There is NO Greater Love
PALM Sunday: Follow the Crowd
Mark 11:7-10 (ESV) - 7 And they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it, and he sat on it. 8 And many spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut from the fields. 9 And those who went before and those who followed were shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! 10 Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in the highest!”
I am sure that most of you have heard of “herd mentality” (pun intended). It is the tendency of the people in a group to think and behave in ways that conform with others in the group rather than as individuals.
Do you think that any of those people who welcomed Jesus into Jerusalem were victims of herd mentality, following the crowd?
Have you ever wondered what it must have been like to be part of that joyous crowd that greeted Jesus as he entered the gates of Jerusalem on what would later be celebrated as “Palm Sunday?” The Savior entered the city with shouts of joy from the people gathered. Cloaks and palm branches covered the road as the anticipated King arrived.
I sometimes wonder how many people may have been in that crowd who had never heard the name of Jesus. Many may have only heard people shouting that “the king is coming,” and they anxiously joined the crowd to catch a glimpse of the new king, the long-awaited Messiah. Imagine what some must have thought when they witnessed a meek, humble man riding into town on a donkey. Not everyone who watched the Triumphal Entry was celebrating the Lord. Many in the city were puzzled.
Matthew 21:10-11 (ESV) - 10 And when he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up, saying, “Who is this?” 11 And the crowds said, “This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee.”
Do you wonder if any of those people returned to their homes thinking that was much ado about nothing? Do you think any of them went home disappointed? What kind of king was that? That wasn’t what I expected.
By the end of the week, there would be a new crowd flocking to see Jesus. This crowd gathered in Pilate’s courtyard, and, influenced by religious leaders, demanded Jesus' crucifixion. These religious leaders, particularly the chief priests and Pharisees, strongly opposed Jesus and perceived him as a threat to their authority and religious traditions. They influenced the crowd with their negative views about Jesus.
Luke 23:13-23 (ESV) - 13 Pilate then called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people, 14 and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was misleading the people. And after examining him before you, behold, I did not find this man guilty of any of your charges against him. 15 Neither did Herod, for he sent him back to us. Look, nothing deserving death has been done by him. 16 I will therefore punish and release him.”
18 But they all cried out together, “Away with this man, and release to us Barabbas”— 19 a man who had been thrown into prison for an insurrection started in the city and for murder. 20 Pilate addressed them once more, desiring to release Jesus, 21 but they kept shouting, “Crucify, crucify him!” 22 A third time he said to them, “Why? What evil has he done? I have found in him no guilt deserving death. I will therefore punish and release him.” 23 But they were urgent, demanding with loud cries that he should be crucified. And their voices prevailed.
Do you think that any of those people who were shouting “crucify Him” were victims of herd mentality, following the crowd?
There is no biblical evidence that those who cried ‘Hosanna’ on Palm Sunday were the ones who, days later, cried “crucify him!” Two separate crowds, two entirely different groups of people with two entirely different objectives, yet both of these groups were all part of God’s plan of salvation and redemption. When Jesus rode into Jerusalem on that Sunday afternoon, He began His journey to the cross.
The question that I ask you to consider is, which crowd might you have followed during that eventful week? Which crowd are you following today?
Tom Moore, Chairman of Deacons
Mark 11:7-10 (ESV) - 7 And they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it, and he sat on it. 8 And many spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut from the fields. 9 And those who went before and those who followed were shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! 10 Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in the highest!”
I am sure that most of you have heard of “herd mentality” (pun intended). It is the tendency of the people in a group to think and behave in ways that conform with others in the group rather than as individuals.
Do you think that any of those people who welcomed Jesus into Jerusalem were victims of herd mentality, following the crowd?
Have you ever wondered what it must have been like to be part of that joyous crowd that greeted Jesus as he entered the gates of Jerusalem on what would later be celebrated as “Palm Sunday?” The Savior entered the city with shouts of joy from the people gathered. Cloaks and palm branches covered the road as the anticipated King arrived.
I sometimes wonder how many people may have been in that crowd who had never heard the name of Jesus. Many may have only heard people shouting that “the king is coming,” and they anxiously joined the crowd to catch a glimpse of the new king, the long-awaited Messiah. Imagine what some must have thought when they witnessed a meek, humble man riding into town on a donkey. Not everyone who watched the Triumphal Entry was celebrating the Lord. Many in the city were puzzled.
Matthew 21:10-11 (ESV) - 10 And when he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up, saying, “Who is this?” 11 And the crowds said, “This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee.”
Do you wonder if any of those people returned to their homes thinking that was much ado about nothing? Do you think any of them went home disappointed? What kind of king was that? That wasn’t what I expected.
- Kings ride on horses. This man came in on a donkey.
- This so-called “king” certainly wasn’t wearing any royal apparel.
- Kings carry swords and are accompanied by an army of fighting men. This king carried no weapon, rode in alone, and was followed only by a few friends.
By the end of the week, there would be a new crowd flocking to see Jesus. This crowd gathered in Pilate’s courtyard, and, influenced by religious leaders, demanded Jesus' crucifixion. These religious leaders, particularly the chief priests and Pharisees, strongly opposed Jesus and perceived him as a threat to their authority and religious traditions. They influenced the crowd with their negative views about Jesus.
Luke 23:13-23 (ESV) - 13 Pilate then called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people, 14 and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was misleading the people. And after examining him before you, behold, I did not find this man guilty of any of your charges against him. 15 Neither did Herod, for he sent him back to us. Look, nothing deserving death has been done by him. 16 I will therefore punish and release him.”
18 But they all cried out together, “Away with this man, and release to us Barabbas”— 19 a man who had been thrown into prison for an insurrection started in the city and for murder. 20 Pilate addressed them once more, desiring to release Jesus, 21 but they kept shouting, “Crucify, crucify him!” 22 A third time he said to them, “Why? What evil has he done? I have found in him no guilt deserving death. I will therefore punish and release him.” 23 But they were urgent, demanding with loud cries that he should be crucified. And their voices prevailed.
Do you think that any of those people who were shouting “crucify Him” were victims of herd mentality, following the crowd?
There is no biblical evidence that those who cried ‘Hosanna’ on Palm Sunday were the ones who, days later, cried “crucify him!” Two separate crowds, two entirely different groups of people with two entirely different objectives, yet both of these groups were all part of God’s plan of salvation and redemption. When Jesus rode into Jerusalem on that Sunday afternoon, He began His journey to the cross.
The question that I ask you to consider is, which crowd might you have followed during that eventful week? Which crowd are you following today?
Tom Moore, Chairman of Deacons
Monday: Cleansing the Temple
In Matthew 21:12-13, there is a powerful moment when Jesus takes action against corruption in the Temple of Jerusalem. This event, which is often referred to as the "Cleansing of the Temple," highlights Jesus' righteous anger and his mission to restore the sanctity of God's house. The passage reads:
12 And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves, 13 And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves. (Matthew 21:12-13)
In Jesus’ day, the Temple in Jerusalem was the central place of worship for the Jewish people. It was considered the dwelling place of God on earth, a holy and sacred space. However, during Passover, the Temple became a marketplace. Merchants sold animals for sacrifices. Money changers exchanged Roman currency for the special Temple currency needed for offerings. This commercialization of sacred rituals greatly disturbed Jesus.
The phrase "My house shall be called the house of prayer" is a reference to Isaiah 56:7, where God speaks of His house being a place of worship for all nations. However, Jesus pointed out that the Temple had been turned into "a den of thieves." This phrase is borrowed from Jeremiah 7:11, where God condemns the Israelites for turning the Temple into a place of unjust dealings and sin.
The act of overturning the tables and driving out the merchants and money changers was not just a symbolic gesture; it was an act of prophetic authority. Jesus was not simply angry at the inconvenience of the marketplace within the sacred space but was condemning the exploitation of worship and the corruption of religious practices. The merchants had turned the temple into a place where people, especially the poor, were often exploited. They were charged excessive prices for sacrifices and given unfair exchange rates for their currency.
This is a pivotal moment in Jesus' ministry. It reminds us of the importance of purity and reverence in worship. Jesus is not just concerned with physical buildings but with the spiritual integrity of those who worship in them. The Temple was meant to be a place of communion with God, a space where people could come to pray, offer sacrifices, and find peace with God. Instead, it had become a place where commerce and personal gain overshadowed spiritual devotion.
By calling it a "den of thieves," Jesus highlights how the focus had shifted from genuine worship to self-interest, exploitation, and greed. His actions and words are a direct challenge to the religious and economic systems that had distorted the purpose of the Temple.
This event calls believers to examine their own attitudes toward worship. It challenges the commercialization of faith—whether through financial exploitation or the reduction of sacred spaces to mere institutions of power and influence. It asks the Church to remain vigilant in ensuring that its focus remains on prayer, justice, and the true worship of God.
It also points to Jesus’ ultimate role as the true and final sacrifice. In four days, He would offer Himself as the ultimate sacrifice for the sins of humanity, making the temple's sacrificial system obsolete. The temple, once a symbol of God's presence, would be replaced by our own bodies as the temple of the Holy Spirit. Believers would have the presence of God with them at all times.
Jesus’ cleansing of the temple was not just Jesus expressing anger. It was a profound statement about the sanctity of worship, the importance of justice, and the call for integrity within the community of believers. It invites us to examine our own hearts and the ways in which we approach God, ensuring that we honor Him in spirit and truth.
Stacey
In Matthew 21:12-13, there is a powerful moment when Jesus takes action against corruption in the Temple of Jerusalem. This event, which is often referred to as the "Cleansing of the Temple," highlights Jesus' righteous anger and his mission to restore the sanctity of God's house. The passage reads:
12 And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves, 13 And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves. (Matthew 21:12-13)
In Jesus’ day, the Temple in Jerusalem was the central place of worship for the Jewish people. It was considered the dwelling place of God on earth, a holy and sacred space. However, during Passover, the Temple became a marketplace. Merchants sold animals for sacrifices. Money changers exchanged Roman currency for the special Temple currency needed for offerings. This commercialization of sacred rituals greatly disturbed Jesus.
The phrase "My house shall be called the house of prayer" is a reference to Isaiah 56:7, where God speaks of His house being a place of worship for all nations. However, Jesus pointed out that the Temple had been turned into "a den of thieves." This phrase is borrowed from Jeremiah 7:11, where God condemns the Israelites for turning the Temple into a place of unjust dealings and sin.
The act of overturning the tables and driving out the merchants and money changers was not just a symbolic gesture; it was an act of prophetic authority. Jesus was not simply angry at the inconvenience of the marketplace within the sacred space but was condemning the exploitation of worship and the corruption of religious practices. The merchants had turned the temple into a place where people, especially the poor, were often exploited. They were charged excessive prices for sacrifices and given unfair exchange rates for their currency.
This is a pivotal moment in Jesus' ministry. It reminds us of the importance of purity and reverence in worship. Jesus is not just concerned with physical buildings but with the spiritual integrity of those who worship in them. The Temple was meant to be a place of communion with God, a space where people could come to pray, offer sacrifices, and find peace with God. Instead, it had become a place where commerce and personal gain overshadowed spiritual devotion.
By calling it a "den of thieves," Jesus highlights how the focus had shifted from genuine worship to self-interest, exploitation, and greed. His actions and words are a direct challenge to the religious and economic systems that had distorted the purpose of the Temple.
This event calls believers to examine their own attitudes toward worship. It challenges the commercialization of faith—whether through financial exploitation or the reduction of sacred spaces to mere institutions of power and influence. It asks the Church to remain vigilant in ensuring that its focus remains on prayer, justice, and the true worship of God.
It also points to Jesus’ ultimate role as the true and final sacrifice. In four days, He would offer Himself as the ultimate sacrifice for the sins of humanity, making the temple's sacrificial system obsolete. The temple, once a symbol of God's presence, would be replaced by our own bodies as the temple of the Holy Spirit. Believers would have the presence of God with them at all times.
Jesus’ cleansing of the temple was not just Jesus expressing anger. It was a profound statement about the sanctity of worship, the importance of justice, and the call for integrity within the community of believers. It invites us to examine our own hearts and the ways in which we approach God, ensuring that we honor Him in spirit and truth.
Stacey
Tuesday: All Leaves, No Figs
45 When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard his parables, they perceived that he was speaking about them.
Matthew 21:45 (ESV)
The Tuesday before Jesus was crucified is known by two names. One is Holy Tuesday, which makes sense, given that it’s the Tuesday of Holy Week. But the other is Fig Tuesday, because of the way the day started. In Matthew 21, we read that Jesus and His disciples were returning to the city that morning. Jesus was hungry. He saw a fig tree and thought He might grab a quick bite to eat. But when He came closer, He saw it was all leaf and no figs. So He cursed it. “Never bear fruit again!” He said, and it withered at once (see Matt. 21:18-20).
The rest of the chapter is all about Jesus teaching the chief priests and the elders of Israel—two groups of people that should have been bearing fruit. They should have been feeding the people with truth from God’s Word. Instead, they too were all leaf and no figs.
In Matthew 21:23-32, they questioned Jesus about what authority he had. They seemed to be justifying the lack of fruit in their lives by asking, “Why should we listen to you anyway?”
Jesus responds with a story about a man with two sons whom he asked to work in his vineyard (see Matt. 21:28-32). One son said he would but didn’t. The other one said He wouldn’t but did. Jesus asked them, “Which did the will of his father?” In other words, which one bore fruit, and which one was just leaves? The chief priests were forced to admit that it doesn’t matter what you promise to do for God, but what you actually do that matters. The religious leaders said the right things, but they weren’t bearing fruit.
Then, Jesus told a story about workers in a vineyard to whom the master lent his vineyard in exchange for his share of the produce (see Matt. 21:33-43). At harvest time, the master sent two groups of servants to collect the fruit from the tenants. These they beat, stoned, and killed. Finally, the master sent his own son, and the tenants dragged him outside the walls of the city and killed him.
Not only did they not bear fruit, but they killed the One who had the right to expect it.
At the end of the day, the chief priests and the religious leaders realized Jeus had been talking about them the whole time. They were the ones who had promised to take care of the vineyard and didn’t. Their excuse for their disobedience was to question what right Jesus had to tell them what to do anyway. And in three short days, they would be the ones who would drag the Son of the Master outside the walls of the vineyard (Jerusalem) and put Him to death.
At least the religious leaders had the self-awareness to realize Jesus was talking about them. I wonder if we do. Are we bearing fruit, or are we questioning whether He has the right to expect it? Do we make promises to Jesus that we never keep?
Go back to the withered fig tree. Jesus came looking for figs, but found only leaves.
What does He find when He looks at your life?
Linda Weatherill
45 When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard his parables, they perceived that he was speaking about them.
Matthew 21:45 (ESV)
The Tuesday before Jesus was crucified is known by two names. One is Holy Tuesday, which makes sense, given that it’s the Tuesday of Holy Week. But the other is Fig Tuesday, because of the way the day started. In Matthew 21, we read that Jesus and His disciples were returning to the city that morning. Jesus was hungry. He saw a fig tree and thought He might grab a quick bite to eat. But when He came closer, He saw it was all leaf and no figs. So He cursed it. “Never bear fruit again!” He said, and it withered at once (see Matt. 21:18-20).
The rest of the chapter is all about Jesus teaching the chief priests and the elders of Israel—two groups of people that should have been bearing fruit. They should have been feeding the people with truth from God’s Word. Instead, they too were all leaf and no figs.
In Matthew 21:23-32, they questioned Jesus about what authority he had. They seemed to be justifying the lack of fruit in their lives by asking, “Why should we listen to you anyway?”
Jesus responds with a story about a man with two sons whom he asked to work in his vineyard (see Matt. 21:28-32). One son said he would but didn’t. The other one said He wouldn’t but did. Jesus asked them, “Which did the will of his father?” In other words, which one bore fruit, and which one was just leaves? The chief priests were forced to admit that it doesn’t matter what you promise to do for God, but what you actually do that matters. The religious leaders said the right things, but they weren’t bearing fruit.
Then, Jesus told a story about workers in a vineyard to whom the master lent his vineyard in exchange for his share of the produce (see Matt. 21:33-43). At harvest time, the master sent two groups of servants to collect the fruit from the tenants. These they beat, stoned, and killed. Finally, the master sent his own son, and the tenants dragged him outside the walls of the city and killed him.
Not only did they not bear fruit, but they killed the One who had the right to expect it.
At the end of the day, the chief priests and the religious leaders realized Jeus had been talking about them the whole time. They were the ones who had promised to take care of the vineyard and didn’t. Their excuse for their disobedience was to question what right Jesus had to tell them what to do anyway. And in three short days, they would be the ones who would drag the Son of the Master outside the walls of the vineyard (Jerusalem) and put Him to death.
At least the religious leaders had the self-awareness to realize Jesus was talking about them. I wonder if we do. Are we bearing fruit, or are we questioning whether He has the right to expect it? Do we make promises to Jesus that we never keep?
Go back to the withered fig tree. Jesus came looking for figs, but found only leaves.
What does He find when He looks at your life?
Linda Weatherill
Wednesday: A Quiet Betrayal
“Then one of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests and 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. From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over.”
Matthew 26:14-16
Wednesday of Holy Week is sometimes called Spy Wednesday, which sounds really cool until you realize the context. Because Wednesday was the day Judas Iscariot made a decision that would change the course of history. He agreed to betray Jesus.
The Bible doesn’t specifically say what Judas’ motive was. It might have been simple greed. Thirty pieces of silver might have been as much as four months’ salary in Jesus’ day. Some scholars think it was disillusionment—Judas may have been disappointed that Jesus was not the insurrectionist against Rome he believed He would be. Still others think Judas may have thought he was forcing Jesus’ hand—putting Him in a situation where He would show His power against the authorities. The Bible is quiet on this point.
In fact, the Bible is quiet about this day altogether. Unlike the dramatic entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday or the sorrow of the cross on Good Friday, this day is eerily silent in the Gospel narratives. It is a day of plotting, of secret meetings, of back-room dealings, of the calm before the storm. While Jesus continued to teach and prepare His disciples for what was to come, Judas slipped away into the shadows.
Turning away from Christ doesn’t always happen with loud rebellion. It can come in silence, in secret compromises, in small steps away from the truth. Judas had walked with Jesus, witnessed miracles, and shared meals with Him. Yet in a moment of greed or disillusionment, he sold out his Savior.
Spy Wednesday calls us to self-examination. Are there ways we have betrayed Jesus in our own hearts? Have we exchanged His presence for the silver coins of convenience, approval, or sin?
Even in this moment of darkness, hope flickers. Jesus knew Judas’s heart, and still, He will wash his feet tomorrow. The love of Jesus did not falter, even for the one who would betray Him. That love extends to us today. So, no matter how you betrayed Jesus in the past, run to his unfailing love. Let us remember what he did in the coming days.
Jonworth
“Then one of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests and 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. From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over.”
Matthew 26:14-16
Wednesday of Holy Week is sometimes called Spy Wednesday, which sounds really cool until you realize the context. Because Wednesday was the day Judas Iscariot made a decision that would change the course of history. He agreed to betray Jesus.
The Bible doesn’t specifically say what Judas’ motive was. It might have been simple greed. Thirty pieces of silver might have been as much as four months’ salary in Jesus’ day. Some scholars think it was disillusionment—Judas may have been disappointed that Jesus was not the insurrectionist against Rome he believed He would be. Still others think Judas may have thought he was forcing Jesus’ hand—putting Him in a situation where He would show His power against the authorities. The Bible is quiet on this point.
In fact, the Bible is quiet about this day altogether. Unlike the dramatic entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday or the sorrow of the cross on Good Friday, this day is eerily silent in the Gospel narratives. It is a day of plotting, of secret meetings, of back-room dealings, of the calm before the storm. While Jesus continued to teach and prepare His disciples for what was to come, Judas slipped away into the shadows.
Turning away from Christ doesn’t always happen with loud rebellion. It can come in silence, in secret compromises, in small steps away from the truth. Judas had walked with Jesus, witnessed miracles, and shared meals with Him. Yet in a moment of greed or disillusionment, he sold out his Savior.
Spy Wednesday calls us to self-examination. Are there ways we have betrayed Jesus in our own hearts? Have we exchanged His presence for the silver coins of convenience, approval, or sin?
Even in this moment of darkness, hope flickers. Jesus knew Judas’s heart, and still, He will wash his feet tomorrow. The love of Jesus did not falter, even for the one who would betray Him. That love extends to us today. So, no matter how you betrayed Jesus in the past, run to his unfailing love. Let us remember what he did in the coming days.
Jonworth
Thursday: Jesus Washes the Disciple's feet
Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.
Mark 10:43-45
I was the only member of my mission team who did not get a foot massage while we were serving in Bangkok. They told me the place was terrific and that it would feel wonderful, but I could not let someone massage my ticklish feet! Besides, although Bangkok’s streets were free of trash, they were still very dusty and dirty, and I felt like I had a layer of dirt on me after being on the subway and traveling around the city. I was embarrassed to think of anyone touching my feet after a day of walking in 102-degree heat.
In John 13:1-17, we read of how on the last night he was with His disciples, Jesus poured water into a basin, knelt down, and washed His disciples’ feet, wiping them dry with the towel wrapped around His waist. The streets of Jerusalem would have been just as dirty and dusty as the streets of Bangkok, maybe more so. I can relate to Peter protesting, “Lord, you shall never wash my feet” (verse 8)!
I think Peter was uncomfortable with Jesus serving him in this way. I think we are similar in that we want to do our part to clean up and present the best version of ourselves to Jesus. We need to hear Jesus’ words to Peter as if He were saying them to us: “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.” We think we should have a part to play in our own sanctification process. I’m reminded of the Puritan preacher Jonathan Edwards, who said, “I bring nothing to my salvation except the sin that makes it necessary.”
All of us must submit to Jesus to daily wash away the stain of sin that exists in our lives. There is no place for pride in this process. Only submitting to Jesus’ justification to save us initially, and then the daily sanctification of asking forgiveness of our sins will grow us into the image of our Savior.
What is your source of pride that you need to lay at Jesus' feet? What do you need to say yes to that the Lord keeps bringing to your mind? Jesus served us by dying for our sins. How can we serve one another with humility and love?
Trish Jackson, WMU director
Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.
Mark 10:43-45
I was the only member of my mission team who did not get a foot massage while we were serving in Bangkok. They told me the place was terrific and that it would feel wonderful, but I could not let someone massage my ticklish feet! Besides, although Bangkok’s streets were free of trash, they were still very dusty and dirty, and I felt like I had a layer of dirt on me after being on the subway and traveling around the city. I was embarrassed to think of anyone touching my feet after a day of walking in 102-degree heat.
In John 13:1-17, we read of how on the last night he was with His disciples, Jesus poured water into a basin, knelt down, and washed His disciples’ feet, wiping them dry with the towel wrapped around His waist. The streets of Jerusalem would have been just as dirty and dusty as the streets of Bangkok, maybe more so. I can relate to Peter protesting, “Lord, you shall never wash my feet” (verse 8)!
I think Peter was uncomfortable with Jesus serving him in this way. I think we are similar in that we want to do our part to clean up and present the best version of ourselves to Jesus. We need to hear Jesus’ words to Peter as if He were saying them to us: “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.” We think we should have a part to play in our own sanctification process. I’m reminded of the Puritan preacher Jonathan Edwards, who said, “I bring nothing to my salvation except the sin that makes it necessary.”
All of us must submit to Jesus to daily wash away the stain of sin that exists in our lives. There is no place for pride in this process. Only submitting to Jesus’ justification to save us initially, and then the daily sanctification of asking forgiveness of our sins will grow us into the image of our Savior.
What is your source of pride that you need to lay at Jesus' feet? What do you need to say yes to that the Lord keeps bringing to your mind? Jesus served us by dying for our sins. How can we serve one another with humility and love?
Trish Jackson, WMU director
Friday: Famous Last Words
Frank Sinatra, whose most famous lyric was “I did it my way,” said only two words at the point of death: “I’m losing.” Nostradamus, the renowned predictor of the future, said, “Tomorrow, at sunrise, I shall no longer be here.” I suppose both of them were right.
On that dark Friday afternoon two thousand years ago, Jesus made several statements in those final hours. While no one statement is repeated in all four gospels, together we get seven last words of Jesus from the cross. These words reveal His heart, His mission, and His love for humanity. Meditate on each of them and consider what each statement teaches you about our Savior.
1. "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Matthew 27:46, Mark 15:33)
In this cry, Jesus expressed the depth of His anguish as He bore the weight of our sins. He experienced separation from the Father so that we never have to. This profound moment reminds us of the cost of our redemption. And for anyone who has ever wondered where God was in the midst of their suffering, remember that Jesus felt that way too.
our spiritual thirst (John 4:14).
James
Frank Sinatra, whose most famous lyric was “I did it my way,” said only two words at the point of death: “I’m losing.” Nostradamus, the renowned predictor of the future, said, “Tomorrow, at sunrise, I shall no longer be here.” I suppose both of them were right.
On that dark Friday afternoon two thousand years ago, Jesus made several statements in those final hours. While no one statement is repeated in all four gospels, together we get seven last words of Jesus from the cross. These words reveal His heart, His mission, and His love for humanity. Meditate on each of them and consider what each statement teaches you about our Savior.
1. "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Matthew 27:46, Mark 15:33)
In this cry, Jesus expressed the depth of His anguish as He bore the weight of our sins. He experienced separation from the Father so that we never have to. This profound moment reminds us of the cost of our redemption. And for anyone who has ever wondered where God was in the midst of their suffering, remember that Jesus felt that way too.
- "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." (Luke 23:34). Even in the midst of unimaginable pain, Jesus prayed for those who crucified Him. His words remind us of the boundless grace and forgiveness available to all who repent. This challenges us to extend forgiveness to others, even when it’s difficult.
- "Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise." (Luke 23:43)
Jesus spoke these words to the repentant thief beside Him, offering hope and assurance of eternal life. This reminds us that it’s never too late to turn to Jesus. His mercy is available to all who call on His name.
- "Woman, here is your son… Here is your mother." (John 19:26-27)
Even in His suffering, Jesus cared for His mother, entrusting her to the care of John. This shows His compassion and reminds us to care for one another, especially those in need. - "I am thirsty." (John 19:28)
our spiritual thirst (John 4:14).
- "It is finished." (John 19:30)
With these words, Jesus declared the completion of His mission. The debt of sin was paid, and the way to God was opened. This is the foundation of our hope and assurance of salvation. - "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." (Luke 23:46)
Jesus’ final words were an act of surrender and trust in the Father. He modeled for us how to entrust our lives to God, even in the face of death.
James
Saturday: The Day After
It is now the Saturday after Good Friday. For us, this is a day of anticipation and excitement for Easter Sunday. Yesterday, we spent time reflecting on what Jesus did for us at Calvary. We know what happened on that first Easter morning. For us, Saturday is hopeful. But let’s look back at the Saturday that the disciples and Christ’s other followers were experiencing.
I can only imagine what the disciples were experiencing. Each one of them was probably lost in sorrow, fear, confusion, and shame. Think about John. The last time he saw Jesus, He was dying on the cross. The haunting words from Jesus asking him to look after Mary. For Peter, his last memory of Jesus is accompanied by the memories of the sound of a rooster crowing and the smell of smoke from a fire. As far as Peter knew at the time, his last shared moment with Jesus was accompanied by what I imagine was a loving, knowing, and sad look in Jesus’s eyes.
I’m sure all the disciples were feeling this mix of emotions. They were also missing someone else as well. Judas was not there either. Judas not only betrayed Jesus, but he also betrayed the friendship and trust of all the other disciples. Judas could not endure his betrayal of Jesus and took his own life. What a tragic and final rejection of Jesus. All these emotions are enhanced by one of the strongest emotions we can face, fear. The disciples are justifiably scared. Are they next, and are they being hunted?
That brings us to the brave ones. Joseph of Arimathea, who bravely went to Pilate to request Jesus’s body. Nicodemus, who helps prepare Jesus for burial. There was also a group of women who refused to leave Jesus’s side. They watched his crucifixion and accompanied Him to the tomb, willing to do whatever was necessary. This same group of women honored the Sabbath on that Saturday but were preparing to do their duty of love, respect, and honor for Jesus the next day.
That raises the question of how we live our lives and what we can learn from that Saturday. There are times when we, as believers, are facing the same emotions and questions that the disciples were dealing with. Here’s the great thing about this story. That dreadful Saturday was followed by a glorious Sunday. We know that Jesus did not abandon the disciples, that the tomb was only borrowed, and that by Sunday morning, He no longer needed the spices and perfumes that the women prepared. Praise God! The tomb was empty, death was defeated, and salvation was provided! Just like the disciples, we are no longer bound to our fears and sorrows because Sunday is coming.
Love Y’all
Mike
It is now the Saturday after Good Friday. For us, this is a day of anticipation and excitement for Easter Sunday. Yesterday, we spent time reflecting on what Jesus did for us at Calvary. We know what happened on that first Easter morning. For us, Saturday is hopeful. But let’s look back at the Saturday that the disciples and Christ’s other followers were experiencing.
I can only imagine what the disciples were experiencing. Each one of them was probably lost in sorrow, fear, confusion, and shame. Think about John. The last time he saw Jesus, He was dying on the cross. The haunting words from Jesus asking him to look after Mary. For Peter, his last memory of Jesus is accompanied by the memories of the sound of a rooster crowing and the smell of smoke from a fire. As far as Peter knew at the time, his last shared moment with Jesus was accompanied by what I imagine was a loving, knowing, and sad look in Jesus’s eyes.
I’m sure all the disciples were feeling this mix of emotions. They were also missing someone else as well. Judas was not there either. Judas not only betrayed Jesus, but he also betrayed the friendship and trust of all the other disciples. Judas could not endure his betrayal of Jesus and took his own life. What a tragic and final rejection of Jesus. All these emotions are enhanced by one of the strongest emotions we can face, fear. The disciples are justifiably scared. Are they next, and are they being hunted?
That brings us to the brave ones. Joseph of Arimathea, who bravely went to Pilate to request Jesus’s body. Nicodemus, who helps prepare Jesus for burial. There was also a group of women who refused to leave Jesus’s side. They watched his crucifixion and accompanied Him to the tomb, willing to do whatever was necessary. This same group of women honored the Sabbath on that Saturday but were preparing to do their duty of love, respect, and honor for Jesus the next day.
That raises the question of how we live our lives and what we can learn from that Saturday. There are times when we, as believers, are facing the same emotions and questions that the disciples were dealing with. Here’s the great thing about this story. That dreadful Saturday was followed by a glorious Sunday. We know that Jesus did not abandon the disciples, that the tomb was only borrowed, and that by Sunday morning, He no longer needed the spices and perfumes that the women prepared. Praise God! The tomb was empty, death was defeated, and salvation was provided! Just like the disciples, we are no longer bound to our fears and sorrows because Sunday is coming.
Love Y’all
Mike
Resurrection Sunday: He is Risen
Early in the morning, the women came to the tomb and found it empty. An angel declared, "He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said." (Matthew 28:1-10)
The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the single most powerful event in human history. That moment changed everything. Death was defeated. Sin was conquered. Eternal life was secured for all who believe. But the truth of the resurrection is not just a historical fact; it is the foundation of our daily faith and the power by which we live.
For the believer, the Resurrection is not only a past event but a present reality. Paul tells us in Romans 8:11, "If the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you." The same power that raised Jesus from the grave now lives in you. That means your victory is complete, but are you walking in that victory?
Victory is Complete, But Are You Walking in It?
Many Christians live as though they are still bound by chains that have already been broken. Fear, doubt, and sin creep in when we forget the truth of the empty tomb. Today, remind yourself: Christ has risen, and His resurrection power is within me.
Take a moment to consider these questions:
A Warning to the Lukewarm and the Unbelieving
Resurrection power is the evidence of the Holy Spirit at work within you. Jesus told His followers in Acts 1:8, "You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you." Power is a defining marker of a true follower of Christ—power that is not just for signs and wonders, but power to overcome sin, to walk in righteousness, to love when it is hard, and to bear the fruit of the Spirit.
If you claim to follow Christ but see no evidence of transformation, take this as a moment to examine your heart. Do you truly know Him? Have you truly surrendered to His Lordship? The lukewarm Christian is one who acknowledges Jesus but does not walk in His power. Do not be deceived—genuine faith produces genuine fruit.
Walk in Confidence, Walk in Power
The Resurrection was not just an event—it is an invitation. An invitation to live, to walk, to move in the confidence that Jesus has already won. The power of the Holy Spirit is not given to us just for knowledge, but for action.
Today, make a commitment to…
Josh
Early in the morning, the women came to the tomb and found it empty. An angel declared, "He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said." (Matthew 28:1-10)
The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the single most powerful event in human history. That moment changed everything. Death was defeated. Sin was conquered. Eternal life was secured for all who believe. But the truth of the resurrection is not just a historical fact; it is the foundation of our daily faith and the power by which we live.
For the believer, the Resurrection is not only a past event but a present reality. Paul tells us in Romans 8:11, "If the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you." The same power that raised Jesus from the grave now lives in you. That means your victory is complete, but are you walking in that victory?
Victory is Complete, But Are You Walking in It?
Many Christians live as though they are still bound by chains that have already been broken. Fear, doubt, and sin creep in when we forget the truth of the empty tomb. Today, remind yourself: Christ has risen, and His resurrection power is within me.
Take a moment to consider these questions:
- What do you think of when you hear the word "resurrection"? How does it apply to your life today?
- Identify an area in your life that needs to be resurrected. A lost passion? A broken relationship? A heart that has grown cold toward God? _
- What is the main difference in your life before salvation and after? If you were saved at an early age, how does your life look when you are walking in the Spirit versus walking in the flesh?
A Warning to the Lukewarm and the Unbelieving
Resurrection power is the evidence of the Holy Spirit at work within you. Jesus told His followers in Acts 1:8, "You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you." Power is a defining marker of a true follower of Christ—power that is not just for signs and wonders, but power to overcome sin, to walk in righteousness, to love when it is hard, and to bear the fruit of the Spirit.
If you claim to follow Christ but see no evidence of transformation, take this as a moment to examine your heart. Do you truly know Him? Have you truly surrendered to His Lordship? The lukewarm Christian is one who acknowledges Jesus but does not walk in His power. Do not be deceived—genuine faith produces genuine fruit.
Walk in Confidence, Walk in Power
The Resurrection was not just an event—it is an invitation. An invitation to live, to walk, to move in the confidence that Jesus has already won. The power of the Holy Spirit is not given to us just for knowledge, but for action.
Today, make a commitment to…
- Walk in the confidence of the risen Christ.
- An accountability partner is crucial here. You need someone to hold up the mirror and honestly tell you what they see in you. Both encouragement and rebuke.
- Surrender any area that needs His resurrection power.
- Daily verbally give your life and your plans over to the Lord, tell Him “Today is Your day Jesus, please guide me and direct me, I want to live in a way that accomplishes “Thy will, on earth as it is in Heaven”.
- Live in such a way that His Spirit’s power is evident through your life.
- Acts 2:42: They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
- Go to church, live in community with other believers, eat meals together and pray.
Josh