Morning Scripture Reading - Mark 11:22-26

Mark 11:22-26 Holman Christian Standard Bible

22 Jesus replied to them, “Have faith in God. 23 I assure you: If anyone says to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. 24 Therefore I tell you, all the things you pray and ask for—believe that you have received them, and you will have them. 25 And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven will also forgive you your wrongdoing. [26 But if you don’t forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your wrongdoing.]”

Evening Scripture Reading - 2 Timothy 3:16-17

2 Timothy 3:16-17 Holman Christian Standard Bible

16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

Psalms Scripture Reading - Psalm 6:1-3

Psalm 6:1-3 Holman Christian Standard Bible

Psalm 6

A Prayer for Mercy

For the choir director: with stringed instruments, according to Sheminith. A Davidic psalm.

1 Lord, do not rebuke me in Your anger;

do not discipline me in Your wrath.

2 Be gracious to me, Lord, for I am weak;

heal me, Lord, for my bones are shaking;

3 my whole being is shaken with terror.

And You, Lord—how long?

Good Friday Message - Died for Us Sinners

As I do each day, I read and study the Scriptures and humbly ask God for the message that He wants me to share. As I read and continue to study commentaries and translations, there are times when God places His finger on the very passage I am to share. In this case, He did just that and etched His message clearly upon my heart.

In chapter five of his letter to the Romans, Paul writes, “When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation. For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son. So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God.”

There are a couple of truly clear truths that Paul shares with us. The first is that we are helpless when it comes to our debt of sin. There was no possible way for any of us to repay our debt of sin. There weren’t enough sacrificial animals for us to offer up as our atonement for our sins. Jesus came at the right time to redeem us and give us salvation. This gift was undeserved. All walked in darkness and in sin. But, God, in His infinite mercy, sent His son to die for us and to be our once for all time sacrifice. There is no possible way for any of us to understand or fathom the boundless love of God. God sent His son to die for our sins out of love for us.

The next important truth is that it is only Jesus’ blood that can make us right with God. We have no ability to save ourselves from utter damnation. It is only through Jesus that we are able to find our way to the Father. Jesus bridges the divide that separated us from God. It is only through him that we are able to find our way back to God and have a relationship with Him.

All of this came by the way of one act. Jesus had to die for us in order for the wages of sin to be repaid. Jesus willingly chose to endure intense suffering and death upon the cross for us. While on the cross, he was mocked by those who, just days before, welcomed him and celebrated his coming to Jerusalem.

In chapter two of his letter to the Philippians, Paul eloquently sums up why Jesus died for us, “Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

Jesus willingly gave up his position of privilege and power to come to earth and live among sinners. It is because of that selfless act that we are able to have a relationship with the Father. Jesus endured the death that was reserved for the most heinous of criminals. But, before that, he went through a farce of a trial and was beaten without mercy. Later, he would have to carry his own instrument of death by himself while many spat upon him and jeered.

There is no conceivable way for us to understand or truly comprehend the love that Jesus had for us when he lifted his cross upon his shoulders and began to walk the Via Dolorosa, the way of suffering.

According to Christian tradition, the Via Dolorosa represents the path that Jesus would have taken, forced by the Roman soldiers, on the way to his crucifixion. It is about 2,000 feet or 600 meters in distance. Jesus, after being beaten, walked each step of that distance carrying a cross, his cross, that weighed between 165 to 220 pounds or almost seventy-five kilograms to almost 100 kilograms.

I would like to think that with each step on his way to Golgotha, the site of Jesus’ crucifixion, Jesus said the names of each and every person from the beginning of time to the end and said, “I love you.”

As I write this message, my heart is filled with sorrow and also with love. I not only love Jesus for what he did on that day but also for the love that he has shown me and continues to show me. Jesus just doesn’t love me; he also loves you.

I want you to think about what Jesus was willing to endure on your behalf. He took on the sins of the entire world, yours included to show us just how much God loved us. As you do, you also need to reflect on your life. Have you lived a life that has been Christ-like? Have you been obedient to God’s will?

If you haven’t, then today is the perfect time for you to have that little talk with Jesus and ask him to come into your life. Once you open that door in your heart and soul and allow him to be the master of your life, you will feel the weight of sin lifted off your shoulders.

Jesus, in chapter eleven of the Gospel of Matthew, said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”

When you lay down your baggage of sin and take up the yoke of Jesus, your life will truly be changed and you will be able to stand firm in His grace. 

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

Proverbs Scripture Reading - Proverbs 18:4

Proverbs 18:4 Holman Christian Standard Bible

4 The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters,

a flowing river, a fountain of wisdom.

Morning Scripture Reading - Luke 6:39-40

Luke 6:39-40 Holman Christian Standard Bible

39 He also told them a parable: “Can the blind guide the blind? Won’t they both fall into a pit? 40 A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher.

Evening Scripture Reading - 1 Corinthians 10:11-13

1 Corinthians 10:11-13 Holman Christian Standard Bible

11 Now these things happened to them as examples, and they were written as a warning to us, on whom the ends of the ages have come. 12 So, whoever thinks he stands must be careful not to fall. 13 No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to humanity. God is faithful, and He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation He will also provide a way of escape so that you are able to bear it.

Psalms Scripture Reading - Psalm 5:11-12

Psalm 5:11-12 Holman Christian Standard Bible

11 But let all who take refuge in You rejoice;

let them shout for joy forever.

May You shelter them,

and may those who love Your name boast about You.

12 For You, Lord, bless the righteous one;

You surround him with favor like a shield.

Maundy Thursday - Scripture Reading

John 13 New Living Translation

Jesus Washes His Disciples’ Feet

13 Before the Passover celebration, Jesus knew that his hour had come to leave this world and return to his Father. He had loved his disciples during his ministry on earth, and now he loved them to the very end. 2 It was time for supper, and the devil had already prompted Judas, son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had given him authority over everything and that he had come from God and would return to God. 4 So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, 5 and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him.

6 When Jesus came to Simon Peter, Peter said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”

7 Jesus replied, “You don’t understand now what I am doing, but someday you will.”

8 “No,” Peter protested, “you will never ever wash my feet!”

Jesus replied, “Unless I wash you, you won’t belong to me.”

9 Simon Peter exclaimed, “Then wash my hands and head as well, Lord, not just my feet!”

10 Jesus replied, “A person who has bathed all over does not need to wash, except for the feet, to be entirely clean. And you disciples are clean, but not all of you.” 11 For Jesus knew who would betray him. That is what he meant when he said, “Not all of you are clean.”

12 After washing their feet, he put on his robe again and sat down and asked, “Do you understand what I was doing? 13 You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right, because that’s what I am. 14 And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. 15 I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you. 16 I tell you the truth, slaves are not greater than their master. Nor is the messenger more important than the one who sends the message. 17 Now that you know these things, God will bless you for doing them.

Proverbs Scripture Reading - Proverbs 18:3

Proverbs 18:3 Holman Christian Standard Bible

3 When a wicked man comes, contempt also does,

and along with dishonor, disgrace.

Morning Scripture Reading - John 15:5-8

John 15:5-8 Holman Christian Standard Bible

5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in Me and I in him produces much fruit, because you can do nothing without Me. 6 If anyone does not remain in Me, he is thrown aside like a branch and he withers. They gather them, throw them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you want and it will be done for you. 8 My Father is glorified by this: that you produce much fruit and prove to be My disciples.

Evening Scripture Reading - John 9:35-41

John 9:35-41 Holman Christian Standard Bible

The Blind Man’s Sight and the Pharisees’ Blindness

35 When Jesus heard that they had thrown the man out, He found him and asked, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?”

36 “Who is He, Sir, that I may believe in Him?” he asked.

37 Jesus answered, “You have seen Him; in fact, He is the One speaking with you.”

38 “I believe, Lord!” he said, and he worshiped Him.

39 Jesus said, “I came into this world for judgment, in order that those who do not see will see and those who do see will become blind.”

40 Some of the Pharisees who were with Him heard these things and asked Him, “We aren’t blind too, are we?”

41 “If you were blind,” Jesus told them, “you wouldn’t have sin. But now that you say, ‘We see’—your sin remains.

Psalms Scripture Reading - Psalm 5:9-10

Psalm 5:9-10 Holman Christian Standard Bible

9 For there is nothing reliable in what they say;

destruction is within them;

their throat is an open grave;

they flatter with their tongues.

10 Punish them, God;

let them fall by their own schemes.

Drive them out because of their many crimes,

for they rebel against You.

Mid-Week Message - Easter

 "Then Pilate turned Jesus over to them to be crucified.  So they took Jesus away."  John 19:16  (NLT)

Arrested in the garden.  Mocked and taunted as an imposter.  Slapped and slugged.  Spat upon.  Blindfolded.  Flogged with a whip made with pieces of lead and stone.  Forced to carry His own cross upon raw shoulders.  Bloody.  Swollen.  Unrecognizable.  A crown of thorns driven into His scalp.  Nails driven through His hands and feet.  Raised to die upon a cruel cross.  His clothing gambled over.  A spear driven into His side.

His response?  "Please forgive them for they know not what they do." 

After a celebrated entry into Jerusalem just days before, our Lord cried out for the forgiveness of those who had tortured and were killing Him.  As He hung there, suffocating and enduring the pain of His weight pulling Him down, the spikes in His hands and feet ripping through His flesh, His request of His Father was for forgiveness.  

We know the story of the crucifixion.  Most of us have heard it since we were young.  But do we truly understand the agony Jesus withstood for our sakes?  Because of OUR sin, not His, He was punished in ways that we cannot fathom.  There had to be a sacrifice.  A perfect Lamb.  Every strike was ours.  Every taunt, every lash with the whip, every drop of spit on His bleeding body was for us.  So great is His love for you and me that He was willing to take our punishment upon Himself so that we could be reunited with our Creator and have the promise of eternity with Him.  

But the story does not end with His death.  He did as He promised and rose again.  Luke 24 tells us, "But very early on Sunday morning the women went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared.  They found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance.  So they went in, but they didn't find the body of the Lord Jesus.  As they stood there puzzled, two men suddenly appeared to them, clothed in dazzling robes.  The women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground.  The men asked, 'Why are you looking among the dead for someone who is alive?  He isn't here!  He is risen from the dead!'"  

As we go through the rest of this Holy week, my prayer is that each of us will spend time alone with the Lord seeking understanding of the depth of His love and all He endured so that all we have to do to be saved is to repent and believe in Him.  As Jesus stands defending us before the Father, may we strive to build a deeper relationship with Him.  

May His mercy and grace surround us all.  God bless.  

   

Proverbs Scripture Reading - Proverbs 18:2

Proverbs 18:2 Holman Christian Standard Bible

2 A fool does not delight in understanding,

but only wants to show off his opinions.

Morning Scripture Reading - Jeremiah 17:7

Jeremiah 17:7 Holman Christian Standard Bible

7 The man who trusts in the Lord,

whose confidence indeed is the Lord, is blessed.

Evening Scripture Reading - Colossians 1:15-20

Colossians 1:15-20 Holman Christian Standard Bible

The Centrality of Christ

15 He is the image of the invisible God,

the firstborn over all creation.

16 For everything was created by Him,

in heaven and on earth,

the visible and the invisible,

whether thrones or dominions

or rulers or authorities—

all things have been created through Him and for Him.

17 He is before all things,

and by Him all things hold together.

18 He is also the head of the body, the church;

He is the beginning,

the firstborn from the dead,

so that He might come to have

first place in everything.

19 For God was pleased to have

all His fullness dwell in Him,

20 and through Him to reconcile

everything to Himself

by making peace

through the blood of His cross—

whether things on earth or things in heaven.

Psalms Scripture Reading - Psalm 5:7-8

Psalm 5:7-8 Holman Christian Standard Bible

7 But I enter Your house

by the abundance of Your faithful love;

I bow down toward Your holy temple

in reverential awe of You.

8 Lord, lead me in Your righteousness

because of my adversaries;

make Your way straight before me.

Proverbs Scripture Reading - Proverbs 18:1

Proverbs 18:1 Holman Christian Standard Bible

1 One who isolates himself pursues selfish desires;

he rebels against all sound judgment.

Morning Scripture Reading - John 8:34-38

John 8:34-38 Holman Christian Standard Bible

34 Jesus responded, “I assure you: Everyone who commits sin is a slave of sin. 35 A slave does not remain in the household forever, but a son does remain forever. 36 Therefore, if the Son sets you free, you really will be free. 37 I know you are descendants of Abraham, but you are trying to kill Me because My word is not welcome among you. 38 I speak what I have seen in the presence of the Father; therefore, you do what you have heard from your father.”