THE POWER OF CHRISTIAN WITNESS

 April 30, 2025

2 Corinthians 5:16-20

16 So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.


In 2 Corinthians 5:20, the apostle Paul states that Christians are God’s ambassadors in the world. This is a heavy thought that we should absorb for a moment before moving on. In all I do, as a follower of Jesus, I am called to be a representative of God’s truth in this world. This is also true for you if you have given your life to Jesus.

This means that as we live as citizens of heaven and ambassadors of God’s kingdom, we should expect to find ourselves at odds with the earthly kingdoms and nations in which we live. We should expect to find ourselves at odds with leading political parties, and popular politicians as well. This is especially the case when an earthly “Kingdom” or culture fails to live up to, its God-given roles of bringing order and exercising justice. 

In his book Live No Lies, John Mark Comer discusses the features of the early church which caused Christianity to stand out against the cultural systems of the Roman empire. We see some of these features in the book of Acts, characteristics that led to growing and thriving Christian communities. For example, “The Church was an ethnically diverse group and valued people of varying cultural backgrounds, extending them dignity in accord with their creation.” That sure was counter cultural. As was the economic mix of the communities of Jesus, the wealthy, the poor, the outcast, made up a diverse group of worshippers. The followers of Jesus embraced a radical sexual ethic that was founded on Biblical principles, and we could also point to the emphasis in these early believers on nonviolence in contrast to much of the Roman world.

The point that Comer makes in his book is that "it was exactly this divergence from the values of the culture around them that enabled the Church to exist as such a powerful witness to the new community God was at work creating." Another way of putting it would be to say the Early Christian communities became a transforming witness to the goodness of God, by faithful living as citizens of God’s kingdom and as Christ’s Ambassadors. As we are taught in the Gospels, the mission of Jesus was to reveal the transforming power of grace and to invite us into a partnership with God in the work of reconciling the world to Himself.

Yes, the world of the early Christians was messy, broken, violent, and terribly unkind. That makes the New Testament message relevant to our time, doesn’t it? Here is what I find so powerful and interesting, that Jesus’ followers did not remove themselves from the mess, they didn’t "head for hills", they engaged in their world as kingdom people, revealing God’s hope for the world. A careful reading of the New Testament reveals that the cause of the messiness and unkindness of the culture was believed by those early Christians to be spiritual. As such, they as Christ's ambassadors invited all to "be reconciled to God."

The challenge of all this for me, was and is to never undervalue the power of Christian witness, even though following Jesus will place us in direct opposition to the values and practices of the culture in which we live. The question I have been seeking to answer for myself is how interconnected can I be with any of this world’s systems and still be a faithful witness to God?

We must be people who value the wisdom of God over the wisdom of the world. The words from Isaiah 55:8-9 keep coming to my mind. “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’ declares the Lord. ‘As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”’ My conclusion thus far is that as disciples of Jesus, we must be a people whose thoughts begin and end with him. That will make us different from the culture that surrounds us.

So, we are “kingdom” people, first. As people of Jesus’ kingdom, we follow in the footsteps of Jesus, working and praying for the peace and prosperity of our city and county, well, Our Country and World. All the while praying for those in leadership, at the various levels of decision making, as we boldly engage in our world as women and men and children who are seeking to live as Ambassador’s of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Let us never undervalue the power of Christian witness as God's spirit works in us and through us to transform. Amen.

NOT-OF-THIS-WORLD PEOPLE?

 

April 29, 2025

I am writing this devotion on the night of our Federal Election here in Canada, and the polls are still open. I do not know what the results will be, but over the last 35 days or so I have been engaged in a theological and ideological journey. I want to share with you where this has taken me in my thoughts and where God has challenged me. I pray that this will helpful as we all seek to serve God faithfully in all of life.

Philippians 3:20

Our citizenship is in heaven.

John 18:36

My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.

Over the past weekend I have had several conversations about Canadian politics, as I am sure many of you have. If there is anything that will spark debate, if not an outright argument, it is a discussion involving politics, even among fellow Jesus followers, these conversations can get very intense, can’t they.

These talks, raised a question for me, “As followers of Christ, what should be our attitude and our involvement with politics?” I know we all have heard that “religion and politics don’t mix.” We have heard from those who advocate for separation of church and state, which has a long history of discussion. But is that really true? Can we have political views outside the considerations of our Christian faith? The Bible’s answer is, no, we cannot. Our faith should inform every area of life even our political views, shouldn’t it?

To a people who were wrestling with questions equally difficult to the ones we face today, the apostle Paul famously said, “Our citizenship is in heaven” (Philippians 3:20). I wonder just how compelling that idea is to most of us. I wonder how many of us treat Paul’s words not as a solid statement of fact, but as a theoretical and perhaps just some aspiring idea. However, Paul was plain in his words to the Philippians. To him, citizenship in heaven was not wishful thinking, or a far-off promise, but a very present and transformative reality. Do you remember when Jesus stood on trial before the Roman governor Pontius Pilate and declared, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place” (John 18:36).

As followers of Jesus, we are first and foremost to be a not-of-this-world kind of people. Our heavenly citizenship should be what defines us more than anything else we might be tempted to root our identity in. I am a proud Canadian, but I am first a citizen of heaven. You may say, “isn’t that the perspective most Christians already have?” Perhaps we can best answer this by how we respond to the following:

Which keeps you up more at night: the direction of the country or the advance of God’s kingdom?

Which stimulates your conversations more: what this or that politician just did (or Party did) or what God is doing?

Bible seems to be saying that our identity as followers of Jesus should compel us to think of ourselves first as a citizen of heaven and then acknowledge that we also have an earthly place of residence.

So how does this choice of kingdom of God first, over our nation's politics affect us practically?

Here are a few thoughts I have had as I wrestle with being faithful to godly purposes and calling. Peter, suggested in his letters that no matter where we live, the reality that we are citizens of heaven means that we are exiles, strangers, and foreigners (1 Peter 1:11, 1 Peter 2:11) in our earthly land that we call home. Ok, so just how should an exile, stranger, or foreigner relate to his or her country? The words of the Old Testament prophet, Jeremiah, may be useful. Writing on behalf of God to the exiled people of Israel Jeremiah says, “Seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper” (Jer. 29:7).

What is your response to this? Should we seek the peace and prosperity of the country in which we live? Should we pray for it? Should we pray for the leaders of our nation? The apostle Paul seems to instruct us in Romans 13 to do just that, suggesting that these are the wise and faithful actions of a wise and faithful people. So, let’s start with this: we are all called to seek the good where we are, to be the salt and light that Jesus calls us to be, where we work, live and play.

To Be Continued ....



TAKE AWAY

Give some thought today to my question above.

“As followers of Christ, what should be our attitude and our involvement with politics?”

 

 

The Promise of Restoration

April 28, 2025

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Isaiah 61:1-3


"The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor... to grant to those who mourn in Zion— to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit..."

Isaiah 61 is a beautiful message of hope, restoration, and healing. God sees the places in our lives that are broken, the seasons where we have sat among the ashes of loss, disappointment, or despair. Yet, His promise is to exchange our mourning for joy, our ashes for beauty, and our despair for praise.

I believe this passage points to Jesus Himself, the One anointed to fulfill this mission. When we come to Him, He doesn’t just patch up the broken pieces; He restores us, often making us stronger and more Joyful than before. His presence brings true freedom, from sin, from shame, from sorrow.

Remember, the Bible tells us that even when we don’t feel it, God is always working to bring about our redemption. Isaiah 61 invites us to believe again, to hope again, and to wear the "garment of praise," knowing that the God of all comfort is making all things new.

Prayer

Father, thank You for being the God who exchanges our ashes for beauty. Help us to trust Your process of restoration, even when we can’t see the full picture yet. Heal our hearts, free our spirits, and clothe us with the joy that only comes from You. Teach us to walk in the freedom and favor You have for us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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WHAT DOES THE RESSURECTION MEAN?

 April 25, 2025

John 10:10

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.


John 14:17

The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.


Romans 6:20-23

When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the control of righteousness. What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death! But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.


For the disciples, the resurrection changed everything. Because of the resurrection this group of Jesus' followers, moved from fear to faith. What faith the demonstrated, a trust and confidence in God that made them willing to give all they had, even their lives. If you some time over the next few days read some portions of Acts, Chapters 1–7, these chapters provide a great picture of the powerful impact the resurrection had on the disciples and their boldness and fearlessness in the face of unbelief and persecution.

Priorities, relationships, work life, family life, parenting, there was nothing that was not changed in the light of the resurrected Christ. While the wages of sin is death, the gift of God that is made available through the resurrection is eternal life (Rom. 6:23).

Jesus said, “Because I live, you also shall live” (John 14:17) and that He came that we would have life and life abundantly (John 10:10). This is possible only because He is alive. We are all aware of the hold that sin can have on us, but the Bible tells us that Jesus and His truth are freedom. The resurrection is important because it is true, and because it is true it has the power to change us, to conform us into the image of Christ (Rom. 8:29).

Because of this we not only have hope for the future but a hope for the present—a hope that, in Christ, the abundant life is attainable.

Because Jesus is risen, every single claim He made, every promise, and every lesson can be trusted completely. And we can live our lives for Him because He lives in us.

EVIDENCE

 

April 24, 2025

I Corinthians 15:3-8

For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 

that he was buried, 

that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, 

and then to the Twelve. 

After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. 

Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.

There is a large collection of evidence for the resurrection of Jesus, both subtle and not so subtle. Our reading today of 1 Corinthians 15:3–8, which is quite likely a very early creed among Jesus' followers, has been dated quite conclusively to be from within three to eight years of Christ’s death.

This early date rules out the possibility that what it says is a product of a myth that developed long after the time of Jesus. I find it rather intriguing that historians have pieced together the historical account of Alexander the Great from writings dated over four hundred years after he lived and from only two men. Obviously much fewer sources than the Gospels, and much later writings, yet still widely accepted by historians and scholars as historically accurate.

Today's passage gives us three crucial points to investigate as evidence for the resurrection: Jesus’ death, an empty tomb, and eyewitnesses.

First, the scholarship of both skeptics and believers has concluded irrefutably that Jesus’ death by crucifixion at the hands of the Romans is the most knowable fact about His time on earth. Tacitus, who not only served as a Roman senator, but is also regarded as one of ancient Rome’s best historians actually references Christians who resided in the area at the time of Nero. His contempt for these Christ followers was apparent; yet in his disdain, Tacitus provided strong evidence of the person of Jesus by acknowledging His execution. In Judea. By Pontius Pilate.

Like the Bible says: “And when they had bound Him, they led Him away and delivered Him to Pontius Pilate the governor.” (Read Matthew 27:1-2)

The Jewish priest and historian, Josephus, in his work, Jewish Antiquities, Josephus mentions Jesus twice, even calling Him “Jesus who is called Messiah” to make His identity clear.  Neither Tacitus nor Josephus were friends or followers of Jesus.

Second, the empty tomb, a vital piece of evidence for the resurrection, even the enemies of Jesus, Jewish Religious authorities and Roman soldiers did not debate that the tomb was empty. Matthew 28:11-15, records "While the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the city and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened. When the chief priests had met with the elders and devised a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money, telling them, “You are to say, ‘His disciples came during the night and stole him away while we were asleep.’ If this report gets to the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.” So the soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has been widely circulated among the Jews to this very day.

And finally, we come to the eyewitnesses who had, either individually or in a group setting, an experience that convinced them that Jesus had risen. Our reading today says that the Risen Jesus

appeared to Cephas, 

and then to the Twelve. 

After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. 

Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.

1 Corinthians 15:3–8, written within a few years of Christ’s death provides a list of appearances that could be verified as many were still alive.

The conclusion that these lead us toward is that 

"HE IS RISEN!!

HE IS RISEN, INDEED

A COMPLETE REVERSAL

 April 23, 2025

John 20:19-31

On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. 

Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”

 Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” 

A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” 

Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

Well known professor and writer N. T. Wright’s research reveals that the common understanding in New Testament times was that resurrection meant a complete reversal of death. Resurrection wasn’t an obscure notion or foreign concept during the time of Jesus. However, while the concept of resurrection had this common understanding, most people didn’t believe it was possible.

When Christians began claiming Jesus had been resurrected, they were claiming something had happened to Him that had happened to no one else. 

Now of course, you may be thinking what about Lazarus? True, he was resurrected by Jesus however, he would eventually die. The whole scene in John 11, reveals that Lazarus' resurrection is symbolic of the new life that Jesus offers to all who believe in Him.

Lazarus' resurrection foreshadows Jesus' own resurrection, which is the cornerstone of Christian faith. The event illustrates the transforming power of Jesus' ministry and His victory over death, offering hope of eternal life to all who believe. Jesus, authority over life and death emphasizes his role as the giver of life. The difference is that Jesus’s resurrection was to eternal life. Lazarus would die again, but Jesus would not.

The Christian claim was that Jesus had risen from the grave in victory with a physical body, a body, with some uncommon characteristics to be sure. For example, Jesus enters a locked up room without needing the door unlocked for him, or think of Luke 24 and the travellers on the road to Emmaus where Jesus just appears with them, and after breaking bread with them "disappears from their sight."

John's gospel reports that Jesus predicted His physical resurrection when He said, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up,” referring to His body as the “temple” (John 2:18-22). The New Testament clearly records a physical Jesus appearing and interacting with His disciples on multiple occasions.

“The New Testament insists in a historically reliable way that Jesus' resurrection was bodily. Jesus was not just a spirit, and the term ‘resurrection’ is not just a figure of speech”. (N.T. Wright)

Why does this matter? It matters because the physical nature of the resurrection means we can investigate it because it is a matter of historical record, eyewitnesses abound.

Remember what Jesus said before he called Lazurus out of the tomb? He said "I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. DO YOU BELIEVE THIS?"

Perhaps for today, we should here these words of Jesus as spoken directly to you and me.

Scriptures for Reflection:

Luke 24:36–49; John 21:1-15; Jesus appears after His resurrection and physically interacts with His disciples.

AS OF FIRST IMPORTANCE

 

April 22, 2025

1 Corinthians 15:14

And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith.

1 Corinthians 15:17
And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins.

1 Corinthians 15:19
If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.

Matthew 12:39-40

He answered, “A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

The Apostle Paul wanted to ensure that the church in Corinth remembered “as of first importance”, the vital significance of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Simply put, Paul tells them and us very clearly that if the resurrection didn’t actually happen as a real, physical event in history, Christianity is of no value. He says that if Christ has not been raised, preaching the gospel is useless, faith is futile, and those who believe are the most pitiful people (1 Cor. 15:14, 17, 19). 

Why is Paul so firm regarding the importance of the resurrection? Well, it seems to me that it is because everything about Jesus is confirmed as true by the resurrection event. 

Remember that Jesus made claims about Himself, claims to messiahship, claims  about his relationship with God as Father, and many others. Writer  C. S. Lewis pointed out that Jesus was either an outright liar, a lunatic, or He was indeed Lord. Those were the three choices left open for us according to C. S. Lewis.

Jesus also predicted His bodily resurrection and pointed to it as the “sign of Jonah” (Matt. 12:39; see also Luke 11:29). The resurrection is on a solid historical foundation. We will look at this historical foundation the rest of the week and we will find there a some very good reasons that we can be confident that Jesus wasn’t a liar or a madman, but was and is The Lord of All!!


What do you think your first reaction would have been if you had heard the news that Jesus had risen? 

THE EASTER LAUGH

 

 APRIL 21, 2025

 

Isaiah 35:10

10 and those the LORD has rescued will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.

How should you celebrate the day after Easter?

With a good laugh, of course.

Better yet, with a party, a really fun party. Far from being a strange, new idea, this is actually a long-standing tradition rooted in  Christian practice.

I am told it began hundreds of years ago. “A monk, was pondering the meaning of the events of holy week, with its solemn observances of Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and the astonishing, earth-shaking events of Easter. "What a surprise ending," he thought. Then suddenly, like a bolt of lightning, he had a new insight. His hearty laugh startled his fellow monks, breaking the silence of their contemplation.”

"Don't you see," he cried, "It was a joke! A great joke! The best joke in all history! On Good Friday, when Jesus was crucified, the devil thought he had won. But God had the last laugh on Easter when he raised Jesus from the dead."

The monks called it "the Easter laugh." The idea spread rapidly, and the day after Easter became known as a "Day of Joy and Laughter" in Orthodox, Catholic, and many Protestant countries. In homes and churches, it became common to celebrate God's great joke on the devil with joke-telling sessions. It became the custom even in monasteries. Especially in monasteries.

I read of a group known as The Fellowship of Merry Christians who began to urge churches and prayer groups to revive this very old custom and hold Easter Monday parties or to have Holy Humor Sundays.

That’s a rather good idea, don’t you think? Celebrating “the Easter Laugh”, holding a day or a Sunday for Joy and Laughter.

Yet there is a great biblical truth that drives this practice. The Cross, the symbol of Roman torture and execution, a symbol of anger and hate and brutality, is transformed by God into a symbol of LOVE. “Greater love has no one than this, that they lay down their life for another”. The Easter story of Christ's resurrection is God’s great exclamation point that emphasizes for us the power of love. This love creates and promises hope, renewal, change and newness. The resurrection becomes a symbol of hope and grace and amazing love.

God is still at work. God works in situations that seem utterly hopeless and bleak before he brings surprise endings and has the last laugh.

So, tell your best joke today! Have a day of joy and laughter, as you continue to rejoice as people of the risen king!

Nehemiah 8:10

10 Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”

Holy Saturday

 

April 19, 2025

Ezekiel 37:1-14

The hand of the LORD was on me, and he brought me out by the Spirit of the LORD and set me in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones. He led me back and forth among them, and I saw a great many bones on the floor of the valley, bones that were very dry. He asked me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” I said, “Sovereign LORD, you alone know.” 

Then he said to me, “Prophesy to these bones and say to them, ‘Dry bones, hear the word of the LORD! This is what the Sovereign LORD says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life. I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the LORD.’ ” 

So I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I was prophesying, there was a noise, a rattling sound, and the bones came together, bone to bone. I looked, and tendons and flesh appeared on them and skin covered them, but there was no breath in them. Then he said to me, “Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say to it, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Come, breath, from the four winds and breathe into these slain, that they may live.’ ” 

So I prophesied as he commanded me, and breath entered them; they came to life and stood up on their feet—a vast army. 

Then he said to me: “Son of man, these bones are the people of Israel. They say, ‘Our bones are dried up and our hope is gone; we are cut off.’ 

Therefore prophesy and say to them: ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: My people, I am going to open your graves and bring you up from them; I will bring you back to the land of Israel. 

Then you, my people, will know that I am the LORD, when I open your graves and bring you up from them. I will put my Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I the LORD have spoken, and I have done it, declares the LORD.’ ”

On Holy Saturday, we find ourselves in the in-between. It’s the day after the darkness of Good Friday yet before the joy of Easter morning. It’s a time of waiting, uncertainty, and silence—a day when hope feels distant but not extinguished. In many ways, it mirrors the vision in Ezekiel 37, where the valley of dry bones starts as a place of despair but is transformed by the power of God’s breath and promise.

In Ezekiel 37, God gives the prophet a powerful vision. He shows Ezekiel a valley full of dry, lifeless bones. At first, it looks like nothing could ever change, it is a scene of emptiness and loss.

  But then God speaks, 

                                         and something amazing happens. 

The bones come together, breath fills them, and they come back to life.

This story reminds us of God’s incredible power to bring hope and renewal, even in places that seem broken beyond repair. It’s a picture of what God can do in our lives when we trust Him. On Holy Saturday, we remember the silence and waiting after Jesus’ death, holding onto the promise that God is always working, even when we can’t see it yet.

Is there a part of your life where you feel stuck or hopeless, like those dry bones? Take a moment today to talk to God about it. Ask Him to bring healing and renewal to those places, trusting that He can make things new, even when it feels impossible.

Good Friday

 

April 18, 2025

Isaiah 53:4-5

Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.

Good Friday is a day to pause and feel the full weight of Jesus’ death. Isaiah 53:4-5 describes Him as the suffering servant who carried our griefs and sorrows, taking on the punishment we deserved. This wasn’t just physical pain—it was the crushing weight of sin, rejection, and separation from God.

Think about this: every moment of pain or grief, every sin and failure—Jesus bore it all. He didn’t shy away from the suffering; He embraced it fully, out of love for you. The cross wasn’t just a symbol of love; it was also a place of unimaginable suffering and death.

Wait, before we rush to the hope of resurrection, I believe that we must sit in the reality of the cost of such love. Jesus died to bring healing and peace, but that peace came through His wounds, and that healing came through His death. The weight of our salvation rested on His shoulders, and He carried it willingly.

Take some time today, even if you are attending a Good Friday service later, to sit with the gravity of what Jesus endured on the cross. Reflect on the immense love that held Him there and the pain He bore for you.

If you’re carrying your own grief, pain, or sorrow, bring it to Him in prayer. Picture in your minds eye, placing those burdens at the foot of the cross. Thank Him for bearing them, and rest in the peace He offers through His sacrifice.

NEW COMMANDMENT Thursday

 

April 17, 2025

 

JOHN 13:1-17; 31-35

13 It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.

2 The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4 so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5 After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

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

7 Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”

8 “No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.”

Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.”

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

10 Jesus answered, “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.” 11 For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean.

12 When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. 13 “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

“Now the Son of Man is glorified and God is glorified in him. 32 If God is glorified in him, God will glorify the Son in himself, and will glorify him at once.

33 “My children, I will be with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: Where I am going, you cannot come.

34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

 

On Maundy Thursday the Church remembers the last evening Jesus shared with his disciples in the upper room before his arrest and crucifixion. Maundy Thursday marks three key events in Jesus’ last week: his washing of his disciples’ feet, his institution of the Lord’s Supper, and his new commandment to love one another.

The name “Maundy Thursday” comes from the Latin, referring to the “new commandment” Jesus taught his disciples (John 13:34). In other words, this is “new commandment Thursday.”

“A new commandment I give you, that you love one another.” Jesus, speaking to his disciples, continues, “Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another” (John 13:34). When Jesus commands his disciples to love another, he chooses the Greek work “agape”, which refers to self-sacrificing love, like of a parent for their child, like God’s love toward us, “agape” also carries the promise of an ongoing and permanent welcome.

Jesus commands his disciples, then and now, to act in a loving way, to care for and serve each other as he has cared for and served each of us.

LET US PRAY

God of love, it is because of your immense love for us that you came among us to serve and to willingly suffer to give us life. For that love we are truly grateful.

You have given us a new command to love each other. We ask that in all our thoughts and actions may we be your servants and reflect your love. We pray this in the name of your Son, Jesus. Amen

JESUS MUST DIE

 

April 16, 2025

John 11:43-52

Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!”44The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face.
Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.”

45Therefore many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary, and had seen what Jesus did, believed in him. 46But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. 47Then the chief priests and the Pharisees called a meeting of the Sanhedrin.
“What are we accomplishing?” they asked. “Here is this man performing many signs. 48If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and then the Romans will come and take away both our temple and our nation.”
49Then one of them, named Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, spoke up, “You know nothing at all! 50You do not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish.”

51He did not say this on his own, but as high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the Jewish nation, 52and not only for that nation but also for the scattered children of God, to bring them together and make them one. 53 So from that day on they plotted to take his life.

John 12:1- 7

1Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 2Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. 3Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.
4But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, 5“Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.” 6He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.

Matthew 26:11-16

11The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me.12When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial.13Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”

14Then one of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests 15and asked, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver him over to you?” So they counted out for him thirty pieces of silver. 16From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over.

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Today the devotion is one that was shared with me by email from SPOKEN GOSPEL. Spoken Gospel is a non-profit dedicated to changing lives through God’s Word. That is why they produce and freely distribute resources that help Bible readers 

all over the world encounter Jesus on every page of Scripture.

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1600 years ago Christians began calling the last days of Jesus’ life “Holy Week.” Holy Wednesday remembers the day when both faithful Mary and treacherous Judas prepare Jesus to die.

After an increasingly public string of challenges to both Rome and the temple system, the religious elite believe that Jesus is a threat to their kingdom and religion (John 11:48). If Jesus is not killed, they believe Rome will come, take what little power they have left, and destroy their temple (John 11:50; Matthew 26:3-4). Believing it’s better for one man to die than for a whole nation to be lost, the religious elite make their final plans to kill Jesus.

Meanwhile, a woman named Mary takes a jar of perfume valued at 300 pieces of silver (or a year’s salary), cracks it open, pours it over Jesus’ head and feet, and rubs it into his skin with her hair (John 12:3). It’s not only lavish but socially awkward and humiliating. Horrified, Judas speaks up for the disciples. He calls Mary’s display wasteful and argues the perfume should have been sold and spent on the poor (John 12:4-5; Matthew 26:8-9). But Jesus quiets Judas and tells the disciples Mary is doing the right thing. He says: “You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me” (Matthew 26:11).

Jesus isn’t dismissing care for the poor with this statement, he’s highlighting the value of what he has come to do. Like the religious elite have said, the only way to save God’s people is if he is killed. Mary understands that Jesus must die, so she embalms him in advance. To her, it’s no “waste” to offer her most precious possession if it prepares Jesus for the burial that will save God’s people (Matthew 26:12). But Judas realizes Jesus is no longer useful to him. So he sneaks away and tells the religious elite he will betray Jesus for a tenth of what Mary poured out (Matthew 26:14-15).

Strangely, everyone in this story is preparing for Jesus to die. The religious elite offer a bribe to more easily capture Jesus. Judas betrays Jesus for another month’s expenses. And Mary prepares him to be laid in a tomb. Even more strangely, everybody believes Jesus must die in order to save them. Judas thought Jesus’ death would save his financial status. The religious elite thought Jesus’ death would prevent Rome from breathing more heavily down their necks.

But Holy Wednesday is good news because Jesus announces that his death will save God’s people not from Rome or poverty, but from death itself (John 11:51-52). Mary had just seen Jesus raise her brother from the dead (John 11:43-44). She hopes that if Jesus dies, then all God’s people can be saved from death. Jesus is worth her most precious possession because Jesus has the power to give eternal life to all who ask.

So I pray that on this Holy Wednesday you will accept that Jesus must die in order to save his people from death forever.

JESUS TROUBLING OUTBURST

 

April 15, 2025

Mark 11:15-19


And they came to Jerusalem. And he entered the temple and began to drive out those who sold and those who bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons. And he would not allow anyone to carry anything through the temple. And he was teaching them and saying to them, “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations’? But you have made it a den of robbers.” And the chief priests and the scribes heard it and were seeking a way to destroy him, for they feared him, because all the crowd was astonished at his teaching. And when evening came they went out of the city.



This passage shows a different side of Jesus than what we are used to. The Jesus who is calm and composed throughout the Gospels, even when facing opposition and rejection, suddenly Jesus appears to "lose it” in the Temple and to turn to an angry and violent outburst.

What caused Jesus to react this way?

Where is the “gentle, meek mild” we often think of?

Some background for us is useful. Every year at Passover thousands of Jews came from all over Israel and Judea to offer sacrifices at the temple in Jerusalem. Since many of them traveled long distances, they often purchased their animal sacrifices in Jerusalem rather than hauling them from home. The risk was that in transit an animal might suffer an injury or a blemish of some sort that would make them an unworthy sacrifice. There was a convenience offered for Jewish worshippers to purchase their sacrifices once they arrived in Jerusalem. 

However, and here is a significant detail that we sometimes miss. Where was this “market” set up? Well the market for obtaining a animal for sacrifice was set up in the Court of the Gentiles. The Court of the Gentiles was the space in the Temple area where non-Jewish seekers of God came to worship. Keep this in mind. So here we are in our passage at Passover, the temple courtyard was filled with livestock, sellers of livestock and money-changers, who exchanged regional currencies for Jewish money.

Something about this scene caused this angry outburst from Jesus, I mean Jesus was so upset and angry that he overturned tables putting a stop to this buying and selling scene. But why? Weren’t the merchants just trying to help the travelers worship God? Even if that was the case, they were doing it at the expense of those from “all nations” who were seeking God, treating their worship as insignificant, or of less importance. Jesus referred to these sellers as “robbers,” which could highlight two points: their greed, perhaps seen in their overpriced financial dealings, and how they were depriving Gentiles of their space for worship.

Our gospel reading today teaches us the beautiful truth that worship is not tied to a place, but to a person. Jesus is the temple, He is where we encounter God.

LET US PRAY

God, we are so thankful that we meet you in Jesus. We worship him as the final sacrifice that opened the way to you. Help us through our worship of Jesus to be drawn toward the love he generously offers us. We pray today that all nations, near and far, will come to worship you, Jesus, as “the house of prayer for all Nations.” Amen.

WHO DO YOU SAY I AM?

 

April 14, 2025

Matthew 26:1-16

When Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said to his disciples, 2 “You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified.”

3 Then the chief priests and the elders of the people gathered in the palace of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas, 4 and plotted together in order to arrest Jesus by stealth and kill him. 5 But they said, “Not during the feast, lest there be an uproar among the people.”

6 Now when Jesus was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, 7 a woman came up to him with an alabaster flask of very expensive ointment, and she poured it on his head as he reclined at table. 8 And when the disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, “Why this waste? 9 For this could have been sold for a large sum and given to the poor.” 10 But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a beautiful thing to me. 11 For you always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me.

12 In pouring this ointment on my body, she has done it to prepare me for burial. 13 Truly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her.”

14 Then one of the twelve, whose name was Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests 15 and said, “What will you give me if I deliver him over to you?” And they paid him thirty pieces of silver. 16 And from that moment he sought an opportunity to betray him.



Mark 14:1-11

14 It was now two days before the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread. And the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how to arrest him by stealth and kill him, 2 for they said, “Not during the feast, lest there be an uproar from the people.”

3 And while he was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he was reclining at table, a woman came with an alabaster flask of ointment of pure nard, very costly, and she broke the flask and poured it over his head. 4 There were some who said to themselves indignantly, “Why was the ointment wasted like that? 5 For this ointment could have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor.” And they scolded her.

6 But Jesus said, “Leave her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. 7 For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you want, you can do good for them. But you will not always have me. 8 She has done what she could; she has anointed my body beforehand for burial. 9 And truly, I say to you, wherever the gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in memory of her.”

10 Then Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve, went to the chief priests in order to betray him to them. 11 And when they heard it, they were glad and promised to give him money. And he sought an opportunity to betray him.


Luke 22:1-6

The Festival of Unleavened Bread, which is also called Passover, was approaching. 2 The leading priests and teachers of religious law were plotting how to kill Jesus, but they were afraid of the people’s reaction. 3 Then Satan entered into Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve disciples, 4 and he went to the leading priests and captains of the Temple guard to discuss the best way to betray Jesus to them. 5 They were delighted, and they promised to give him money. 6 So he agreed and began looking for an opportunity to betray Jesus so they could arrest him when the crowds weren’t around.


Is Jesus the Messiah or not? Who is this? These kinds of questions figured prominently in the minds of everyone Jesus interacted with, just as it does for us today. The personal response to Jesus is highlighted in the Gospels, whether they decided to believe Him and positioned themselves and their hearts to follow him, was an extremely important and great decision.

The Sanhedrin, the Jewish Religious authorities, saw the great things Jesus did. Some, those who would admit it, admired His teaching, yet they were more concerned how Jesus’ popularity, miracles and teaching might affect their position in society. Like most people in powerful positions, they wanted to protect their clout as teachers and leaders, so the Sanhedrin tried to trap Jesus with questions and plotted to end His life. Of course, they didn’t recognize that it was through death that Jesus would accomplish his God given call. (see Romans 14:9)

Judas, the one who would betray Jesus, walked with Jesus for three years. There is a caution here, isn’t there? You can spend a lot of time around Jesus and His people without a surrender to his purposes as his follower. This was Judas’ story. Perhaps he believed by helping the Sanhedrin get rid of Jesus he was opening a door to a place of honor or prestige in the future. Judas was not able to comprehend the nature of Jesus kingdom, that Jesus came to build a spiritual kingdom, one marked by sacrifice and servanthood.

I find the anointing at Bethany one of the more powerful passages in the New Testament. This woman had the distinction of anointing Jesus’ body before His death. She took her perfume, her costly perfume, and knelt at Jesus' feet. She bowed before Jesus in adoration, reverence, and gratitude and opened her most precious possession, and drenched Jesus' feet with it. Her outward actions signified the attitude of her heart.

Jesus said, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends” John 15:13. That is what this women did that day to Jesus, and it is ultimately what Jesus does for us.

In these days of Holy Week, leading up to Easter, it is beneficial to pause and consider who we think Jesus is. You will recall Jesus asked his disciples the question Who do people say I am? Yet, he was more interested in the answer to his follow up questions “who do you say I am?

Is Jesus a threat to our current way of life like He was to the Sanhedrin?

Is Jesus someone we have followed because we believe it will bring some special distinction as Judas did?

Or is Jesus, the Christ, the son of the living God? The one who we call the leader of our life, to whom we offer our praise, gratitude, and worship in a way similar to women?

These are questions worth considering today.

THE PAIN OF BETRAYAL

 

April 11, 2025

 

This Week’s Theme:

Seeing with God’s Eyes

Learning to see the world as God does 

and living in hope, renewal, and restoration.

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John 13:16-30

Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them. “I am not referring to all of you; I know those I have chosen. But this is to fulfill this passage of Scripture: ‘He who shared my bread has turned against me.’ “I am telling you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe that I am who I am. Very truly I tell you, whoever accepts anyone I send accepts me; and whoever accepts me accepts the one who sent me.” After he had said this, Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified, “Very truly I tell you, one of you is going to betray me.” His disciples stared at one another, at a loss to know which of them he meant. One of them, the disciple whom Jesus loved, was reclining next to him. Simon Peter motioned to this disciple and said, “Ask him which one he means.” Leaning back against Jesus, he asked him, “Lord, who is it?” Jesus answered, “It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish.” Then, dipping the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him. So Jesus told him, “What you are about to do, do quickly.” But no one at the meal understood why Jesus said this to him. Since Judas had charge of the money, some thought Jesus was telling him to buy what was needed for the festival, or to give something to the poor. As soon as Judas had taken the bread, he went out. And it was night.

On the night before His crucifixion, Jesus shared a meal with His closest followers. During this intimate gathering, He made a shocking statement: “One of you is going to betray me.” The disciples were stunned and confused, wondering who it could be.

Jesus then quietly identified Judas as the betrayer by handing him a piece of bread, an act that showed both love and sorrow. I want us to notice that instead of lashing out or condemning Judas, Jesus continued to include him at the table, offering grace even in the face of impending betrayal.

I believe, this moment shows the depth of Jesus’ love, a love that extends even to those who hurt Him. Let me ask, have you ever felt betrayed by someone close to you? If so, you know that it can be a painful heartbreaking experience. I believe Jesus felt the depth and sorrow of Judas betrayal, that says to me that Jesus knows the hurt and sadness of betrayal in our lives. How did you respond when you realized you had been betrayed?

Jesus actions in our Gospel today, challenges us to reflect on how we respond to betrayal. Can we show grace, even when it’s difficult. Take a moment to think about how you’ve responded in such circumstances.

Is there someone in your life who has hurt or betrayed you? Maybe it’s a friend, family member, or coworker. Have you closed off your heart, or have you allowed room for grace and forgiveness? This doesn’t mean ignoring the hurt, but it does mean trusting God to guide your heart toward healing and reconciliation even in the face of brokenness.

This is not easy stuff, is it? Take time today to reflect on the depth of Jesus’ love, a love that extends even to His betrayer, and ask Him to help you extend that same love to others. Ask God to help you respond as Jesus did, with love. Trust that, through His grace, you can find the strength to love even when it’s hard.