Christ is Risen!

Sunday, March 31, 2013 | Easter Sunday

Acts 10:34, 37-43 | Psalm 118 | Colossians 3:1-4 |

I Corinthians 5:6-8 | John 20:1-9

DEEP-KNEE BENDS

“He saw and believed.” - John 20:8

Happy Resurrection Day! Alleluia! Jesus is risen! Alleluia!

John the apostle was the first person to believe in Jesus’ resurrection (John 20:8), possibly because of his humility. When he arrived at Jesus’ tomb, John deferred to Peter by waiting for him and letting him enter first. It took humility to defer to Peter who had just recently denied Christ three times. However, John humbled himself.

While John was waiting at Jesus’ tomb for Peter to arrive, the Bible says he “bent down to peer in” (John 20:5). This is not a trivial detail; it indicates the spiritual posture of those who believe in the risen Jesus. If we are truly to believe in Him, we must bend down, humble ourselves, and embrace the feet of the risen Jesus (Matthew 28:9; see also John 20:17). Only those who humble themselves will be exalted by faith in the risen Christ (see Matthew 23:12; Philippians 2:8-9). No one goes up with the risen Lord except the one who has “bent down” in humility (see John 3:13).

On this Easter Sunday, let us humble ourselves and believe in the risen Jesus.

Prayer: Father, may I consider it a privilege to humble myself by witnessing for the risen Jesus.

Easter Saturday

Saturday, March 30, 2013

Isaiah 12:2-6 | Psalm 22 | John 19:38-42

THE GRAVE

“Since it was the day before the Sabbath and because the tomb was close by, they placed Jesus’ body there.” - John 19:42

Today, except among the eastern Orthodox who have a different date for Easter, and among those groups that take little or no notice of the Church calendar, there will be no celebration of Holy Communion anywhere on the planet earth. On every other day Christians, somewhere, will be taking the bread and the wine, but, in the western tradition, not today. Why? It is because we are identifying with the burial of Jesus.

So, spend some time alone today, if you are able. Read the Psalms. Reread the Gospel accounts of the trial and crucifixion of our Lord. Imagine that you were there. Identify with Him in His death, then you will be able to share in His resurrection joy. Spend this holy day immersed in God’s word and therefore in God’s presence. Be ready to be surprised by joy. Then, tomorrow, may we recognize the risen Jesus (Luke 24:31).

Prayer: Jesus, may I bathe in Your word today (see Ephesians 5:26).

Good Friday

Friday, March 29, 2013 | Good Friday

Isaiah 52:13 - 53:12 | Psalm 28 | Hebrews 4:14-16, 5:7-9

John 18:1 - 19:37

UNIMAGINABLE, FREELY CHOSEN PAIN

“Then He bowed His head, and delivered up His spirit.” - John 19:30

Although most people think of Jesus hanging on the cross for three hours, He actually hung on the cross for about six hours (see Mark 15:25, 33). He suffered much more than we realize or could even imagine. Jesus could well quote from Lamentations: “Come, all you who pass by the way, look and see whether there is any suffering like My suffering: (Lamentations 1:12). As Isaiah prophesied, Jesus was beaten so badly that His appearance was marred “beyond that of mortals” (Isaiah 52:14). Pontius Pilate had Jesus violently scourged in order to shock the crowd into stopping their demands for His crucifixion (see John 19:4-5). It did not work; the crowd wanted Jesus to shed even more of His blood (see Matthew 27:25). So the lacerated and bruised Savior was brutalized to an even greater degree as He carried the cross, was crucified, and died. Jesus’ condition at the end was such that very few could stand to see Him up close (see Isaiah 53:3). No one will ever know more than a small part of what Jesus suffered.

Jesus did not have to suffer these worst of all sufferings (see John 10:18). He knew what would happen to Him, and He had the power to prevent it at any time (see Matthew 26:53). Jesus was not a victim of circumstances; He was Victim of love. Jesus freely decided to suffer unimaginable pain out of love for you!

Prayer: Jesus, You gave Your life for me; I give my life to You - completely and forever.

Maundy Thursday

Thursday, March 28, 2013 | Maundy Thursday

Exodus 12:1-8, 11-14 | Psalm 116 | I Corinthians 11:23-26

John 13:1-15

FREE AT LAST

“I am Your servant, the son of Your handmaid; You have loosed my bonds” - Psalm 116:16

When Jesus became a human being, “He emptied Himself and took the form of a slave” (Philippians 2:7). Before Jesus died for us, He washed His disciples’ feet (John 13:5). This was the work of a slave. Jesus was sold for thirty pieces of silver (Matthew 26:15; Zechariah 11:12), the price of a gored slave (Exodus 21:32). Jesus died by crucifixion, the manner of death reserved for slaves. From the beginning to the end of His life on earth, Jesus was a slave. He took on our enslaved human condition so we could share in His salvation (II Peter 1:4). “Before the feast of Passover” (John 13:1), Jesus did the work of a slave so that we can celebrate forever the Passover, the feast of freedom from slavery (see Exodus 12:31).

If you receive Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, you are truly free (see John 8:36) from sin, death (John 6:54) and hell. Yet our freedom is not without price: we are set free in order that we may follow our Master, and serve as He has served.

Prayer: Father, set me free to serve in Christ’s Name.

Holy Week

Wednesday, March 27, 2013 | Holy Week

Isaiah 50:10-11 | Psalm 69 | Matthew 26:14-25

“HOLY, HOLY, HOLY” WEEK

“Speak to the weary a word that will rouse them.” - Isaiah 50:4

This week is called “Holy Week” not only because of the memories of Christ’s last days, which it invokes, but also because, during this week, the Lord gives us the grace to become more holy, to become more like Him (I Peter 1:15). Of course, every week is a holy week because the Lord constantly calls us to become holy, as He is holy (I Peter 1:15-16). However, this week is the opportunity to realize that the Lord is constantly trying to “rouse’ us to live as faithful disciples. This week, we can receive the grace to hunger and thirst for holiness (Matthew 5:6). Then we will look at the circumstances of life not to maximize pleasure and minimize pain but to maximize holiness, because holy lives are those which are pleasing to God.

In the coming days and years, we can expect to be unpopular, because Christians often are (II timothy 3:12). We may be beaten, buffeted, and spat at (see Isaiah 50:6). Only if we are authentic disciples will we respond to this abuse with love, forgiveness, and courage. That takes ‘holiness.’ God longs for us to live authentic lives, because without holiness, we cannot see God (Hebrews 12:14).

Prayer: Lord, make me holy - no matter what it takes.

Suffering Savior

Tuesday, March 26, 2013 | Holy Week

Isaiah 49:1-6 | Psalm 71 | John 13:21-33, 36-38

“BE QUICK”

“Be quick about what you are to do.” - John 13:27

After Satan had entered Judas’ heart, Jesus told him to be quick. Jesus had already tried to lead Judas to repentance, but after the betrayer had definitively and finally refused God’s grace, Jesus knew that Satan would use Judas to torture, brutalize, and crucify Him. Therefore, Jesus had nothing more to say to him except that he should be quick to get it over with. Like any human being, Jesus didn’t want to suffer any longer than He had to.

Even though Jesus was executed quickly (within a few hours of His arrest), the day of Jesus’ death probably seemed to Him to last forever. Just thinking about it caused His sweat to become as drops of blood (Luke 22:44). For God, one day can be as a thousand years (II Peter 3:8), the day of Jesus’ death must have felt like many thousands of years. On the cross, time almost stopped dead; a second seemed like a lifetime. Jesus’ death was anything but quick; He refused to take any drugs to kill His consciousness (Mark 15:23). He suffered not just a slow death but the slowest death. He suffered all this for love of you.

This is the holiest week of the year. Jesus is calling us to repent. “Be quick” about it (John 13:27).

Prayer: Jesus, are You slow to return or are we slow to repent? (see II Peter 3:9)

Holy Week Begins

Monday, March 25, 2013 | Holy Week

Isaiah 42:1-7 | Psalm 27 | John 12:1-11

WHEN ONLY “FANATICISM” WILL DO

“Mary brought a pound of costly perfume made from genuine aromatic nard, with which she anointed Jesus’ feet. Then she dried His feet with her hair.” - John 12:3

Mary of Bethany chose the better part (Luke 10:42). She sat at the feet of Jesus and listened to His words (Luke 10:39). Her sister Martha criticized her for not helping prepare the meal, but Jesus defended Mary (Luke 10:41-42).

Mary of Bethany is a special example of the proper attitude toward Jesus. We should lavish our time, possessions, money, and lives on Jesus always - but even more so during Holy Week. When we realize that He poured out His life on Calvary for love of us, what else can we do?

This Holy Week, may we merit criticism for our ‘fanaticism?’ May we throw ourselves at Jesus as if He were God, because that’s exactly who He is. This Holy Week, be holy and “wholly” His. Be like Mary of Bethany.

Prayer: Father, grant me the grace to destroy strongholds of the evil one this Holy Week (see II Corinthians 10:4).

Palm Sunday

Sunday, March 24, 2013 | Palm Sunday

Matthew 21:1-11 | Isaiah 50:4-7 | Psalm 100 | Philippians 2:6-11

Matthew 26:14 - 27:66

THAT’S A NO KNOW?

Peter “began cursing, and swore, ‘I do not even know the Man!’” - Matthew 26:74

Peter was privileged to know Jesus in ways not granted to the other disciples (see Matthew 16:17; Matthew 14:29; Matthew 17:1; Mark 5:37; Matthew 26:37). If anyone was in a position to know Jesus intimately, Peter was. He knew Jesus the Messiah, Teacher, Deliverer, Raiser of the dead, and Master of the crowds. Yet, on Good Friday, Peter saw a Man before him standing bound, captive, mocked, and silent before His accusers. When asked about his association with this Prisoner, Peter answered, “I do not even know the Man” (Matthew 26:74). Certainly, Peter spoke words of denial. Yet, there is a profound truth to Peter’s statement: he did not know Jesus, the suffering Servant.

Paul was privileged to see Jesus and converse with Him (see Acts 9:4-5; Acts 19:9-10; Acts 9:16; II Corinthians 12:1-4). Paul knew Jesus in a way that few human beings will ever experience. However, Paul said, “I wish to know Christ” (Philippians 3:10). Paul realized that his human lifespan was insufficient to completely know Jesus Christ.

Perhaps you feel that you know Jesus personally and intimately. Even so, the Palm Sunday readings challenge us to take a new look at the Unknown One. Humbly bow before Him during the upcoming Holy Week. Ask Him, “Do I really know You?”

Prayer: “May the God of our Lord Jesus Christ…grant you a spirit of wisdom and insight to know Him clearly” (Ephesians 1:17).

Sacrificial Love

Saturday, March 23, 2013

Ezekiel 37:21-28 | Jeremiah 31:3-6 | John 11:45-57

LEAD-OFF BATTER-ED

“I will make them one nation upon the land, in the mountains of Israel, and there shall be one Prince for them all.” - Ezekiel 37:22

Ezekiel prophesied that Israel and Judah would be united after hundreds of years of division. This miracle of unity would be accomplished by David’s Descendant, who would be the one Prince and the one Shepherd of the reunited nation (Ezekiel 37:24). Ezekiel prophesied unity through divinely ordained leadership.

Caiaphas, the high priest when Jesus died, also prophesied. He said, “It is better for you to have one Man die [for the people] than to have the whole nation destroyed” (John 11:50). Caiaphas “prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation - and not for this nation only, but to gather into one all the dispersed children of God (John 11:51-52). Unity would be affected by a Leader - not by a Leader in governing, organizing, building, or even fighting, but by a Leader in dying. Jesus led the way in dying and made two into one through the blood of His cross (Ephesians 2:16; Colossians 1:20).

If we want unity in our world, in marriage and family, and in the Christian community, we must lead the way in self-sacrifice. We must travel the Way of the Cross (Luke 9:23).

Prayer: Father, I must decrease and You must increase; may I live out Your sacrificial love.

Suffering for Christ

Friday, March 22, 2013

Jeremiah 20:10-13 | Psalm 18 | John 10:31-42

LOVE, SUFFERING, AND EVANGELISM

“Many came to believe in Him.” - John 10:42

The Lord can use you to lead many to believe in Him. However, before the Lord breaks through in the lives of those to whom you are witnessing, the evil one will usually try to intimidate you and pressure you to keep quiet. For instance, before the “many” in today’s Gospel reading believed in Jesus, some attempted to execute Jesus by stoning Him (John 10-31). Before the 3,000 believers of the first Christian Pentecost reached thousands more, Peter and John and then all the apostles were thrown in jail. Also, before these thousands of believers reached hundreds of thousands with the Gospel of Jesus, many of the first Christians were martyred.

Today, as in all Christian history, the Lord gives us the power to bear much fruit. If we will only fall to the earth and die like grains of wheat, we will bear much fruit (John 12:24). No matter how limited we may be or how inadequate we may feel, we will lead many to kneel at the throne of grace if we love them enough to bear our “share of the hardship which the gospel entails”

(II Timothy 1:8). Love, suffer, and bear fruit abundantly (see John 15:5).

Prayer: Father, “the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church” (Tertullian). Use my life and death as Your seed.

Growing Pressure

Thursday, March 21, 2013

Acts 7:54-60 | Psalm 3 | John 12:27-43

PRESSURE-COOKER

“I knew it because the Lord informed me; at that time You, O Lord, showed me their doings.” - Jeremiah 11:18

The temple guards were so impressed by Jesus’ words that they disobeyed their orders to arrest Him (John 7:45). They said, “No man ever spoke like that before” (John 7:46). The religious leaders pressured the guards to follow the “party line.” The guards gave in to the pressure.

“There were many, even among the Sanhedrin, who believed in Him; but they refused to admit it because of the Pharisees, for fear they might be rejected from the synagogue. They preferred the praise of men to the glory of God” (John 12:42-43). They gave in to the pressure.

The apostles were pressured to abandon Jesus. Peter was pressured to deny Him three times. They all folded under pressure (see Mark 14:50, 68).

After Pentecost, once again the pressure was on. This time the apostles (Acts 4:19; 5:29), Stephen (Acts 7:55), Philip (Acts 8:4), Ananias (Acts 9:13), and Paul (Acts 28:31), refused to crack under the pressure. The Holy Spirit made the difference.

Because we live in a post-Christian society and a “culture of death,” Christians are often under pressure at home, work, school, and even at church. But Scripture teaches us that, if we open our hearts to the Holy Spirit, we will be able to stand.

Prayer: Father, give me the grace to persevere.

Obedience

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Acts 14:5-18 | Psalm 115 | John 14:21-26

OBEDIENCE

“He who obeys the commandments he has from Me is the man who loves Me.” - John 14:21

Obedience is one of the main ways we express our love for God. The Lord gives the Holy Spirit to those who obey Him (Acts 5:32). The Lord reveals Himself to those who obey (John 14:21) and conceals Himself from the disobedient (see Luke 10:21). The obedient not only know God’s revelation but also His dwelling within them (John 14:23). In obedience, love is expressed, the Spirit accepted, God revealed, and His indwelling received. Sin and death entered the world through disobedience, but salvation entered the world through Jesus’ obedience (Romans 5:19), even to death on the cross (Philippians 2:8).

Obedience is the essence of the Christian life and the heart of our relationship with the Lord. Obedience is one of the most important ways of imitating Christ. It is a prerequisite to exercising authority over the evil one (II Corinthians 10:4-6). Obedience is one of our greatest privileges; it is the way of life

(I Peter 1:2) and the way of love. Love to obey.

Prayer: Father, may my love expressed in obedience result in joy.

Humility

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

I Peter 5:5-14 | Psalm 90 | Mark 16:15-20

THE MARK OF HUMILITY

“Clothe yourselves with humility, because God ‘is stern with the arrogant but to the humble He shows kindness.” - I Peter 5:5

After John Mark quit the first missionary journey (Acts 13:13), he changed his mind and was willing to be taken on the second trip (Acts 15:37). This may or may not have been an act of repentance and humility. When Paul refused to take Mark (Acts 15:38), a rift opened between Barnabas and Paul. But, eventually, the rift was healed and they were reconciled (see Colossians 4:10; II Timothy 4:11). This reconciliation required humility from both Mark and Paul. Mark later humbled himself and sought to be discipled by Peter (see I Peter 5:13). Like all Christians, Mark was repeatedly called to humble himself.

As Mark humbled himself, the Lord showed great kindness to him (see I Peter 5:5). The Lord promised: “whoever exalts himself shall be humbled, but whoever humbles himself shall be exalted” (Matthew 23:12). In Mark’s humility, the Lord exalted him by choosing him to write one of the Gospels, under the direction of the Holy Spirit.

We can also be exalted if we will humble ourselves before God.

Prayer: Father, clothe me with humility.

Peace

Monday, March 18, 2013

Acts 14:19-28 | Psalm 146 | John 14:27-31

PEACE, PERFECT PEACE

“’Peace’ is My farewell to you, My peace is My gift to you; I do not give it to you as the world gives peace.” - John 14:27

In His last will and testament, Jesus gave His disciples His peace as our inheritance. He commanded us not to “be distressed or fearful” (John 14:27). Jesus said that He does not give peace to us as the world gives it (John 14:27).

The world gives peace by providing favorable circumstances. So, we are at peace when things are going well for us. However, this kind of peace is very insecure because it depends upon circumstances beyond our control. The peace this world gives is a time-bomb ready to explode.

Jesus’ peace does not depend upon our circumstances. It depends upon our relationship with Him (John 16:33). In Jesus, we can have peace amid pain, rejection, suffering, and death. Jesus’ peace “is beyond all understanding” (Philippians 4:7). He doesn’t just give peace, He is our Peace (Ephesians 2:14).

Prayer: Father, order every detail of my life according to Your will. Give me Your peace. Make me an instrument of Your peace.

Death

Sunday, March 17, 2013 | Fifth Sunday of Lent

Ezekiel 37:12-14 | Psalm 130 | Romans 8:8-11 | John 11:1-45

DEATH TO DEATH

“O My people, I will open your graves and have you rise from them” - Ezekiel 37:12

Jesus raised from the dead the daughter of Jairus (Mark 5:35) and the son of the widow of Nain (Luke 7:15). However, these resurrections did not free the human race from death. They were not the death of death but only a temporary reprieve. Even the two people who were raised only lived a few more years, just to die once again.

However, when Jesus raised Lazarus, it foreshadowed His total victory over death and the resurrection of all who believe in Him. Before Jesus raised Lazarus, He said, “I am the Resurrection and the Life: whoever believes in Me, though he should die, he will come to life, and whoever is alive and believes in Me will never die” (John 11:25-26). The culmination of the rising of Lazarus is not his coming out from the grave but his being untied and freed (John 11:44). Through the fear of death, Satan tries to enslave us (Hebrews 2:15). When Jesus raised Lazarus, He showed how He would break death’s tyranny over us (see I Corinthians 15:54-55), untie us from death’s chains, and let us go free. Jesus holds “the keys of death and the nether world” (Revelation 1:18). He not only raises the dead but also frees from death all those who believe in Him. Jesus does not just raise the dead, He is “the Resurrection and the Life.”

Prayer: Father, may we, and all those who believe, be raised to life eternal.

God's Plan

Saturday, March 16, 2013

II Samuel 7:4-5, 12-14, 16 | Psalm 89 | Romans 4:13, 16-18, 22 | Matthew 1:16, 18-21, 24

GOD’S PLANS FOR YOU

“Yes, he is our father in the sight of God in whom he believed.” - Romans 4:17

God has a wonderful plan of salvation (see Ephesians 1:10). Abraham was an important part of that plan (Romans 4:16). David also had an important part to play since, for from his family, came Jesus, the Messiah (II Samuel 7:12). We all have a special part in God’s plan. We can all be bearers of the blessing of Christ.

Take, for example, the part played by Joseph, Jesus’ foster-father (Matthew 1:20). I wonder what other part Joseph played in Jesus’ life? Tradition has it that he died early. By the time of Jesus’ ministry, there is no mention of Joseph but, since he was probably somewhat older than Mary, and Jesus was thirty when He began to preach, Joseph could have been in his late fifties or early sixties, and that would have made him very old by the standards of the day. Joseph’s main influence was exerted in the background, as the child Jesus grew. No doubt he taught Him how to stand up for what He believed, not to apologize to anyone for holding firmly to the truth. Joseph’s influence was indirect, but it may also have been profound. Did Jesus think of His earthly father as He hung upon the cross?

Never imagine that you can do nothing to change the world.

Prayer: Father, show me how to use what influence I have for Your glory.

Children

Friday, March 15, 2013

Isaiah 9:2-7 | Psalm 127 | Matthew 19:13-15

CHILDREN ARE GIFTS

“Can a mother forget her infant, be without tenderness for the child of her womb? Even should she forget, I will never forget you.” - Isaiah 49:15

Christ loves children. He created children, became a child Himself, and continues to say: “Let the children come to Me. Do not hinder them. The kingdom of God belongs to such as these” (Matthew 19:14).  Jesus embraces and blesses children. He expects His followers to do the same.

Most people in our society think they love children. However, our actions speak louder than our words. Do you love children enough to stand with the unborn? Do you love children enough to take a stand against child abuse? Do you love children enough to share the good news of Jesus with them and their parents? How many children do you pray for? How many do you pray with? Do you give prime time to your children and/or your grandchildren? Have you ever asked the Lord to show you how you can help parents better disciple their children? Do your actions indicate you love children as Jesus loves children?

Prayer: Jesus, give me Your heart for children.

I AM

Thursday, March 14, 2013

Genesis 17:3-9 | Psalm 99 | John 8:51-59

I AM OR I?

“Jesus answered them: ‘I solemnly declare it: before Abraham came to be, I AM.’” - John 8:58

Jesus said He was I AM (see also John 8:28). I AM is the name of God (Exodus 3:14). Therefore, Jesus called Himself “God.” Those who believed Him worshipped Him and gave their lives to Him. Those who did not believe Jesus had no choice but to try to execute Him for blasphemy (John 8:59).

Today, many people, even Christians, don’t worship Jesus and love Him with all their hearts (Matthew 22:37). They don’t hate Jesus but they are lukewarm to His claims (Revelation 3:16). This attitude is clearly illogical for anyone who believes that Jesus is God.

Because Jesus is I AM, we should be all His. He is the meaning of life, Life Itself (John 14:6; Philippians 1:21). To give Jesus anything less than everything makes no sense. Jesus should be loved or hated, worshipped or ignored, obeyed completely or completely spurned. We should either tell the whole world about Jesus or try to rid the world of the lie and plague of Christianity.

Isn’t it time to settle with Jesus? Quit playing games with Him. Give your whole life to Him. Treat Him as God. That’s the only true way to relate to Him. Say with Thomas: “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28)

Prayer: Jesus, may my relationship with You only make sense to those who believe You are the great I AM.

Fatherhood

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Daniel 3:14-20 | John 8:31-42

FATHER-FREEDOM

“We have but one Father and that is God Himself.” - John 8:41

When Jesus taught us about freedom, He taught us about God’s fatherhood. We can be free because we are children of God the Father. When we become free, we, as sons and daughters of God, have a permanent place with Jesus in God the Father’s family (see John 8:35). Jesus, as the Son of the Father, sets us free (John 8:36).

The truth will set us free (John 8:32). By truth, the Lord means true relationships, especially our relationship with God the Father. Jesus came to show us the Father (John 14:9). No one comes to the Father except through Jesus (John 14:6). Because Jesus is the only way to the Father, He alone truly sets us free (John 8:36). Jesus is the Truth (John 14:6), because He has been perfectly true in His relationship with His Father, even to accepting death on the cross.

If, by grace, we are true to our heavenly Father and decide to do His will rather than ours (see Matthew 26:39), we will discover how deeply true the Father is to us. This awesome security will take precedence over all our fears and anxieties (Luke 12:7). Secure in the Father’s true love, we will not be manipulated. We will be free at last.

Prayer: Father, Abba, in Your arms I am truly free.

Lifted Up

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Numbers 21:4-9 | Psalm 102 | John 8:21-30

LIFT

“When you lift up the Son of Man, you will come to realize that I AM.” - John 8:28

The Holy Spirit inspires us to see that the lifting up of Jesus on the cross, (and also in the resurrection, and ascension) was foreshadowed when God told Moses to mount a bronze serpent on a pole (Numbers 21:8; John 3:14). As those who looked at the bronze serpent were saved from death, so those who believe in the lifted-up Jesus are saved from the second death (see Revelation 2:11), everlasting damnation (see John 3:18).

The lifted-up - crucified, risen, and glorified - Jesus draws all people to Himself (John 12:32). Human beings are mysteriously drawn to that Man nailed to a cross. If we yield to the draw of God’s grace, we will come to believe in Jesus as our Savior, Lord, and God. When we lift up Jesus, we “will come to realize that’ He is the I AM, that is, God (John 8:28). Then we will not die in our sins, but repent and receive everlasting life (see John 8:24).

In two and a half weeks, on Good Friday, we will remember the cross. We will see Jesus lifted up. Let’s pray in these days to see the lifted-up Jesus in a new way, in His way. May we celebrate the risen and glorified Christ as never before, and may we celebrate Him forever.

Prayer: Lifted-up Jesus, lift me out of sin, darkness, and death. Lift me from the earth into heaven with You.

Condemnation

Monday, March 11, 2013

Daniel 13:1-9, 15-17, 19-30, 33-62 | Psalm 54 | John 8:1-11

CRIME AND PUNISHMENT

“Nor do I condemn you. You may go.” - John 8:11

Injustices are not merely thoughts or feelings; they are realities. We must not only do what we can to stop injustices to the poor but also begin to repair the damage inflicted upon them. Punishing those guilty of injustice is part of repairing the evil effects of injustice. The Pharisees were not necessarily being vindictive when they planned to stone the adulteress. They were doing justice.

When Jesus let the adulteress go, He would have been unjust if He had not planned to provide justice for her, her victims, and society in general. Jesus did this when He took her punishment upon Himself and was executed in her place on Calvary.

This may be why Jesus “bent down and started tracing on the ground with His finger” (John 8:6). He may have been deliberating whether to suffer the punishment for the adulteress’ sins and our sins. As Jesus bent down, He may have thought of being knocked down and tortured. As He traced on the ground with His finger, He may have seen the nails being pounded through His hands and His dead body being buried in the ground. When Jesus stood up and let the adulteress (and us) go free and uncondemned (John 8:11), He condemned Himself to take on the punishment justly due to all the sinners of all times. Jesus condemned Himself to an unimaginably brutal death for justice and love of us.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, You were crucified by my sin and for my rebellion. Thank You, Your justice is matched only by Your love.

The Covenant

Sunday, March 10, 2013 | Fourth Sunday of Lent

Jeremiah 31:31-34 | Psalm 76 | Hebrews 5:7-9 | John 12:20-33

“THE BLOOD OF THE COVENANT” (Matthew 26:28)

“The days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant.” - Jeremiah 31:31

God, who is Love (I John 4:16), wants to love us in a permanent, faithful relationship, which is similar to marriage, only better. As married couples make a covenant with each other by exchanging marriage vows, so the Lord made covenants with Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, and all His chosen people. The problem with these covenants was that God’s people broke them all (Jeremiah 31:32). Human beings seem incapable of keeping a covenant with God, incapable of loving God faithfully. Therefore, God promised to make a new covenant. He said: “I will place My law within them, and write it upon their hearts; I will be their God, and they shall be My people” (Jeremiah 31:33). We will be able to keep this covenant because God will place it inside us and write it on our hearts. This means that God will give us a new nature, one capable of love and faithfulness.

Jesus gave us this new nature and new covenant by His death on the cross (see Matthew 26:28). We receive our new nature and covenant by being born again of water and the Spirit (John 3:5), by being baptized into Jesus and into His death and resurrection (Romans 6:3). We are made right with God (justified) by faith.

Prayer: Father, may my life be like a grain of wheat which falls to the earth and dies to bear much fruit (John 12:24).

The Word

Saturday, March 9, 2013

Jeremiah 11:18-20 | Psalm 7 | John 7:40-53

CROSS-WORD PUZZLES

“No man ever spoke like that before.” - John 7:46

“The crowd was sharply divided over Him.” - John 7:43

The temple guards “forgot” to arrest Jesus, so impressed were they by His words. However, the Pharisees were unimpressed; they said the guards and the crowds that listened to Jesus had been taken in (John 7:47).

This was not the first time Jesus had received contradictory reactions to His words. At His hometown of Nazareth, “they marveled at the appealing discourse which came from His lips” (Luke 4:22). Nevertheless, a few minutes later, “the whole audience in the synagogue was filled with indignation. They rose up and expelled Him from the town” (Luke 4:28-29).

Christ is “an obstacle and a stumbling stone. Those who stumble and fall are the disbelievers in God’s word” (I Peter 2:8). We will either hate Jesus, His word, and those who proclaim it (see John 15:18, 20), or we will find His words to be the joy and the happiness of our hearts (Jeremiah 15:16).

Let the Holy Spirit wield God’s word (see Ephesians 6:17) to crucify your flesh with its passions and desires (Galatians 5:24). Otherwise, you will continue to crucify Jesus (Hebrews 6:6). Submit to God’s word with joy.

Prayer: Father, I accept Your grace to conform my life to Your Word.

Suffering

Friday, March 8, 2013

Wisdom 2:1, 12-22 | Psalm 24 | John 7:1-2, 10, 25-30

PRIVILEGED SUFFERING

“Let us beset the just one.” - Wisdom 2:12

“Let us condemn him to a shameful death.” - Wisdom 2:20

Three weeks from today is Good Friday. On that day, we will remember that Jesus suffered and died for love of us. We also remember that in our own flesh we “fill up what is lacking in the sufferings of Christ for the sake of His body, the Church” (Colossians 1:24). Jesus has left room for our sufferings to be included in His plan of redemption. Not that they save us, far from it, but we have the privilege of sharing in the sufferings of our Lord.

Jesus said, “Blest are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of slander against you because of Me. Be glad and rejoice, for your reward is great in heaven” (Matthew 5:11-12). May we be “judged worthy of ill-treatment for the sake of the Name” of Jesus (Acts 5:41). May our lives be “not like other men’s” (Wisdom 2:15) so that we will be privileged (Philippians 1:29) to suffer revilement for righteousness’ sake (Matthew 5:10).

Rejoice “in the measure that you share Christ’s sufferings”

(I Peter 4:13). “If anyone suffers for being a Christian…he ought not to be ashamed. He should rather glorify God in virtue of that name” (I Peter 4:16). Suffer, rejoice, and love.

Prayer: Father, I accept Your grace to take up my crosses daily (Luke 9:23). May I know how to share in Jesus’ sufferings by being formed into the pattern of His death (Philippians 3:10).

Ignorance

Thursday, March 7, 2013

Exodus 32:7-14 | Psalm 106 | John 5:31-47

“IGNORANCE OF THE SCRIPTURES IS _________”

“Search the Scriptures.” - John 5:39

We believe in Jesus because of His witnesses. These witnesses are John the Baptist (John 5:33), Jesus’ works (John 5:36), God the Father (John 5:37), and especially the Scriptures (John 5:39). Jesus said that we would believe in Him if we believed Moses and his writings, that is, the first five books of the Bible (John 5:46-47). The witness of the Scriptures is extremely important. When Jesus rose from the dead, “beginning, then, with Moses and all the prophets, He interpreted for them every passage of Scripture which referred to Him” (Luke 24:27). “He opened their minds to the understanding of the Scriptures” (Luke 24:45).

Someone once said, “Ignorance of the Scriptures is ignorance of Christ.” Without the Scriptures, we will have difficulty hearing God (Romans 10:17). This makes it difficult for us to believe in Jesus. Without the Scriptures, we probably will not recognize the risen Christ (Luke 24:31-32).

Therefore, “search the Scriptures.” Meditate “on His law day and night” (Psalm 1:2). “Recite it by day and by night” (Joshua 1:8). Study it daily (Acts 17:11). Share God’s word (see Luke 8:16). “Humbly welcome the word that has taken root in you, with its power to save you. Act on this word” (James 1:21-22).

Prayer: Father, help me to use Your word to overcome the temptations of the evil one.

Way, Truth, Life

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Isaiah 49:8-15 | Psalm 145 | John 5:17-30

WHAT ABOUT JESUS?

Jesus “was speaking of God as His own Father, thereby making Himself God’s equal.” - John 5:18

Jesus is the Son of God. He is God’s equal. He is God (John 1:1; 8:24, 28, 58). Jesus “grants life to those to whom He wishes” (John 5:21). The Father “has assigned all judgment to the Son, so that all men may honor the Son just as they honor the Father” (John 5:22-23).

If we hear Jesus and believe in Him, we possess eternal life, do not come under condemnation, and pass from death to life (John 5:24). The dead who listen to Jesus’ voice shall live (John 5:25). “An hour is coming in which all those in their tombs shall hear His voice and come forth. Those who have done right shall rise to live; the evildoers shall rise to be damned” (John 5:28-29). Jesus clearly maintains He is God, the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6), the Resurrection and the Life (John 11:25).

How you choose to respond to Jesus will be the best or worst decision of your life. If you believe in Jesus, then give your life to Him, worship Him, and tell the world about Him. If you don’t believe in Jesus…

Prayer: Lord Jesus, like Thomas, make me able to look on You and say, “My Lord and my God.”

Life-Giving Water

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Ezekiel 47:1-9, 12 | Psalm 46 | John 5:1-3, 5-16

ARE YOU TRICKLISH?

“I saw water trickling.” - Ezekiel 37:2

Through a variety of renewal programs, the water of the Holy Spirit has trickled into many local churches. Some, however, are so spiritually dry that they mistake the trickle for a river. A trickle is not a river, but it could become one. Trickles that go nowhere dry up. Trickles that flow into ponds become stagnant, for a pond has no outlet. Occasionally, the pond water becomes agitated. We may even see a miracle or a healing (see John 5:7, 9), and call this renewal. But the pond soon becomes stagnant again. We should not be content with a trickle of renewal; we should seek the overwhelming power of the Holy Spirit in Revival.

Our earnest desire should be to see the trickle of renewal swell into the flood of revival. We pray that these, small, movements of the Spirit may become rivers whose banks are filled with life and fruit (see Ezekiel 47:7).

Easter, when it is celebrated with a full heart, flows into the river of Pentecost. That is what we need: a New Pentecost! So, don’t be dry or stagnant. “Let him who is thirsty come forward; let all who desire it accept the gift of life-giving water” (Revelation 22:17).

Prayer: Come, Holy Spirit, Come!

Walking by Faith

Monday, March 4, 2013

Isaiah 65:17-21 | Psalm 30 | John 4:43-54

I BELIEVE IN EASTER

“He and his whole household thereupon became believers.” - John 4:53

Isaiah prophesied that the Lord would create new heavens and a new earth (Isaiah 65:17), but he seems not to have dreamed of life eternal in heaven. He prophesied that all would live to be well over a hundred years old (Isaiah 65:20), but seemed not to think that we could live forever. The Lord has promised more than we can ever ask for or imagine (Ephesians 3:20). “Eye has not seen, ear has not heard, nor has it so much as dawned on man what God has prepared for those who love Him” (I Corinthians 2:9).

This Easter, we seek to enter more deeply into this risen, everlasting life of heaven. Since the risen life is so far beyond our limited experience, we will have to walk by faith not by sight (II Corinthians 5:7). We must put our faith “in the word”, which Jesus has spoken to us, and make a start for our heavenly home (see John 4:50).

A good thing to do before Easter comes is to read through the account of Jesus’ last days as it was recorded by the apostle John. Although all Scripture will help us to grow in faith (see Romans 10:17), John’s Gospel was written specifically “to help you believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the son of God, so that through this faith you may have life in His name” (John 20:31). Find time to immerse yourself in John’s Gospel, and grow in faith. By faith, you will live the risen life this Easter as never before. Easter is for believers. Believe; grow in faith.

Prayer: Father, increase my faith (Luke 17:5).

Crucified Love

Sunday, March 3, 2013 | Third Sunday of Lent

II Chronicles 36:14-17, 19-23 | Psalm 137 | Ephesians 2:4-10 | John 3:14-21

THE DILEMMA OF BEING LOVED

“God so loved the world that He gave his only Son, that whosoever believes in Him may not die but have eternal life.” - John 3:16

God loves us with so great a love (Ephesians 2:4) that we are put in a position where we are obligated to respond. First, God decided to empty Himself (Philippians 2:7) and become a human being. Then He decides to die on the cross for love of us. Next, He knocks on the door of our hearts (Revelation 3:20) so He can come in and permanently live within us (see John 14:23). Then He keeps on coming to us in bread and wine (see Matthew 26:26-28).

We are free to ignore Jesus’ incarnation and crucifixion. We can close our ears to this call. But wouldn’t this be the grossest ingratitude? If the Lord hadn’t loved us so much and so faithfully, we wouldn’t be in the constant dilemma of what to do about His love. However, if the Lord hadn’t loved us so much, we wouldn’t even have the opportunity to receive salvation. Because God is love, He gave us freedom. He will not force a person to love Him. Because we are free, we can decide to accept or reject God, to be with Him forever in heaven or without Him forever in hell. The greatness of God’s love implies the magnitude of our freedom. God’s love implies the existence of heaven and hell.

God has loved you with a perfect, infinite, crucified love. This is an unchangeable fact. What are you going to do about it? Will you love Him in return?

Prayer: Father, You are Love. May I decide every day to live in Your love and to live in You.

Confidence in God

Saturday, March 2, 2013

Hosea 6:1-6 | Psalm 20 | Luke 18:9-14

MISPLACED CONFIDENCE

“What can I do with you, Ephraim? What can I do with you, Judah?” - Hosea 6:4

The Israelite worshipers sang a hymn which expressed their confidence that God would respond favorably to their offerings and sacrifices, “He will heal us…He will bind our wounds…He will raise us up to live in His presence…as certain as the dawn is His coming” (Hosea 6:1-3). Jesus painted a similar picture in today’s Gospel reading. The Pharisee offered sacrifices of tithes, fasting, and a life of holy deeds (Luke 18:11-12). Just as his ancestors did, he prayed confidently to God, offering another splendid sacrifice of prayer and holiness. The Israelites and the Pharisee were confident that God was delighted with offerings and prayers. However, God reacts to these beautiful hymns and prayers with frustration and disgust! He laments: “What can I do with you?” (Hosea 6:4)

We are right to approach God confidently. The Lord approves this attitude (see II Corinthians 3:12; Hebrews 11:35; I Corinthians 5:6-7). However, when we place our confidence in the power of our own efforts to move God, we are “like a morning cloud…that early passes away” (Hosea 6:4).

However, when we place all our confidence in Him and none in ourselves (Luke 18:13), then we truly have knowledge of God (Hosea 6:6). Now God can say to us, “What can I do with you? I will do with you greater works than Jesus Himself” (see John 14:12).

Prayer: “O God, be merciful to me, a sinner” (Luke 18:13).

Repentance

Friday, March 1, 2013

Hosea 14:2-10 | Psalm 81 | Mark 12:28-34

ONLY ESCAPING OR ALSO LOVING?

‘Return to the Lord.” - Hosea 14:3

Like the prodigal son, we may have run away from home (Luke 15:13), done our own thing, and collapsed through our guilt (Hosea 14:2). We are sick of seeing pigs live better than we do (see Luke 15:16-17). Finally, we decide to get out of sin and ask for the Lord’s forgiveness.

The Lord rejoices to see us, for He wants to heal our defection and turn His wrath away from us (Hosea 14:5). He wants to love us more than we want to be loved. We are afraid of grasping fully “the breadth and length and height and depth of Christ’s love” (Ephesians 3:18). If we do, we will become aware of our responsibility to love the Lord with all our hearts, all our souls, and all our minds, and all our strength (Mark 12:30). To love like that, we would have to deny our very selves (see Luke 9:23). We would have to repent, not only because selfishness and sin are dead ends, but also because God is Love (I John 4:16), for He has loved us perfectly, constantly, and infinitely.

Does your repentance consist primarily of leaving the bad and self-destructive, or are you repenting in order to return to your Lord and your first Love? Are you trying merely to stay out of hell, or do you want to see Jesus face to face in heaven?

Prayer: Father, I want to love You more than just to escape the punishment I deserve.