READ
(Pick one or two of the passages below. Read the passage(s) carefully and write down any observations that come to mind.)
Matthew 28
Mark 16
Luke 24
John 20-21
REFLECT
(Take a moment to reflect on how the events that happened on this day shape your understanding of Christ and the redemption he has accomplished.)
How has Jesus’s resurrection ushered in a new age of life and restoration?
Read Romans 8:11-13. How does Jesus’s resurrection give us hope of a future resurrection of our own?
Read Romans 6:1-14. In what ways does the truth that Jesus rose again compel you to live free from sin?
PRAY
(Use the meditations below to foster a time of prayer and thanksgiving for what Jesus has done.)
“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing…To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!” (See Revelation 5:12-13).
READ
(Pick one or two of the passages below. Read the passage(s) carefully and write down any observations that come to mind.)
Matthew 27:62-66
REFLECT
(Take a moment to reflect on how the events that happened on this day shape your understanding of Christ and the redemption he has accomplished.)
Why was it necessary for Jesus to die? Write out as many reasons as you can.
How does the resurrection bring us hope in the midst of suffering and death?
PRAY
(Use the meditations below to foster a time of prayer and thanksgiving for what Jesus has done.)
God sees you in your grief, and he knows when and how he is going to turn your sorrow into joy. Spend a few moments (or even a few hours) pouring out your heart to the God who has and will keep his promises. He hears your cries and sees your tears. Turn to him.
Go on…Read ahead. What is about to happen tomorrow is no longer a secret to us! We have sight that the disciples did not have that Saturday long ago. Turn forward a few pages in your Bible and prepare your heart for tomorrow.
READ
(Pick one or two of the passages below. Read the passage(s) carefully and write down any observations that come to mind.)
Matthew 26:47-27:61
Mark 14:32-15-47
Luke 22:39-23:56
John 18:1-19:42
REFLECT
(Take a moment to reflect on how the events that happened on this day shape your understanding of Christ and the redemption he has accomplished.)
Jesus drank “the wine of wrath” for you. How does the truth that Jesus received your condemnation free you to enjoy life with God?
How does Jesus’s suffering on the cross highlight the nature of (1) our sin, (2) God’s justice, and (3) God’s grace?
In what way is God calling you to imitate Christ’s sacrifice in your relationships today?
PRAY
(Use the meditations below to foster a time of prayer and thanksgiving for what Jesus has done.)
“Lord, thank you for Jesus’s sacrifice. Thank you that he drank the wine of your wrath so that I could have the water of life instead. Help me to imitate Christ’s sacrifice today by…”
READ
(Pick one or two of the passages below. Read the passage(s) carefully and write down any observations that come to mind.)
Matthew 26:17-29
Mark 14:12-25
Luke 22:7-23
REFLECT
(Take a moment to reflect on how the events that happened on this day shape your understanding of Christ and the redemption he has accomplished.)
In what ways does Jesus’s death fulfill the Passover’s symbolism?
Jesus calls the wine his “blood of the covenant.” How does his death bring us into a personal relationship with God?
How does accepting the truth that Jesus was slain (his body broken and his blood spilled) “for us” inspire you to greater adoration and thanksgiving?
PRAY
(Use the meditations below to foster a time of prayer and thanksgiving for what Jesus has done.)
“Lord, thank you for giving me the bread and wine of salvation. Help me feast on the gospel truth that Jesus’s body was broken and his blood was shed on my behalf…”
READ
(Pick one or two of the passages below. Read the passage(s) carefully and write down any observations that come to mind.)
Matthew 26:1-5
Luke 22:3-6
John 11:45-57
REFLECT
(Take a moment to reflect on how the events that happened on this day shape your understanding of Christ and the redemption he has accomplished.)
How does the Sanhedrin’s plotting correspond with the plotting spoken of in Psalm 2?
How does knowing that God is sovereign over all things—even in the events leading up to Jesus’ death—give you hope in tough seasons when God’s purposes may not be all that evident?
PRAY
(Use the meditations below to foster a time of prayer and thanksgiving for what Jesus has done.)
Sometime today, take a moment (10 minutes or more) for silence and solitude before the Lord. Psalm 46:10 says that being still is one way we exercise our trust in God. Follow this plan:
Turn off the noise. Put down the phone. Find a quiet place. Focus on the Lord’s presence
Meditate and pray through Psalm 139.
Ask the Lord to “search your heart” and reveal areas that need repentance or growth.
READ
(Pick one or two of the passages below. Read the passage(s) carefully and write down any observations that come to mind.)
Matthew 21:18-27
Mark 11:12-14; 20-24
REFLECT
(Take a moment to reflect on how the events that happened on this day shape your understanding of Christ and the redemption he has accomplished.)
Why is it so important for God’s people to bear fruit? If we are saved by grace, then why is it so necessary for us to become fruit-bearing disciples?
What God-honoring fruits are missing in your life? Be honest. Do you see fruits like love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, and faithfulness increasing daily? Or is your life barren of these things?
Who can you recruit to help press you to greater fruitfulness? We are meant to grow together. Therefore, you need other fruit-laden Christians if you are to become fruitful.
PRAY
(Use the meditations below to foster a time of prayer and thanksgiving for what Jesus has done.)
“Lord, thank you for giving us your Spirit so that we could bear fruit and not be ‘barren fig trees.’ Please help me bear even more fruit in/by…”
Read
(Pick one or two of the passages below. Read the passage(s) carefully and write down any observations that come to mind.)
Matthew 21:12-17
Mark 11:15-18
Luke 19:45-48
John 2:14-16
REFLECT
(Take a moment to reflect on how the events that happened on this day shape your understanding of Christ and the redemption he has accomplished.)
How does Jesus’s cleansing of the temple display his heart for the nations?
Christ has come so that you can honor God as was intended. In what areas of your life do you need Jesus’ cleansing and restorative work? In what ways can you ask him to renovate your life: Your marriage? Habits? Parenting? Friendships? Joy?
How does Jesus healing the outcasts (like the blind and lame) preview the good news of our future restoration?
PRAY
(Use the meditations below to foster a time of prayer and thanksgiving for what Jesus has done.)
“Lord, please cleanse my heart so that I may worship you as you deserve. Toss the tables of my idolatry. Cleanse me of my…”
READ
(Pick one or two of the passages below. Read the passage(s) carefully and write down any observations that come to mind.)
Matthew 21:1-11
Mark 11:1-10
Luke 19:29-38
John 12:12-15
REFLECT
(Take a moment to reflect on how the events that happened on this day shape your understanding of Christ and the redemption he has accomplished.)
How is the truth that Jesus came riding on a donkey in peace and not on a war horse good news for sinners?
How has Jesus answered the prayer for “Hosanna” (“Lord, save us!”)?
At the triumphal entry, Jesus is announced as “the Son of David,” the King. As he was being hailed as king, Jesus knew he was coming to Jerusalem to die. How does this truth shape our understanding of his kingship?
PRAY
(Use the meditations below to foster a time of prayer and thanksgiving for what Jesus has done.)
“Hosanna! Lord, thank you for your salvation. Thank you for saving me from…”
