Day Forty
Jesus: Real, Relevant, Raw and Radical!
Tag, You’re It!

Matthew 28:18-20(NLT) Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Mark 16:15-20(NLT) And then he told them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone.”

Luke 24:49-53(NLT) “And now I will send the Holy Spirit, just as my Father promised. But stay here in the city until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven.” 50 Then Jesus led them to Bethany, and lifting his hands to heaven, he blessed them. 51 While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up to heaven. 52 So they worshiped him and then returned to Jerusalem filled with great joy. 53 And they spent all of their time in the Temple, praising God.

Acts 1:8-11(NLT) But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” 9 After saying this, he was taken up into a cloud while they were watching, and they could no longer see him. 10 As they strained to see him rising into heaven, two white-robed men suddenly stood among them. 11 “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why are you standing here staring into heaven? Jesus has been taken from you into heaven, but someday he will return from heaven in the same way you saw him go!”

The Word became flesh and dwelled among men. Jesus, the Son of God, the Son of man, stripped Himself. Although He was God, He did not cling to His position. He gave up His divine privileges and became the humble, suffering Servant. Deity clothed in humanity. In obedience to the Father’s will, Jesus died like a criminal on the cross. He was raised on the third day and exalted to the highest place of honor. His name is above every other name. His name will cause every knee, whether in heaven, on earth, or under the earth, to bow. Every tongue will declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Jesus did what the Father purposed for Him to do. His work is complete. Hebrews 10:12-13(NLT) “But our High Priest offered himself to God as a single sacrifice for sins, good for all time. Then he sat down in the place of honor at God’s right hand. 13 There he waits until his enemies are humbled and made a footstool under his feet.”

When your work is done, you sit down. Jesus is seated at the Father’s right hand because His work is done. Jesus’ work is done, but there is still work to be done. Before Jesus ascended into heaven, He spent forty days after the resurrection teaching the disciples about the Kingdom of God. Jesus chose the disciples and prepared them for what the future would hold. He prepared them to understand that He would die for their salvation and that they would die for their devotion to Him. What is remarkable about the disciples is that they went from ignorant, unbelieving spectators to active, passionate martyrs for Christ. The Word of God shows us that they did not get it at first, but that they did eventually get it and took the message to the ends of the earth. The message that transformed them is the same message that empowered them and helped transform the lives of others. 

His promise is that He would build His church, that the gates of Hell would not prevail against it, and that the good news of Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection would be carried to the very ends of the earth. How was it possible that these mostly uneducated, common folk were able to proclaim the good news with boldness? They ran when they should’ve stayed. They slept when they should’ve prayed. They denied when they should’ve confessed. They doubted when they should’ve believed. They jockeyed for position when they should’ve served. They argued about bread when they should’ve trusted. They sank when they should’ve walked. They saw ghosts when they should’ve seen Jesus. You get the point.

When Jesus ascended into Heaven, they were staring into the heavens. They stared so long that two angels had to come and remind them that Jesus will return. They needed to wait to be empowered by the promise of the Father. The gospel message cannot be carried throughout the earth simply by human ingenuity or even human effort. This gospel of the Kingdom demands that all who preach and proclaim it be filled. We see the results of these fumbling, afraid-of-their-own-shadow disciples, change the known world. Jesus tagged them and said, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone.” 

How does a man who denies Jesus before a few and insists that he does not know Him end up preaching to thousands with great boldness? These men and women were transformed by the promise the Father sent. John 14:25-26(NLT) “I am telling you these things now while I am still with you. 26 But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.” The good news, for them and for us, is that Jesus does not ask you to do something unless He empowers you to do it. Jesus made a statement to them that must have sounded absurd when He said it. He told them: John 16:7(NLT) “But in fact, it is best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Advocate won’t come. If I do go away, then I will send him to you.” Peter had Jesus with him and yet denied Him. Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would fill them and empower them to proclaim the message of Christ. The mandate they received is the same mandate we have received. This gospel of the Kingdom must be preached to the ends of the world. It cannot be preached with human energy and intellect alone; we need to be filled with the power of the Holy Spirit, as the Apostle Paul wrote, 1 Corinthians 2:3-5 (NLT) “I came to you in weakness—timid and trembling. 4 And my message and my preaching were very plain. Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches, I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit. 5 I did this so you would trust not in human wisdom but in the power of God.”

The Holy Spirit must be our Senior Partner. He provides the supernatural resources we need to accomplish God's will. Without His divine enablement, ministry and life will feel nothing short of burdensome, even drudgery. The Holy Spirit makes life full. As Jesus said, “I have come that you may have life and life in full.” The full life is not possible without the Holy Spirit's active and full leading.

Burnout happens when we do life and ministry without the Holy Spirit's divine help. Ask daily for His help, and frequently evaluate whether He is leading and you are following. The greatest evidence of the Holy Spirit's leading is supernatural, mind-stilling, unexplainable peace. When the Holy Spirit leads, peace is not just possible; it is overwhelmingly evident, even in the absence of perfect circumstances. If the Holy Spirit leads, the outcome is in God's hands, and the ability to do God's will comes from being empowered by the One who determines the outcome.

Where am I failing to let the Holy Spirit lead? The answer, then, should be the places where I have no peace! Notice, the Holy Spirit did not come to give me perfect circumstances; He came to give me perfect peace in spite of my circumstances. The Holy Spirit gives me the capacity to bear the fruit of the Holy Spirit, and that fruit helps me not only on a spiritual level but also on an emotional level. Power to do and power to be are drawn from an understanding of the Holy Spirit's work in and through our lives. Power to do God's work and Word, and power to be the salt and light in a tasteless and dark world, are both drawn from a relationship with the Holy Spirit. He also gives us the power to be who we are in Christ, according to His gifts within us. We also receive the power to be people of godly character to those around us.

The Holy Spirit is not a nice idea; He is God, and without Him, victorious living is neither attainable nor even faintly possible!

Invite the Holy Spirit to take the role He is meant to play, which is to be the One who calls the shots. Invite Him to be in charge and allow Him to lead. We limit ourselves by limiting the Holy Spirit's leadership in our lives. The Holy Spirit will prompt, but He will not push. The Holy Spirit will tug, but He will not pull. The Holy Spirit will prick, but He will not pierce. The Holy Spirit will speak, but He will not force. Life is better, richer, fuller, more joyful and peaceful when we allow the Holy Spirit to lead. How do we do that? By simply asking and inviting, by saying, “Holy Spirit, be the One who leads my life. I give you the keys to the vehicle of my life. Please determine what direction my heart takes. In every decision, you are my first Guide and my last Gauge.” 

Jesus says, “Tag, you’re it.” Will we allow the Holy Spirit to use us to proclaim the greatest news to all mankind? Jesus, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, has come. It is our turn. How will we be remembered when we stand before His throne to represent this generation? This is our time!

Prayer:

• Ask the Holy Spirit to be the Senior Partner in your relationship with Jesus.
• Pray to be filled afresh with the Holy Spirit.
• Ask the Lord for opportunities to share His love.
• Pray that the Gospel of the Kingdom be preached throughout the earth.

Day Thirty-Nine
Jesus: Real, Relevant, Raw and Radical!
Death Got Arrested

Matthew 27:51-54(NKJV) And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; 53 and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many.

Luke 24:1-12(NLT) The women were terrified and bowed with their faces to the ground. Then the men asked, “Why are you looking among the dead for someone who is alive? 6 He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead! Remember what he told you back in Galilee, 7 that the Son of Man must be betrayed into the hands of sinful men and be crucified, and that he would rise again on the third day.”

1 Corinthians 15:3-9(NLT) I passed on to you what was most important and what had also been passed on to me. Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. 4 He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said. 5 He was seen by Peter and then by the Twelve. 6 After that, he was seen by more than 500 of his followers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died. 7 Then he was seen by James and later by all the apostles. 8 Last of all, as though I had been born at the wrong time, I also saw him.

1 Corinthians 15:14-20(NLT) And if Christ has not been raised, then all our preaching is useless, and your faith is useless. 15 And we apostles would all be lying about God—for we have said that God raised Christ from the grave. But that can’t be true if there is no resurrection of the dead. 16 And if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, then your faith is useless and you are still guilty of your sins. 18 In that case, all who have died believing in Christ are lost! 19 And if our hope in Christ is only for this life, we are more to be pitied than anyone in the world. 20 But in fact, Christ has been raised from the dead. He is the first of a great harvest of all who have died.

There has been a criminal on the loose since the beginning of man. He is a nondiscriminatory villain. He does not discriminate by religion, race, age, or gender. He steals from the rich and the poor. He is against all forms of life. He is merciless in his pursuit and unending in his appetite. He never says “Enough.” He leaves in his wake broken hearts and unfulfilled potential. He is an enemy of all mankind. Some never recover from his devastation. Some deny his existence, blaming his effects on naturalistic causes. He was first seen in the heart of an angel. He does not look like a criminal at first. He is well-spoken, well-dressed, and extremely charismatic. He is attractive and enticing. His promises of satisfaction and pleasure abound. He is easy on the eyes; he stirs your desires and appeals to your prideful self. We were warned about this criminal by our Father. Our Father told us that if we let him in, he will bring his cohort with him. His cohort will produce such grief, agony, and anguish of soul in us that it will make all the promises of pleasure look utterly foolish. We were never created to deal with this criminal and his partner.

Our Father warned us, but we did not listen. The most horrifying thought of all is that we let him in. Who is this criminal? His name is Sin, and his partner is Death. Romans 5:12(NLT) “When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam’s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned.” The first man, Adam, opened the door and let Sin in. Sin brought Death with it, and all creation was subjected to decay and eventual death. Sin has ravaged the planet, including the human heart, and always ends in death. Adam faced the Father of Lies in the garden and failed. Because of his failure, we were separated from our Father. We needed to be rescued. We were living, yet dead, and destined to die. We could not save ourselves. We needed a perfect, sinless sacrifice that could triumph over Sin and its cohort, Death.

When our first ancestor Adam opened the door to Sin and Death, our Father used animal skins to cover him. Something had to die so we could be covered. Sacrifice was introduced, but we could only be covered, not freed. The Law took effect, but the Law could not save us. Hebrews 7:18-19a(NLT) “Yes, the old requirement about the priesthood was set aside because it was weak and useless. 19 For the law never made anything perfect.” The Law could only point out sin in us because none of us could obey it completely. We were placed under the Law’s protective custody but still trapped in sin. We were like the man who fell among robbers. We were stripped, beaten, and left half dead. Then the sacrifices (the Priest) came but could not restore us. In the same way, the Law (the Levite) came but again could not save us. Then a despised Samaritan (Jesus) came, had compassion on us, took care of our wounds (sin), brought us to an inn (the church), and promised that He would return for us.

Jesus, our Champion, came. When Jesus was born, a warrant was issued for Sin’s arrest. Jesus lived a sinless life, fully fulfilling and obeying the law. He is the suffering servant, the Perfect Lamb, who willingly submitted Himself to death. By willingly giving His life for us, something incredible happened; something that all our self-effort, all our sacrifice, and the Law could not do. Sin was arrested on Calvary’s Cross. When Jesus died, the criminal who had run rampant was finally placed under arrest. Romans 5:17-18(NLT) “For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ. 18 Yes, Adam’s one sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christ’s one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone.”  

Jesus, our Champion, could not be held in the grave. When Jesus triumphed over death and the grave, Matthew tells us there was a resurrection of many saints. “And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; 53 and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many.” 

When Life walked into the tomb, death ran out! Jesus has arrested Sin and overcome Sin’s partner, Death. The thing we have feared most has now been placed under our Champion's authority. We no longer have to be dominated by that criminal Sin, nor do we have to fear his cohort, Death. 1 Corinthians 15:54-57(NIV) “When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: ‘Death has been swallowed up in victory.’ 55 ‘Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?’ 56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

The resurrection of Jesus means we no longer have to fear death. By embracing our Champion and accepting His sacrifice, we receive new life. Jesus has become the Door to the Father. By receiving His grace through faith, we have eternal life. Death has now become the door, the entrance into our Father’s House. “So just as sin ruled over all people and brought them to death, now God’s wonderful grace rules instead, giving us right standing with God and resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Jesus is our new and living Way. Death has no power over Him. Romans 6:8-9 (NLT) “And since we died with Christ, we know we will also live with him. 9 We are sure of this because Christ was raised from the dead, and he will never die again. Death no longer has any power over him.”

If you have a loved one who has died in Christ, rest assured you will see them again. In your Father’s house, there are many places. He promises you that He will dry every tear; that sorrow and sadness will no longer exist; that life will be so full that trying to describe it would do it injustice. We look through veiled glasses and see glimpses of our eternal reality, but it is beyond description. Our story started in a Garden. Adam was placed in the Garden and failed at the tree. Jesus came and prayed in a garden, was hung on a tree, placed in a tomb, and was raised up in three days. Our story does not end in a garden. According to Revelation, the garden has become a city; a city whose Builder and Maker is God. If you and I should go through the door called “Death,” there is a resurrection day waiting for us all!

1 Corinthians 15:20-21(NLT) “But in fact, Christ has been raised from the dead. He is the first of a great harvest of all who have died. 21 So you see, just as death came into the world through a man, now the resurrection from the dead has begun through another man.”

What we suffer now cannot compare to the glory our Champion will reveal to us later. So we eagerly wait. We wait for complete restoration. We wait because we know all creation was subjected, but all creation will be freed from death and decay. There will be a day of reunion! There will be a day of celebration! We celebrate because our Champion, Jesus, through His death, burial, and resurrection, arrested Sin and took away the pain of Death! Rejoice today because Death was arrested and your new life has begun...

Prayer:

• Thank the Lord Jesus for His grace and mercy toward you.
• Confess any sin you might be harboring in your life.
• Take a moment to praise God for His glorious gift of eternal life.
• Pray that all the saints will live in freedom from the fear of death.

Day Thirty-Eight
Jesus: Real, Relevant, Raw and Radical!
Do You Love Me More?

John 21:15-24(NLT) After breakfast Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” Peter replied, “you know I love you.” “Then feed my lambs,” Jesus told him. 16 Jesus repeated the question: “Simon son of John, do you love me?” “Yes, Lord,” Peter said, “you know I love you.” “Then take care of my sheep,” Jesus said. 17 A third time he asked him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Then feed my sheep. 18 “I tell you the truth, when you were young, you were able to do as you liked; you dressed yourself and went wherever you wanted to go. But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and others will dress you and take you where you don’t want to go.” 19 Jesus said this to let him know by what kind of death he would glorify God. Then Jesus told him, “Follow me.” 20 Peter turned around and saw behind them the disciple Jesus loved—the one who had leaned over to Jesus during supper and asked, “Lord, who will betray you?” 21 Peter asked Jesus, “What about him, Lord?” 22 Jesus replied, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? As for you, follow me.” 23 So the rumor spread among the community of believers that this disciple wouldn’t die. But that isn’t what Jesus said at all. He only said, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?” 24 This disciple is the one who testifies to these events and has recorded them here. And we know that his account of these things is accurate.

Jesus shows up early in the morning while seven of the disciples are fishing. This fishing trip was initiated by Peter. We know from Luke’s account that Jesus appeared to Peter sometime during the morning of the resurrection. We have no information regarding the conversation that took place; we just know it happened. Both Luke and Paul (1 Cor. 15:5) write about it. From all accounts, Peter has seen the Lord three times since the resurrection and now again at the Sea of Galilee. Jesus has finished cooking and serving breakfast, and the disciples are done eating. Then Jesus asks Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” It is just my opinion, but I believe Jesus points to the large catch of fish when He asks Peter this question. Peter has seen this before, miraculous catches and a fish with a coin in its mouth. He knows what he feels about Jesus, he knows the answer, and he knows Jesus knows the answer.

Peter’s mind races back to all the interactions he has had with Jesus. He remembers his great confession about who Jesus is and how Jesus responded to him. He also remembers how he tried to rebuke Jesus for all His talk about dying and suffering. He remembers the several intimate moments that only he, James, and John were allowed to experience; the raising of Jairus’ daughter, the Transfiguration on the mountain, and Jesus asking them to go further with Him during His prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane, asking them to watch and pray. Peter thinks about how he responded in those moments. When Jesus raised Jairus’ daughter, He told those who witnessed the event not to say anything. On the Mount of Transfiguration, he (Peter) wanted to build three tabernacles. In the Garden, he was asleep. Then the collapse at the fire. “How could I do that? But He warned me; He told me Satan asked to sift me like wheat. I felt that sifting, the pain of my own denial. Then He looked at me, my soul exposed with all its treachery. I just wanted to run, get away as far as I possibly could, put some distance between me and my failure. Then the news brought by Mary. I was running again, but this time not away. Then I saw Him, then we saw Him, and now He is asking what I know He already knows.”
 
“Now I am part of another miracle of fish, big, beautiful fish. I love fishing. Yes, it is hard work, but I am built for it. You don’t have to overthink it; you cast, you catch. Sometimes you cast and there is no catch. Yet every time Jesus tells me to cast my net or my line, something good happens.” Peter responds to Jesus’ question, “Yes, Lord, you know I love you.” 

Jesus presses in again and asks the same question He asked before. Peter responds in kind. Then Jesus asks it a third time, and Peter finally reaches his breaking point. “Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, ‘Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.’” The Betrayed reaches out to the betrayer and reaffirms His love. Jesus does not need to hear three confessions because of three denials. Peter needs to hear his own mouth confess what Jesus already knew. When Peter’s failure became public, it revealed what was truly going on in his heart. Jesus wants Peter to know that He knew what was in Peter’s heart before Peter did. 

Jesus says, “Peter, I knew who you were before you knew who you were. I knew what you were capable of in your worst moment. I knew that in your worst moment you would deny you ever knew Me! But Peter, that is why I died for you. Now I want you to know, as much as I knew the worst of you before you knew it, I know the best of you as well. I know you love Me, but you need to know you love Me! Peter, if you say you love Me more than this fishing thing you rely on, here is the way you can show it.” “Feed My lambs. Take care of My sheep. Feed My sheep.” “Peter, I am calling you to live your life for others. The same way that I laid My life down for you is the same way you will need to lay your life down for others. I am expecting you to grow up. To be a grown-up in My kingdom is to take care of who I love the most, My lambs and My sheep. Not only that, Peter, you are going to grow through this, and you are not only going to say you love Me; you are going to show that you love Me! Your denial was made in public, so your love will be made public. I knew before you knew, and now you know. So your love will be shown, as My love for you was shown. I died for you; you are going to die for Me!” “I tell you the truth, when you were young, you were able to do as you liked; you dressed yourself and went wherever you wanted to go. But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and others will dress you and take you where you don’t want to go.” 19 Jesus said this to let him know by what kind of death he would glorify God. Then Jesus told him, ‘Follow me.’”

There was one last gasp left in this crusty sailor. Peter turned around and saw John behind him. He asked Jesus, “What about him?” Jesus replied, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? As for you, follow me.” Peter had to learn what loving Jesus was all about. Loving Jesus is not simply making a commitment to obey certain rules. “Do this, do that, and don’t do that.” Loving Jesus is demonstrated in how we love others. Loving Jesus means being willing to give up what we know and rely on, trusting that He can use us for His glory. Loving Jesus is loving others. Loving Jesus is giving up what I want for what He wants for me. Loving Jesus means not comparing my journey to someone else’s. My job is to follow Him.

Just like Peter, Jesus comes to us and asks, “Do you love Me more than these?” I don’t know what your “these” are, but Jesus does. If, like Peter, you are reluctant because of a collapse or failure in your life, remember that Jesus will still use you. Demonstrate your love for Him by loving others. Follow Him, even if it means being led to places you would not choose for yourself. He is calling you to maturity. Maturity means following His example. Are you willing to follow Jesus? If you say “Yes,” then get ready to be a pleasing aroma to the Father.

Ephesians 5:2(NLT)” Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.”

Prayer:

• Ask the Lord to give you a heart for others.
• Pray for your fellow believers to grow in their love for each other.
• Ask the Lord to help you be a person who feeds His sheep with care and comfort, not one who beats His sheep with criticism and harshness.
• Pray for your fellow believers around the world, especially in places of great danger and persecution.

Day Thirty-Seven
Jesus: Real, Relevant, Raw and Radical!
Fish Language

John 21:1-14(NLT) Later, Jesus appeared again to the disciples beside the Sea of Galilee. This is how it happened. 2 Several of the disciples were there—Simon Peter, Thomas (nicknamed the Twin), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples. 3 Simon Peter said, “I’m going fishing.” “We’ll come, too,” they all said. So they went out in the boat, but they caught nothing all night. 4 At dawn Jesus was standing on the beach, but the disciples couldn’t see who he was. 5 He called out, “Fellows, have you caught any fish?” “No,” they replied. 6 Then he said, “Throw out your net on the right-hand side of the boat, and you’ll get some!” So they did, and they couldn’t haul in the net because there were so many fish in it. 7 Then the disciple Jesus loved said to Peter, “It’s the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his tunic (for he had stripped for work), jumped into the water, and headed to shore. 8 The others stayed with the boat and pulled the loaded net to the shore, for they were only about a hundred yards from shore. 9 When they got there, they found breakfast waiting for them—fish cooking over a charcoal fire, and some bread. 10 “Bring some of the fish you’ve just caught,” Jesus said. 11 So Simon Peter went aboard and dragged the net to the shore. There were 153 large fish, and yet the net hadn’t torn. 12 “Now come and have some breakfast!” Jesus said. None of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. 13 Then Jesus served them the bread and the fish. 14 This was the third time Jesus had appeared to his disciples since he had been raised from the dead.

Jesus speaks your language. No one in the universe understands you better than Jesus. That should bring incredible comfort to our hearts and inspire awe. Jesus knows us better than we know ourselves. He made us and has a specific purpose for us. He knows how we think and feel. One of the greatest examples for us is our friend Peter. I like Peter. He is very relatable. What you see is what you get with Peter. There is no hiding his emotions or camouflaging his intentions. If Peter thinks it, you will hear it. If Peter disagrees, he will tell you. He does not keep his opinion to himself; he just blurts it out. It might even come out as a cuss word. Peter is a salty sailor with a knack for the impulsive. He feels deeply and wears his emotions on his tunic (sleeve).

Jesus’ disciples were a motley crew of fishermen, tax collectors, zealots, and tradesmen. We are not sure about all their occupations, but we know that quite a few were fishermen. Just like his loud personality, Peter is written about more than any of the other disciples in the New Testament. Peter stood out. We know he had a fishing business, as did James and John with their father, Zebedee. The first interaction we see between Jesus and Peter occurs on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. Jesus is preaching, and the crowd is growing. Peter (Simon) is fixing his nets, minding his business. Jesus notices the boats that are left behind. So Jesus gets into the boat and asks Peter to push Him a little deeper, and then Jesus continues speaking from there. When Jesus finishes speaking, Luke tells us the following: Luke 5:4-7(NLT) “When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, ‘Now go out where it is deeper, and let down your nets to catch some fish.’ 5 ‘Master,’ Simon replied, ‘we worked hard all last night and didn’t catch a thing. But if you say so, I’ll let the nets down again.’ 6 And this time their nets were so full of fish they began to tear! 7 A shout for help brought their partners in the other boat, and soon both boats were filled with fish and on the verge of sinking.”

Peter is very reluctant and reminds Jesus that they worked hard all night long with no results. They were mending their nets, and if they use them again to fish, they will have to redo everything they had done, especially since they did not catch any fish the first time. Plus, they were fishing at night, when you are supposed to fish. We know the rest of the story. They catch so many fish that the boat almost sinks, and they have to get the other boat. Both boats are on the verge of sinking. Peter’s response is immediate, one of repentance. The preaching did not affect Peter, but when Jesus speaks in his fishermen’s language, Peter clearly gets the message.

When Jesus and the disciples arrived back at Capernaum, Peter was approached and asked whether Jesus paid the Temple tax. Peter immediately replied, “Yes.” Then he went into the house, and Jesus did that thing only He can do. He answered the question before it was asked, but He answered it with a question of His own. Matthew 17:24-27(NLT) “On their arrival in Capernaum, the collectors of the Temple tax came to Peter and asked him, ‘Doesn’t your teacher pay the Temple tax?’ 25 ‘Yes, he does,’ Peter replied. Then he went into the house. But before he had a chance to speak, Jesus asked him, ‘What do you think, Peter? Do kings tax their own people or the people they have conquered?’ 26 ‘They tax the people they have conquered,’ Peter replied. ‘Well, then,’ Jesus said, ‘the citizens are free! 27 However, we don’t want to offend them, so go down to the lake and throw in a line. Open the mouth of the first fish you catch, and you will find a large silver coin. Take it and pay the tax for both of us.’”

Notice that Peter is confronted with a problem about Jesus. Yet Jesus does not confront those who confronted Peter. He asks Peter the question and then provides the solution through fishing. He very specifically tells Peter to fish with a line, and the first fish he catches will have what they need. Jesus, again, is speaking in the language that Peter understands, fishing. Jesus, after the resurrection, has appeared several times. The last time was with everybody present, including Thomas. Peter decides he is going fishing, and several of the disciples join him. A very familiar thing takes place. They fish all night long and catch nothing but sore backs. So, at dawn, someone is standing on the beach; they do not recognize Him. Then, Jesus does the Jesus thing. He asks a question. “Children, did you catch any fish?” A very similar answer follows, “No.” So, Jesus tells them to throw out their net on the right side of the boat, and they cannot haul in the catch. John immediately recognizes that it is Jesus. So, Peter does the Peter thing; he acts immediately, puts on his tunic, and jumps in the water to get to the shore. The rest stay with the boat and bring it to shore with all the fish they caught. Imagine being on the shore, and when you get to shore, breakfast is waiting for you. It is not just the fact that breakfast is waiting for you; it is Who is cooking the breakfast for you!

Jesus, the Son of God. Jesus, the Son of Man. Jesus, the risen Savior. Jesus, the promised Messiah. Jesus, the King of kings. Jesus, the Lord of lords. Jesus, the Firstborn from the dead. Jesus, the Word. Jesus is cooking a fish breakfast for fishermen. Don’t overlook this fact. If the resurrected Christ can cook breakfast for His struggling disciples, what act of service will we consider beneath us? Jesus tells them, “Bring some of your fish,” so Peter drags the net to shore, and there are 153 big fish. Then Jesus says, “Now come and have some breakfast!’ Jesus said. None of the disciples dared to ask him, ‘Who are you?’ They knew it was the Lord. 13 Then Jesus served them the bread and the fish.”

Jesus cooks for them, then serves them. Can you see the seven disciples sitting around the fire Jesus made, eating the fish He cooked and enjoying the bread He prepared? Breakfast on the beach with Jesus. No wonder no one dared to ask, “Who are you?” because they knew. Jesus speaks the language these fishermen understand, fishing. They look at Jesus, then at the 153 big fish, and no words are necessary because they remember when He called them the first time. Now they understand; this is the confirmation of what He wants from them, to become fishers of men. They understand that if Jesus can take their ordinary occupation and make it extraordinary, He can fully equip them to do the work He called them to do.

“Peter, I showed you that whether you need a boatload or a single coin, I can provide for you. Peter, no longer try to live your life clinging to the old. I am changing your direction. The God of the universe knows your name. The God who created you speaks your language.” He is asking you, just as He asked Peter and the other fishermen, “Will you trust Me with your ordinary so that I can show you the extraordinary? Will you follow My example? Will you be willing to let Me lead? Will you be willing to trust Me with your future? Will you be willing to forsake all and follow Me? My child, take a moment, sit down, and partake of what I have prepared for you. You won’t have to ask, ‘Who are you?’ Because you will know...”


Prayer:

• Ask the Lord to help you pursue His purpose for you.
• Pray that the Holy Spirit will help you recognize where Jesus is leading you.
• Pray for the boldness to obey the Father if He changes the direction of your life.
• Ask for forgiveness for where you have been reluctant to obey.
• Pray for the church that we all have the courage to follow where Jesus is leading.

Day Thirty-Six
Jesus: Real, Relevant, Raw and Radical!
Hope for a Cynical Heart

John 20:24-29(NLT) One of the twelve disciples, Thomas (nicknamed the Twin), was not with the others when Jesus came. 25 They told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he replied, “I won’t believe it unless I see the nail wounds in his hands, put my fingers into them, and place my hand into the wound in his side.” 26 Eight days later the disciples were together again, and this time Thomas was with them. The doors were locked; but suddenly, as before, Jesus was standing among them. “Peace be with you,” he said. 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe!” 28 “My Lord and my God!” Thomas exclaimed. 29 Then Jesus told him, “You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.”

Throughout Jesus’ ministry, we see that He had to confront doubt and unbelief. When we read the gospels, we see that Jesus is surrounded by unbelief. We know that many of the religious leaders did not believe in Him. To them, it was a claim of how incredibly smart and insightful they were. “We are smart and calculated; that is why we don’t believe. We are not just going to believe anything or anyone. We are not as gullible as the people are.” Listen to what they say in John 7:47(NLT) “'Have you been led astray, too?’ the Pharisees mocked. 48 ‘Is there a single one of us rulers or Pharisees who believes in him? 49 This foolish crowd follows him, but they are ignorant of the law. God’s curse is on them!’” “The people are just a bunch of fools and ignorant, they know nothing. We know the law, we are the teachers of the law, and we won’t just fall for anything.”

The root of doubt is always the fear of looking foolish. “We don’t believe that stuff; that’s just for the gullible. We live life purely on what we can see, feel or experience.” Some people make very little room for faith, if any. We stick with what we can know and prove. Jesus made incredible claims about Himself and about God, and then He was hung on a Roman cross. He died. Then He was alive, seen by many eyewitnesses. We read these accounts in Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, and the Epistles. These were written by those who lived and experienced them. When they experienced them, they did not believe them at first. They write honestly about their doubts, their fears, and unbelief.

Just like them, we all have doubts. We sometimes struggle to believe. We want to be sure. The crowds believed, and some did not. Today the mantra is “Science is the answer. If you cannot scientifically prove it, it must not be true.” In Jesus’ day, it was all about signs. John 6:29-30 (NLT) “Jesus told them, 'This is the only work God wants from you: Believe in the one he has sent.’ 30 They answered, 'Show us a miraculous sign if you want us to believe in you. What can you do?’” “We will believe but you need to produce something so that we can believe.”

This resistance to believing in Jesus is not new. Jesus’ own brothers did not believe in Him. John 7:2-5(NLT) “But soon it was time for the Jewish Festival of Shelters, 3 and Jesus’ brothers said to him, 'Leave here and go to Judea, where your followers can see your miracles! 4 You can’t become famous if you hide like this! If you can do such wonderful things, show yourself to the world!’ 5 For even his brothers didn’t believe in him.” Jesus’ own brothers were skeptical of Him. “You need to take your show on the road. If you claim you can do all these things, let people see them!” Jesus was mocked by His own family.

Jesus also had those in His own ranks who struggled to believe. Thomas is known for his doubt. He is called “the twin.” Today we celebrate twins, but not so much in the ancient world. They were seen as messing up the birth order and inheritance. Twins were not seen as a blessing. I wonder what kind of stigma Thomas grew up with. His brother is not mentioned. Just maybe the reason he followed Jesus was because he was the twin who received less attention than his brother. So, deep within Thomas, there is a mistrust that produces a cynical coloring of his world. We see this in his interaction with Jesus. Lazarus is sick and dies, so Jesus tells the disciples that Lazarus is sleeping. John 11:12-17(NLT) “The disciples said, ‘Lord, if he is sleeping, he will soon get better!’ 13 They thought Jesus meant Lazarus was simply sleeping, but Jesus meant Lazarus had died. 14 So he told them plainly, 'Lazarus is dead. 15 And for your sakes, I’m glad I wasn’t there, for now you will really believe. Come, let’s go see him.’ 16 Thomas, nicknamed the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, ‘Let’s go, too—and die with Jesus.’”

Nobody was talking about dying, yet Thomas felt the need to mention it to everyone. Everyone knew that the religious leaders were after Jesus, and Thomas wanted to make sure they remembered. At the Last Supper, when Jesus explained again what was going to take place, note who speaks up when Jesus speaks about leaving. John 14:1-8 (NLT) “‘Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. 2 There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? 3 When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. 4 And you know the way to where I am going.’ 5 ‘No, we don’t know, Lord,’ Thomas said. 'We have no idea where you are going, so how can we know the way?’ 6 Jesus told him, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.’” You see, doubt is always a reaction to a deeper need or pain. Doubt becomes a mechanism to protect ourselves. Thomas is not simply doubting; he is asking a question because he is afraid of being left behind. “Where are you going, Jesus?” Thomas was the one who expressed that, even if they had to die when Jesus raised up Lazarus, he was willing. So he is asking a sincere question. Now fast-forward to Jesus’ death and burial. The disciples are together, and the only one not present is Thomas. Why? Because, in Thomas’ mind, the thing he was afraid of most happened. The One he found life in, the One he experienced things with that he never thought possible, was gone. All of Thomas’ doubts came roaring back. So when they told him Jesus is alive, he wanted to make sure. Thomas’ cynical heart needed a loving touch, and he got it. The disciples find themselves in the same position they were a week before, together and behind locked doors. The only difference is that now Thomas, who was not with them the first time, is with them. They told Thomas that they have seen the Lord, but Thomas refused to believe them. He insisted that he would not believe it unless he could see and place his fingers and hands into the wounds of Jesus.

Then, just like before, Jesus is standing in the room. He greets everyone and then addresses Thomas. How surprised must Thomas be, as Jesus repeats everything Thomas told the others while He was not present. “Do you want proof, Thomas? Here I am! Bring your fingers, bring your hands, and see for yourself.” Then Jesus tells him, “Stop doubting and start believing.” Thomas expresses himself in the only way he can, “My Lord and my God!” Thomas exclaims. He shouts this. This is not a quiet confession. This is a loud proclamation. Don’t miss the personal confession, “My Lord, my God. Jesus, you are mine. Jesus You are who You claimed to be. Jesus, now I know, You are the Way, Truth, and Life.” All of Thomas’ skepticism, doubt, and unbelief are crushed by a Loving Savior who does not condemn but lovingly corrects. I know Thomas is remembered as “doubting Thomas,” but this same Thomas later laid down his life for Jesus because his doubt was crushed by love. The same is true of the brothers of Jesus who did not believe. In the end, they called their brother their Lord, cynical hearts experiencing His perfect love. 

Jesus’ love is beautifully expressed when He comes into the room. Jesus could’ve said, “Well, if Thomas won’t believe you guys, it’s his loss.” But He doesn’t do that. In everything, Jesus demonstrates His love and care for us. Even when we have doubts, He shows His love and care. We all struggle from time to time; we wrestle with doubts in our minds. Jesus has never condemned anyone for asking questions. There is a big difference between refusing to believe because of what it might cost you or just simply asking a question. Thomas, the twin, found in Jesus what he needed most, hope for a cynical heart. I don’t know your journey or what you are struggling with today, but what I do know is that Jesus will not just stop the bleeding in your heart; He will heal your heart.

Even if you don’t feel, see, or are able to touch, just remember what Jesus told Thomas: “Then Jesus told him, 'You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.’”

Let your doubt lead you to the One who can heal your heart.

Prayer:

• Ask the Holy Spirit to show you the root of your doubt.
• Thank the Lord for His healing grace in your life.
• Pray that Jesus will heal your brokenness and your rejection.
• Pray for others who may be struggling in their faith.

Day Thirty-Five
Jesus: Real, Relevant, and Radical!
You Had Me at Hello

John 20:19-23(NLT) That Sunday evening the disciples were meeting behind locked doors because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders. Suddenly, Jesus was standing there among them! “Peace be with you,” he said. 20 As he spoke, he showed them the wounds in his hands and his side. They were filled with joy when they saw the Lord! 21 Again he said, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.” 22 Then he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive anyone’s sins, they are forgiven. If you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”

Luke 24:35-49(NLT) Then the two from Emmaus told their story of how Jesus had appeared to them as they were walking along the road, and how they had recognized him as he was breaking the bread. 36 And just as they were telling about it, Jesus himself was suddenly standing there among them. “Peace be with you,” he said. 37 But the whole group was startled and frightened, thinking they were seeing a ghost! 38 “Why are you frightened?” he asked. “Why are your hearts filled with doubt? 39 Look at my hands. Look at my feet. You can see that it’s really me. Touch me and make sure that I am not a ghost, because ghosts don’t have bodies, as you see that I do.” 40 As he spoke, he showed them his hands and his feet. 41 Still they stood there in disbelief, filled with joy and wonder. Then he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” 42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43 and he ate it as they watched. 44 Then he said, “When I was with you before, I told you that everything written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and in the Psalms must be fulfilled.” 45 Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. 46 And he said, “Yes, it was written long ago that the Messiah would suffer and die and rise from the dead on the third day. 47 It was also written that this message would be proclaimed in the authority of his name to all the nations, beginning in Jerusalem: ‘There is forgiveness of sins for all who repent.” 48 You are witnesses of all these things. 49 “And now I will send the Holy Spirit, just as my Father promised. But stay here in the city until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven.”

Emotions are like being on a roller coaster. There are twists and turns, ups and downs, slow climbs and fast falls. One moment you squeal with delight; the next you hold on for dear life. As quickly as it starts, it comes to an abrupt stop. To say the disciples have been on a roller coaster of emotions would be an apt description. There is one overriding emotion they can’t shake. Fear. It’s resurrection Sunday night. The disciples are behind locked doors. That has been the theme for almost the entire week, at least since the arrest of Jesus. The doors are locked because they know they are in the crosshairs of the Jewish leaders. Their emotions are frayed and fragile. What are they to make of all that has happened in just this day?

What a day it has been. They are finally all together, except that somehow Thomas is missing. He is probably with his twin. The tomb is empty. The body of Jesus is gone. Mary Magdalene insists she saw Jesus, or at least heard Him say her name. The other women saw angels and then say they saw the Lord. The men are not entirely sure about that. Then Peter says he has also seen the Lord. So it looks like the women might have been right. Then, suddenly, there was a knock on the door, and they cautiously opened it. It was Cleopas and company, all the way back from Emmaus. So they gave them the floor. They insisted that they had seen the Lord. 

As they were telling their story, Jesus appears. I mean, He just appeared. We know He didn’t knock. He wasn’t there before, and then suddenly He was. Then Jesus said, “Hello!” Jesus said, “Peace!” Then He does what He always does, asking questions. “Why are you afraid? Why are you filled with doubt?” As He spoke, He showed them His hands and feet. He not only encouraged them to see, but also to touch. He told the women earlier in the day not to touch Him, but now He is telling everybody to touch Him. The disciples are in a state of utter awe. Suddenly, they have flashbacks of a lake, a storm, and a ghost. They did not say anything, but as always, Jesus gives the answer before anybody can even ask the question, “Hey everybody, ghosts do not have bodies. Come touch and see, I am not a ghost.” Jesus speaks peace to them, and then He shows them His wounds. Isaiah 53:5(NIV) “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.” So, Jesus repeats Himself and says “Peace” again. “Just in case you guys did not hear me say it the first time, I will say it again. Look, these are the wounds that will bring you peace.”

“I know your emotions are worn thin, but I give you what you need, My peace.” So, Jesus, in His wisdom, does something to calm their emotions. “Do you have anything here to eat?” He left the people of Emmaus at the table, but He didn’t eat with them. He broke bread with them, but He didn’t eat. Now the resurrected Son of God, with all His glory and power, the One who has overcome sin, hell, and the grave, asks, “What’s for dinner?” So they give Him a piece of broiled fish. Jesus sits and eats. The disciples stand and stare, mouths wide open, hearts filled with wonder, minds in disbelief. Then Jesus does what only He can do so well. He addresses an unbelieving mind while He heals a broken heart with His Word. He addresses their greatest fear and dispels their biggest doubts.

He confirms to them that He is the Messiah. All that they hoped for is not lying in a tomb. Death could not hold Him. The grave could not keep Him. Jesus addresses their greatest fears and highest hopes. Just as suddenly as He appeared, their emotions are flooded with joy, awe, wonder, and amazement. They are pinching themselves, rubbing their eyes, and making sure they are awake. Then He reminds them that, just as the Father sent Him, He is sending them. Just as Jesus laid down His life for them, they will now lay down their lives for others, so others can have the same peace He gives them.

Jesus knew what they needed. What should give us complete confidence and trust is not only that Jesus knows your name but that He knows who you are and what you need. A theme repeated throughout Scripture and implied in hundreds more is “Fear not” or “Don’t be afraid.” 1 John 4:18-19 (NIV) “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. 19 We love because he first loved us.” Jesus loves us with perfect love. There is no lack or deficiency in His love for us. He comes to us in our darkest days of doubt and despair. He shows Himself faithful even when we are completely fearful. He lets us in on what He has planned. He adopts us into His family. He empowers us to love as He loves and give as He gives. He is willing to pursue the lost sheep. He searches for the lost coin. He waits patiently and longingly for the prodigal. He does not cast the first stone or condemn the guilty. He is the Good Shepherd who lays His life down for the sheep. He is the Good Samaritan who binds up the wounded. He is the pearl of great price. He is heaven’s treasure and earth’s answer. He is a home to the restless and a fortress to the hounded. He is the deliverer of the captives and the healer of the wounded.

He is a friend to sinners and the last Hope for the lost. He is good and He is kind. If you feel your emotions are corroded and your resolve is weakened, if you feel locked up in fear, then listen to what Isaiah prophesied about your Messiah. Isaiah 42:2-4 (NLT) “He will not shout or raise his voice in public. 3 He will not crush the weakest reed or put out a flickering candle. He will bring justice to all who have been wronged. 4 He will not falter or lose heart until justice prevails throughout the earth. Even distant lands beyond the sea will wait for his instruction.”

If you are barely flickering, and you feel bruised and on the verge of breaking, He won’t raise His voice in condemnation or push you to a breaking point. He will make sure that, in the end, true justice prevails. He comes into the place of your fear. He says, “Shalom!” He says, “Look at My wounds. They are there for your peace.” If you did not recognize it the first time, He says it again, “Shalom!” -- wholeness, completeness, soundness -- “May you be filled with goodness.” When fear and anxiety try to strangle your hope, just remember that Jesus says, “Hello.”

Prayer:

• Ask the Lord for His peace to fill your heart and mind.
• Pray and ask the Lord to forgive you for trying to control everything around you.
• Forgive those who have hurt you, and pray for their healing.
• Ask the Holy Spirit to give you His strength for your dark days and to show you the path through.

Day Thirty-Four
Jesus: Real, Relevant, and Radical!
Weary Travelers 
       
Luke 24:13-27(CEV) That same day two of Jesus' disciples were going to the village of Emmaus, which was about seven miles from Jerusalem. 14 As they were talking and thinking about what had happened, 15 Jesus came near and started walking along beside them. 16 But they did not know who he was. 17 Jesus asked them, “What were you talking about as you walked along?” 18 The two of them stood there looking sad and gloomy. Then the one named Cleopas asked Jesus, “Are you the only person from Jerusalem who didn’t know what was happening there these last few days?”19 “What do you mean?” Jesus asked. They answered: Those things that happened to Jesus from Nazareth. By what he did and said he showed that he was a powerful prophet, who pleased God and all the people. 20 Then the chief priests and our leaders had him arrested and sentenced to die on a cross. 21 We had hoped that he would be the one to set Israel free! But it has already been three days since all this happened. 22 Some women in our group surprised us. They had gone to the tomb early in the morning, 23 but did not find the body of Jesus. They came back, saying that they had seen a vision of angels who told them that he is alive. 24 Some men from our group went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said. But they didn’t see Jesus either. 25 Then Jesus asked the two disciples, “Why can’t you understand? How can you be so slow to believe all that the prophets said? 26 Didn’t you know that the Messiah would have to suffer before he was given his glory?” 27 Jesus then explained everything written about himself in the Scriptures, beginning with the Law of Moses and the Books of the Prophets.

We know that there is nothing random about the way God works. God is perfectly purposeful in all that He says and all that He does. That’s why Isaiah writes, “Just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.” God’s thoughts are not merely better; they are perfect. God’s ways don’t necessarily follow our logic or our conclusions. Just pay attention to what unfolded on resurrection day, and it becomes perfectly clear. Jesus appeared to the women, and we know He appeared later the same day to Peter (Lk. 24:34). We see in Luke that two of Jesus’ disciples were returning to Emmaus. We know the name of one disciple, Cleopas, but we are not sure of the other.

The name “Cleopas” is a Greek name, though it was probably used as an equivalent to the Semitic form "Clopas." We see Clopas identified as the husband of one of the Marys at the cross. John 19:25 (NLT) “Standing near the cross were Jesus’ mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary (the wife of Clopas), and Mary Magdalene.” So, it could be that Jesus’ appearance on the road to Emmaus was to Clopas, also known as Cleopas. The pressure of the last week has been crushing for all of Jesus’ disciples. Cleopas and his companion are in deep discussion about what has taken place. The sadness is visible on their faces, the confusion evident, and the discussion rigorous. We know they were in deep discussion because Jesus quietly shows up and starts walking with them. They don’t recognize Him. So, Jesus initiates the conversation, as we have seen Him do so many times in His life and ministry.

He starts by asking a question. “What were you talking about?” They suddenly stop, standing there with grim faces. Cleopas seems completely taken by surprise and offers an answer in the form of his own question. “Where were you, stranger? I mean, are you the only person in Jerusalem who doesn’t know what has been going on? Were you in a cave somewhere?” (No, a tomb.) Then Jesus answers as only Jesus can, in the form of another question (by the way, this always annoyed the religious leaders). “What do you mean?” Cleopas then begins to explain and refers to Jesus as a prophet, saying: “We had hoped that he would be the one to set Israel free! But it has already been three days since all this happened.” “All this happened, and now our hope is dashed. To make matters worse, life is still moving on. This all happened three days ago. Some of our women claimed to see a vision of angels and to hear that Jesus was alive. Some of our men went and checked it out, and they did not see Jesus’ body. So now we are going home. It’s over for us; our hopes dashed, our women confused, our prophet’s body missing. The Sabbath is over, and we have to get back to reality.”

Then Jesus asks them: “‘Why can’t you understand? How can you be so slow to believe all that the prophets said? 26 Didn’t you know that the Messiah would have to suffer before he was given his glory?’ 27 Jesus then explained everything written about himself in the Scriptures, beginning with the Law of Moses and the Books of the Prophets.’”

What is hindering you from grasping what was written for you? How can you not put this together? Jesus expects His disciples to believe what is prophesied about Him. He also expects them to believe the witnesses He sent. “Clopas, your wife came and told you that Jesus was resurrected, but you still did not believe.” Mary was clearly at the cross and the tomb. She told her husband Clopas what happened, yet he still did not believe and went home anyway. No wonder Jesus rebukes them, saying, “You are basically spiritually blind!” Then Jesus begins to explain everything that was written about Him. I can see their mouths hanging open as they listen to what Jesus says. Imagine Jesus speaking about how He is concealed in the tabernacle of Moses. Can you feel the intensity of the Lamb of God as He explains how the lambs of the Exodus point to Him? Can you hear Him talk about the suffering Servant of Isaiah? Imagine Him explaining the Psalms written about Him. Suddenly, time stood still. Sorrow is abated. Grieving hearts turn to burning hearts. It’s Jesus, talking about Jesus. It is the Living Word explaining the written Word.

Luke 24:28-31(CEV) “When the two of them came near the village where they were going, Jesus seemed to be going farther. 29 They begged him, ‘Stay with us! It’s already late, and the sun is going down.’ So Jesus went into the house to stay with them.” The heaviness of the earlier walk turns to delight. They realize they are close to home. Jesus indicates He is traveling farther. But suddenly, this stranger who was asked, “Are you the only one in Jerusalem that has no clue?” is begged to stay a little longer. So, Jesus goes into the house to be their guest. Someone must have been preparing food, because Jesus sits down to eat. In that moment, the Guest becomes the Host.“ 30 After Jesus sat down to eat, he took some bread. He blessed it and broke it. Then he gave it to them. 31 At once they knew who he was, but he disappeared.” Jesus takes some bread. He blesses it, breaks it, and gives it. Then they know! Then He disappears. Jesus is revealed in the breaking of the bread.

The moment they knew, the moment they had a revelation, they immediately changed course and headed straight back to Jerusalem. Suddenly, these disciples, who were filled with fear moments before, were now filled with energy. The same darkness they had wanted a stranger to avoid was now the darkness they were willing to confront. When Jesus is revealed, there is life, there is hope, there is confidence. Luke 24:32-35(CEV) “They said to each other, ‘When he talked with us along the road and explained the Scriptures to us, didn’t it warm our hearts?’ 33 So they got right up and returned to Jerusalem. The two disciples found the eleven apostles and the others gathered together. 34 And they learned from the group that the Lord was really alive and had appeared to Peter. 35 Then the disciples from Emmaus told what happened on the road and how they knew he was the Lord when he broke the bread.”

There is power in the breaking of the bread. 1 Corinthians 11:23-24(NLT) “For I pass on to you what I received from the Lord himself. On the night when he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took some bread 24 and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and said, ‘This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.’”

If your heart is heavy and burdened by the day's gloom, if you are tired of the news of the day, if you are exhausted by all that has been happening around you, then listen to these two weary travelers. Take a moment with Jesus. Take a walk with Jesus. Let Jesus speak His words to you. Invite Jesus into your home. Let Him sit at the table. Then turn it all over to Him. Let Jesus become the Host instead of the guest. Let Him remind you that life is about Him. Let His words burn within your heart. Break bread with Him. In breaking bread with Him, you will see Him for Who He truly is and know He is enough. Jesus will turn your weariness into gladness. Invite Him to your table...

Prayer:

• Take a moment to write down all the things you are worried about. Take that piece of paper, hold it in your hand, pray over it, and cast every one of those worries onto the Lord. Then tear it up and throw it away.
• Thank the Lord for His word and pray this over your life: Psalm 33:18-22(NLT) “But the Lord watches over those who fear him, those who rely on his unfailing love. 19 He rescues them from death and keeps them alive in times of famine. 20 We put our hope in the Lord. He is our help and our shield. 21 In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. 22 Let your unfailing love surround us, Lord, for our hope is in you alone.”
• Pray and invite the Holy Spirit to come and refresh your soul. Take a moment to simply be still in His presence.
• Pray for others who may be struggling with feelings of despair and hopelessness. Reach out in love if you can.

Day Thirty-Three
Jesus: Real, Relevant, and Radical!
Faith in Unlikely Places                                               
     
Matthew 28:8-10(NLT) The women ran quickly from the tomb. They were very frightened but also filled with great joy, and they rushed to give the disciples the angel’s message. 9 And as they went, Jesus met them and greeted them. And they ran to him, grasped his feet, and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Don’t be afraid! Go tell my brothers to leave for Galilee, and they will see me there.”

Mark 16:8(NLT) The women fled from the tomb, trembling and bewildered, and they said nothing to anyone because they were too frightened. 9 After Jesus rose from the dead early on Sunday morning, the first person who saw him was Mary Magdalene, the woman from whom he had cast out seven demons. 10 She went to the disciples, who were grieving and weeping, and told them what had happened. 11 But when she told them that Jesus was alive and she had seen him, they didn’t believe her.

Luke 24:10(NLT) It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and several other women who told the apostles what had happened. 11 But the story sounded like nonsense to the men, so they didn’t believe it. 12 However, Peter jumped up and ran to the tomb to look. Stooping, he peered in and saw the empty linen wrappings; then he went home again, wondering what had happened.

We have become increasingly cynical. People trust little, doubt much, and brag about their skepticism. The mantra is, “Prove it to me, show me, give me evidence, and then I will believe.” If you think this only applies to the world, you are wrong. The church is filled with skepticism, cynicism, and downright rebellion. What drives this? I think a fear of looking foolish lingers deep within us. We don’t want to be labeled as people who deny the facts, people who are not in touch with reality. So we elevate intellect above all. We brag about how smart we are and relish our intellectually superior skepticism. We are smart enough not to let anyone pull the wool over our proverbial cerebral eyes. We are smart, and we know it! How, then, can we thrive as people of faith? How can we live a vibrant spiritual life when doubt is nipping at our heels? If the just live by faith, then faith is not an option but a necessity. We need faith to live, and we live by faith. So we have to ask, “Who is our faith rooted in?” 

Throughout the accounts of Jesus’ life, we see two things that Jesus marveled at. Great faith and persistent doubt. What is interesting about both of these concepts is where Jesus found them. When the Centurion’s servant is sick, he asks Jesus to come and heal him. Jesus agrees, and while He is on His way to the Centurion’s house, the Centurion sends word to Jesus to simply speak the word. He explains that he understands authority and recognizes Jesus’ authority. Matthew 8:10(NLT) “When Jesus heard this, he was amazed. Turning to those who were following him, he said, ‘I tell you the truth, I haven’t seen faith like this in all Israel! 11 And I tell you this, that many Gentiles will come from all over the world—from east and west—and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob at the feast in the Kingdom of Heaven.’”

Jesus is amazed by a Roman Centurion’s faith. We know the story of the Syrophoenician woman, whose persistence led her to ask Jesus to heal her daughter. “‘That’s true, Lord, but even dogs are allowed to eat the scraps that fall beneath their master’s table.’ 28 ‘Dear woman,’ Jesus said to her, ‘your faith is great. Your request is granted.’ And her daughter was instantly healed.” Some sinners don’t merely attempt to believe; they demonstrate great faith in Jesus. If sinners can have this kind of faith, should we, the saints, not be brimming with faith? Surely, we will see the disciples overflow with faith in Jesus. 

The disciples are in a storm with Jesus. Matthew 8:25-26(NLT) “The disciples went and woke him up, shouting, ‘Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!’ 26 Jesus responded, 'Why are you afraid? You have so little faith!’ Then he got up and rebuked the wind and waves, and suddenly there was a great calm.” Unlike the sinners, the disciples demonstrate fear rather than faith. Jesus is on the boat, yet the disciples cannot even trust His Person, whereas the Centurion needed only His word. I am sure they learned the lesson. 

Bring on the next storm. Matthew 14:30-31(NLT) “But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. ‘Save me, Lord!’ he shouted. 31 Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. ‘You have so little faith,’ Jesus said. ‘Why did you doubt me?’ 

Obviously, they are not learning the lessons from the storms. Let’s try something else. How about something as simple as bread? Storms are a little bit tough. I mean, it is a matter of life and death thing. So, let’s go to something basic, something that has to do with everybody, sinner or saint. I mean, we all have to eat. Maybe they will get this lesson. Matthew 16:7-9(NLT) “At this they began to argue with each other because they hadn’t brought any bread. 8 Jesus knew what they were saying, so he said, ‘You have so little faith! Why are you arguing with each other about having no bread? 9 Don’t you understand even yet? Don’t you remember the 5,000 I fed with five loaves, and the baskets of leftovers you picked up?’” This discipleship thing is not going too well. Two stormy lessons and a failing grade in faith. The simple bread lesson failed. They have the Bread of Life with them, but they argue about bread. They have the Multiplier of food, but they are thinking about bread. They are with the God who can make it rain bread, but they cannot bring their minds to understand. Maybe one more lesson. Authority over demonic activity.

Matthew 17:16-18(NLT) “‘So I brought him to your disciples, but they couldn’t heal him.’ 17 Jesus said, ‘You faithless and corrupt people! How long must I be with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring the boy here to me.’ 18 Then Jesus rebuked the demon in the boy, and it left him. From that moment the boy was well. 19 Afterward the disciples asked Jesus privately, ‘Why couldn’t we cast out that demon?’ 20 ‘You don’t have enough faith,’ Jesus told them. ‘I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, "Move from here to there,” and it would move. Nothing would be impossible.’ 22 After they gathered again in Galilee, Jesus told them, ‘The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of his enemies. 23 He will be killed, but on the third day he will be raised from the dead.’ And the disciples were filled with grief.”

We don’t have to read into this verse. Jesus clearly tells them why they couldn’t cast out the demon. “You don’t have enough faith.” Afterward, they are together in Galilee, and Jesus tells them what is going to happen. Notice, He does not just tell them about His death but also His resurrection. They are filled with grief. Jesus fully prepared them and gave them everything they needed to be ready for what was going to take place. Let’s go back to the morning of the resurrection. Jesus is raised from the dead. He appears to Mary Magdalene. He also appears to the other women on their way from the tomb. They are terrified and happy at the same time. Mark says they are too afraid to say anything to anyone. Matthew writes that they see Jesus, and He tells them to go tell the other disciples. All the women at the tomb see Jesus, and they run to tell the rest. The party is about to begin, or is it? Luke 24:11(NLT) “But the story sounded like nonsense to the men, so they didn’t believe it.” Wait, what? Nobody believed the women. The founding apostles of the church did not believe that Jesus was raised from the dead, even when He was seen by the women.

Why would Jesus appear to the women first? Surely, He knew how that culture would respond to them. You see, Jesus does not have to prove who He is. We have to believe Him for Who He is. 1 Corinthians 1:27-29(NLT) “Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful. 28 God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important. 29 As a result, no one can ever boast in the presence of God.”

God, in His wisdom, will use whoever He chooses, and He loves to use people and things despised by the world. Jesus used women as the first witnesses to His resurrection. I know some say women are not allowed to preach. Maybe you should tell Jesus that. It does not seem wise to use women as the first witnesses to the greatest event in human history. Why did Jesus not just wait for Peter or John? I mean, they both ran to the tomb as well. Wouldn’t it be more credible to tell them? Only after Jesus appeared to the women did He appear to Peter. We don’t know what was said at that first meeting after the resurrection, but we will find out in heaven. We just need to have faith.

Where are you today concerning your faith? Do you feel Jesus owes it to you to prove Himself? Have you become skeptical because the storms of life are somehow strangling the faith from your heart? Are you worried about bread, or do you trust the Bread of Life? Will you, like the Centurion, trust His Word even when you don’t see His presence? Will you be like the Syrophoenician woman, willing to eat the crumbs from His table? When you hear His message through a vessel you do not approve of, will you trust it, or will you dismiss it as nonsense? Jesus told Peter, “Just have faith in God.” He is telling you the same.


Prayer:

• Ask the Lord to help you develop an attitude of childlike faith.
• Release your fears to Him and trust Him, no matter what storm you might be in.
• Thank Him for His provision and for your daily bread.
• Pray that your faith will grow to the point where you will trust His words even when you don’t see any evidence of His presence.
• Pray for your fellow believers to rise in faith and be bold in their proclamation of Jesus.

Day Thirty-Two
Jesus: Real, Relevant, and Radical!
What’s in a Name?

Mark 16:9-11(NLT) After Jesus rose from the dead early on Sunday morning, the first person who saw him was Mary Magdalene, the woman from whom he had cast out seven demons. 10 She went to the disciples, who were grieving and weeping, and told them what had happened. 11 But when she told them that Jesus was alive and she had seen him, they didn’t believe her.

John 20:1-30(NLT) Early on Sunday morning, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance. 2 She ran and found Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved. She said, “They have taken the Lord’s body out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!” 3 Peter and the other disciple started out for the tomb. 4 They were both running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 5 He stooped and looked in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he didn’t go in. 6 Then Simon Peter arrived and went inside. He also noticed the linen wrappings lying there, 7 while the cloth that had covered Jesus’ head was folded up and lying apart from the other wrappings. 8 Then the disciple who had reached the tomb first also went in, and he saw and believed— 9 for until then they still hadn’t understood the Scriptures that said Jesus must rise from the dead. 10 Then they went home.

John 20:11-18(NLT) Mary was standing outside the tomb crying, and as she wept, she stooped and looked in. 12 She saw two white-robed angels, one sitting at the head and the other at the foot of the place where the body of Jesus had been lying. 13 “Dear woman, why are you crying?” the angels asked her. “Because they have taken away my Lord,” she replied, “and I don’t know where they have put him.” 14 She turned to leave and saw someone standing there. It was Jesus, but she didn’t recognize him. 15 “Dear woman, why are you crying?” Jesus asked her. “Who are you looking for?” She thought he was the gardener. “Sir,” she said, “if you have taken him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will go and get him.” 16 “Mary!” Jesus said. She turned to him and cried out, “Rabboni!” (which is Hebrew for “Teacher”). 17 “Don’t cling to me,” Jesus said, “for I haven’t yet ascended to the Father. But go find my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” 18 Mary Magdalene found the disciples and told them, “I have seen the Lord!” Then she gave them his message.

Jesus is alive! Jesus, the One who was severely scourged, beaten beyond recognition, and hung on a Roman cross, is alive. His death was confirmed by a spear in His side. He was wrapped completely, head and body, in seventy-five pounds of burial spices and placed in a tomb. The tomb was then sealed with a large stone. He was dead. This was Friday, but by Sunday everything had changed. So many amazing, wonderful, puzzling, and frightening things happened around the resurrection that only eternity will help us truly grasp the magnitude of the moment. We have the benefit of looking back, but the people who lived it did not. We tend to use broad brush strokes to paint the picture, but Jesus is revealed in the details. We celebrate Easter, then, just like Christmas ornaments on a tree, we pack it away, waiting for the next one to arrive. Would you be patient with me as we continue to unpack some of the details? Maybe, just maybe, you might hear your name.

The disciples’ disappointment and the raw sorrow and pain of those who followed Him are evident. The hopelessness and feelings of utter despair are palpable. From reading the eyewitness accounts, they were not just at a loss; they felt they had lost. How would you feel when everything you counted on comes to a crashing conclusion; when what you hoped for is, in your mind, finished beyond repair? You gather with your fellow followers of Jesus, and all you can do is stare at one another. You don’t even have the emotional energy to discuss any of what has taken place. You don’t have time to digest that one of you -- the guy who kept the books -- set all of this in motion. “Judas, how could you do this?” Do the others know about Peter’s denial? How could they? They all scattered like rats from a sinking ship. Believe me, in their minds, that ship is sunk and lying at the bottom of the Sea of Galilee. Why would they discuss Peter’s failure when they themselves did their best Usain Bolt impression?

So, they sit and wait. Waiting for what? The obvious; the other sandal to drop. “They got our Teacher, our Rabbi. We obviously are next.” The religious leaders hated Jesus enough to make sure no one was left out, no one who could stir up more trouble. In the disciples’ minds, they hear footsteps approaching. They are startled back to reality by the sound, and to their surprise, it is Mary. Mary, one of the most common names of the time. It seems like there was an Oprah handing out the name Mary. “You get a Mary, you get a Mary, and you get a Mary. Everybody gets a Mary.” To distinguish among all the Marys, the New Testament writers used nicknames or other identifying details about them. Mary, the mother of James and Joses. Mary, the wife of Clopas. Or even their place of origin, such as Mary Magdalene or Mary from Bethany.

Mary Magdalene has just been to the tomb, where the stone has been rolled away. She runs as fast as she can and finds Peter and John. She bursts through the door with these words: “They have taken the Lord’s body out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!” Notice, she doesn’t claim a resurrection; she’s worried about a theft. She knows it’s not any of the disciples. They were all immobilized by fear and grief. Where’s Jesus? When Peter and John hear the news, they are off and running. John outruns Peter and gets to the tomb first. He looks in but doesn’t go in. Peter, on the other hand, goes in. He notices the linen wrappings lying there, with the head wrapping folded and put aside. John finally goes in and believes. Love always believes first. They both leave and go home.

Mary is crying outside the tomb and finally gathers enough courage and decides to peek in. She sees what Peter and John either could not or were not allowed to see; two angels, one at the feet and one at the head, where Jesus laid. We know these were male angels. How do we know that? Because only a male will ask a woman the following question: “Dear woman, why are you crying?” She turns to leave and sees someone standing there. The same question the angels asked is repeated. She thinks it’s the gardener. “Sir,” she says, “if you have taken him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will go and get him.” Can you hear the exasperation in her voice? Almost pleading, “If you are the culprit, Mr. Gardener, I will not hold it against you.” With tears running down her cheeks, she says, “Just please, please tell me where you put my Jesus, and I will go get Him myself.”

“You don’t realize who He is to me. You don’t realize the agony and torture I was in. Evil ravaged me, wrecked my world, and left me a shell of myself. Then one day, Jesus walked into my life. I was bound, but He set me free. I had a hole in me so big that seven of the devil’s cohorts were just too eager to fill. Then He spoke, and everything changed. I was rudderless, but I found the Way. I was deceived, but I found the Truth. I was dead, but I found true Life. So, with all due respect, ‘Sir,’ tell me where He is.” She turned to walk away. Then He spoke her name! “Mary!” 

When Mary heard her name, she knew! It was as if someone opened the heavens and choirs of thousands of angels bellowed the Hallelujah Chorus. Suddenly, pure, unfettered joy crashed over her like a wave. She heard her name. Only One Person has ever said her name like that. Jesus will say your name in such a way that you will feel you are the only person in the universe. No one else can say your name like Jesus can. When the Shepherd speaks, the sheep listen to his voice. John 10:2 (NIV) “The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.”

In one moment, Mary goes from sorrow to ecstasy when she hears Jesus say her name. Jesus, the Good Shepherd, knows who belongs to Him. “Nathaniel, here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit.” “Philip, how long have I been with you?” “Simon (the Pharisee), I have something to tell you.” “Martha, Martha, you are worried about many things.” “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” “Lazarus, come out!” “Simon, I have prayed for you.” “Thomas, put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” “Peter, do you love Me?” 

Jesus knows your name. I don’t know how difficult things might be for you. I don’t know if you, like Mary, have sorrow so deep that you cannot recognize Him and feel He seems absent. But when you feel you cannot see Him, simply listen for His voice. He speaks in your darkest hour. He speaks in your most difficult time. He speaks in your deepest despair. He speaks in your greatest confusion. He speaks in your most vulnerable moment. He speaks in your deepest doubt. He speaks when everybody has gone home. Your Good Shepherd is speaking your name.

John 10:14-17(NIV) “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. 17 The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again.”

Today, take a moment, and you will hear Jesus speak your name. He will speak it in the most tender, loving way, leading you out of despair into your purpose. If you think your name is too common, just remember, Jesus said, “Mary,” and everything changed!

Prayer:

• Take time to be still and listen for your Father’s voice.
• Ask the Lord to help you learn to recognize when He speaks to you.
• Thank the Lord that He is your Good Shepherd and that you are part of His One flock.
• Pray for others so that those who need to hear their names will have ears to hear.

Day Thirty-One
Jesus: Real, Relevant, and Radical!
When Angels Grin

Matthew 28:1-20(NLT) Early on Sunday morning, as the new day was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went out to visit the tomb. 2 Suddenly there was a great earthquake! For an angel of the Lord came down from heaven, rolled aside the stone, and sat on it. 3 His face shone like lightning, and his clothing was as white as snow. 4 The guards shook with fear when they saw him, and they fell into a dead faint. 5 Then the angel spoke to the women. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen. Come, see where his body was lying. 7 And now, go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and he is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there. Remember what I have told you.” 8 The women ran quickly from the tomb. They were very frightened but also filled with great joy, and they rushed to give the disciples the angel’s message. 9 And as they went, Jesus met them and greeted them. And they ran to him, grasped his feet, and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Don’t be afraid! Go tell my brothers to leave for Galilee, and they will see me there.”

Mark 16:4-7(NLT) But as they arrived, they looked up and saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled aside. 5 When they entered the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a white robe sitting on the right side. The women were shocked, 6 but the angel said, “Don’t be alarmed. You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead! Look, this is where they laid his body. 7 Now go and tell his disciples, including Peter, that Jesus is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there, just as he told you before he died.”

Mark 16:8-11(NLT) The women fled from the tomb, trembling and bewildered, and they said nothing to anyone because they were too frightened. 9 After Jesus rose from the dead early on Sunday morning, the first person who saw him was Mary Magdalene, the woman from whom he had cast out seven demons. 10 She went to the disciples, who were grieving and weeping, and told them what had happened. 11 But when she told them that Jesus was alive and she had seen him, they didn’t believe her.                                             

As the women walk to the tomb, they don’t have thoughts about Jesus being raised from the dead. They are thinking about a particular stone, the one in front of the tomb. We know this from their conversation with one another. While they worry, Heaven has already dealt with the problem. When they arrive at the tomb, the stone is already moved. The stone was not moved for Jesus’ sake; it was moved for the women’s sake. Jesus did not need the stone to be moved so that He could get out. The women needed the stone to be moved so that they could get in. Just like the cross, the tomb is visited by an earthquake, guards being affected and stones moved.

The women are met by an angel (probably not from Anaheim). What is the angel doing? He is sitting on the stone that was rolled in front of the tomb. As he sits, the guards faint with fear. Can you picture it? I see this angel, with a big smile, more likely a big grin. Brimming and grinning! Mark writes that the women saw an angel appearing as a young man. Then he speaks to them; “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen. Come, see where his body was lying. 7 And now, go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and he is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there. Remember what I have told you.”

As always, when heaven invades earth, the first words are, “Don’t be afraid.” For us humans, fear is a natural response to what we don’t understand. Listen to the words surrounding the resurrection: fear, shock, alarm, confusion, trembling, bewilderment, unbelief, doubt, and panic. All of these are from an earthly perspective. What about from heaven’s perspective? The angel says (I am paraphrasing), “I know you are looking for Jesus, but He is not here.” Smiling, he says, “Girls, don’t you remember? He told you this would happen.” Just in case you struggle with what I just told you, come check out where His body was lying. Now, ladies, pay attention; you’ve got to hurry. Get back and tell the disciples what happened to Jesus, and remember the party is going to be in Galilee. By the way, tell Peter his invitation was not rescinded. Make sure he knows that his name is still on the guest list. Girls, girls, pay attention; remember what I told you.” 

In church circles, I have heard this saying many times: “Don’t be so heavenly minded that you are no earthly good.” I understand the sentiment behind it, but I do not think that is our real problem. Our problem is the same as that of the disciples and the women who went to the tomb. We are so earthly minded that we miss heaven altogether. Jesus told us to pray: Matthew 6:10(NIV) “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” What do you think the kingdom is like? Here’s a hint: it does not make you miserable. Jesus told the disciples over and over again what was going to take place. He left no details out, from suffering to resurrection. We know He told them where He would meet them after the resurrection. But where are they? They are not where Jesus told them to be; they are in Jerusalem, in grief and sorrow. They are hiding instead of celebrating. They are confused instead of being resolute. They are filled with doubt instead of faith. They are mourning instead of rejoicing. 

We hold certain ideas about God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. We see God as solemn and serious. We picture a God of anger, burning with indignation; a God more interested in judging than loving, one who would rather condemn than save, one who would rather frown than smile. We think Christ followers should be pious and dignified; that we should be only occasionally joyful, as is appropriate for spiritual people. Some think being happy hinders our holiness. After all, the sacred does not pitch its tent in an atmosphere of frivolity. The sacred is about duty and rigor. The sacred is serious business. God cannot possibly be bothered by the foolishness of laughter or joy, can He? Jesus told Philip: John 14:8-10(NIV) “Philip said, ‘Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.’ 9 Jesus answered: ‘Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, “Show us the Father”? 10 Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work.’”

If you want to know what the Father is like, look at Jesus. How do you see Jesus? Have you noticed that Jesus could not keep the crowds away? Everywhere He went, people followed Him; they wanted to be around Him. Compare that to the Pharisees; the only times they drew crowds were during special festival days. The people did not come because of them; they came despite them. The people came because of Jesus. Kids loved Him so much that they just wanted Him to put His hands on them. He used kids as examples of how His kingdom operates. That was unheard of! When His disciples tried to stop the kids from coming, Jesus rebuked His disciples, not the kids. If you think Jesus was sour, you are thinking of the wrong Jesus. Listen to His birth announcement. Luke 2:10-11(NLT) “But the angel reassured them. ‘Don’t be afraid!’ he said. ‘I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. 11 The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!’”

Jesus is the good news that brings great joy to everyone! When Jesus is baptized, the Father says, “He (Jesus) brings Him (the Father) great joy...” We are to leap for joy when we are persecuted. Jesus gave the disciples His joy; Jesus’ joy is full. “Rejoice,” “be joyful, I bring you news of great joy.” These are the words of the Father’s kingdom. Righteousness, peace, and joy are kingdom qualities. “I will dry every tear. There will be no more crying. In the presence of the Lord is fullness of joy.” Jesus is Joy. Joy is part of the fruit of the Holy Spirit. Don’t miss the joy of the resurrection. Don’t miss the fact that the angel sits on the stone. God, in His wisdom to confound the wise, has the woman discover the empty tomb. They become the first witnesses to the resurrection. Women could not even testify in court except in special cases; the same way we would treat a minor today. Yet God chose them to be the first to proclaim that He is alive. The angels are smiling.

What is going on here? This kingdom we are praying for will not make you miserable. In this kingdom, misery goes to die. Tears will be permanently dried. Sorrow will be forever banished. Death is swallowed up in victory. That is why Joseph got his tomb back, because Jesus just borrowed it for a few nights. In His life and ministry, Jesus borrowed a lot of things: He borrowed a womb at His birth. He borrowed a stable in His infancy. He borrowed an earthly father in Joseph. He borrowed a boat for one of His sermons. He borrowed a little boy’s lunch to feed a multitude. He borrowed a young donkey to ride into Jerusalem. He borrowed a room for the Last Supper. He borrowed a tomb at His death. What happens when Jesus borrows something? It is forever changed. Mary is highly honored. Joseph is respected. The fishing boat captain decided to join Jesus on His mission. The little boy went home with food for a nation. The little donkey had bragging rights for being used by the Messiah. We celebrate the Lord’s table in remembrance of the Last Supper. And because Jesus borrowed a tomb, the grave becomes a door to glorious joy.

The problem in our world today is not that we have too much joy; it is that we don’t have enough joy. We, just like the women who went to the tomb, are thinking about stones instead of remembering His words. Whatever problems you might be dealing with today, simply remember: heaven already has the answer. If you want to see your Father smile, tell Him about your plans. If you want to see Jesus laugh, tell Him about your impossibilities. I guarantee you this: in the background, the angels will be grinning... When you get to heaven, look for the young angel with the biggest grin and ask him about sitting on stones.

Prayer:

• Ask the Holy Spirit to fill you so you overflow with His joy.
• Thank the Lord Jesus for revealing the Father to us.
• Pray that His kingdom will come in you and through you.
• Whatever impossibility you are facing, release your worry about it into your Father’s hands.
• Share the joy of God’s kingdom with someone who desperately needs it. Ask the Lord whom. 

Day Thirty
Jesus: Real, Relevant, and Radical!
Finding Nothing

Matthew 28:1-20(NLT) Early on Sunday morning, as the new day was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went out to visit the tomb. 2 Suddenly there was a great earthquake! For an angel of the Lord came down from heaven, rolled aside the stone, and sat on it. 3 His face shone like lightning, and his clothing was as white as snow. 4 The guards shook with fear when they saw him, and they fell into a dead faint. 5 Then the angel spoke to the women. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen. Come, see where his body was lying. 7 And now, go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and he is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there. Remember what I have told you.” 8 The women ran quickly from the tomb. They were very frightened but also filled with great joy, and they rushed to give the disciples the angel’s message. 9 And as they went, Jesus met them and greeted them. And they ran to him, grasped his feet, and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Don’t be afraid! Go tell my brothers to leave for Galilee, and they will see me there.”

Mark 16:1-7(NLT) Saturday evening, when the Sabbath ended, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome went out and purchased burial spices so they could anoint Jesus’ body. 2 Very early on Sunday morning, just at sunrise, they went to the tomb. 3 On the way they were asking each other, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?” 4 But as they arrived, they looked up and saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled aside. 5 When they entered the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a white robe sitting on the right side. The women were shocked, 6 but the angel said, “Don’t be alarmed. You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead! Look, this is where they laid his body. 7 Now go and tell his disciples, including Peter, that Jesus is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there, just as he told you before he died.”

Commitment is a wonderful thing. Dedication and devotion, for the right reasons, are traits of people with great character. We see these qualities in the women who followed Jesus. Their love for Jesus did not stop at His death; just the opposite. They had seen Him die. They watched as He was laid in the tomb. They waited until the stone was rolled in front of the opening, and then they went home, hearts broken, minds numb, hopes dashed and expectations shattered. Jesus, their Teacher, Healer, Deliverer, and Lord, was now dead. But because of their devotion and love for Him, they planned to return. We see them go home and begin preparing the spices to anoint His body. They ran out of time as the Sabbath approached, and then they waited for the Sabbath to be over before they continued. Luke 23:56 (NLT) “Then they went home and prepared spices and ointments to anoint his body. But by the time they were finished the Sabbath had begun, so they rested as required by the law.”

Mark says that as the Sabbath ended, they went to buy spices. These women put their money where their devotion is. They started on Friday, continued on Saturday, and were up very early on Sunday, on their way to the tomb. Their commitment to Jesus, even a dead Jesus in their minds, is relentless. There is something about devoted people, especially those devoted to the Savior, who see things before anyone else. The women are going to the tomb to do what they feel is necessary. They have an expectation. They will find the tomb. The stone will be a bit of a problem. “Very early on Sunday morning, just at sunrise, they went to the tomb. 3 On the way they were asking each other, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?”

Their expectation is to find Jesus’ body. We prepare for what we expect. You don’t prepare something for nothing. They prepared the spices to anoint His body. As they walked to the tomb, each one of them was ready to do what needed to be done. But sometimes God does not meet us at the level of our expectations. That is a good thing! Some of us should be very grateful that we don’t always get what we expect, because some of our expectations are not worth having. Luke 24:1(NIV) “On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb.”

Why does God not meet my expectations? It could be that our expectations are rooted in fear rather than faith. It could also be that our expectations are too small. Another reason could be that our expectations do not align with God’s plan, or we simply miss the obvious. Luke 24:2(NIV) “They found the stone rolled away from the tomb.”

Sometimes we are so caught up in what we lose that we miss what we find. We miss the obvious indicators that things are not as they seem. We have all been there. We are so consumed by our disappointment and disillusionment that we do not notice something has taken place, not just missing something small, but missing something significant. The reason we miss it is that we are not looking for it! The women were there on Friday when the tomb was sealed. They were discussing who would move the stone. When they arrived, the stone was rolled away.

Sometimes God is doing the miraculous right in front of us, and we just walk on by. We are so consumed with our own agenda or blinded by our pain that we can’t even see what God is doing right before our eyes! We only see what we are prepared to see. They were preparing for the dead, but they should’ve been looking for the living!
Luke 24:3-8(NIV) “But when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. 5 In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, ‘Why do you look for the living among the dead? 6 He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 7 “The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.”’  8 Then they remembered his words.”

The stone is moved, and they walk in, only to find Jesus’ body gone. They found nothing. Nothing but an empty tomb. Nothing but empty grave clothes. Nothing! Have you ever been there, to that place called “nothing”? Finding nothing, especially when it matters, is not good. “Do you have any resources?” “No, I have nothing.” “Did they find the missing hiker?” “No, they found nothing.” “Did they find the missing child?” “No, they found nothing.” That place called “nothing” can be haunting. For these women, they went expecting to find somebody. They prepared for something. They got ready for something. They worked all night for someone. But they ended up finding nothing. 

Commitment, loyalty, and love led them to the tomb. Because of their devotion, they were the first to find nothing. Then they saw Him and realized that finding nothing meant they found everything. You see, only Jesus can make nothing mean everything. If you feel you are at a place called “nothing,” look for the obvious. Don’t miss what needs to be seen. Don’t allow your pain to blind you to what you desperately need to see. Just like the women, when you see, you will remember His words... may you find nothing so you will find everything.

Prayer:

• Pray and ask the Lord to help you evaluate your devotion to Him.
• Ask the Lord to remind you of His words spoken over you.
• Pray for spiritual sight to see what you need to see.
• Pray for your fellow believers that we will all renew our expectations according to God’s plan, not ours.
• Thank Him for His faithfulness.

Day Twenty-Nine
Jesus: Real, Relevant, and Radical!
The Final Stone

Matthew 27:62-66(NKJV) On the next day, which followed the Day of Preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees gathered together to Pilate, 63 saying, “Sir, we remember, while He was still alive, how that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise.’ 64 Therefore command that the tomb be made secure until the third day, lest His disciples come by night and steal Him away, and say to the people, ‘He has risen from the dead.’ So the last deception will be worse than the first.” 65 Pilate said to them, “You have a guard; go your way, make it as secure as you know how.” 66 So they went and made the tomb secure, sealing the stone and setting the guard.

The hectic events of the week have suddenly come to a grinding halt. The Sunday crowds are gone. The donkey has been returned to his owners. The last meal has been eaten. The greatest kingdom lesson is in the rearview mirror. The prayer of Jesus has been prayed. The last hymn has been sung. Judas has been paid. The pressing of the garden is finished. Jesus has been kissed. The commotion of a false arrest is over. Peter’s sword has been cleaned. Malchus’ ear has been healed. The false witnesses are dismissed. The spectacle of a kangaroo court is finished. The rooster has crowed. Peter’s denial has been confessed. The crowds’ screams have been silenced. Barabbas has been freed. Pilate’s hands have been washed. His wife’s warning has been given. The soldiers’ cruelty has been dished. Jesus’ cross has been carried. His words from the cross have been spoken. The darkness has subsided. The veil has been torn. The rocks have been split. Jesus’ body has been taken down. Joseph and Nicodemus have wrapped Him up. The women have left. The tomb has been sealed. The guards have been placed. Now, nothing but silence.

Jesus, the Son of God, the Son of Man, is lying in a tomb. Jesus has submitted Himself to the final enemy, death. Even though He is laid in the tomb, His enemies still operate in fear. Their complete loathing of Jesus did not end with Him dying on the cross. It did not end with Him lying in a tomb. While everyone has left, they are still plotting, planning, protecting, and negotiating. You see, religion based on fear will always express itself in hate. Jesus might be dead, but they know His influence is not. So, they throw the final stone, or so they thought...

Fear will make you do irrational things. When driven by fear, you may behave foolishly. Enter the chief priest and Pharisees. Their hatred for Jesus was rooted in fear. Why did they hate Jesus so much? What were they afraid of? They feared losing their power, influence, and, ultimately, their wealth. To them, Jesus was a threat to everything they cherished, especially their money. Luke 16:13-14(NIV) “‘No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.’ 14 The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and were sneering at Jesus.

When Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, some people went to report it to the Pharisees. From their response, we see they are driven by fear. John 11:45-48 (NLT) “Many of the people who were with Mary believed in Jesus when they saw this happen. 46 But some went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. 47 Then the leading priests and Pharisees called the high council together. ‘What are we going to do?’ they asked each other. ‘This man certainly performs many miraculous signs. 48 If we allow him to go on like this, soon everyone will believe in him. Then the Roman army will come and destroy both our Temple and our nation.’”

That’s the problem with fear: it makes you look stupid. They were afraid the Romans would come and destroy the Temple. So, they rejected Jesus, only to have their fear materialize. Their fears materialized about 40 years later. General Vespasian trapped thousands of Jewish rebels inside Jerusalem, turning the city into one large prison. Then Titus arrived and finished the job, burning everything inside the Temple and ordering every stone to be torn down and pushed into the valley below. Jesus told them this would happen.

The big and impressive thing they trusted in was destroyed. The very thing they tried to protect by killing Jesus ended up being lost. They did not learn their lesson from the stone they tried to roll in front of the tomb. Matthew tells us that the chief priest and Pharisees went to Pilate and asked him to secure the tomb. They were not trying to keep Jesus in; they were trying to keep the disciples out. The words Jesus spoke to them were still ringing in their ears, and they wanted to prevent any possibility of the disciples carrying on some sort of hoax. So, they sealed the stone. 

The seal was made of a soft substance, most likely clay, and was imprinted with the Roman imperial seal. It was then attached to the stone with a rope. But that wasn’t enough for them; they also stationed guards in front of the tomb. Their paranoia led them to take extra precautions to prevent any attempts at deception. Why go to such lengths? I mean, if the disciples had been trying to perpetrate some kind of deception, they could have simply said, “Show us Jesus.” You see, fear has a cousin named “Deception.” Deception can be confronted with the truth, but it will still cling to the lie. Deception is very difficult to break deception when it knows that embracing the truth might cost it everything it’s built on. So, they crucified the Truth, sealed His tomb, and hoped that Truth would stay silent forever. “All that we need to do is make sure that Truth is still in the grave after three days. If we accomplish that, we can call the Truth a deceiver and be in the clear.”

“Our temple will be safe, our religion intact, and our money secured.” What is it about human nature that makes us bristle when faced with the truth? Why does the truth often incite anger? Why do we become so defensive when confronted with it? Jesus had no issues with sinners; His problems were with the religious. When we prioritize ritual over relationship, we risk throwing stones instead of building bridges. Persistently embracing a lie will always lead to deception. Deception causes us to act in ungodly ways, yet we justify it in the name of religion. 

John 8:44(NLT) “For you are the children of your father the devil, and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies.”

Deception may try to lock up truth, but truth will always triumph. The Pharisees believed they were safe because Truth was sealed in a tomb. However, they discovered that you can only suppress the truth for a moment because, in the end, it is your deception that will be uncovered. As a child of God, if you feel like you're living in a world that rejects the truth and embraces the lie, be encouraged today. It might be Saturday, and it might seem that truth has been entirely silenced and locked away in our world. But remember, no matter how many stones are placed to hide the truth, it will always triumph.  

2 John 1-3(NLT) “This letter is from John, the elder. I am writing to the chosen lady and to her children, whom I love in the truth—as does everyone else who knows the truth— 2 because the truth lives in us and will be with us forever. 3 Grace, mercy, and peace, which come from God the Father and from Jesus Christ—the Son of the Father—will continue to be with us who live in truth and love.”

Grace, mercy, and peace are with us who live in truth and love. May you walk in truth and act in love.

Prayer:

• Pray that you will walk in the freedom of God’s love and avoid operating in fear.
• Ask the Lord to help you be perfected through His love because perfect love casts out fear.
• Ask the Lord to help you build bridges into people’s lives instead of casting stones.
• Pray that the Holy Spirit reveals any area in your life where you're not walking in truth.

Day Twenty-Eight
Jesus: Real, Relevant, and Radical!
A Dream in a Tomb      

Matthew 27:55(NLT) And many women who had come from Galilee with Jesus to care for him were watching from a distance. 56 Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary (the mother of James and Joseph), and the mother of James and John, the sons of Zebedee.

Matthew 27:59-60(NLT) Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a long sheet of clean linen cloth. 60 He placed it in his own new tomb, which had been carved out of the rock. Then he rolled a great stone across the entrance and left. 61 Both Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting across from the tomb and watching.

Mark 15:40-42(NLT) Some women were there, watching from a distance, including Mary Magdalene, Mary (the mother of James the younger and of Joseph), and Salome. 41 They had been followers of Jesus and had cared for him while he was in Galilee. Many other women who had come with him to Jerusalem were also there.

Mark 15:46-47(NLT) Joseph bought a long sheet of linen cloth. Then he took Jesus’ body down from the cross, wrapped it in the cloth, and laid it in a tomb that had been carved out of the rock. Then he rolled a stone in front of the entrance. 47 Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joseph saw where Jesus’ body was laid.

Mark 16:1(NLT) Saturday evening, when the Sabbath ended, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome went out and purchased burial spices so they could anoint Jesus’ body. 

Luke 23:49(NLT) But Jesus’ friends, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance watching.

Luke 23:55-56(NLT) As his body was taken away, the women from Galilee followed and saw the tomb where his body was placed. 56 Then they went home and prepared spices and ointments to anoint his body. But by the time they were finished the Sabbath had begun, so they rested as required by the law.

John 19:25(NLT) Standing near the cross were Jesus’ mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary (the wife of Clopas), and Mary Magdalene.

Jesus was and is simply beyond description. No matter how eloquent or lofty, there are no descriptions that fully capture who Jesus is. His love is endless. His grace is unmatched; His patience, endearing; His beauty, breathtaking. He is indescribable, irresistible, and incomparable. As that old spiritual song says, “Oh, Lord, it is hard to be humble when you are perfect in every way...” Yet, there is no one more cloaked in humility than Jesus. He is the Perfect Man. Is it any wonder that He was loved so deeply, especially by the women?

Don’t miss this incredible fact: all of the gospel writers tell us that the women were there from the beginning to the very end. Don’t let your mind jump ahead to Jesus’ death and resurrection. Don’t rush straight to Sunday. Stay with me a little longer and look with fresh eyes at Friday night and Saturday. Consider, if you can, from the perspective of the largest group of Jesus’ disciples that was actually present—the women. We have several names, including many Marys, such as Jesus’ mother, His aunt Mary, Mary Magdalene, and Salome. Both Matthew and Mark mention that there were many other women; women who traveled with Him, supported His ministry, and followed Him.

Jesus treated women with dignity, respect, and value. He did not relegate them to the back of the line or pigeonhole them regarding their role. He valued them like no other man they had ever met. We see this throughout the gospels. When He heals a woman who was bent over for 18 years, the Pharisees throw a fit because it was the Sabbath. Jesus calls her a daughter of Abraham to the delight of the crowd and the chagrin of the religious leaders. The longest recorded conversation between Jesus and another person is Jesus talking to a woman; not just any woman, a Samaritan. Jews and Samaritans had a deep loathing for each other. No self-respecting Jewish Rabbi would give any Samaritan the time of day, and a Samaritan woman, on top of that — “Oy Vey!” To make matters worse, Jesus is the one who initiated the conversation.

He allows a woman with an issue of blood to touch Him; that was a big no-no. He first ignored a Canaanite woman, but she persisted in following Him. Then, He teases this Syrophoenician woman about being a puppy under the table and that bread belongs to the children. She responds right back and says, “The dogs eat the crumbs that fall from the table.” He stops and marvels at her faith, then heals her daughter. Listen to what Luke writes in Luke 8:1-4(NLT). “Soon afterward Jesus began a tour of the nearby towns and villages, preaching and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom of God. He took his twelve disciples with him, 2 along with some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases. Among them were Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons; 3 Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod’s business manager; Susanna; and many others who were contributing from their own resources to support Jesus and his disciples.”

Don’t view this with Western eyes. How extraordinary is it for men and women to travel together? You must recognize how unique and revolutionary this was at the time! Jesus heals them, delivers them, and then travels with them. Luke mentions these women traveling with Jesus by name, and on top of that, they support Him financially! Hello! Women generally did not travel with men; they were told to stay home. Jesus had men and women traveling, studying, and doing ministry together. He even had them pay the bills, including a woman named Joanna whose husband worked for Herod—the same Herod who was trying to kill Jesus. Pay attention to what Luke writes in this often-cited passage and see if you can recognize how revolutionary this Rabbi truly was. Luke 10:38-42(NKJV) “Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word.” This is usually the verse we use when we talk about not being too busy like Martha and to be more like Mary. But there’s a phrase we should not overlook: “Mary who also sat at Jesus’ feet.” “To sit at someone’s feet,” meant to be someone’s disciple. Paul used the same phrase when referencing his discipleship under Gamaliel. Acts 22:3(NKJV) “Then he said: 3 ‘I am indeed a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, taught according to the strictness of our fathers’ law, and was zealous toward God as you all are today.”

No wonder Jesus was seen as a radical. I don’t know if the church of today has ever caught up with the way Jesus treated women. No wonder they were the first and the last at the tomb and the cross. It is difficult to wrap your mind around the depth of their loss. The scene at the cross wasn’t just the faithful few; it was, in Mark’s words, “many other women.” They had hopes. They had expectations. They had dreams. Now, all their hopes and dreams lay dead in a tomb. 

Have you been there? When something you so desperately wanted and needed suddenly comes to a crushing halt, the only thing left is a gut-wrenching disappointment. You have nothing left, not even a flicker of hope, because all you relied on is gone. All that is left in its wake is a sense of duty. These women watch closely as Jesus is embalmed and laid in the tomb. It’s Friday night; the dream is dead. What’s left is simple devotion to a “Man” who changed your life. You thought, you hoped, you held your breath, but now you can only sigh, shrug your shoulders and wonder, “What now?” Because of your love for this radical Rabbi, you are going to pay Him a final act of respect. The men had their turn, and you watched them hurriedly do what needed to be done, but tomorrow, you will return and do it right. You will come back to the grave, you will anoint His body, not to change the outcome but simply to show your love.

Friday is a very tough day. Maybe you feel the pain that these women experienced. For you, it has been Friday for a long time. Sure, you’ve had moments of reprieve, but you still feel like you're stuck at a “dream in a tomb.” Maybe it’s a relationship. Maybe it’s a marriage, and the only reason you’re still around is out of duty. You have no hope that things will ever change, so you just go through the motions, but the pain is always there. Maybe it’s a loss of some kind. Whatever it might be for you, I want to encourage you with these simple words: Don’t stop, keep moving forward. Do what needs to be done. Learn from all these women at the cross and the tomb. Listen to their voices. You will hear them say: “Prepare what needs to be prepared, even if you think it won’t change the outcome.” You have to leave the outcome in the hands of the “One” who is laying in the tomb. You might think, “But wait; there’s only death in the tomb.” When you see a tomb, God sees a womb. Just get ready, be patient; the “Seed” has to die before it can live...

Prayer:

• Pray and let go of your pain to the Lord.
• Ask Him to strengthen your resolve and give you the courage to stay strong during the “Friday” you are in.
• Pray to the Lord to help you discern the true enemy of your faith and to intercede for those who have hurt you.
• Pause for a moment and thank the Lord for His comfort and love.
• Pray for others you know are hurting, and be an encourager to them.

Day Twenty-Seven
Jesus: Real, Relevant, and Radical!
Risky Business     

John 19:31-37(NLT) It was the day of preparation, and the Jewish leaders didn’t want the bodies hanging there the next day, which was the Sabbath (and a very special Sabbath, because it was Passover week). So they asked Pilate to hasten their deaths by ordering that their legs be broken. Then their bodies could be taken down. 32 So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the two men crucified with Jesus. 33 But when they came to Jesus, they saw that he was already dead, so they didn’t break his legs. 34 One of the soldiers, however, pierced his side with a spear, and immediately blood and water flowed out. 35 (This report is from an eyewitness giving an accurate account. He speaks the truth so that you also may continue to believe.) 36 These things happened in fulfillment of the Scriptures that say, “Not one of his bones will be broken,” 37 and “They will look on the one they pierced.”

38 Afterward Joseph of Arimathea, who had been a secret disciple of Jesus (because he feared the Jewish leaders), asked Pilate for permission to take down Jesus’ body. When Pilate gave permission, Joseph came and took the body away. 39 With him came Nicodemus, the man who had come to Jesus at night. He brought about seventy-five pounds of perfumed ointment made from myrrh and aloes. 40 Following Jewish burial custom, they wrapped Jesus’ body with the spices in long sheets of linen cloth. 41 The place of crucifixion was near a garden, where there was a new tomb, never used before. 42 And so, because it was the day of preparation for the Jewish Passover and since the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there.

Luke 23:50-56(NLT) Now there was a good and righteous man named Joseph. He was a member of the Jewish high council, 51 but he had not agreed with the decision and actions of the other religious leaders. He was from the town of Arimathea in Judea, and he was waiting for the Kingdom of God to come. 52 He went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. 53 Then he took the body down from the cross and wrapped it in a long sheet of linen cloth and laid it in a new tomb that had been carved out of rock. 54 This was done late on Friday afternoon, the day of preparation, as the Sabbath was about to begin.

Mark 15:42-47(NLT) This all happened on Friday, the day of preparation, the day before the Sabbath. As evening approached, 43 Joseph of Arimathea took a risk and went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. (Joseph was an honored member of the high council, and he was waiting for the Kingdom of God to come.) 44 Pilate couldn’t believe that Jesus was already dead, so he called for the Roman officer and asked if he had died yet. 45 The officer confirmed that Jesus was dead, so Pilate told Joseph he could have the body. 46 Joseph bought a long sheet of linen cloth. Then he took Jesus’ body down from the cross, wrapped it in the cloth, and laid it in a tomb that had been carved out of the rock. Then he rolled a stone in front of the entrance. 47 Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joseph saw where Jesus’ body was laid.

Matthew 27:57-61(NLT) Now when evening had come, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who himself had also become a disciple of Jesus. 58 This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be given to him. 59 When Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, 60 and laid it in his new tomb which he had hewn out of the rock; and he rolled a large stone against the door of the tomb, and departed. 61 And Mary Magdalene was there, and the other Mary, sitting opposite the tomb.

Jesus has died. The Jewish leaders did not want the bodies to be left on the cross because the next day was the Sabbath. Some victims of crucifixion could survive for days on the cross. To hasten their death, the soldiers would break the victims' bones so they could no longer pull themselves up to breathe, and they would die within minutes by asphyxiation. John writes that Jesus was already dead, so they pierced His side, and blood and water flowed out. John wants the reader to understand that he witnessed this himself and that his eyewitness account is true. By this, Jesus fulfills the Scripture in that no bone is broken (Exodus 12:46) and that His side is pierced (Zech. 12:10). 

What happens next is not just part of the story's dialogue, but essential to fulfilling Scripture. Two secret followers of Jesus, who happen to be members of the Jewish high council, take action. We are introduced to Joseph of Arimathea and are familiar with Nicodemus. Nicodemus is the Jewish leader who came to Jesus at night (because he was afraid) to ask Jesus some questions. During that conversation, Jesus told him: John 3:14-15(NLT) “And as Moses lifted up the bronze snake on a pole in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15 so that everyone who believes in him will have eternal life.”

Nicodemus knew exactly what Jesus was talking about. In John Chapter 7, we see Nicodemus defending Jesus and catches the ire of the other Pharisees. We're not sure when they became followers of Jesus, but we do know they kept it a secret out of fear of the Jewish leaders. They are witnessing all the events of that day, and something changes in these secret believers. Maybe, as they watched Jesus hanging on the cross, His words about being lifted up like Moses lifted the bronze serpent flashed through their minds. Within that hour, these religious leaders—who were highly respected, highly educated, and highly secretive, followers of Jesus, took an enormous risk. They decided to publicly show their love and respect for Jesus. Joseph of Arimathea goes to Pilate to ask for Jesus’ body. We know Joseph was wealthy because Matthew mentions it. We also understand that what they did was risky, as Mark indicates. We can probably connect the dots: a dead crucified body, a wealthy man, the governor who ordered the crucifixion, and a request for the body that is supposed to go to the dump. It was more likely a bribe, which wasn’t unusual at the time—if you had enough money, you could bribe the Roman officer in charge of dumping the body.

It was, however, unprecedented to go directly to the person who issued the order. By doing so, both Joseph and Nicodemus demonstrate their love, respect, and complete devotion to Jesus. None of the other disciples even dared to demonstrate this kind of loyalty, except for the women (girls never get enough credit). Pilate is surprised to hear that Jesus has already died and asks the Roman officer if it is true. Once it is confirmed, he allows Joseph and Nicodemus to take the body. Amidst all the disappointment, despair, anguish, hopelessness, sorrow, fear, and a sense of regret and loss, two unlikely characters take a risk that will change the world.

John 19:39-40(NLT) “With him came Nicodemus, the man who had come to Jesus at night. He brought about seventy-five pounds of perfumed ointment made from myrrh and aloes. 40 Following Jewish burial custom, they wrapped Jesus’ body with the spices in long sheets of linen cloth.”
John explains that they followed Jewish burial customs. The body was washed, anointed with ointment, and wrapped in linen. John also notes they used seventy-five pounds of ointment, meaning that, by the time they finished, the body would have gained at least a hundred pounds in weight. They wrapped both the head as well as the body, making it impossible for anyone to breathe through all the ointment and bandages. It was a full wrap. Then Joseph used his own family tomb, a new tomb hewed out of rock, and laid Jesus inside, fulfilling Isaiah 53:9(NIV): “He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth.”

Two of the most unlikely heroes: they were willing to risk, ask, or bribe a madman for Jesus’ body. Because of how they handled Jesus’ body, we are certain that He died. The Bible is filled with unlikely heroes—not in a superhero sense, but in a natural-supernatural way. By risking their own lives and reputations, we know Jesus died and was raised from the dead. Are you willing to risk for Jesus’ sake? Are you ready to step up when everyone else is running away? Are you prepared to stand before difficult people and represent Jesus well? Are you willing to risk today so that the “Body of Christ” can be fully prepared? Are you willing to risk so that future generations can know and follow Jesus?
What do you consider to be risky business for the kingdom's sake? Would you take that risk?

Prayer:

• Ask the Holy Spirit to empower you so that you can take the necessary risks.
• Pray that the Lord will reveal to you specific areas where you need to take a risk.
• Pray that the Lord grants you boldness to represent Him before others.
• Pray for your fellow believers so that together we can fulfill God’s purpose for us.

Day Twenty-Six
Jesus: Real, Relevant, and Radical!
Can You See?     

Luke 23:47-49(NLT) When the Roman officer overseeing the execution saw what had happened, he worshiped God and said, “Surely this man was innocent.” 48 And when all the crowd that came to see the crucifixion saw what had happened, they went home in deep sorrow. 49 But Jesus’ friends, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance watching.

Matthew 27:51-54(NKJV) And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit. 51 Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split, 52 and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; 53 and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many. 54 So when the centurion and those with him, who were guarding Jesus, saw the earthquake and the things that had happened, they feared greatly, saying, “Truly this was the Son of God!” 55 And many women who followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering to Him, were there looking on from afar, 56 among whom were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee’s sons.

Mark 15:37-39(NLT) And the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. 39 When the Roman officer who stood facing him saw how he had died, he exclaimed, “This man truly was the Son of God!” 40 Some women were there, watching from a distance, including Mary Magdalene, Mary (the mother of James the younger and of Joseph), and Salome. 41 They had been followers of Jesus and had cared for him while he was in Galilee. Many other women who had come with him to Jerusalem were also there. 

Jesus has breathed His final breath; He is dead. I struggle to even write these words. I struggle because I know Sunday already happened. But without Friday, Sunday could never happen. Without Friday, we wouldn't have access to God's presence. Without Friday, there is no forgiveness; there is no freedom for the sinner. Thank God for Friday! See the scene around the cross. Three different groups of people are mentioned by Matthew, Mark, and Luke. The centurion and the soldiers guarding Jesus are mentioned first. Luke mentions the crowd that came to see the crucifixion, and finally, Jesus’ followers, especially the women who ministered to Jesus during His ministry.

Three different groups of people brought together by the crucifixion of Jesus, each for their own reasons. The centurion and company are there to ensure the sentence is fully carried out. The crowds have come to watch the spectacle of Jesus on the cross. Jesus' followers are there in total disbelief; they have come to mourn. Each group focused on Jesus, albeit, for different reasons. Jesus represents different things to all of them. To the centurion, He is a failed revolutionary. To the crowd, He is a failed Messiah. To His followers, He is hope gone awry.  

Matthew, in his writing style, provides us with an overview. He blends the present and the future. He describes Jesus dying, the veil tearing, an earthquake occurring, and rocks splitting. Then he jumps to Sunday and discusses the resurrection of some saints who came out of their graves after Jesus was raised. He moves from the cross, to the Temple, to the tomb, and back to the cross. Finally, he mentions the centurion and soldiers and how terrified they were.

The crowd, however, only saw Jesus as a meal ticket. John 6:24-26 (NLT) “So when the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they got into the boats and went across to Capernaum to look for him. 25 They found him on the other side of the lake and asked, ‘Rabbi, when did you get here?’ 26 Jesus replied, ‘I tell you the truth, you want to be with me because I fed you, not because you understood the miraculous signs.’”

A large crowd followed Jesus because of His miracles and healings. He climbs a hill and sits down with His disciples around Him. John writes and says, “It is close to Passover.” Jesus knows what He is about to do, but He tests Philip by asking him where they can buy bread to feed all these people. We know what happens next; Jesus feeds the crowd with a young boy’s lunch. The crowd is so thrilled they try to force Him to be their King; so, He left. Jesus knows that the only reason the crowd is following Him is because of what He can give them. He tells them they don’t understand the true meaning of the miracle. They boast about the manna when the true Bread from heaven is in their midst. Jesus is simply a means to an end for them. Now, at the cross, their feeling is “Blow out the lamp; the party is over.” They leave the cross with deep sorrow.

The followers of Jesus are in complete shock. We know they shouldn’t be, but they are. The words “It is finished,” meant that all their hopes, all their dreams, all their aspirations, are ending on a Roman cross. The writers of the gospels all remarked that they are standing at a distance. Luke says, “But Jesus’ friends, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance watching.” Matthew says, “And many women who followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering to Him, were there looking on from afar.” Mark says, “Some women were there, watching from a distance.” To say that they are disillusioned would be trite. They are standing at a distance trying to reconcile the Jesus they ministered with for three years with the Jesus that is now hanging dead on the cross. It reminds us again of a conversation Jesus had with Philip, the same guy He tested with the miracle of the fish and loaves.  John 14:8-9(NLT) “Philip said, ‘Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.’ 9 Jesus replied, ‘Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and yet you still don’t know who I am? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father! So why are you asking me to show him to you?’” Is it possible to be around Jesus and not really know Jesus? How many times did He tell them that this was His destiny? He also told them, “See you on Sunday” and gave them the address for the party. Matthew 26:32(NLT) “But after I have been raised from the dead, I will go ahead of you to Galilee and meet you there.” Now, at the cross, they are staring from a distance and leave with regret.

The centurion is simply there to do a job. He has no agenda except to do what needs to be done. He must ensure that Jesus dies. He is not mourning like the crowd. Unlike the disciples, he is not at a distance grieving with regret. He is the closest to the cross. Mark says the centurion is facing Jesus and witnesses how Jesus dies. The next shout at the cross is from a sinner’s mouth: “Truly this was the Son of God!” When the veil is torn and the rocks split, the centurion and his crew are riddled with fear. Why? I believe he has a revelation. All throughout Scripture, when heaven intersects earth, whether through angelic visitations or God’s presence, the first response is always fear! It is the sinner closest to the Savior who sees Him for Who He truly is. The centurion does not leave in sorrow, nor does he leave with regret; he simply worships.

How is it that the sinner worships, the crowd cries, and the disciples stare? You need a revelation at the cross to truly worship. If you simply look at the cross without the revelation of the cross, you will only be able to mourn. Jesus will only seem like a tragedy to you. Standing at a distance, you will only be disappointed. You must come to the cross to see. Come without any agenda. The closer you are to the cross, the clearer you'll see Who is on it. How close are you to the cross?

Praise is an act of gratitude for what I have received. Worship is an act of awe for what has been revealed. Before you leave the cross, make sure you have the revelation of Who was on that cross. When you do, you won’t leave with sorrow; you won’t leave with regret. Instead, you will simply worship and declare, “This is the Son of God!” 

Who He is to you will shape how you see the future. Who is He to you?



Who is He to You?

To the Father, He was the sacrifice that had to be made.
To the chief priests and elders, He was a blasphemer who needed to be silenced.
To Judas, He was greed to be satisfied.
To Peter, He was a betrayal to be regretted.
To Pontius Pilate, He was a nuisance to be rid of.
To Pilate’s wife, He was a mistake to be avoided.
To Herod, He was a threat to a throne. 
To the people, He was a heretic to be crucified.
To Barabbas, He was a get-out-of-jail-card to be exploited.
To the soldiers, he was a prisoner to be abused
To Simon of Cyrene, He was a cross needed to be carried.
To the first thief on the cross, He was a man to be mocked.
To the second thief, He was the hope of a last chance.
To John, He was the Savior to remain with.
To Mary His mother, He was a Son to be mourned.
To Mary of Magdalene, He was redemption to be held onto.
To Joseph of Arimathea, He was a friend to be buried.
To the guards, He was a dead man to be guarded.
To the grave, He was the King that could not be held.
To the angel, He was the Living Lord who had risen.
To us, He is God who makes the impossible possible!
The cross speaks and asks a final question: “Who is He to you today?”

Prayer:

• Take a moment to stand in awe at the foot of the cross.
• Worship Him for who He is.
• Pray that the cross will never become familiar to you, but forever a revelation.
• Pray for the Lord to touch people you know who need a revelation of Jesus.

Day Twenty-Five
Jesus: Real, Relevant, Raw and Radical!
Access Granted     

Luke 23:44(NLT) By this time it was about noon, and darkness fell across the whole land until three o’clock. 45 The light from the sun was gone. And suddenly, the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn down the middle. 46 Then Jesus shouted, “Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands!” And with those words he breathed his last.

Matthew 27:50-51(NLT) And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit. 51 Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split,

Mark 15:37-38(NLT) Then Jesus uttered another loud cry and breathed his last. 38 And the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom.

Life is filled with places and events that we would term “limited access allowed.” For example, at sporting events, certain areas are only accessible to a select few. The same applies at airports, where different categories of access depend on how frequently you fly. Airlines, for instance, have tiers like diamond, platinum, gold, silver, or “rock,” and your status determines whether you can board the plane or end up flying on the wing. Access always comes with a cost. Pay a fee, and you gain entry to various things. The more you pay, the greater your access.

Adam and Eve had full access to God's Presence. They enjoyed unbroken fellowship with the Father. But because of sin, they were expelled from the Garden. Genesis 3:23-24 (NLT) “So the Lord God banished them from the Garden of Eden, and he sent Adam out to cultivate the ground from which he had been made. 24 After sending them out, the Lord God stationed mighty cherubim to the east of the Garden of Eden. And he placed a flaming sword that flashed back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life.”

We see that the Lord God places the cherubim to guard access to the Garden that led the way to the tree of life. When the Lord commands Moses to build the tabernacle, He gives him clear instructions. The tabernacle housed the Ark of the Covenant, which was covered by two cherubim, which was symbolic of the presence of God. To separate the Holy Place from the Most Holy, there was a veil. Exodus 26:31(ESV): “And you shall make a veil of blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen. It shall be made with cherubim skillfully worked into it.”

It was the same when Solomon built the temple: 2 Chronicles 3:14 (NIV) says, “He made the curtain of blue, purple and crimson yarn and fine linen, with cherubim worked into it.” V33 (ESV) states, “And you shall hang the veil from the clasps, and bring the ark of the testimony in there within the veil. And the veil shall separate for you the Holy Place from the Most Holy.”

The main purpose of the veil was to separate the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies. In the temple built by Herod (which took over 80 years), the veil measured 60 feet long and 30 feet wide. It was large and heavy, requiring 300 priests to maneuver it. No one could simply enter the temple freely. The priests could work in the outer court and enter the Holy Place, but not into the Holy of Holies. That space was reserved exclusively for the high priest, and only on the Day of Atonement. Sinful man could not enter the presence of the Most Holy God; doing so meant death. 

Hebrews 10:11-14(NLT) “Under the old covenant, the priest stands and ministers before the altar day after day, offering the same sacrifices again and again, which can never take away sins. 12 But our High Priest offered himself to God as a single sacrifice for sins, good for all time. Then he sat down in the place of honor at God’s right hand. 13 There he waits until his enemies are humbled and made a footstool under his feet. 14 For by that one offering he forever made perfect those who are being made holy.”

Jesus, rejected by Annas and Caiaphas, the former and current high priests, became the only Perfect High Priest accepted by the Father. Jesus took Caiaphas’ job...Matthew 26:64 (NKJV) “Jesus said to him, ‘It is as you said. Nevertheless, I say to you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven.’”

Jesus shouts, and when He yields up His Spirit, the very thing that separated us from the presence of God is torn apart. It’s not just torn; it’s ripped in two. Luke tells us it was torn down the middle, rendering it obsolete. There’s no going back. It is ripped from top to bottom. I can envision the Father grabbing the veil and ripping it in two, like someone tearing up a bad contract. The Father is saying, “Now they can have what I always wanted them to have, My Presence.” We now have full access to the Father. Our High Priest’s body was torn, and He has become a new and living way for us. Hebrews 10:19-20 (NLT) “And so, dear brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter heaven’s Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus. 20 By his death, Jesus opened a new and life-giving way through the curtain into the Most Holy Place.”

The first Adam faced the devil in the Garden and failed. The Second Adam won. Jesus did not just make a way for us to enter into the presence of God; He is the way for us to enter into the Father’s presence. He is more than just the way; He is also the door. His flesh was torn and ripped apart for us so that we can experience fellowship with the Father. Jesus is also our High Priest (Caiaphas got permanently canned) over God’s House. 21 “And since we have a great High Priest who rules over God’s house...” You have the keys to the greatest House. You don’t have to wait in line. (Glory! I hate lines.) You have access to beauty beyond description. You don’t have to buy a membership, you don’t have to fly a million miles, and you don’t have to pay a monthly fee (tithing isn’t your fee). You can simply go in! When you walk through “the Door” and follow “the Way,” you’ll find yourself always welcome in your Father’s house.

The Hebrew writer clearly explains what Jesus has done for us and then encourages us to take several actions: Hebrews 10:22-25(NLT) “Let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting him. For our guilty consciences have been sprinkled with Christ’s blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. 24 Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. 25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.”

Let us go into God’s presence, hold tightly to the hope we affirm, think of ways to motivate one another, and come together! All of this is because of Jesus. The veil is torn; Jesus spoke the final words on that: “Father, into Your Hands I commit My Spirit.” What a privilege we have to enter into the very presence of God — not just simply enter, but enter boldly. We don’t have to tread lightly. We don’t have to grovel on our hands and knees. We don’t have to fear rejection.

Considering the price Jesus paid for us to have access to the Father, why is it hard for us to pray?

You have full access. What are you waiting for? Go in!

Prayer:

• Take time to be in the presence of the Lord; just simply rest.
• Thank the Lord Jesus that He is your High Priest.
• Pray to the Lord to help you reaffirm your hope in His promise.
• Pray that you will have creative ideas to motivate others to do good.

Day Twenty-Four
Jesus: Real, Relevant, and Radical!
It is Finished   

Mark 15:23(NLT) They offered him wine drugged with myrrh, but he refused it.

John 19:28-30(NIV) Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” 29 A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. 30 When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

Twice on the cross, Jesus was offered something to drink. The first drink was wine mixed with myrrh. This drink was given as an act of mercy, paid for by an association of Jewish women in Jerusalem. It was a way of lessening consciousness to help alleviate the pain of those who were executed. Jesus refused it. He was determined to face the agony and pain of the cross fully conscious. Fulfilling what Isaiah prophesied in Isaiah 50:6-7(NLT) “I offered my back to those who beat me and my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard. I did not hide my face from mockery and spitting. 7 Because the Sovereign Lord helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore, I have set my face like a stone, determined to do his will. And I know that I will not be put to shame,” 

Jesus set His face like a flint. Flintstone is very hard, and if you strike it against metal, it sparks. If you think Sylvester Stallone is the first “Rocky,” you are wrong. Jesus is, and will forever be our Rock. Jesus refuses to take the easy way. Then, John comes along and writes these incredible words: “Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled”, Jesus said, ‘I am thirsty.” John makes a profound statement, saying Jesus knew that everything that needed to be done to fulfill the Scripture was finished. Then He speaks and says, “I am thirsty”. They offered Jesus wine vinegar or sour wine. This drink is made of grape juice and yeast. Like we said yesterday, it was used as a refreshing drink by soldiers and farm workers. They soaked a sponge, then lifted it to Jesus’ mouth. To do this, they used the stalk of a hyssop plant. Jesus refuses the first drink (wine drugged with myrrh) but accepts the second one, which is wine vinegar.

I believe Jesus drinks the second drink for two reasons. First, He drinks because what follows completely fulfills Scripture. Yeast is used in the Bible as a symbol for sin. Jesus is the perfect Passover Lamb because He has no sin within Himself. By drinking the fermented wine vinegar, Jesus shows that He has taken the sin of the world upon Himself. Remember what Moses told the Israelites: Exodus 12(NLT) V5 “The animal you select must be a one-year-old male, either a sheep or a goat, with no defects.”

V8 That same night they must roast the meat over a fire and eat it along with bitter salad greens and bread made without yeast.”

“V22 Take a bunch of hyssop and dip it in the blood that is in the basin, and touch the lintel and the two doorposts with the blood that is in the basin. None of you shall go out of the door of his house until the morning.”

We see in the Bible (Leviticus 14) that hyssop was used for the ceremonial cleansing of people and places. David, after he sinned, prayed this in Psalm 51:7(ESV) “Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.” The blood of the lambs was applied to the doorposts during Passover, and once the blood was applied, no one was allowed to go out until the next morning. By going through the door that has the blood of the lambs applied to it, the Israelites are saved. We, by going through the Door who is Christ, receive forgiveness for our sin through His blood. The Holy Spirit applies the Blood of Jesus to our lives and acts like the Divine Hyssop that cleanses us completely.

Secondly, Jesus drinks to make a proclamation that everyone can hear. Just like a soldier who has completed his orders from his commanding officer, Jesus drinks. Just like a worker who has finished planting seeds for a harvest, Jesus drinks. Jesus, our victorious Champion, has won the battle. Jesus, the Promised Seed that would crush the serpent's head, is finished. Genesis 3:15(NKJV) “And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel.”

Galatians 3:16(NIV) “The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. Scripture does not say ‘and to seeds,’ meaning many people, but ‘and to your seed’ meaning one person, who is Christ. The Seed that would release many from the curse of the law has come. 19(a) Why, then, was the law given at all? It was added because of transgressions until the Seed to whom the promise referred had come.”

The law could not save us, but the Seed of Abraham will save us. Jesus wanted everyone to hear this message. John makes it clear that Jesus knew what was going on around Him. He is not in a derelict semi-conscious state. He is fully aware. He understands that He is the Passover Lamb. He knows He is the Door. He knows we all need to hear these words: “IT IS FINISHED.” Do you feel the weight of those words? Let them resonate deeply within your soul. What is finished? The old is finished. The blood of bulls and goats is no longer needed. No more waiting in line to make an offering for sin. No more waiting for the high priest to emerge from behind the veil and breathe a sigh of relief for another year. God's presence is no longer confined to a temple; we are now His temple.

Jesus completely fulfills all requirements of the law. Everything I could not do, no matter how hard I tried, He nailed it to the cross. Colossians 2:14-15(NLT) “He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. 15 In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross.”

If your heart is heavy with the guilt of your sin, remind yourself that it is finished. When the devil reminds you of your past, remind him that he is finished. Yes! Jubilee has come. Freedom for the captives has arrived. The weight of my own sin is dealt with at the cross. Our Champion has finished the battle and emerged victorious. Just like a Champion, Jesus finishes with a Victor’s cry. How does He do it? He started by quoting the first verse of Psalm 22, and He ends by quoting the last. See if you recognize these words.

Psalm 22:30-31(AMP) “Posterity will serve Him; They will tell of the Lord to the next generation.31 They will come and declare His righteousness to a people yet to be born—that He has done it [and that it is finished].”

Prayer:

• Cast all your anxiety, fears, and guilt on Him.
• Thank the Lord Jesus for His complete and finished work on the cross.
• Ask the Holy Spirit to empower you to live in the freedom that Jesus bought for you.
• Pray that others will experience this freedom, which can only be accessed by going through the Door.

Day Twenty-Three
Jesus: Real, Relevant, Raw and Radical!
Are you willing?   

Matthew 27:45-49(NLT) Now from the sixth hour until the ninth hour there was darkness over all the land. 46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” 47 Some of those who stood there, when they heard that, said, “This Man is calling for Elijah!” 48 Immediately one of them ran and took a sponge, filled it with sour wine and put it on a reed, and offered it to Him to drink. 49 The rest said, “Let Him alone; let us see if Elijah will come to save Him.”

Mark 15:33-36(NLT) At noon, darkness fell across the whole land until three o’clock. 34 Then at three o’clock Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” 35 Some of the bystanders misunderstood and thought he was calling for the prophet Elijah. 36 One of them ran and filled a sponge with sour wine, holding it up to him on a reed stick so he could drink. “Wait!” he said. “Let’s see whether Elijah comes to take him down!”

The moment darkness is lifted, Jesus speaks. He utters words that immediately provoke a response from the onlookers and words that will echo throughout eternity. His words are both revealing and fulfilling. They help us to get a glimpse of what He experiences while veiled in darkness. “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” These words are revelatory because they reveal the depth of sacrifice and the measure of judgment; the sacrifice of God in the flesh, who becomes the very object of judgment for sin. However, they are also fulfilling because they come straight from Scripture. Jesus quotes Psalm 22:1(NLT) “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?”

David wrote Psalm 22 as a Psalm of Lament. It expresses a cry to God in times of deep despair, anguish, and pain. It describes the suffering, failure, loss, and ultimately, trust in God. Jesus is not questioning the Father by what He prays. He is quoting Scripture and, thereby, showing His ultimate trust in the Father’s plan. Jesus was not, at any moment, surprised by what He had to go through. He was not surprised by His suffering before the cross or on the cross. When they came to arrest Him, and Peter did his best impression of a pirate, Jesus said in John 18:11(NLT) “But Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword back into its sheath. Shall I not drink from the cup of suffering the Father has given me?’”

Throughout the gospels, Jesus mentions the extent of His suffering, the manner of His death, as well as His resurrection. Jesus pressed through the suffering in Gethsemane. He was resolute as He suffered by the hand of man. Jesus willingly suffered the Father's wrath on the cross. The amount of suffering Jesus experienced will never need to be repeated. Jesus suffered once and for all. No other sacrifice is needed anymore. No lamb needs to be sacrificed because the Lamb of God was sacrificed. Jesus is on the cross because of the Father’s plan. The only way for mankind to be redeemed back to God is through an offering for sin. Jesus becomes that offering of sin. Acts 2:22-23(LB) “O men of Israel, listen! God publicly endorsed Jesus of Nazareth by doing tremendous miracles through him, as you well know. 23 But God, following his prearranged plan, let you use the Roman government to nail him to the cross and murder him.” 

The agony of the cross is not only evident in the words Jesus speaks but also in how others respond to what He said. Suddenly, the mocking turns to concern. If you think I am over reaching here, just read on after Jesus has died. You will see that the crowd leaves in sorrow, which gives us some insight into the grief in Jesus’ cry. They suddenly want to hear what He has to say. So, they offer Him a drink that would clear His mind. Sour wine was a drink that soldiers and field workers drank to refresh themselves on hot days. This is what Jesus was offered (more on this later). Is He calling for Elijah? These people have just experienced darkness that lasted for three hours. This darkness has no natural explanation. Trust me, they wanted to hear, and they expected to see.

Jesus would speak three more phrases from the cross, and then He would die. All of this pain and suffering, all of God’s wrath poured out on Jesus, Jesus would endure all of it, and He did it willingly. No one forced Him. No one coerced Him. No one made Him do it. No one took His life. Jesus volunteered for this. Listen to His own words in John 17:17-18(NLT) “The Father loves me because I sacrifice my life so I may take it back again. 18 No one can take my life from me. I sacrifice it voluntarily. For I have the authority to lay it down when I want to and also to take it up again. For this is what my Father has commanded.”

In Jesus, there is only complete submission to the Father’s will. There was nothing that Jesus suffered that was not commanded by the Father. Everything Jesus endured was done willingly. Jesus did all of it for me! He saves me. He rescues me. He suffers in my place. He does all of this willingly, without grumbling or resisting. Knowing what Jesus has done for us should give us the impetus to obey Him completely. I have to ask myself, “Why do I struggle to lay down my life for Him when He so willingly laid down His for me? Why am I so quick to make excuses instead of simply obeying? Why do I find ways to justify my lack of passion when all I see in Him is passion? Why am I not more passionate about what He is passionate about? Jesus loves people; why do I struggle to love them?”

“What can possibly motivate me to live for myself when Jesus has clearly asked me to live for others? Why do I complain about things that won't matter in eternity? Why do I feel sorry for myself instead of giving myself away? Why do I constantly want to quit when my eyes should be on the finish line? Why? Why am I abandoning my responsibility in exchange for temporary rewards?” You might find the answer too simplistic for your taste (but I am talking about me, not you). Maybe, just maybe, I am not willing like Jesus is willing...

How can I become more willing? By doing what the Hebrew writer encourages me to do. Hebrews 12:2-4(MSG) “Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. 3 When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls! 4 In this all-out match against sin, others have suffered far worse than you, to say nothing of what Jesus went through—all that bloodshed! So don’t feel sorry for yourselves.

Here is Jesus’ recipe for cultivating a willing mentality:

• Keep your eyes on Jesus. 
• Study how He did it. 
• Don’t lose sight of where you’re headed. 
• Put up with whatever comes. 
• Return to the cross as many times as necessary. 
• Fight sin with all your might. 
• Stop acting like a crybaby. 
• Repeat as needed...

Prayer:

• Pray: “Father, give me a willing heart just like Jesus...”

Day Twenty-Two
Jesus: Real, Relevant, and Radical!
Who turned off the Light?    

Luke 23:44-45b(NLT) By this time it was about noon, and darkness fell across the whole land until three o’clock. 45 The light from the sun was gone.

Matthew 27:45(NLT) Now from the sixth hour until the ninth hour there was darkness over all the land.

Mark 15:33(NLT) At noon, darkness fell across the whole land until three o’clock.

1 Peter 1:10-12(NKJV) Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you, 11 searching what, or what manner of time, the Spirit of Christ who was in them was indicating when He testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. 12 To them it was revealed that, not to themselves, but to us they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things which angels desire to look into.

Light! What a gift. What a beautiful sight it is to see the birth of a new day as the sun rises over the horizon—daylight, sunshine, a new day full of opportunities and possibilities. As a young boy, I would spend a lot of time on my grandparents’ farm. If you know anything about farm life, you'd know that on a farm, you wake up early before the sun ever has a chance to say, “Hello.” We’d get busy with milking cows and letting animals out to pasture. Then we’d go back up to the house for a quick breakfast and continue the day. If we lingered too long, my grandpa would say, “C’mon boys, we are burning daylight. Let’s get out there.” Because the day is when you work.

Jesus has been on the cross for three hours. Mark tells us that Jesus was crucified at 9:00 AM. He spoke to the criminal on the cross beside Him, and to Mary and John. Then, at noon, something incredible happens: darkness falls on the earth. We have no insight from any gospel writers as to why this occurs, but we know that it did. This was not simply an eclipse that could be explained naturally. Luke simply states, “The light from the sun was gone.” After all the mocking, taunting, and abuse, suddenly, darkness. We can only assume that this darkness brings an eerie stillness. All the verbal abuse has ceased. No one is uttering a word, and in this stillness, the Son of Man hangs on the cross. It seems like no one is permitted to see what is happening now. The collective noise—from the whirlwind arrest, to the kangaroo court appearances, to the deafening screams of “crucify Him”—is suddenly and utterly silenced. Someone turned the lights off on planet earth. In the middle of the day, when the sun should be shining brightest, darkness falls. What are we to make of this moment? The power and mystery of the cross of Christ are so sacred that it’s easy to be overwhelmed by it. The cross is both brutal and beautiful. It is shocking and compelling. It is filled with sorrow and joy. It is filled with darkness and light. Could this be what Amos saw? Amos 8:9 (ESV) “‘And on that day,’ declares the Lord God, ‘I will make the sun go down at noon and darken the earth in broad daylight.’”

Has the Father now veiled what the Son is experiencing? Is it covered in darkness because neither man nor angels could comprehend the suffering? Is this the moment the perfect, spotless Lamb takes on Himself the sin of the world? By doing so, the Father is pouring out what sin warrants: judgment. Isaiah 53:10-11(NKJV) “Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise Him; He has put Him to grief. When You make His soul an offering for sin, He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days, And the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in His hand. 11 He shall see the labor of His soul, and be satisfied. By His knowledge My righteous Servant shall justify many, For He shall bear their iniquities.”

For three hours, there is complete darkness. In the Book of Exodus, a very similar experience occurs before Israel is released from bondage. The last judgment on the land of Egypt, right before the death of the firstborn, is three days of darkness. Exodus 10:22-23 (NLT) “So Moses lifted his hand to the sky, and a deep darkness covered the entire land of Egypt for three days. 23 During all that time the people could not see each other, and no one moved. But there was light as usual where the people of Israel lived.”

At the cross and beyond, no one is scurrying around doing business as usual. No one can work. No one can worship. No one can offer a Passover lamb until Christ’s work is complete. Jesus, our Passover Lamb, is offering Himself as the sin offering for us so that we can be freed from the bondage of sin. The Father turns off the light and places on Him the sin of the world. A sacred exchange, whereby Jesus gives His life and bears the penalty for our sin. That is only possible because of His sinless sacrifice. What wonder! What awe! Jesus makes this statement in John 8:12(NLT) “Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, ‘I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.’”

The Pharisees freak out because they argue Jesus has no witnesses to support His claim so, therefore, His claim is invalid. Jesus responds that His claim is valid because He (Jesus) is one witness, and the Father is the other witness. Then later on Jesus makes this statement: 28 “So Jesus said, ‘When you have lifted up the Son of Man on the cross, then you will understand that I am he.’” Now at the cross, Jesus is lifted up just as He said, and everyone witnesses the Son of Man on the cross. But now in the veil of darkness, only the Father and the Son are able to witness what is taking place. It is no wonder that the psalmist, looking forward to that day, would proclaim: “The stone that the builders rejected has now become the cornerstone. 23 This is the Lord’s doing, and it is wonderful to see. 24 This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.”

Thank God for His incredible sacrifice. We no longer have to walk in darkness. Jesus, the Light of the world, has become the Life of our world. John 1:4-5(NIV) “In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.’”

The only thing we will have without the Son is darkness. But thank God we don’t have to grapple in darkness or cower in fear because Jesus stepped into the darkness, and the darkness could not overcome Him. If today you feel surrounded by darkness or the weight of life pressing down on you, I have good news. Malachi 4:2 (NLT) “But for you who fear my name, the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in his wings. And you will go free, leaping with joy like calves let out to pasture.”

The Father has made His Son sin for us so that the light of His Son will be the Sun of Righteousness in our lives. So do a little dance, take a joyful leap, and let the “Son” shine in!

Prayer:
•Thank God for Jesus and the price He paid for us.
•Seek the Lord's help to walk in the power of Jesus' Life.
•Pray for those who are still trapped in the darkness of their sin.
•Pray that you will be salt and light to others, and that your life will create a thirst for Jesus in them and provide guidance to the lost.

Day Twenty-One
Jesus: Real, Relevant, and Radical!
What About Mom?    

John 19:25-27(NLT) Standing near the cross were Jesus’ mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary (the wife of Clopas), and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus saw his mother standing there beside the disciple he loved, he said to her, “Dear woman, here is your son.” 27And he said to this disciple, “Here is your mother.” And from then on this disciple took her into his home.

Standing near the cross was Mary. Mary, the woman who birthed the very Son of God. Mary, the mother of Jesus. What is going through her mind as she stands there looking at Jesus? Imagine the pain, the agony, the range of emotions. In my mind’s eye, I see the women holding onto each other for support—Mary holding her sister Mary, who is holding Mary Magdalene. Tears are flowing down their cheeks as they look at the unrecognizable face of Jesus. As Jesus’ blood flows from the cross, Mary’s tears fall to the ground. The urge to do something must have been overwhelming; the anguish within her soul is unbearable. Moms are quick to run to their children when they get hurt or even just scrape a knee. They are always ready to put on a band-aid or kiss the pain away. Mary must have felt helpless. As she weeps, she remembers...

There are very few things that can compare to the joy of being a Mom. (I have it from two reliable sources, my wife and my mother). The joy of having children is one of life's greatest blessings (until they hit their teens). We all enter this world through our mothers' wombs. There’s no other way to get here. Jesus came into this world just like us. He was born of a woman. “But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law.”

For Jesus, that woman is Mary. The gospels don’t record much about Mary because the focus is on Jesus, not Mary. But we know several things about Mary. She was a righteous woman, willing to obey God despite the risks to her life. She knew God's Word and kept the Word of God in her heart. She gave birth under difficult circumstances and had to flee to Egypt with Joseph and Jesus. After they returned, they settled in Nazareth. Everything seemed quite ordinary. They made trips to Jerusalem for sacred festivals, and at one point, losing Jesus during one of these trips. As time passed and Jesus grew older, they were invited to a wedding. John 2:3-5 (NLT): “The wine supply ran out during the festivities, so Jesus’ mother told him, ‘They have no more wine.’ 4 ‘Dear woman, that’s not our problem,’ Jesus replied. ‘My time has not yet come.’ 5 But his mother told the servants, ‘Do whatever he tells you.’”

Mary is quite assertive, and Jesus is very matter-of-fact. Like many moms today, she seems to ignore Jesus’ response and told the servants, “Do whatever He tells you.” The first miracle recorded for us appears to be because of Mary. Mary knew that Jesus was more than just her Son, but He was her Son nonetheless. As Jesus starts His itinerant preaching, Mark records something very interesting for us. Mark 3:20-21 (NLT) “One time Jesus entered a house, and the crowds began to gather again. Soon he and his disciples couldn’t even find time to eat. 21 When his family heard what was happening, they tried to take him away. ‘He’s out of his mind,’ they said.”

Jesus’ family thinks He is crazy, and they try to come and get poor “delusional” Jesus. We don’t know who from the family initially came to try and get Jesus, but Mark records that later on, His mother shows up with all of Jesus’ brothers in tow. Mark 3:31-35 (NLT): “Then Jesus’ mother and brothers came to see him. They stood outside and sent word for him to come out and talk with them. 32 There was a crowd sitting around Jesus, and someone said, ‘Your mother and your brothers are outside asking for you.’ 33 Jesus replied, ‘Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?’ 34 Then he looked at those around him and said, ‘Look, these are my mother and brothers. 35 Anyone who does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.’”

Notice, they stay outside. Maybe Jesus’ brothers and sisters think He has gone over the deep end. I mean, He believes He’s the Messiah. So, let’s get Mom to try and talk some sense into Him. Family can be difficult to love. Mary remembers. She recalls when it was the Sabbath, and they went to the Synagogue. Jesus stood up to read. He read from Isaiah, and when He finished, He claimed to be the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy. Mary remembers how angry the people got. They were so upset they wanted to push Him off a cliff. She could see the tension building. She could hear the angry insults. “We know His family,” the people scoffed. Despite that, she witnessed and heard Jesus healing the sick, and giving mothers back their dead children. She remembered Him feeding the multitudes. She saw the crowds. She heard the words coming out of Jesus’ mouth. Then the glorious entry into Jerusalem... suddenly, everything spiraled out of control.

Now standing at the foot of the cross, she wonders, “Why?” Little does she know, it was for her. “Why would anyone do this to my Son? He did nothing but heal and bless. Sure, He made some others mad, but to do this to Him...” It feels like someone stuck a knife in her heart. Then she remembers. She remembers when they took Jesus to the Temple. Luke 2:34-34(NLT) “Then Simeon blessed them, and he said to Mary, the baby’s mother, ‘This child is destined to cause many in Israel to fall, and many others to rise. He has been sent as a sign from God, but many will oppose him. 35 As a result, the deepest thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your very soul.’”

Simeon told her, and he was right. Her heart is broken; her soul is pierced. Then Jesus sees her, and their eyes lock. Next to Mary is the disciple Jesus loved (John). Jesus then utters some of the most loving words a child can say to their mother. “Mom, I will make sure that you are taken care of.” No one has to wonder what will happen to Mom. Jesus, up to His final breath, obeys the law. Honor your father and your mother. Not at any moment of Jesus’ life or death does He live for Himself. He was destined to die on that cross, and He did so willingly. He demonstrates His love through every word He speaks and every action He takes. In His greatest moments of pain, He forgives, He promises eternal life, and He takes care of His natural responsibility—His mother.

Family can be difficult to love. Sometimes they think you’re crazy. Sometimes they all show up, including mom, to stop you. But we are called to love, just like Jesus. Can we love like that? Or do we protest and say, “But I am not Jesus?” You are right. But if we say we love Him, we must love others, including those we find difficult to love.

Jesus entrusts the care of the woman who cared for Him to someone He trusts. Love can be trusted to do what needs to be done. Can you be trusted? Do you love Jesus enough for Him to trust you with His bride? He trusted John with His mother. Now, He is trusting us with His bride. 

John 13:34(NLT) “So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other.”

The next time you are tempted to mistreat a brother or sister in Christ, remember that they are Jesus’ bride. As members of God's family, one day we will all participate in the marriage supper of the Lamb. I assure you: we won't run out of wine, but just in case, make sure you sit close to Mary...

Prayer:

• Pray for God’s family to love one another.
• Ask the Lord who you should reach out to this week. Do it!
• Pray for the family members you find it difficult to get along with.
• Ask the Lord to empower you with His love so that you can focus on your responsibilities instead of your rights.

Day Twenty
Jesus: Real, Relevant, and Radical!
The Last Word   

John 19:19-22(NIV) Pilate had a notice prepared and fastened to the cross. It read: Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews. 20 Many of the Jews read this sign, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and the sign was written in Aramaic, Latin and Greek. 21 The chief priests of the Jews protested to Pilate, “Do not write ‘The King of the Jews,’ but that this man claimed to be king of the Jews.” 22 Pilate answered, “What I have written, I have written.”

Isaiah 53:3(NIV) He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem.

The volatile relationship that existed between Pilate and the Jewish people, especially the Jewish leaders, is clearly seen throughout their interactions. Saying they did not like each other is a gross understatement of epic proportions. “Loathing” would be a much more appropriate term; two groups bound by nothing but their hatred for each other. This is clear during Jesus’ trial, with the back-and-forth exchanges. The angry, hostile, charged atmosphere is clearly evident. We know Pilate did not want to crucify Jesus, but he ultimately gave in because of the Jewish leaders’ threats. However, Pilate had one more trick up his sleeve. He knew he couldn’t avoid ordering Jesus’ crucifixion, but he wanted to have the last word.

Crucifixion was more than just a punishment for criminals; it served as a way for Rome to demonstrate its absolute authority. “We are in charge, and if you cross us, you will end up on a cross.” Therefore, it was common to have a sign displaying the name of the person being crucified and their crime. In this way, people could “read it and weep,” if you will. Pilate had the sign inscribed in three languages: Aramaic, the local language; Greek, the most common language; and Latin, the official language of the Roman Empire. This ensured that anyone who could read would be able to understand it. As a passive-aggressive move, Pilate had the sign read: “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.”

This was neither a sign of respect nor an acknowledgment of Jesus as King. It was outright mockery and a final insult to the Jewish leaders. That’s why they approached Pilate and demanded that the sign be changed to, “This man claimed to be the king of the Jews.” Pilate refused. This was the ultimate “diss” toward Jesus. For Pilate, it was a way to deliver one more jab to the Jewish leaders. Jesus was rejected, despised, held in low esteem, and given a mockery of a title. All the collusion, hostility, and evil collaboration now finally came to fruition with Jesus on the cross. It might seem they would have the last word. Have you ever heard the phrase, “famous last words”? It definitely fits here. Luke writes in the following manner in Acts 4:25-28 (NLT)  

“You spoke long ago by the Holy Spirit through our ancestor David, your servant, saying, ‘Why were the nations so angry? Why did they waste their time with futile plans? 26 The kings of the earth prepared for battle; the rulers gathered together against the Lord and against his Messiah.’ 27 In fact, this has happened here in this very city! For Herod Antipas, Pontius Pilate the governor, the Gentiles, and the people of Israel were all united against Jesus, your holy servant, whom you anointed. 28 But everything they did was determined beforehand according to your will.”

He reiterates what Peter said in His sermon at Pentecost: Acts 2:23(NLT) “But God knew what would happen, and his prearranged plan was carried out when Jesus was betrayed. With the help of lawless Gentiles, you nailed him to a cross and killed him.” All the plotting and conspiring. All the anger and brutality. All the mockery and rejection. The betrayal and insults. Through it all, God has the last word. God uses the hatred and envy of the Jewish leaders to accomplish His purpose. God uses Herod’s mockery to reveal the Messiah. God uses the brutality of the Roman soldiers to fulfill prophecy. God uses Pilate’s sarcasm as His first tool of evangelism. Jesus, the King of the Jews, is displayed for everyone to see and understand in their own languages. The final word belongs to the Father!

Acts 2:36(NLT) “So let everyone in Israel know for certain that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, to be both Lord and Messiah!” 

Knowing that my Father has the last word, brings me incredible comfort and peace, regardless of what I may be going through or facing. No matter who opposes me or what conspirators might be scheming, my Father is aware. No matter what illegal or evil desires are being birthed, my Father knows. The arrogance of the human heart is on display when we think we can plan without the Father’s knowledge. How foolish do those who conspired against Jesus look now? God uses a method of execution as a means for redemption. God employs the evil hearts of hateful people to demonstrate His pure, unending love. He also uses unbridled mockery to declare Jesus as King! They thought they had Jesus where they wanted Him, but He was right where the Father intended Him to be.

1 Corinthians 1:22-24(NLT) “So when we preach that Christ was crucified, the Jews are offended and the Gentiles say it’s all nonsense. 24 But to those called by God to salvation, both Jews and Gentiles, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 This foolish plan of God is wiser than the wisest of human plans, and God’s weakness is stronger than the greatest of human strength.”

Is there anything in your life that your Father is not aware of? Has anything happened to you that your Father does not know about? Your Father is aware of all assignments against you. Just follow Jesus’ example by doing what the Father tells you to do. When evil seems to have triumphed, remember that your Father’s foolishness outsmarts the wisest of all plans. When it is all said and done, you will find that your Heavenly Father has the last word.

Prayer:

• Thank the Lord for His amazing wisdom.
• Pray for God’s wisdom to fill your life.
• If you are hurting, pray and thank the Lord that His purpose will ultimately prevail in your life.
• Ask the Lord to reveal to you what you need to learn during difficult times.
• Pray that, amidst a world in turmoil, the church will persist in preaching Christ crucified.

Day Nineteen
Jesus: Real, Relevant, and Radical!
Today you will be with Me   

Luke 23:32-43(NLT) Two others, both criminals, were led out to be executed with him. 33When they came to a place called The Skull, they nailed him to the cross. And the criminals were also crucified—one on his right and one on his left. 34Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” And the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice. 35 The crowd watched and the leaders scoffed. “He saved others,” they said, “let him save himself if he is really God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.” 36 The soldiers mocked him, too, by offering him a drink of sour wine. 37 They called out to him, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” 38 A sign was fastened above him with these words: “This is the King of the Jews.” 39 One of the criminals hanging beside him scoffed, “So you’re the Messiah, are you? Prove it by saving yourself—and us, too, while you’re at it!” 40 But the other criminal protested, “Don’t you fear God even when you have been sentenced to die? 41 We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man hasn’t done anything wrong.” 42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.” 43 And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

Matthew 27:35-44(NLT) After they had nailed him to the cross, the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice. 36Then they sat around and kept guard as he hung there. 37 A sign was fastened above Jesus’ head, announcing the charge against him. It read: “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.” 38 Two revolutionaries were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left. 39 The people passing by shouted abuse, shaking their heads in mockery. 40 “Look at you now!” they yelled at him. “You said you were going to destroy the Temple and rebuild it in three days. Well then, if you are the Son of God, save yourself and come down from the cross!” 41 The leading priests, the teachers of religious law, and the elders also mocked Jesus. 42 He saved others,” they scoffed, “but he can’t save himself! So he is the King of Israel, is he? Let him come down from the cross right now, and we will believe in him! 43 He trusted God, so let God rescue him now if he wants him! For he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” 44 Even the revolutionaries who were crucified with him ridiculed him in the same way.

Isaiah 53:8-9(NLT) Unjustly condemned, he was led away. No one cared that he died without descendants, that his life was cut short in midstream. But he was struck down for the rebellion of my people. 9 He had done no wrong and had never deceived anyone. But he was buried like a criminal; he was put in a rich man’s grave.

Jesus is crucified. Next to Him, two others are crucified. Two criminals, one on the left and one on the right. Jesus is here because He is fulfilling the very purpose for which He came. He was born for this moment. He is the sacrificial Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. His place on the cross is part of the Father’s plan. Next to Him are two men with their own stories. Even in Jesus’ time, kids grew up hoping for a good life, a decent life. Archaeologists have found toy animals on wheels, whistles, rattles, and spinning tops. Kids will be kids. Children in Jesus' day played games similar to hopscotch and jacks. When these two criminals were young, they probably never imagined they would one day end up on a Roman cross.

Life clearly didn't turn out as they had hoped. One bad decision led to another, and before they knew it, so much negative momentum built up that it became impossible to stop. We don’t know what crimes they committed, but it had to be pretty bad for them to be in this situation. The society they lived in saw no more value in them. They couldn't be sold as slaves, nor could they be enlisted in some form of forced labor. So now, they are condemned to die in the most horrific way. “How did we get here?" must have been a question they asked themselves over and over. Now, as they hang naked on a cross, displayed for all to see, their final moments have arrived.

Their sad lives are coming to an even sadder end. When we're young, we paint a picture of a good future. We dream that life will turn out well, and we are filled with hope. But for them, all hope is lost, and all dreams are abandoned. Nothing to look forward to except a painfully brutal death and final moments of complete degradation and shame. But Jesus! Out of all the days they could have been crucified, they happened to be crucified with Jesus. They find themselves caught up in everything happening around them. So many people have come out to see this failed Messiah. As these spectators pass by, they hurl insults at Jesus, mock him, and shake their heads in disapproval. The crowd watches, the chief priests mock, and the soldiers gamble. Mark and Matthew write that both criminals chimed in and ridiculed Jesus. 

Maybe, just maybe, the one criminal thought, “If this is the Messiah, He could save Himself and save us.” But that’s the thing — in order to save us, Jesus could not save Himself. 

What does Jesus do? Jesus prays. What does He pray? Is He praying for Himself? Is He asking God about the injustice He is suffering? He prays: “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” Jesus’ first words from the cross are directed to His Father, emphasizing the need to forgive those who hurt Him the most. One of the men next to Jesus hears these words, and they are words he never thought he would hear from a Roman cross. In that moment, he considers his own life, his wrongdoings, and where they have led him. He hears the cruel mockery. He sees the vicious taunts. He observes the soldiers' vile greed. Then he looks at the broken, bloodied body of Jesus. He sees Jesus’ face, marred and swollen beyond recognition, and from this mangled mass of flesh, grace emerges.

This criminal knows his own feelings towards these Romans, and forgiveness and grace are the last things that come to mind. How can this Man pray “Forgive them,” when He is surrounded by hate? How can this Man pray “Father,” when He seems completely abandoned? Something happens to him that changes him forever. He comes to Jesus’ defense. He sternly rebukes the other criminal, telling him to shut his mouth. He admits that he is getting what he deserves and then simply says, “Jesus, remember me...” Then one of the most poignant moments we read about in the Gospels occurs. Jesus’ last conversation, not His last words, but His last conversation, is with a criminal.

Jesus speaks to someone at the end of a failed life. The end of a wasted life. The end of a disappointed life. What would Jesus say to someone who has wasted all their potential? What would Jesus say to someone who hurt others? What would Jesus say to someone who added no value to society? What would Jesus say to someone who has run out of time? And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

What about restitution? What about making things right? You see, that’s the power of grace. Jesus received what He did not deserve, so that we would not receive what we do deserve. Grace does not demand what it knows we cannot produce. Mercy always triumphs over judgment. One day, when we step into glory and meet the criminal who is now our brother, he will tell us triumphantly, “Thank God for Grace that hung on a cross!”

Prayer:

• Who do you need to forgive? Give them the gift of forgiveness...
• Ask the Lord to help you see people’s potential instead of their failure.
• Don’t stop praying for those who seem to mock your faith in Jesus. Grace changes mockers into saints.
• Pray for God’s grace to flood your relationships, especially in those you struggle with. 

Day Eighteen
Jesus: Real, Relevant, and Radical!
The Thread of Love  

Luke 23:26-31(NLT) As they led Jesus away, a man named Simon, who was from Cyrene, happened to be coming in from the countryside. The soldiers seized him and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus. 27 A large crowd trailed behind, including many grief-stricken women. 28 But Jesus turned and said to them, “Daughters of Jerusalem, don’t weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. 29 For the days are coming when they will say, ‘Fortunate indeed are the women who are childless, the wombs that have not borne a child and the breasts that have never nursed.’ 30 People will beg the mountains, ‘Fall on us,’ and plead with the hills, ‘Bury us.’ 31 For if these things are done when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?” 32 Two others, both criminals, were led out to be executed with him. 33 When they came to a place called The Skull, they nailed him to the cross. And the criminals were also crucified—one on his right and one on his left. 34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” And the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice.

Mark 15:20-25(NLT) When they were finally tired of mocking him, they took off the purple robe and put his own clothes on him again. Then they led him away to be crucified. 21 A passerby named Simon, who was from Cyrene, was coming in from the countryside just then, and the soldiers forced him to carry Jesus’ cross. (Simon was the father of Alexander and Rufus.)  22 And they brought Jesus to a place called Golgotha (which means “Place of the Skull”). 23 They offered him wine drugged with myrrh, but he refused it. 24 Then the soldiers nailed him to the cross. They divided his clothes and threw dice to decide who would get each piece. 25 It was nine o’clock in the morning when they crucified him. 

It is an enigma that the central theme of Christianity is celebrated by remembering a method of execution. The cross was not something to be celebrated; it was something that was disdained and feared. It was a method of execution reserved for the very worst offenders—criminals, revolters, and the despised. Central to what we believe as Christ followers is the Cross of Christ. The cross was a place, a process, and a method of extreme agony. Crucifixion was a practice that originated with the Persians and was later adopted by the Carthaginians and the Phoenicians. The Romans perfected it as a method of execution that caused maximum pain and suffering over a period of time. The cross was so agonizing that, in order to describe something extremely painful, we say that it is “excruciating.” The best way to describe unbearable pain is “excruciating.” The word comes from the Latin words “ex,” meaning “out of,” and “cruciate,” meaning “from the cross, to cause great agony”; literally, “out of the Cross,”

It is impossible to read the accounts of Jesus being crucified and not see the thread of love woven through the tapestry of pain. Jesus’s body is most definitely in shock due to His injuries and the loss of blood from the flogging that He received. The soldiers remove the purple robe, which obviously inflicts further pain, and put Jesus’s own clothes back on Him. The brutality Jesus is being treated with might be shocking to us, but for these Roman soldiers, it’s just business as usual. They have done this hundreds, maybe thousands of times. They parade Jesus through town. They take the longest route to send a message: Don’t mess with Rome.

Jesus carries His cross, consisting of only the cross beam. John’s gospel tells us Jesus carried His own cross. Obviously, only up to a certain point. Then the soldiers force Simon to carry Jesus’ cross. Simon was coming in when Jesus was going out. Simon literally becomes the first person to pick up the cross and follow Jesus. Simon has no choice but to obey the soldiers; it’s the law. What Simon might not be aware of, is that the Person he is carrying the cross for is also the One who told His disciples to go the extra mile to demonstrate love. Gradually, the thread of love will be unveiled for Simon.

A crowd follows as Jesus leads this morbid procession. The grief-stricken women are wailing. Suddenly, Jesus turns around and says, “Daughters of Jerusalem, don’t weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children.” Simon clearly must have heard these words because Jesus turned around to say the words and he was walking behind Jesus. Love speaks and takes no time to weep for Himself. In agony and pain, too weak to carry the cross, His thoughts are not for Himself but for the pain of future generations. He is thinking about the very children of the people walking behind Him. The fact that Simon was forced to carry the cross begins to fade in his mind and is now replaced by curiosity. He sees in Jesus not a reluctant victim bemoaning His fate but a willing participant determined to the end.

What kind of Man is this? Simon must have thought. When they arrived at Golgotha, Jesus is nailed to the cross alongside two other criminals. They offered Him wine drugged with myrrh, which was usually given as a narcotic to dull the pain, but He refused. Simon must have seen this yet again. Why would Jesus refuse this drink? Because love bears all things, including all of our pain. Love chooses not to take the easy way out. Then, as Simon begins to walk away, while the soldiers are casting lots for Jesus’ clothes, Jesus speaks. Simon pauses, wondering what Jesus would say. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” The weight of these words Simon heard was heavier and weightier than the cross he just carried. The thread of love is being woven from Jesus’ mouth straight into Simon’s heart.

Father, forgive them!” Simon cannot believe his ears. This must have shaken him to his core. No eye-for-an-eye kind of prayer or future retribution, just simply forgive them. Mark’s gospel records what no one else does when he writes the gospel of Mark. “A passerby named Simon, who was from Cyrene, was coming in from the countryside just then, and the soldiers forced him to carry Jesus’ cross. (Simon was the father of Alexander and Rufus.)” Obviously, these were the children of Simon, and the reason Mark mentions them is because they were well known to the early church. (When Mark wrote his gospel) It is highly likely that this is the same Rufus that Paul mentions in Romans 16:13(NLT) “Greet Rufus, whom the Lord picked out to be his very own; and also his dear mother, who has been a mother to me.” 

Duty and obligation forced Simon to carry the cross, but Love changed his direction. Let’s face it, life can be hard! Life can be downright cruel. Life can be vicious and tough. For some of us, when we experience things like that, we begin to question everything and everyone. We ask, “Where is God in all of this? Why did God not intervene? Why did He not stop this or that from happening? Does God really love me?!” Simon will tell you, “He absolutely does.” When you think it’s over, God might just be beginning! Throughout your life, even in moments when you least expect it, you can find the thread of God’s love. His love speaks loud and clear if you are willing to listen.

Love speaks. It says I am forgiven. Love says I am invited. It says I am welcome. It says I don’t have to be good enough. It says there is a way. It says my past can be done away with. It says my shame, my guilt, and my pain are removed. Love speaks loudly and clearly. Its message and call are heard all over the world. Love’s message has been spreading for more than 2000 years. Love shouts from the top of mountain villages, love speaks in bustling cities of enterprise. Love cuts through every and all barriers. Love cries out to the rich and the poor, the educated and the uneducated, the highest of society and the outcast of society. Love speaks to the foolish and the wise, the desperate and the independent. Love speaks to presidents, kings, and paupers. What does Love say? “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing...”

“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.”

Allow the thread of God’s love to be the focus of your life and experience. You are His beloved...

Prayer:

• Ask the Lord to help you make love your highest goal.
• Pray for a baptism of love.
• Ask the Father to help you live in a way that shows your children the evidence of God’s love through you.
• Pray for the Lord's help in loving those you find difficult to love.
• Pray that all of us as Christ followers will live lives of love so that the world will know who we follow.

Day Seventeen
Jesus: Real, Relevant, and Radical!
Just Look 

John 19:1-16(NLT) Then Pilate had Jesus flogged with a lead-tipped whip. 2 The soldiers wove a crown of thorns and put it on his head, and they put a purple robe on him. 3 “Hail! King of the Jews!” they mocked, as they slapped him across the face. 4 Pilate went outside again and said to the people, “I am going to bring him out to you now, but understand clearly that I find him not guilty.” 5 Then Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. And Pilate said, “Look, here is the man!” 6 When they saw him, the leading priests and Temple guards began shouting, “Crucify him! Crucify him!” “Take him yourselves and crucify him,” Pilate said. “I find him not guilty.” 7 The Jewish leaders replied, “By our law he ought to die because he called himself the Son of God.” 8 When Pilate heard this, he was more frightened than ever. 9 He took Jesus back into the headquarters again and asked him, “Where are you from?” But Jesus gave no answer. 10 “Why don’t you talk to me?” Pilate demanded. “Don’t you realize that I have the power to release you or crucify you?” 11 Then Jesus said, “You would have no power over me at all unless it were given to you from above. So the one who handed me over to you has the greater sin.”

Mark 15:15-20(NLT) “So to pacify the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. He ordered Jesus flogged with a lead-tipped whip, then turned him over to the Roman soldiers to be crucified. 16 The soldiers took Jesus into the courtyard of the governor’s headquarters (called the Praetorium) and called out the entire regiment. 17 They dressed him in a purple robe, and they wove thorn branches into a crown and put it on his head. 18 Then they saluted him and taunted, “Hail! King of the Jews!” 19 And they struck him on the head with a reed stick, spit on him, and dropped to their knees in mock worship. 20 When they were finally tired of mocking him, they took off the purple robe and put his own clothes on him again. Then they led him away to be crucified.”

We have seen the conflict within Pilate regarding Jesus. Pilate is a politician. Politicians are about self-preservation. Self-preservation can only be accomplished by keeping the masses happy. He knows what the Jewish leaders want, yet, when examining Jesus, he has a very hard time finding any incriminating evidence against Him. So, he has Jesus flogged, hoping that will be enough.

No words can fully capture the brutality of what Jesus suffered. Flogging typically occurred before most crucifixions, unless it was impractical because of the number of people being crucified. Sometimes, as many as 500 people could be crucified in a single day. Only women, Roman senators, or soldiers—except in cases of desertion—were exempt from flogging. Jesus was being flogged with a Flagrum or Flagellum, a short whip with braided leather strips of varying lengths. These leather strips often had small pieces of metal attached, and could contain sharp fragments of sheep bones. The person being flogged was stripped of his clothing, and his hands were tied to an upright post, exposing his back, buttocks, and legs. Two soldiers on each side would take turns swinging the whip to inflict maximum punishment. The intent was to shorten the amount of time the person would remain alive on the cross. Due to the severity of flogging, Jewish law mandated that a person could only receive 39 lashes, but in Jesus’ case, there’s no indication that the Romans would pay any attention to the Jewish law.

As the Roman soldiers repeatedly struck Jesus with full force, deep bruising would take place on His legs, arms, and back. The leather straps and bones would cut into His skin and subcutaneous tissues. Then, as the flogging continued, the lacerations would tear into the underlying skeletal muscles and produce quivering ribbons of bleeding flesh. To add insult to injury, Jesus was mocked. The entire regiment was called out to participate in this cruel revelry of humiliation. Jesus was cursed, spat on, struck in the face, and a crown of thorns was forced onto His head. He was repeatedly struck on His head with a reed stick. This stick was placed in His hand as a mocking scepter, to the King of the Jews, as they bowed before Him in mock worship. This only stopped once they exhausted themselves.

Then they brought Jesus out to the crowd, parading Him as a macabre example of what happens when you cross Rome. Imagine this moment. Jesus, with His flesh hanging in ribbons, a purple robe put on Him, and a crown of thorns on His head. No wonder Isaiah, looking ahead to that day, says in Isaiah 52:14 (NLT), “But many were amazed when they saw him. His face was so disfigured he seemed hardly human, and from his appearance, one would scarcely know he was a man.”

When people say that following Christ is for the weak, they simply reveal their level of ignorance. Our King is matchless in His grace and unparalleled in His courage. The hatred Jesus faced highlights the depth of depravity of sin within the human heart. Jesus did not flinch for a moment. As Jesus is being paraded, cries of “Crucify Him” fill the air. Pilate suddenly becomes frightened. Wait, what? What could possibly scare a man like Pilate? These words from the Jewish leaders: “By our law he ought to die because he called himself the Son of God.” Suddenly, Pilate wants to know where Jesus is from. But Jesus remains silent. No self-preservation, only self-sacrifice. No boast of greatness, just an act of outrageous, unfathomable, unexplainable love! For Jesus, love is not a feeling of euphoria but an act of excruciating pain.

Pilate, believing that he holds Jesus's life in his hands and demanding a response, is simply met with, “You would have no power over me at all unless it were given to you from above.” “Pilate, the only reason you can do what you do is that I am letting you.” Jesus did this willingly. He fulfills what Isaiah says in Isaiah 53:7(TLB), “He was oppressed and he was afflicted, yet he never said a word. He was brought as a lamb to the slaughter; and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he stood silent before the ones condemning him.”

Isaiah 50:6(NLT) “The Sovereign Lord has spoken to me, and I have listened. I have not rebelled or turned away.  I offered my back to those who beat me and my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard. I did not hide my face from mockery and spitting.” 

If you have ever doubted the love of God because of what you have suffered, you need to pause and look at the Man of sorrows. Understand that Jesus did this for you. If you feel abandoned or abused, just look. If you feel neglected and misused, just look. If life has been hard and people cruel, just look. If you have been lied about and falsely accused, just look. If you are weighed down by sorrow and grief, just look. If fear has you gripped and hope seems lost, just look. If your emotions are frayed and your mind is confused, just look. If your body is in pain and there seems to be no answer, just look. If you are filled with shame and regret, just look. Look unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of your faith. There is the Man of Sorrows, who says, “This is my Body which was broken for you!”

Jesus, Man of Sorrows, abused and beaten, tried and crucified, did it for you. He suffered at the hands of the very ones who would benefit from His pain. Religious leaders, temple guards, Roman soldiers, Pilate—this blood is for you. Isaiah 53:8(TLB) “From prison and trial they led him away to his death. But who among the people of that day realized it was their sins that he was dying for—that he was suffering their punishment?”

Isaiah 53:1-8(TLB) “We despised him and rejected him—a man of sorrows, acquainted with bitterest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way when he went by. He was despised, and we didn’t care. 4 Yet it was our grief he bore, our sorrows that weighed him down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God, for his own sins! 5 But he was wounded and bruised for our sins. He was beaten that we might have peace; he was lashed—and we were healed!”

Eternity isn't enough time to thank Him for what He's done for me! I am forever in His debt. My peace and my healing are born from His pain. Thank you, my King! Thank you, my Savior! Thank you, my Jesus! Thank you, my God!

Prayer:

• Just take a moment to thank the Lord for His sacrifice for you.
• Pray for those who are sick, remembering that it is by His stripes that we are healed.
• Ask the Lord to help you live in the reality of His peace that Jesus was beaten for.
• Pray that the Lord will forgive you for complaining and having a bad attitude about things that won’t matter in eternity.
• Pray that we, as the church, will receive a revelation of His love.

Day Sixteen
Jesus: Real, Relevant, and Radical!
The Witness 

John 19:13-15(NLT) When they said this, Pilate brought Jesus out to them again. Then Pilate sat down on the judgment seat on the platform that is called the Stone Pavement (in Hebrew, Gabbatha). 14 It was now about noon on the day of preparation for the Passover. And Pilate said to the people, “Look, here is your king!” 15 “Away with him,” they yelled. “Away with him! Crucify him!” “What? Crucify your king?” Pilate asked. “We have no king but Caesar,” the leading priests shouted back. 16 Then Pilate turned Jesus over to them to be crucified.

Matthew 27:11-19(NLT) Now Jesus was standing before Pilate, the Roman governor. “Are you the king of the Jews?” the governor asked him. Jesus replied, “You have said it.” 12 But when the leading priests and the elders made their accusations against him, Jesus remained silent. 13“Don’t you hear all these charges they are bringing against you?” Pilate demanded. 14But Jesus made no response to any of the charges, much to the governor’s surprise. 15Now it was the governor’s custom each year during the Passover celebration to release one prisoner to the crowd—anyone they wanted. 16This year there was a notorious prisoner, a man named Barabbas. 17 As the crowds gathered before Pilate’s house that morning, he asked them, “Which one do you want me to release to you—Barabbas, or Jesus who is called the Messiah?” 18 (He knew very well that the religious leaders had arrested Jesus out of envy.) 19Just then, as Pilate was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent him this message: “Leave that innocent man alone. I suffered through a terrible nightmare about him last night.”

Jesus faces all of His accusers alone. He has been brought back from Herod to stand again before Pilate. Herod peppered Him with questions, but Jesus did not say anything. Now He is before Pilate for a second round. The leading priests and elders are tossing out their accusations like a possessed pitcher. Yet, Jesus remains silent. Pilate demands a response, but Jesus is not swinging at any of their accusations. This surprises Pilate. Pilate, who has obviously had many others appear before him, is used to a much more rigorous defense from those accused — perhaps even some begging or pleading for mercy. But not a word out of Jesus; all the accusers and their witnesses dominate this proceeding.

Jesus is all alone in this. No one to witness on His behalf, no one to speak up for Him; not a single person to defend Him. Where is His posse? Where are the crowds that shouted Hosanna? Where are the ones that He healed? Where are the bread and fish eaters (remember the little boy’s lunch)? How about any of His disciples? We know Judas is hanging from a tree, and Peter is wallowing in his denial. But what about any of the others? Where’s John, where’s James? Not a single individual has come forward to say anything good on behalf of the One who only did good. From John’s account, it seems like Pilate is trying to buy time. He is not getting a defense from Jesus or, for that matter, from anyone else, so he has Jesus flogged. When the Roman soldiers are done flogging Jesus, he brings Jesus out to them, as to say, “Look, Jesus has been beaten within inches of His life. This should satisfy your gluttony for punishment.” Pilate reiterates, “I find no fault in Him.” Pilate tries to give them an alternative. So, he picks a murderer, a criminal of the worse kind, an alternative to Jesus. Surely, they would not want a murderer running around on the streets of Jerusalem, would they? So, he offers them Barabbas. But to his shock and surprise, the crowd picks Jesus to be crucified and a murderer to be released. Incited by the Jewish leaders, they are demanding not just blood, but death! Death by crucifixion. As a wily politician, Pilate knows he is about to have a riot on his hands and could ill afford one during Passover.

So almost in resignation, he sits down on the seat of judgment and is about to give the people what they want. But suddenly, he is interrupted. Wait! Who would have the gall, who would be brave enough or stupid enough, if you will—to interrupt the governor as he is about to make his final judgment? We read this in Matthew 27:19 (NLT) “Just then, as Pilate was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent him this message: 'Leave that innocent man alone. I suffered through a terrible nightmare about him last night.’”

Finally, a witness on Jesus’ behalf. Who is this witness? Who is this person that would step up at the last moment and speak up for Jesus? It is none other than Pilate’s own wife. We don’t know much from Scripture about Pilate’s wife, Claudia Procula, or even from history. What little we know about her is contained in approximately thirty-one words. Yet, these few words paint a picture of a woman who is completely conflicted, not only about her experience but also about the ramifications of her husband’s actions toward an innocent man.

What do you do when you're married to a madman? What do you do when you live in a society that doesn't value you, your gender, or your opinion? Then, to crown that, you are married to a lunatic—a man prone to outbursts of anger, malice, and cruelty. A madman who would rather kill and maim than respect anyone else’s opinion. What do you do when you dream a dream about a man standing trial before this man, who happens to be your husband? Would you speak up or remain silent? Even though you know that voicing your opinion might not change the outcome and could put you in a precarious position yourself. The obvious question here would be, “Was this dream more for her or for her husband?” She is obviously conflicted.

I used the word “conflicted,” but she uses the word “suffered.” We know that her dream did not change the outcome because Jesus was still crucified. Could it be that through her action, despite the conflict within her soul to remain quiet, she spoke up and demonstrated a willingness to take a risk for the sake of another? When no one else spoke up for Jesus, when no one else came to His defense, she did! We are asked by Jesus to confess Him before men rather than denying Him. And through our act of public confession, He procures our heavenly witness before the Father in heaven.

Do you confess Him in front of difficult people? Do you confess Him even if you know it might not make a difference to the outcome or the decisions being made? Notice, she sent this message while Pilate is sitting on the judgment seat. She defends Jesus even while her own husband is ready to judge and condemn Him. Speaking up does not guarantee the outcome will change; it leaves the decision in the hands of the hearer, but not without protest. We must be as bold and courageous as Claudia to speak up for our Savior and then trust Him for the outcome.

Bible scholars believe that she is the same Claudia that Paul references in his second letter to Timothy. 2 Timothy 4:21(NLT) “Do your best to get here before winter. Eubulus sends you greetings, and so do Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brothers and sisters.”

Not only did she speak up for Jesus, but she also later followed the Man of her dream...

Prayer:

• Pray for boldness to speak up for Jesus, even when it is difficult.
• Ask the Lord to reveal who you should specifically pray for so you can share Jesus with them.
• Pray for your family members who have a negative view of Jesus. Pray that the Lord would send someone to love them back to life.
• Pray that the Lord will help The Rock Church be a bold witness for Christ, even if it risks rejection.
• Pray for a bountiful harvest of souls in our Valley.