following him because we have had a good life, because he gives us a sense of purpose, because he has provided for us? These are beautiful things, but what happens if we experience suffering, hardship, difficulty, or hunger? We need to have a reason to follow Jesus that will continue regardless of our circumstances. Jesus is worthy of being followed because he is Lord, Savior, and the eternal Son of God. We need to make sure we are motivated by who Jesus is and only secondarily by what he has done in our lives. When the miracles might seem to fade, Jesus remains.

Father God, help me to follow you because you are worthy of being followed. Help me not to drift based on my circumstances but always remain committed to you. Amen. 

What is the ultimate reason you are following Jesus and is this a sufficient foundation for your faith?

John 5:24-47

If you only had time to communicate the most important thing about life to someone, what is the central truth you would want to teach them? In John’s gospel he records more conversations of Jesus than the other Gospel writers. From these we can deduce some of the essential things John felt we needed to understand about Jesus, and by extension, the most important things we need to teach others. John 5 describes Jesus in Jerusalem during "one of the Jewish festivals." He would have been crammed into the streets of the capital city with potentially hundreds of thousands of Jewish pilgrims. Into these packed corridors came Jesus' interaction with the religious leaders. They intellectually understand something about the truths of the Old Testament, but they failed to use these truths as God intended.

The ultimate goal of the Bible is to help us know God and respond to who he is. When we come to know God the Father, we come to know his Son, and the life which he makes available to us. Jesus is the one who gives eternal life, has life in himself, and who will raise the dead to life. So, what is one critical thing we need to believe and communicate to others─Jesus gives life. Only through him can we or anyone have eternal life. So, let us come to Jesus, run to Jesus, know him, live for him, and share him with others.

Father God, thank you that life comes from you, your Son, and your Spirit. Amen. 

Why is Jesus as the source of life one of the most essential things for us to believe and share with others?

John 5:1-23

In what do you put your hope? As you look into the future what allows you to have a confident expectation that your future will be bright? The paralyzed man put his hope in the waters of the Pool of Bethesda. He believed if he could enter the water when it began to stir, he would be healed. We do not know how long he had been by the pool, but we do know he had been in his condition for thirty-eight years. His hope in the healing power of the pool was misplaced, but then Jesus arrived. What the pool could not do, Jesus could. When Jesus saw the man, he told him to walk and he could. The futility of this man's hope in the pool was revealed when Jesus cured him.

Jesus reveals that he is the one in which our hopes should be placed. We should not look to money, a job, marriage, kids, retirement, or a pool to provide our security, instead we need to look to Jesus. He is the only one who can solve the deepest problems of our lives and the only solution to the brokenness in the world. Instead of looking to anything in this world, we need to look to our Savior to heal our inner hurt, pain, and hopelessness. No matter what we face, Christ is greater; therefore, we can always have hope.

Father God, thank you that you are a healer. Help me to place my hope in you alone, knowing that you will do all you have promised and will never let me down. Amen. 

What does it look like to place your hope fully in God?

John 4:43-54

When “a certain royal official” became desperate because of his sick son, he turned to Jesus. He traveled about 17 miles, leaving his son behind in order to find Jesus. Imagine how desperate you have to be to leave your dying son behind. This man must have believed that healing was possible, and that Jesus was the one who could bring it about. He came to Jesus and asked him to come back with him to heal his son. Jesus responded by telling him to go and that his son was healed. It took faith for the man to travel to Jesus, it would have potentially taken even more faith to trust his son was healed. But we are told the “man took Jesus at his word,” a powerful act of faith. He then traveled 17 miles back, potentially taking a day or more, and discovered Jesus had healed his son. This news caused his whole household to believe.

When we are in moments of desperation like this unnamed official, we should also turn to Jesus. He is the only one whose promises always come true and whose word can always be trusted. This should also be enough for us. The promises of God that fill Scripture are meant to be believed. We can claim these truths as certainty, even when we have yet to see their fulfillment with our own eyes. When we see God’s faithfulness, we must increase our faith. This faith will allow us to trust God with even more desperate situations and continue to grow our faith.

Father God, thank you for all your promises to me. Help me to confidently trust what you say and walk by faith. Amen. 

How can you grow your confidence and faith in the promises of God?

John 4:4-42

In John 4 we encounter Jesus’ second dialogue and it is very different than the previous one. Jesus’ first lengthy conversation was with Nicodemus, a prestigious, religious Jewish male. In stark contrast this conversation is with an unnamed Samaritan female. It would be hard to find two people who were more different than these two people; yet Jesus engaged them both with the love and life which he offers all people. Jesus’ conversation began with asking for physical water, but soon turned to discussing “a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” Jesus magnificently turned the conversation from surface level needs to a deeper conversation about worship, eternal life, and his identity.

From an earthly perspective, Jesus was simply going about his day when he recognized the opportunity in front of him and engaged this woman with a message of hope and salvation. What a beautiful picture of God’s heart to bring all people into relationship with him. As we go about our days, we have this same opportunity. To initiate a conversation with someone, find a connecting point to things that matter, and then steer the conversation to Jesus. When we do this, we have the same opportunity to offer eternal life to someone like Jesus did to the Samaritan woman. We simply need eyes to see the individual and the courage to speak.

Father God, thank you that Jesus gives eternal life. Help me to look to you, rely on you, and share you with a lost and hurting world. Amen. 

How can you better steer conversations to things that truly matter?

John 3:22-4:3

Are you content with where God has you? Are you confident in his love and secure in his calling even when things do not go your way? It is fascinating to think about the beginning of Jesus’ ministry. He was unknown, while his relative John was the well-known, famous preacher. Yet as Jesus began teaching and performing miracles, he began to get more attention, while John the Baptist’s spotlight began to dim. John's disciples pointed this out to him, but he quickly responded that "a person can receive only what is given them from heaven." He recognizes the infinite superiority of Jesus over himself and is excited by the crowds leaving him to follow Jesus. He recognizes that God’s mission is centered around Jesus, and he is simply responsible to play his part. He had been faithful when the attention of Israel was on him, and he would continue to be faithful when the crowds had left. He knew God had given him a role to glorify God, and he would remain tethered to this even when it ultimately led to his imprisonment and death.

This same mentality of wanting God to get the attention, glory, and fame should be ours. A life well lived is one where we seek to honor God and remain faithful to his calling over us, regardless of how this is perceived by the world or others. May our lives constantly communicate that “He must become greater; I must become less.”

Father God, help me to remain faithful to glorifying you. May I draw attention to you. Amen. 

How can you live in a way that puts more attention on God than yourself?

John 3:1-21

Nicodemus is one of the most interesting figures in the Gospel of John. He was a prominent individual and a member of the Jewish ruling council. He was intrigued by the person of Jesus and interested enough to set up a meeting with him, but he was conflicted to the point that he wanted to do it under the cover of darkness. He knew Jesus was a teacher from God who performed miracles but did not seem to grasp much beyond that. Jesus reveals that he is not just a teacher but the one who enables people to be “born again”─thus come to life spiritually. This life is only available through him. This was a massive claim. Jesus declared that belief in him is necessary for eternal life and salvation. It is only through belief in him that anyone can be born again and receive eternal life. He is the light of the world; therefore, the only one who frees us to live how we were designed to be.

Hopefully, the conversation Jesus had with Nicodemus looks like conversations we have. We can engage someone who is spiritually curious, point them to Jesus, and offer them the gift of life. These conversations may happen under the darkness of night, in a brightly lit coffee shop, around our dining room table, or any number of other locations. They must be happening, for we have been sent as Christ’s ambassadors to offer the world the person of Jesus.

Father God, thank you that in Christ I have eternal life and have been born again. Help me to share this with others. Amen. 

Who is a spiritually curious person God has placed in your life? How can you point them to Jesus?

John 2:1-25 

John points out that Jesus is not only great because of who he is (the “Word” and the Messiah), but also because of what he does. In John 2 we are directed to witness Jesus’ first miracle. This act of Jesus becomes a reminder of his power over everything in this world. We are told that Jesus performed the transformation of water into wine "on the third day." It is interesting that John explicitly makes note of the fact that he did this on the third day. John is almost certainly using this language to highlight the fact that significant things happen in Jesus' life on the third day. Here he reveals his glory by turning water into wine, but about three years after this, the fullness of his glory will be revealed on the third day when he rises from the dead.

This third day imagery speaks both to the fact that God reveals himself in powerful ways and since it is the third day, and not the next day, we sometimes must wait to see God reveal himself. God always shows up, but it is often not in our timing. He reveals his glory, but it may not always be in the way we want. Our response to who Jesus is and what he has done should be to believe. Jesus did not act simply to heal people or perform miracles, but so that people might believe. He is working in our lives and in the world for the same reason: that we might believe. So let us increase our trust in God while also calling others to believe.

Father God, thank you for the miracles which you, your Son, and your Spirit performed in the past and still are doing today. Amen. 

Why is belief the proper response to what Jesus has done and is doing in the world?

John 1:29-51

John continues to help us think through the identity of Jesus. He wants us to be able to answer correctly who Jesus is and the difference he should make in our lives. John the Baptist first proclaimed the greatness of Jesus. He immediately declared that Jesus is greater than him. John’s message was worth following, but Jesus is worth following even more. John then proclaims that he is “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” He is the true Passover Lamb, the true sacrifice, and the one who can finally eradicate our sin. He was the only one who could do what humanity needs. Finally, John declares that Jesus is the one who will bring the Holy Spirit. He will send God himself to live within us and make us new.

Jesus’ greatness demands a great response. Andrew models what an appropriate response looks like. He chose to follow Jesus and then called others to do the same. He began with his immediate sphere of influence (his family) but spent the rest of his life, traveling around, telling multitudes about who Jesus is and what he has done. Our lives should look the same as Andrew's. We should ensure that we are following Jesus with every aspect of our lives and calling others to follow him as well. There is nothing more worthy than giving our lives to Jesus, or greater than calling others to embrace him."

Father God, help me to remember your greatness, the glory of your Son, and the work of your Spirit. Help me to follow you and call others to follow you as well. Amen. 

How can you live in a way that communicates the greatness of Jesus to those in your life?

John 1:1-28

Who is Jesus? This is the most important question everyone must answer. The way one answers this question determines their eternal destiny. John jumps right in helping people understand who Jesus is and thus, how to answer this question. John begins his gospel earlier than Matthew and Luke. He does not start with Jesus' birth, or even with Adam and Eve, he starts back before anything had been created. He goes back to the "beginning." At this time there was only the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in perfect harmony and unity. John gives us a glimpse into this reality and then puts the spotlight directly on "the Word."

The English “Word” translates the Greek word “logos,” which, according to the standard Greek Dictionary, means the “independent personified expression of God which took on human form in a historical person, that is, in Jesus”. The Son has always existed, but revealed himself to us in taking on flesh. He is, and always has been, existent, God, creator, life, light, glorious, and gracious. Not only is he the “Word,” but he is the creator of both physical life and spiritual life. Nothing exists that has not come through him, the source of all blessing, grace, and truth. As we consider this description of Jesus, we discover how desperate we are for him. There is no life without him. There is no relationship with God apart from him. He is the one we need, and he is the one our world needs.

Father God, thank you for the gift of your Son. Help me to walk with him and experience him today. Amen. 

What attribute of Jesus from John 1 do you most want to experience in your life today? Why?

Luke 24:13-53

The key central claim of Christianity is that Jesus rose from the dead. He did not just rise in people’s hearts or as some vague imagery of evil being defeated, he bodily arose. There was an empty tomb, empty in that no physical body was there. Jesus rose in space and time. Why would we believe this astounding claim? One of the key reasons we believe this to be true is because of the number of historically verifiable appearances Jesus made. In Luke 24 alone, Jesus appeared to two people on the road to Emmaus, he appeared to Simon, and he appeared to the eleven and those with them. Unlike many religions which are grounded on one person’s claims (Joseph Smith, Muhammed, etc.), the proof of the resurrection was given to many people, over many days. This grounds our faith on a significantly more solid foundation than other religious claims.

The resurrection assures us that there is life after death, that Jesus really did die for our sins, that Jesus is still alive today, that his words are true, and that we will experience a resurrection like Jesus. Therefore, let us have a confident faith and confidently share Christ with those who are far from him. People may wonder why we believe something as amazing as the resurrection, but we have good reasons to believe this to be true.

Father God, thank you that Christ rose from the dead and gives me eternal life. Help me to live in the hope of the resurrection and share this with others. Amen. 

What lines of evidence are most helpful in sharing Jesus’ resurrection with someone?

Luke 23:44-24:12

What did Jesus’ death accomplish? If you were trying to tell someone why Jesus had to die, what would you say? One of the things which Jesus’ death accomplished was that the curtain of the temple was torn in two, a fact mentioned by Matthew, Mark, and Luke. There is no material explanation for this, it did not suddenly happen to rip apart. This was supernatural. In the Old Testament only one man on one day a year could enter behind the curtain. This high priest was the only person with access to the presence of God, and even he could only experience this once every 365 days. Through Jesus’ death a radical revolution occurs.

The curtain was torn, symbolizing that now all people could access the presence of God through the work of Jesus. You no longer had to have a specific gender (male), or specific lineage (Levite), or have it be a particular day on the calendar (Day of Atonement); instead, everyone can enter by grace through faith. This invitation to enter the presence of God is available to each of us. As Hebrews 4:16 tells us, “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace.” So let us take advantage of what Christ has done and faithfully, regularly, and joyfully enter into the presence of God.

Father God, thank you that because of the work of Jesus I can enter your presence right now. Help me to never take this privilege for granted but always run to you. Amen. 

How can you better recognize and utilize God’s invitation to draw near to him?

Luke 23:13-43

What would living a perfect life look like? In Jesus, we see exactly what this means. He did not just teach us how to live; he exemplified it in all he did. Jesus taught his disciples how to pray by telling them to, "Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors." This lesson was then perfectly embodied by Jesus while he was suffering on the cross. Mere hours from his death Jesus responded by forgiving his murderers. Part of a perfect, mature life is the ability to forgive. Even forgiving those who are causing difficulty, suffering, pain, and yes, even death.

This radical forgiveness was followed by Stephen in Acts, by countless other martyrs throughout church history, by the family of In-Ho Oh, and by Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston. They all understood that failure to forgive is not only disobedience to God but walls us off from the heart of God. Jesus not only forgave his killers; but he also extended forgiveness to the criminal at his side. We do not know the extent of his crimes, but Jesus washes them all away. Jesus is not only the model for our forgiveness. He also is the grounds for forgiveness as well. As we have experienced the forgiveness of God, we are to extend that to others. We need to choose to forgive. It might be hard and painful, but forgiveness is truly the path of life. As we extend it, we are also able to experience it in a new and fresh way. So let us be beacons of forgiveness in our relationships today.

Father God, thank you for the forgiveness I have received from you. Help me to extend this to others. Amen. 

What keeps you from quickly extending forgiveness?

Luke 22:54-23:12

Jesus continually called his disciples to the difficult life of following him. Jesus called them to take up their cross, lose their life, be a servant, and live surrendered. How committed are you to obedience and devotion, even if it leads to suffering and difficulty? Luke 22-23 gives us both a negative and positive example of what this looks like. In Peter, we see what it looks like to pursue self-preservation rather than identification with Christ. Peter denies having been with Jesus or even knowing him, and not just once, but three times. After all that Jesus has done for Peter, he is willing to throw Jesus aside in an instant. He was willing to do and say anything to avoid arrest and possible death. When it came down to it, he was completely unwilling to take up a cross.

In contrast, we have Jesus who resolutely headed to the cross knowing he would die. He stood for truth, embraced silence and humility, and confessed his identity as the Son of God; despite this being the grounds for his death. Jesus resolutely lived as the humble sacrificial servant in whose footsteps we are to walk. We may be tempted to fit in, swim with the current of our culture, or even deny our Savior─God calls us to embrace Christ as the center of our lives and make his glory what we live for.

Father God, help me not be a timid follower of you, but boldly make you known. May I identify with you, no matter where that leads, and have opportunities to publicly acknowledge Christ as my Lord and Savior. Amen. 

Where are you tempted to shrink back as a follower of Jesus rather than publicly acknowledge him?

Luke 22:35-53

Where do you draw encouragement and perseverance from? When life gets hard, where do you turn for comfort and wisdom? For Jesus it was to turn to the Father, which instructs us where we should turn as well. Jesus is a day from the cross and hours away from his betrayal and arrest, and we find him praying. The only portion of his prayer which is recorded ends with, “Yet not my will, but yours be done.” This is how Jesus began his teaching on how to pray and how he ends his own prayer here. He knew the pain, abandonment, sorrow, and death which awaited him, but he continued to pray submitting to the will of the Father. He was not motivated by his own comfort, but instead for the glory of God. What a model and example for us when we are facing our own garden moments.

We do not always turn to the right place in times of trouble but thankfully Jesus’ faithfulness never ends. Even to the very end, he was willing to endure anything in order to do what the Father asked of him Thankfully he did, because it is his work that provides the means for our salvation. When we are faithless, he is faithful. When we sin, his perfect righteousness and obedience covers us. His obedience functions both as the means of our justification and the encouragement to continue to pursue sanctification until the day that we are glorified.

Father God, thank you for the perfect obedience of Jesus─for his faithfulness to the end. Amen. 

How does Jesus’ garden prayer encourage and challenge you?