Here are some helpful posts for your Easter weekend:
A Savior Stepped Forward – Greg Morse (DG)
Why We Call the Worst Friday ‘Good’ – David Mathis (DG)
6 Things Christ Does With Your Sin – Jared Wilson
Waiting on Saturday for Sunday’s Redemption – Kelly Mott (TGC)
9 Things You Need to Know about the Resurrection – Kevin Carson
Split Rocks, Open Tombs, Raised Bodies – John Piper (DG)
Hope you have a great Resurrection Sunday!
Saturday: Pain of Loss and Failure – Struggling Without Hope
Read Mark14:26-31, 14:66-72, 15:40-47
Prayer: Father, I cannot imagine this day for Peter. What was it like for him to lose Jesus and fail him all in one day? To struggle without hope? And Father, if Jesus had remained in the grave, I too would be without hope. All would be lost. Help me today to remember how hopeless life would be without the glorious news that tomorrow brings. Amen.
Reflect/Discuss: What would your life be like if Jesus had stayed in the grave?
Praise: No singing today. Wait with anticipation for tomorrow.
Friday Evening: Passion – Remember the Cross
Read Mark 15:16-39
Prayer: Father, they hit him, and spit upon him, and mocked him. They nailed him to a cross, and mocked him some more. He bore my sins, and your wrath for my sins, that I might go free. My words are so cheap, but thank you for the cross. Thank you for forgiveness. Thank you for Jesus. Amen.
Reflect/Discuss: How does reflecting on Christ’s passion fuel your love for him, and motivate you to serve him?
Praise: Sing “When I Survey The Wondrous Cross”
Friday Morning: Plot – The Plans of God and Men
Read Mark 14:1-2, 14:10-11, 14:43-65, 15:1-15
Prayer: Father, how shamefully they treated your Son. Judas plotted against him and betrayed his friend. The religious leaders plotted against him and made a mockery of justice to have their own way. Pilate gave in to the crowds. And yet all their plots were part of your bigger plot to save me. Thank you for my Savior. Amen.
Reflect/Discuss: In what current situations do you need to trust in God’s greater plan?
Praise: Sing “All The Way My Savior Leads Me”
Thursday Evening: Prayer – God’s Will, Not Mine
Read Mark 14:32-42
Prayer: Father, like the disciples I too am weak, and I need your help to overcome temptation. Awaken me from my spiritual slumber that I might pray. Let me join my Savior in seeking your will. Too often my way is not your way. Help me to submit to your way no matter what the cost. Dear Father, not my will, but yours be done. Amen.
Reflect/Discuss: In what current situations do you need to submit to his will?
Praise: Sing “Have Thine Own Way Lord”
Thursday Morning: Passover – The New Covenant
Read Mark 14:12-25
Prayer: Father, thank you for the new covenant you have made with me through Jesus Christ. Thank you that his body was broken and his blood poured out to pay for my sins that I might walk with you. Thank you for the regular reminder given to us in the Lord’s Supper. Let me never spurn your gift as Judas did. Amen.
Reflect/Discuss: Jesus died so you might have a relationship with God. In what ways should you respond to his gift?
Praise: Sing “I Am Thine, O Lord”
Here are some good posts related to the final week of Jesus (prior to the resurrection!):
Easter Week in Real Time – Russ Ramsey (TGC)
That Dreadful Cup and Our Faithful Savior – Erik Raymond
A Guide to the Entire Cast of Characters During Jesus’s Final Week – Justin Taylor
Are We Keeping the Main Thing the Main Thing? – Kevin DeYoung
Wednesday: Prophecy – Be Alert
Read Luke Mark 13:1-37
Prayer: Father, your Son predicted the Fall of Jerusalem, and it happened. Your Son predicted his return – help me to be ready. Help me to be alert. While I wait, help me to be ready and watchful for opportunities to bear witness for Christ. Help me not to get so weighed down with the cares of this life that I fail to be alert to your opportunities and your return. Even so, come Lord Jesus! Amen.
Reflect/Discuss: What keeps us from being more alert to his coming?
Praise: Sing “Christ Returneth!”
Tuesday: Priority – Love God and People
Read Mark 12:28-34, 14:3-9
Prayer: Father, help me to love you with all of my life. Help me to love you with my wealth, even offering extravagant gifts to you, like this woman did, out of love for you. Help me to love you with my desires and my thoughts and my actions. Help me to love the people you place in my life, sacrificing myself for them. Help me to treat others with patience, kindness, and gentleness. Help me to get over myself and love as Jesus loves me.
Reflect/Discuss: How do you need to get over yourself? How can you express your love for God today? Another person in your life?
Praise: Sing “My Jesus, I Love Thee”
Brian J. Mikul 