The Last Week of JESUS. An 8-Day Easter Devotional, By Pastor Adam James GRACE CITY

Transcription

1 The Last Week of JESUS An 8-Day Easter Devotional, By Pastor Adam James GRACE CITY

2 1 Palm Sunday: The Humble King PASSAGE - Luke 19:28-44

3 What an exciting time! The stage was set. The momentum was building. The crescendo coming. Surely, Jesus was going to unveil his full Kingly authority and overthrow those who ruled over Israel and those who opposed Jesus claims as the Messiah, right? Jesus was entering Jerusalem. But he knew this was the beginning of the end. His final week would culminate not in the overthrow of an earthly kingdom, but with the agony of the Cross. The praises rang out from the crowd - Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Jesus miraculous and compassionate ministry of healing the sick, lame, & blind, and even raising the dead had won him the praise of many. But not everyone was convinced. No, in fact the tension was building to a boiling point. The Pharisees grew more and more indignant with each resounding chorus - Hosanna to the Son of David! Hosanna in the highest! (Matt. 21:9) They chastised Jesus and demanded that he rebuke the crowds and the children who sang. But Jesus replied, If they keep quiet, even the stones will cry out.

4 Friends, Jesus really is the King who is worthy of praise and all creation is on the edge of its seat as Jesus enters Jerusalem. This is the one who spoke it into being. This is the Messiah the Anointed One the King. What kind of King is Jesus? In this scene we see the humility of Jesus, riding on a colt. We see the praise of the crowds. We see the indignation of the Pharisees. And we see the affirmation that praise is in fact, the true and right response to Jesus. But we also see the sadness of what s to come. We see the dark cloud growing on the horizon. We can t help but think that the crowds are maybe a bit fickle. A bit shallow. These ardent worshippers will soon be either silent and backing away from Jesus, or joining another crowd, in a different chant - Crucify Him! No wonder when Jesus looked over Jerusalem, he began to weep. As we enter the week leading up to the death & resurrection of Jesus Christ, let us reflect on the reality of who Jesus IS the true Messiah (Anointed One, King, Savior) the one who is worthy of our praise and worship. In fact, he is SO worthy that even if we were to be silent, all of creation knows his worth and would cry out.

5 But let us also reflect on the sadness of unbelief. There are many who do not see, who do not recognize the truth concerning our Savior. Each of us at one time were in that condition. And may we be moved to weep over our cities, and to pray for the kingdom of God to come in power, opening blind eyes, and resulting in great praise to the Humble King who has come to set His people free. PRAYER Father, as we enter this week of reflection and remembrance, tracing the steps of Jesus and the events that unfolded in his final week we praise you for sending us Your Son! Thank you for the gift of salvation! Lord Jesus, we thank you for coming in humility. We thank you for your power and authority as the true King of all creation, yet willingly entering into the betrayal and crucifixion that awaited you. Lord, you know our hearts. You know that we, too, can be fickle like the crowds - praising you one minute, denying you the next. Lord would you establish our hearts, that we might be true worshippers and steadfast followers. And Lord, would you break out hearts for the unbelief of our city, the way you wept over Jerusalem. This Easter, would you open more blind eyes and bring more people into the joy and freedom of knowing you as their Savior & Lord. In Jesus Name, Amen.

6 2 Monday: Where s the Fruit? PASSAGE - Mark 11:12-19

7 On Monday, Jesus again entered Jerusalem after retreating to Bethany (where he likely stayed with Mary, Martha & Lazarus whom he had raised from the dead). We see him cursing a fig tree & cleansing the temple. These actions carried significance as symbolic and literal judgments on the fruitless people of Israel - who had abandoned the true worship of God - who honored God with their lips, but whose hearts were far from Him. The fig tree had leaves the appearance of fruit & life, but upon closer examination, there was no real fruit to be had. This was a parable of sorts concerning the condition of Israel. And Jesus pronounced a curse on the fig tree that later the disciples saw had caused the tree to, in fact, wither and die. As Jesus got into the city and went into the temple, he encountered another troubling scene. There were crooked money-changers. People buying and selling & extorting the people of God in the temple! And the righteous anger of Jesus rightly cleaned house. My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations. But you have made it a den of robbers! Not only was true praise absent from the people of God, but now true prayer & righteousness was not to be found.

8 Again the showdown between Jesus and the Pharisee s was in full effect. This would have been quite the scene. Many were amazed by his teaching, but the chief priests and the teachers of the law wanted him dead. Make no mistake, friends. There is a great difference between dead religion and true righteousness. There is a great difference between phony lip service, and soul stirring praise from the heart of a redeemed worshipper. There is a great difference between religious looking idolaters, whose hearts crave money & possessions & power, and people who carry the aroma of the Spirit of God and traffic in the reality of true prayer. There is a great difference between the flesh & the Spirit. Between hard hearts and soft hearts. But beware, they are often both found hanging around Jesus and among the people of God. Let us be careful to test ourselves is there the genuine fruit of salvation on our tree? The genuine fruit of repentance, worship, prayer & righteousness? Let judgment begin in the house of God. Let those who profess to know God demonstrate the genuine fruit that Jesus is seeking. And may we find ourselves broken over our sin and longing to be a people with whom Jesus is pleased. Let us be a people of sincere worship, authentic prayer, and genuine integrity.

9 PRAYER Father, as we consider the condition of our lives and of those who profess to know You, we confess that too easily and too often we lack the fruit you are looking for. Jesus, even as you found Israel to be lost and barren, so too, you first found us in that same condition. But we praise you that you have not left us there! Thank you for the life-giving, fruit-bearing work of your Holy Spirit in the lives of your people. Lord, I pray for all the churches in our city that profess to know, love, and follow Jesus. May our city be filled with sincere worshippers, authentic pray-ers, and those who follow you with genuine integrity. Lord, let it begin in my heart have your way in me. Show me any areas in my life where you are not finding the fruit you are looking for. And thank you that because of the Cross, the old fruitless tree of my life is, in fact, cursed and dead, and in its place you have given a new tree, a new life that has been created to bring you praise and bear new fruit. In Jesus Name, Amen.

10 3 Tuesday: The Stakes are High PASSAGE - Matthew 21:33-46

11 Tuesday was a full day of teaching for Jesus. Nearly 5 full chapters of Matthew s gospel account (ch ) record all the teaching that Jesus gave on Tuesday. On this day Jesus re-entered the temple courts to teach the people and he engaged in more standoffs with the chief priests and Pharisees. And Jesus didn t hold back! From Matthew 21:23 all the way thru chapters 22 & 23 of Matthew s gospel, you find the exchanges between Jesus and the Pharisees, Sadducees and chief priests. If you had time today, you could read about: - The authority of Jesus questioned (Mt. 21:23-27) - The parable of the two sons (21:28-32) - The parable of the tenants (21:33-46, today s reading) - The parable of the wedding banquet, (22:1-14) - Jesus response about paying taxes to Caesar (22:15-22) - Jesus response to the Sadducees about marriage at the resurrection (22:23-33) - Jesus summary of the Greatest Commandment (22:34-40) - And the scathing Seven Woes against the Pharisees - whew! (23:1-39)

12 Then Jesus went to the Mount of Olives and delivered what is known as the Olivet Discourse to his disciples (ch. 24 & 25) before again returning to Bethany. You could read about: - The signs of the end of the age (Mt. 24:1-35) - The day and hour being unknown (24:36-51) - The parable of the ten virgins (25:1-13) - The parable of the talents (25:14-30) - And the teaching on the sheep & the goats at final judgment (25:31-46) Make no mistake, Jesus had things to say. Important things. True things. And not everyone was excited about what he had to say. And not everything was easy to understand. But he was on a clear mission from God, and as the end drew near, Jesus didn t mince his words. As I consider the events and teachings of Jesus on the Tuesday of Holy Week, I m reminded that Jesus drew clear lines in his teaching, calling for a clear response, and there is no question that a holy sense of urgency is in order for the people of God. What will it be?

13 Obedience or disobedience? Receive him or reject him? Answer his invitation or make excuses? Honor God or fear man? Religious on the outside and rotten on the inside? Or humbly broken at the feet of Jesus even though you ve made a mess of things? Love Jesus more and more to the end? Or grow cold and fade? Get right with God today? Or fool around with life, run out of time and miss out on the banquet? Steward the gifts and talents He s given you? Or waste your life in unbelief and go to a place of darkness where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth? Will you hear the words, Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world! Or, Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared of the devil and his angels. Jesus brought intense clarity on Tuesday. The difference between eternal punishment and eternal life all hinge on the person of Jesus Christ.

14 How do you treat Jesus Christ? Do you respect the Son of the Owner? Have you fallen on Jesus or are you waiting for Him to fall on you? Better to be broken now at the feet of Jesus, than to reject Christ, the cornerstone, and be crushed later. Friends, this is what s at stake. PRAYER Father, it s both a day filled with the promise of some of the greatest realities that could ever be imagined eternal joy! and simultaneously some of the hardest truths to even try to comprehend weeping & gnashing of teeth. Help us live our days with a clear sense of urgency to be obedient and faithful, loving you with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength. Help us be those who Go to the street corners and invite to the banquet anyone we find. (Mt. 22:9) Lord Jesus, I believe you are more than just a prophet in the eyes of man you are the Son of God, the King of the banquet, the Master of the house, the Christ, the true Shepherd of the sheep, the true Righteous Judge who is to come! And you are also the hungry we are to feed, the naked we are to clothe, and the sick & imprisoned we are to visit. Make your Name known in our city as we build our lives upon You. May we walk in your truth without compromise and may we walk in your love without excuse. Thank you, Jesus, for being and speaking the truth this world desperately needs. That I desperately need. In Jesus Name, Amen.

15 4 Wednesday: The Clouds of Darkness Grow PASSAGE - Luke 22:1-6; Mark 14:1-11

16 With all the teaching that Jesus did on Tuesday, it s no surprise that Wednesday is a much quieter day for Jesus in the gospels. But his enemies got busy. Luke tells us that it was on Wednesday that Satan actually entered Judas, leading him to pursue his plan of betrayal. Mark s account may actually shed a little light on what pushed Judas over the edge. Perhaps it was bitterness & anger that opened him further to the destructive scheme of Satan? You see, it was Judas who was frustrated with the waste of expensive perfume that the woman poured over Jesus. Judas thought the perfume could be sold for money to be given to the poor. Or so he said. John s gospel, however, makes clear that Judas didn t actually care about the poor at all. He 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. (John 12:6) Jesus knew that what she had done was actually to begin to prepare his body for burial and he rebuked Judas telling him to leave her alone. He said, Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me. Later he said, I tell you the truth, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.

17 I don t imagine Judas enjoyed being called out by Jesus like that. The very next verse (Mark 14:10) says, Then Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Jesus to them. And of course, he did it for money. Judas must have been the answer to the prayer of the chief priests and teachers of the law. They had been looking for some sly way to arrest Jesus and kill him. Now all they had to do was wait until the Passover Feast was over, so that the people wouldn t riot. As we move forward in these final days of Jesus earthly life and mission the clouds of darkness grow. Human depravity and demonic hatred are on the scene. Greed, anger, bitterness, hatred, scheming, lying, betrayal As the darkness grows, so does the weight of what s happening. It d be easy for me to point my finger at Judas in self-righteous disgust. But in this story nobody gets away with clean hands. Jesus was going to the Cross for MY sin my greed, my anger, my hatred, my betrayal. As the song What Have We Done? so pointedly states, Judas sold you for 30 I d have done it for less.

18 The betrayal and scheme to arrest Jesus is a dark, sad scene. And the same darkness was in us before Christ rescued us. And here s a crazy thought: Jesus knew it was coming. God wasn t asleep at the switch. This was all part of the Plan. But woe to him who betrays the Son of Man and fails to repent. Thanks be to God, Jesus stayed the course. PRAYER Father, how great is your love for us. How incredible your plan to destroy the works of Satan. Jesus, forgive me for the times and the ways that I ve betrayed and denied you for the times I ve given in to bitterness, anger, greed, or hatred. Lord, thank you for your gift of mercy and grace to ransom a sinner like me. Father, continue to purify and refine my devotion to you, that I might be faithful when tempted and sobered by the price you paid and the pain of betrayal you endured to purchase my salvation. Overthrow the work of the evil one in our city. In Jesus Name, Amen.

19 5 Thursday: Trust in the Face of Pain PASSAGE - Matthew 26:17-56 Mark 14:12-52; Luke 22:7-53; John 13-17

20 The events of Maundy Thursday, the Thursday before Easter include: - Preparations for the Passover meal - Passover meal/last Supper - Lord s Supper instituted - Jesus predicts Peter s denial - Jesus washing the disciples feet (John 13) - The Upper Room discourse (John 13-17) - Jesus praying in the Garden of Gethsemane - The Betrayal & Arrest of Jesus (though this may have taken place after midnight, technically Friday) Today, the weight will bring Jesus to his knees. This night, the Thursday before Easter, Jesus, overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death, cries out in the Garden of Gethsemane - Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will. How heavy, how dark, how thick does sorrow and the anticipation of death have to be to drive the Son of God to his knees? Sweating drops of blood? Jesus is now entering into the suffering for which he came. He has come to be the Passover Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. But that s much easier for us to sing about on a Sunday than it was for Jesus to carry out in real space and time on Thursday and Friday. Consider what transpired on this day in the life of Jesus.

21 He s betrayed by one of the Twelve who shares in the Last Supper. As Jesus is breaking the bread and giving the cup, symbolizing his body and blood the others don t get it yet, but Jesus does. He knows fully what it represents and what s about to go down tonight and tomorrow. This is the eve of his crucifixion. He s arrested by the guards, after facing Judas one last time. The feet he just washed run away from him, as he s abandoned by his disciples. But that s after they keep falling asleep on him, unable to pray for him as he enters into the darkest hour of agony in the Garden. He s alone. Except for the Father. The cup of wrath against sin is full to the brim and it s his to drink. Here we see our Savior. Surrendering his life. The Sacrificial Lamb, beginning his walk to the slaughter house. What he will endure in the next 24 hours is indescribable. Read the words of the gospel accounts and let your imagination take you into the reality of what is happening. What words or phrases grab you as you read it? What emotions does it stir up within you? Stand in awe. Shed tears of grief and gratitude. Jesus surrendered to this Plan to bring you to God. Jesus entered into this grief & sorrow so that one day he could take yours away.

22 Let it sink in. In the deepest and darkest moment of Jesus life, he got alone, on his knees, with his Father. Let this be instructional and inspirational to you and me. No matter what you re facing or have had to face or will ever have to face Jesus has already gone deeper into sorrow than you ll ever go. He can identify with the deepest valley, the darkest night, the saddest sorrow, the worst grief. And even there, He trusted. He surrendered. This is one of the truest pictures of worship. To trust in the face of pain. He could have called down angels. But he didn t. The disciples fled, but Jesus stayed the course for us. PRAYER Father, the pain in this world is so deep, our sin was and is so costly but I praise you, Lord, because you made a way, through Your Son Jesus for us to be saved and healed. You paid for our waywardness and our denial. You carried our grief and our sorrow. Thank you, Jesus, for your willingness to lay down your life. Thank you for giving us the reminder of your broken body and blood through the bread and cup of communion. Thank you for washing our feet and giving us the example to follow what it looks like to serve. Thank you for teaching us to love one another and for promising to send us the Holy Spirit. Thank you for praying for us and never leaving and forsaking us, even though we left you. Lord, help us to trust you even when facing our own road of suffering, and help us spread the good news of your sacrificial love with every opportunity you give us. In Jesus Name, Amen.

23 6 Good Friday: What Do You See? PASSAGE - Luke 22:54-23:56 (Matt. 26:57-27:61; Mark 14:53-15:47; John 18:12-19:42)

24 After Jesus arrest, using all four gospel accounts, here s a compilation of what happened to Jesus: The Trials of Jesus Christ: 1st trial, before Annas; 2nd (and primary) trial before Sanhedrin, Jesus is condemned 3rd trial, immediately at dawn (meanwhile, Peter denies Jesus a third time); the condemnation repeated, then Jesus taken to Romans 4th trial before Pilate 5th trial before Herod 6th trial before Pilate Jesus is scourged; the city cries, "Crucify Him! Jesus is finally turned over to be crucified Jesus is mocked (Roman soldiers); crown of thorns Judas hangs himself Jesus is crucified around 9am Jesus' Seven Sayings from the Cross: "Father, forgive them " "Today...with me in paradise" Dear woman, here is your son..." "My God, My God..." "I am thirsty" "It is finished" "Into Your hands The Death of Jesus Christ (About 3pm; curtain in temple torn, rocks split; some graves opened and people rise and go into the city)

25 Jesus' side pierced Passover lambs slain in temple Jesus buried by sundown in Joseph of Arimathea s tomb We are now at the apex of Christianity. The Center. The Cross event and subsequent resurrection is the nuclear power center that will never diminish in its ability to humble, strengthen, revive, and propel the people of God. For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. (1 Corinthians 1:18) There is so much opportunity for personal reflection on Good Friday. We are not the victims. We are the perpetrators. Jesus is the victim. The sinless, innocent Son of God. Never has one been more deserving of being treated well, of being honored and adored. And yet never has one been treated so horribly, so wrongly. We crucified the Lord of glory. Our sin put him there. What sin, what shame, have you brought to the foot of the Cross? As you ponder and behold this crucified King, what do you see? What do you see in his eyes? What do you see in his face and in his body? What do you hear in his words? What do you see in his actions and in his silence?

26 What do you see in Peter s denials? What do you see & hear in the chief priests interrogation? What do you see in Pilate & Herod? What do you see in the crowds? What do you see in the Roman soldiers? What do you see in the women who followed, weeping? What do you see in the criminals crucified with Jesus? Consider the words of the prophet Isaiah, speaking of Jesus: He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

27 He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors. (Isaiah 53:3-7,12) PRAYER Father, it s staggering to consider the price of our ransom and redemption. It s overwhelming to consider the crushing weight of sin and shame that Jesus bore in our place on the Cross. Lord, help me never forget. Help me never lose sight. Let my love never grow cold. Thank you, Jesus, for humbling yourself to the point of death, even death on a cross. Forgive me for the times I treat sin lightly, or think it s no big deal. Forgive me for the times I think I can improve my righteousness by my effort, or merit your love. It is only by your Cross Lord, only by your death, only by the shedding of your blood that there can be forgiveness for sins. Lord, drive the truth of the Cross deeper into my heart today. In Jesus Name, Amen.

28 7 Saturday: The Grandaddy of Them All PASSAGE - Matthew 27:62-66

29 Jesus is in the tomb, but the chief priests and Pharisees are still afraid. What if his disciples come and steal the body? He did say after all that after 3 days he would rise? So they went to Pilate who agreed to put a seal on the stone and post a guard at the tomb. Every measure was taken to ensure that Jesus was dead, really dead, and stayed dead. There was to be no question. Finally, we re rid of this Jesus guy. The sting of death still hangs in the air and the disciples are stunned. It s over. Done. Jesus is dead. Signed, sealed, delivered. What are we going to do now? I wonder what the disciples were thinking and feeling? Can you imagine what life would be like if Jesus stayed in that tomb? The hopelessness and despair would be utterly disorienting. The Bible doesn t tell us much more about what happened on Saturday. Only that the women rested from their work of preparing spices and perfumes because it was the Sabbath (Luke 23:56). And this business about posting a guard at the tomb.

30 Have you ever had a plan backfire? These folks are about to find out that nobody rules over Jesus. And the disciples are about to be unbelievably surprised. Friends, Jesus is full of surprises. An influential Christian leader during my time in Bible college always loved talking about the surprises of Jesus. Whether it s an answer to prayer. Or an unexpected gift of provision at just the right time. Or an incredible opportunity you weren t expecting. An encouraging note. A chance meeting. A surprise visit. The announcement of your first child or a new pregnancy. On and on it goes Jesus is full of surprises. He loves to bless his children in ways that are so personal and so particular and sometimes, just flat out over the top. The anticipation of Easter Sunday morning should grow on us throughout the day today. Because the greatest surprise of Jesus, the Granddaddy of em all, is about to shock (and change) the world forever. What happens next??

31 PRAYER Father, you are so gracious and kind. You know us so well. You know what we need before we ask. Before the foundation of the world was laid, you set a plan in motion, to send your Son to surprise us all. Lord, help us never grow tired of the shock and surprise of Easter morning. Prepare our hearts to experience new-found joy and renewed gratitude and praise. Lord, as your people prepare to gather all over the world to celebrate the good news of Easter morning, would you bless those who will preach and proclaim the truth of the resurrection? Will you bless those who will hear it? Will you draw men and women to the truth of Jesus and bring more lost sons and daughters home to the Father? We love you Lord and we thank you for being the God of all grace who is still full of surprises! In Jesus Name, Amen.

32 8 Easter Sunday: He Was Who He Said He Was PASSAGE - Luke 24:1-53

33 Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! The Lord has risen! He has risen indeed! Jesus is alive! Death has been swallowed up in victory. Where O death, is your victory? Where O death, is your sting? (1 Corinthians 15:55) Jesus Christ has conquered the enemy of death, proving He was who He said He was, and fulfilling the mission He came to accomplish. The resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead is the exclamation point on God s definitive answer to the question - Is Jesus really the Christ? Is Jesus really the Son of God? The resurrection declares, Yes, indeed! Without the resurrection, the Cross would not, could not be good news. The Apostle Paul stated it matter of factly when he said, If Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men. (1 Corinthians 15:14,17,19)

34 But in fact, Jesus did rise from the dead and He offers eternal life to all who trust in Him. The shock waves from that first Easter morning are still rolling out over the earth today. Peter had to see it for himself. The report of the women seemed like nonsense to the disciples early that morning. Thomas had to see it and feel it for himself. The men on the road to Emmaus missed it until Jesus opened their eyes. Could it be? Is there really life beyond the grave? Is there really forgiveness of sins and power to live a new life? Is there freedom from the bondage & grip of sin, Satan & death? Dear friends, let your hearts believe! Receive the good news and believe the eye-witness reports. The Word of God is altogether trustworthy and true. The testimony of changed lives is a parade of amazing grace. Jesus makes new. Jesus saves! The story of God is a story of redemption and restoration. What Satan and sinful man intended for evil, God intended for good and the saving of many lives. And in the wake of the resurrection of Jesus, we can be assured that God will accomplish His purposes. The victory has been won.

35 What would it look like for you to live in the light of the resurrection of Jesus, not just on Easter Sunday, but every day? How can the resurrection of Jesus change the hard days or sad days that you will inevitably face as you continue your journey through this life? And what role does God have for you to play in proclaiming this good news? May we sing, celebrate, pray, hope, grieve, wait, work, preach, serve, give, and live everyday in the light of the truth that we remember and proclaim today JESUS SETS FREE! PRAYER Father, thank you for the victory of the empty tomb! Jesus, thank you for laying down your life and taking it up again! Thank you for the gift of new life and the promise of eternal life! Thank you for defeating the enemies we could not defeat and winning the victory we could not win! We praise you, Lord! In Jesus Name, Amen.