Tag: Jesus
Friday Evening – Passion
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? How will you respond to his sacrifice?
Praise: Sing “When I Survey The Wondrous Cross”
Friday Morning – Plot
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? How does it help to know God has a plan?
Praise: Sing “All The Way My Savior Leads Me”
Thursday Evening – Prayer
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 temptation or situation do you need to submit to his will?
Praise: Sing “Have Thine Own Way Lord”
Thursday Morning – Passover
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”
Wednesday – Prophecy
Wednesday: Prophecy – Be Alert
Read: 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!”
God’s Endorsement
The wrath of God was satisfied with the suffering and death of Jesus. The holy curse against sin was fully absorbed. The obedience of Christ was completed to the fullest measure. The price of forgiveness was totally paid. The righteousness of God was completely vindicated. All that was left to accomplish was the public declaration of God’s endorsement. This he gave by raising Jesus from the dead.
– John Piper in Fifty Reasons Why Jesus Came to Die
Sermon Short: Justice to Victory
Until he brings justice to victory; and in his name the Gentiles will hope.
– Matthew 12:20b-21 (ESV)
When Jesus returns he will usher in a new day where justice reigns. Not an enforced justice that would require constant fighting, but justice that will flow from each redeemed heart, so that all the world is filled with justice.
A world where there is no more injustice, no more oppression, no more abuse, no more mistreatment, and no more victims. But rather love towards each other, joy in one another, peace towards each other. A world where patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control towards all is an everyday continuous reality.
He will bring justice to victory.
No matter what injustice we may face today, we have a great hope for the future!
In His Presence
To be in His presence is everything you could desire, everything you could hope for. This is the apex. This is heaven’s heaven – to be with Christ, to be His bride, to be in perfect communion with Him, to enjoy knowing Him and seeing Him and loving Him and praising Him and communing with Him uninterrupted – forever basking in His smile and bathing in His glory and feasting in His presence…
– Joel Beeke in How Should We Consider Christ in Affliction?
More Love
What we need is more of the love of Jesus
– a deeper awareness of his love for us
and a growing measure of his love in us
as we learn to love other people.
– Phil Ryken in Loving the Way Jesus Loves
Brian J. Mikul 