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Did you know that of the 27 books in the New Testament, 21 of them are letters written to communities of Jesus’ followers, and they were spread throughout the Roman Empire. Most of the letters, (also known as epistles), are attributed to Paul – Romans, 1 and 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 and 2 Thessalonians, 1 and 2 Timothy, Titus, and Philemon. The remaining letters are Hebrews, James, 1 and 2 Peter, 1, 2 and 3 John and Jude. Letters can be thought of as a conversation you might have with a friend. And like a conversation with a friend, a lot of background information is assumed but not stated directly in the letters. As you read the New Testament letters, it’s helpful to keep in mind – The Cultural Context • The churches receiving the letters were under strict Roman rule. Because Roman society was hierarchical, Paul’s message might have sounded different to people of varied social status. Men who were Roman citizens had some ability to raise their social status, while women, enslaved people and the poor were considered inferior and had little hope of doing the same. Jesus’ message that God cares for everyone might threaten and convict those in high places but be liberating for those looked down upon in their societies. • Jesus’ followers were viewed as radical because they threatened the dominant social order. Jesus’ love was for all, and his death and resurrection meant the creation of a new humanity—one without divisions based on race, gender or social class. As you read, look for these countercultural moments. • In the beginning, the author often provides us with context about the letter. For example, it’s easy to read a letter like Romans as one long essay on theology, but Paul is actually addressing division between Jewish and non-Jewish followers in Rome. Some higher-status Christians were treating Jewish Christians with disrespect, but Paul wants the church to realize they’re all members of God’s family now. As you read, think about how the message might apply to the specific issues in the church receiving the letter. While our context today looks different than these early church communities, we can see in these letters our own tendencies to create division and fail to love one another as beloved siblings in God’s family. But the gospel of Jesus Christ can transform our communities just like it did theirs. How They Were Created and Communicated Have you ever found yourself imagining the writers of the New Testament while reading them? If so, what were they like? Did you picture them alone or with others? The authors of the New Testament were probably rarely alone. Paul was a missionary traveling throughout the Mediterranean, preaching the gospel and starting new churches. He had companions and cowriters who helped him craft his letters, probably drawing from speeches, prayers and poems, all pieced together and written down by a scribe. Whoever delivered the finished letter to the church community would read it out loud like a speech. Since the community would have heard the letter read from beginning to end, it’s helpful for us to read it that way as well. The Literary Context Ancient letters have a specific format. They begin with an opening that gives the name of the author, followed by thanksgiving for the community receiving the letter. The body of the letter addresses particular issues in the church, and the conclusion includes additional greetings, travel plans, final requests and prayers. Although most New Testament letters follow this format, they are sometimes adjusted to suit a purpose. For example, you might notice Galatians skips over thanksgiving as Paul jumps into a heated critique of the Galatians turning away from his teaching to a different gospel. Also note that the big idea of the letter is usually stated right after the greeting. Each paragraph generally has its own main idea, and sections are joined together with transition phrases such as “therefore,” “so then,” and “because of this.” Keep the big idea in mind and watch for these transitions to see how the author builds the argument. As you think about the situations the New Testament letter writers sought to address, consider how their words relate to us today. Drawn from study features in the NIV, The Telos Bible.

If you feel hopeless, helpless, or powerless—unable to deal with people or problems and on the verge of exhaustion—take heart in the prophet Habakkuk’s stirring conclusion to his short book. Knowing that a savage army of Babylonians would soon plunder his homeland, Habakkuk was discouraged. Surely, the coming destruction would be absolutely unbearable. Yet despite the disheartening scenario, Habakkuk penned an amazing response: “I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign LORD is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights” (Habakkuk 3:18–19). Even if the crops all failed, the livestock died and everything he had learned to depend on was ruined, Habakkuk would still trust the Lord (Habakkuk 3:17). Where did the prophet find such hope in the face of such terrible calamity? For one thing, clearly, he had been strengthened by God’s Word. His expression of faith closely echoes the words of David, uttered centuries before: “The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I called to the LORD, who is worthy of praise, and I have been saved from my enemies” (Psalm 18:2 – 3). Habakkuk had also spent a great deal of time alone with the Lord. In fact, the book that bears his name is a record of his extended conversation with God concerning his ways and plans. While Habakkuk did not understand—or particularly like—what he heard from God, he acknowledged the fact that his ways are best. He trusted the Lord for the future of Israel and for his own life. Regardless of the circumstances, the prophet knew that the Lord was at work and would bring good out of what seemed to be horrendous circumstances. That is God’s promise to us. He is always at work in our lives to bring good out of the darkest of situations (Romans 8:28). When the outlook looks grim, Christ is your strength. When the circumstances seem volatile, Christ is your stability. When the future appears foreboding, Christ remains your hope. The strength of Christ is both inexhaustible and immeasurable—and it is yours to receive. God delights in upholding the weary and reviving the fainthearted (Isaiah 40:29–31). Your reservoir of emotional and physical energy may feel nearly drained, but God’s supply of spiritual stamina never runs out. Come to him and His Word for the strength to carry on, and he will supply the power you need to traverse the rough terrain ahead. That’s his promise, and God always keeps his promises. From the NIV Charles F. Stanley Life Principles Bible.

The Ever-Inspiring, Heavenward Life When my oldest child died, I knew that my life would never be the same. In the initial months that followed, I expected that the change would be entirely negative. However, not all of the differences were painful. The Lord did something unexpectedly positive that has remained with me ten years later. On November 10, 2013, my son lived in my house. On November 11, 2013, he lived in heaven above. Heaven was no longer an abstract, theological concept. It was now my son’s home. Before this season, I would describe myself as a heavenly-minded person. I would think about heaven on nights when my head rested on the pillow but I could not still my mind for sleep. Heaven would be on my mind when I watched men carry a coffin down the aisle of the church at a funeral or at time when a loved one was nearing their final days. These were occasions when I would intentionally think about eternity. However, after my son’s death, the Lord created a change in my mind, heart, and life that I would describe as a “heavenward shift.” God effectuated this turning both through the tragic circumstances of my son’s death but also through a critical new “friendship” that I made in the pages of Scripture. I became consumed with heaven in a manner that eternity had a constant presence in my perspective in the routine matters of daily life. I missed attending a college reunion but found solace knowing that I’d have plenty of time with my believing friends in the new heaven and new earth. I’d forget to pay a bill and incur a late fee, something that would previously unravel me. Now I thought, “I won’t miss the $15 in eternity.” When I’d prepare a Bible study lesson or sermon, I would conceive of the lesson as an offering to place before the judgment seat of Christ at the second coming. This mindset brought more meaning, inspiration, and focus to lesson prep. During a hard season of life, the length of the struggles seemed shorter and more manageable with eternity as the backdrop of the trial. All of these realities were blessing me immensely and taking my spiritual life to new places. I use the term heavenward to distinguish between heavenly-mindedness as compared to what I was experiencing. Heavenly-mindedness constitutes a spiritual discipline whereby we deliberately meditate on eternity (as God calls us to in Col. 3:1). On the other hand, I characterize heavenward as “a work of God in your life in which heaven becomes an organic part of your daily perspective and the object of your life’s direction.” I started to feel a little strange about this perpetual, heavenward mindset, though, as if I were operating in a new reality. I sensed that nobody else around me was thinking like this. And then I met my “friend,” the apostle Paul. As I read his letters with fresh eyes, I noticed that Paul integrated heaven into just about everything, including somewhat mundane matters of life. Whether it was suffering, good works, singleness, communion, morality, spiritual gifts, etc., he would relate just about anything to eternity. Paul had a heavenward mindset that made me feel less weird. Lasting Heavenwardness The circumstances of having a child in heaven drove my heavenwardness in the early days of this transformation. At the same time, I do not think I would have sustained this eternal mindset without Paul’s letters in Scripture. What I discovered in the apostle’s theology of heaven is that the eternal realities of every Christian’s salvation should naturally create a magnified consciousness of heaven in all of us. At the core, Paul believed that the coming of Jesus constituted the long-awaited divine visitation of God, known as the Day of the Lord. It also inaugurated the arrival of heaven on earth, which Jews called the Age to Come. Believers, upon conversion, are transferred into this heavenly realm on earth, which Paul often refers to as the Kingdom of God, the new creation, the age of the Spirit, or the light. We are “delivered . . . from the domain of darkness and transferred . . . to the kingdom of his beloved Son” (Col. 1:13). Hence, our current citizenship truly becomes heaven the second we put our faith in Christ (Phil. 3:20). In addition, the Lord blesses us with particular blessings of the future heavenly life during our time on earth. We come into union with Christ, which will be the bedrock of our heavenly joy. He declares the current, heavenly blessing of union with Christ in Colossians by saying, “Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Col. 1:27). Furthermore, Paul described the indwelling of the Holy Spirit as the present “guarantee” or “down payment” of the future communion with God in the heavenly life. As a result of all these new realities brought about by the life, death, and resurrection of Christ, Paul lived with a foot in heaven and a toe on earth. The Fruit of a Heavenward Life Many may think this heavenly-mindedness would make a person detached and ineffective in this present earthly life. The opposite was true for the apostle. He had a fierce sense of commitment to evangelism, missions, and church planting. He showed a noble buoyancy and perseverance in suffering. He had an enviable level of contentment in this life. Paul was resolute in his commitment to morality and ethics. More than anything, he demonstrated bravery through his absence of fear about death. Paul had character, contentment, and conviction that we would all long for, but the factors that enabled these blessings for him are common to all believers. In a manner that certainly is more modest than what the apostle experienced, I have tasted some of the richness and transformation of the heavenward life, and I long for others to enjoy them too. The heavenward journey begins with knowing the present and future eternal realities of your salvation. They will bring you such life, hope, and joy! Having a heavenward life, where eternity comprises the perpetual backdrop of your day-to-day consciousness, however, is a gracious work of the Holy Spirit in your heart, mind, and life. Seek his truth about heaven and pray for this work. The Lord may surprise you with an inspiring pivot in your spiritual life in the way same that he unexpectedly has turned ashes to beauty in my life. Our current citizenship truly becomes heaven the second we put our faith in Christ. Cameron Cole is the author of Heavenward: How Eternity Can Change Your Life on Earth

Job 1 1 There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job, and that man was blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil. 2 There were born to him seven sons and three daughters. 3 He possessed 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen, and 500 female donkeys, and very many servants, so that this man was the greatest of all the people of the east. 4 His sons used to go and hold a feast in the house of each one on his day, and they would send and invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them. 5 And when the days of the feast had run their course, Job would send and consecrate them, and he would rise early in the morning and offer burnt offerings according to the number of them all. For Job said, “It may be that my children have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts.” Thus Job did continually.—Job 1:1–5 An Exemplary Man from the Land of Uz The prologue to Job (Job 1:1–5) introduces us to an unusual world. In verse 1, we meet a man with an unprecedented name (Hb. ʼiyyob, “Job”) from an uncertain place (“the land of Uz”) who worships (as of yet) an undefined “God” (Hb. ʼelohim). However, it is this man in that place and his relationship with that God that sets the scene for the unfolding of one of the OT’s most spectacular dramas. Verses 2–5 build upon this unusual opening with an unexpected description of the “perfect” man. Job is “perfect” in a numerological sense in that he has ten children (“seven sons and three daughters”; Job 1:2) and ten thousand animals (Job 1:3). Moreover, he is “perfect,” or as near to perfect as is any character in the OT, in a spiritual sense. He gains the distinct designation of being “the greatest of all the people of the east” (Job 1:3) both because he is rich and because he is righteous. He fears God. He turns away from evil. He provides for his children physically and spiritually. Was there really a man named Job? Did he live in a land called Uz? Was he perfectly righteous with a perfectly blessed life? Did he in one day lose everything but his troublesome, unnamed wife? Did he have friends who sat silently for seven days? Did he then suffer the accusations of Eliphaz, the blame of Bildad, the zings of Zophar, and the admonishments of Elihu? Did God hold a heavenly chamber room conference with Satan at which he granted permission to afflict Job? Did God really speak audibly to Job? Are Leviathan and Behemoth real creatures? Put simply, did the author of Job create the whole drama out of whole cloth, much like Shakespeare did with his characters from foreign countries who speak in poetry? The answer is not easy, and by no means should we be dogmatic. Who can know for certain? While Uz appears to be an ancient region, the names of Job’s daughters provide a tinge of historic realism (Job 42:14), and Ezekiel mentions Job alongside Noah and Daniel (Ezek. 14:14, 20; cf. James 5:11), such clues do not solve the riddle. Authors often set fictional works in real places (e.g., the Canterbury of Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales), and Ezekiel and James could be referencing Job as a literary figure (similar to our saying, “We should not emulate the Wife of Bath’s lusts”). Tremper Longman offers a helpful balance: The truth may be between the view that Job was a historical character, with the book describing events of his life in detail, and the view that Job is a purely literary figure. Job could have been known as a particularly righteous person who suffered. His story would then lend itself to further elaboration for the purposes of discussing the issue of an innocent sufferer and wisdom. Indeed, the highly literary nature of the prose and poetry . . . would suggest that this at least is true. The genre signals help us to see that the book of Job is certainly not a precise historical report. It is either the elaborated story of an actual historical figure or of a literary figure. My view is that Job was a historical person, not a fictional character, someone whose legendary sufferings were the historical ground on which the author of Job built with magnificent literary flair. Thus, while I give poetic license to how the author retells the narrative (e.g., I do not take the speeches as verbatim reports of the interchange between Job and his friends), I take all of the characters named (including Satan) and the details of the story told (including the amazing catastrophes) to be historically accurate. Meeting the Historical Job In Job 1:1 we are told that Job is “blameless and upright,” or, in a more spatial translation, “whole and straight.” We might say, in the language of our Lord Jesus, that as Job walks the straight and narrow way that leads to life, he treats others the same way he wishes to be treated; his wholehearted submission, reverence, respect, and love for God show themselves in his whole (or “perfect”; Matt. 5:48) love for others. And because of this, his neighbors—and even his enemies—have nothing against him. He has treated them with fairness and equity and charity. He is a “man of peace [Hb. shalom],” namely, a “blameless” and “upright” man (Ps. 37:37). In this way, Christians should imitate Job. We should also imitate Job in the way he cares for his children. Think afresh about Job 1:4–5. Why does Job offer sacrifices for his children? They are presented in a positive way. The sons are independent; each of the seven has his own house. They all get along. Everyone attends all of the festivals, which might be something like birthday parties (“his day,” Job 1:4, perhaps equals “his birthday”) or, more likely, seven religious feasts throughout the year. Job’s household is harmonious. They are all also happy—based on the fact that they eat and drink together all the time. Eating and drinking are often symbolic in the Bible for joy (e.g., Eccles. 9:7). But within all of this wholesomeness, harmony, and happiness, something is amiss. God’s will in heaven is not yet done perfectly on earth. Satan is yet to appear in the book, but sin is already present. As ideal as the introduction to the book of Job is, we are not in Eden—we are east of it. Job thinks it necessary to sanctify and sacrifice because he fears his children might have sinned. We are not sure if he thinks their cursing God would be due to the deceitfulness of riches (they are quite wealthy), the lure of pagan idols (they live in “the east”), or simply some unintentional attitude or action (cf. Num. 15:28). Whatever the case, the description of Job’s scrupulousness is intended not to seem neurotic or in any way negative, but rather as sin-sensitive and God-honoring. He cleanses his children and sacrifices for their sins because he cares for their souls. As Christians, and in a Christian way (due to Jesus’ atoning death, there is no need for animal sacrifices), we should also pray for our children and do all we can to “consecrate” them, that is, set them apart from the world. However, with all of that noted, the apt response to Job 1:4–5 is not merely imitation. The text also foreshadows two other sacrifice scenes. The first is Job 42:8–9. Job offers blood sacrifices only at the beginning (Job 1:5) and end (Job 42:8–9) of the narrative. That final scene is the lens by which we are to read the whole narrative. But it is more than a lens that helps us look backward; it also—like the lens on a telescope—helps us look forward to the ultimate scene of sacrifice. In Job we see a righteous sufferer vindicated, sinners atoned for through a costly blood sacrifice, and the sovereign freedom and justice of God upheld. Likewise, in Jesus, we see a sacrificial death that demonstrates how innocent suffering can both show forth the justice of God and also save sinners. This article is by Douglas Sean O’Donnell and is adapted from the ESV Expository Commentary: Ezra–Job (Volume 4) edited by Iain M. Duguid, James M. Hamilton Jr., and Jay Sklar.

Following Jesus’ death, resurrection, and ascension, thousands of Jews became believers. The period from roughly A.D. 30 to 100 saw the glory of the first Pentecost, the struggle of the church to organize for mission, the conversion of Saul (Paul), the mission to the Gentiles, and the spread of the faith to Rome, Alexandria, and Antioch, the three greatest cities of the Roman Empire. The day of Pentecost came 50 days after the offering of the first grain (Leviticus 23:10, 15, 16) at the Passover observances. It was a celebration of the wheat harvest, with pilgrims gathering from various nations of the Roman world. The crowd included Jews living outside of the Holy Land, as well as Gentiles who had accepted the Jewish faith. Luke lists their homelands beginning in the East, then in Asia Minor, and on to other Mediterranean areas—North Africa, Rome, and Crete (Acts 2:9-11). The Pentecost was quickly followed by the birth of the church, as distinct from a mere Jewish sect. The Good News also spread beyond Jerusalem with believers meeting in the temple courts, Jewish synagogues, and in private homes. Philip and the Samaritan The Samaritans were the first non-Jews to be evangelized by the early church. Philip “proclaimed the Messiah” to the Samaritans (Acts 8:5) and their reception of Philip’s message about the kingdom of God and about Jesus Christ was a significant step in the spread of the gospel. Samaritans were considered heretics by orthodox Jews, and they were receiving the gospel. Perhaps the Samaritans accepted the gospel more readily than Jews because they did not have to unlearn previous misconceptions about the coming Messiah. As the apostles continued to preach in many villages of Samaria, Samaritans became an accepted part of the church (Acts 8:25). Kandake’s Ethiopian Eunich Believes Luke gives us much information about the person that Philip evangelized and eventually baptized. The man was from Ethiopia, was a eunuch, served a queen as her treasurer, and had gone to worship in Jerusalem (Acts 8:27). This new convert’s background makes his conversion to Christianity significant. God himself made it clear that Gentiles should be included in his church. Ethiopia was an area south of Egypt. Because Ethiopia (Cush) and Egypt were so close geographically, they are often mentioned together in Scripture (see Psalm 68:31; Ezekiel 30:4; Nahum3:9). But Ethiopia is not close to Jerusalem, so Kandake’s eunuch had traveled from a distant location. Kandake is not a personal name but a title, like pharaoh. As the pharaoh was king of Egypt, so the Kandake was queen of Meroe, a kingdom on the Nile River south of Egypt. From Acts 8:27 it appears that “Kandake” could be used as a name for Meroe’s queens just as “Pharaoh” was used as a name for Egypt’s kings. The eunuch worked for someone of high authority. His position added to his status since as the queen’s treasurer he exercised great authority. It was common in Eastern countries for eunuchs to hold positions of high authority in a queen’s court. This eunuch was an important person. Nevertheless, he was a eunuch, and eunuchs were excluded from religious service in Israel  (Deuteronomy 23:1). The law prohibited them from serving as priests, who were required to have a whole body, free from blemishes (Leviticus 21:17– 20). The eunuch could worship in Jerusalem and read the sacred Scriptures (Acts 8:28) but could not be a full member of the Jewish religion. This eunuch represents a significant conversion to Christianity. With him, the Christian faith reached out to a distant land, to someone in the service of a queen, to someone who himself had high position. More importantly, it reached out to one who previously was an “outsider” to Israel’s religion. The God-Fearing Cornelius Caesarea Maritima, the home of Cornelius, served as the capital for the province of Judea. The city contained the residence for the Roman governor of Judea, as well as a regular Roman garrison (Acts 10:1). A legion of the Roman army was comprised of ten cohorts; five cohorts of about 600 soldiers each were stationed at Caesarea, while another cohort remained garrisoned on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. Centurions like Cornelius commanded units, called centuries, that generally averaged 80 men. In contrast to high-class Romans who aspired to higher offices, centurions usually began as regular soldiers and worked their way up through the ranks. Army service for males usually began around age 17, and roughly half of the enlisters who survived the required 20 years of service were highly rewarded. The devout Cornelius (Acts 10:2) was a member of the “God fearers,” a class of religious people named in many ancient Jewish sources. God-fearers, while not full converts to Judaism, did respect Israel’s God and his teachings. Inscriptions reveal that many soldiers were interested in foreign religions like Judaism. Roman custom expected members of a household (whether wives and children or servants) to follow the religion of the head of the household. It was thus natural for Cornelius to have spread his faith to “all his family” (Acts 10:2). It’s not exactly clear who was part of Cornelius’s household since Roman regulations prohibited soldiers from marrying. Officials usually looked the other way while soldiers stationed in various places held illegal concubines, but centurions, who were moved more frequently, probably developed fewer relationships even with concubines. Unless Cornelius was retired or, as often happened, was breaking official rules, his household may have consisted primarily of servants (Acts 10:7). Peter’s ministry to the Gentile household of Cornelius was accepted by the Jerusalem church only after Peter convinced them that the Gentiles had become believers in the same sense as had Jesus’ followers, who were filled with the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost (Acts 11:1– 18). The First Gentile Church The first church to include Gentile Christians was the church at Antioch (Acts 11:26). More innovative than the Jerusalem church, Antioch became the center of missionary outreach to Gentiles, yet still maintained close ties with Jerusalem. Eventually, the Jerusalem church acknowledged acceptance of Gentiles (Acts 11:18), and Antioch became a center of the Gentile church. It was in Antioch that the disciples were identified with the term “Christian,” (Acts 11:22-24), a term appearing only twice elsewhere in Scripture (Acts 26:28; 1 Peter 4:16). The term “Christian” likely originated with the Gentile population in Antioch, rather than with the followers of Christ themselves. The Gentiles, being unfamiliar with Jewish religion, could have thought “Christ” was a name, rather than recognizing it as a title for the Messiah. Thus, by about A.D. 46, the Antiochan Gentiles had distinguished the “Christians” from both Jews and pagans. Drawn from study notes in the NIV Chronological Study Bible.

A lot of people talk about “faith.” But what does that mean for our everyday lives? We offer reflections based on the experiences of historical figures in the Bible whose experiences teach us lessons about growing our faith today. Faith Involves Action After he was weaned, she took the boy with her, young as he was, along with a three-year-old bull, an ephah of flour and a skin of wine, and brought him to the house of the LORD at Shiloh. When the bull had been sacrificed, they brought the boy to Eli, and she said to him, “Pardon me, my lord. As surely as you live, I am the woman who stood here beside you praying to the LORD. I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him. So now I give him to the LORD. For his whole life he will be given over to the LORD.” And he worshiped the LORD there. 1 Samuel 1:24–28 Hannah, a woman with a heart for prayer, lived with grief as a barren woman. Eli the priest misunderstood her grief as intoxication, but once he realized her faithfulness, he bid her to go in peace and blessed her. Hannah promised to give her child wholly for God’s service if he would grant her weeping request. God did hear her plea, gracing her with baby Samuel. And she followed through on her difficult promise. She offered Samuel to Eli, to serve God all the days of his life in the tabernacle. Hannah demonstrated her faith by offering up her firstborn. What does her stunning act demonstrate for us even today? That faith involves action. Hannah so trusted God that she could offer her child for God’s service. She knew he would take care of Samuel. You may see reflections of the gospel in this story, as God the Father truly did offer up his first and only child, but he did so for us. He entrusted Jesus to this world, and the world thanked him by crucifying him. Yes, Hannah’s faith was strong, and she did sacrifice, but nothing compares to the audaciousness of the sacrifice of the cross. Because of the cross, we can have deep faith in a God who gave so much for us. Reflect & Pray Who do you know who struggles with or has battled with infertility? How can knowing their trial deepen your understanding of Hannah’s faith? Lord, help me have the kind of faith Hannah exemplified. And thank you for showing me just how much you love me in giving your Son. Amen. Faith Is Exercised Through Prayer Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops. James 5:13–18 According to James, when we’re in trouble, we should pray. When we’re elated, we should sing. When we’re sick, we should ask others to pray. Even confession is a form of prayer—we confess our sins so we’ll experience forgiveness. Prayer is an exercise of faith. Prayer reveals that we realize we can’t do life on our own, and we need God’s help in every area. James gives us a real-life example of faith-infused prayer by reminding us of Elijah and rain. In an arid, desert land, not having rain meant ruination. For three and a half long years, the nation of Israel struggled under a drought. Then Elijah prayed, and the clouds burst forth with life-giving rain. What James wants us to realize, though, is not that Elijah had supernatural powers. He wrote, “Elijah was a human being, even as we are” (verse 17). No, it was Elijah’s faith in a supernatural God that informed his prayers. Ordinary people demonstrate their faith when they pray to an extraordinary God, believing him for impossible things. Reflect & Pray What is one of your longstanding prayers? How has God built your faith through waiting for an answer to that long- term request? In what ways has he begun to answer your prayer? Lord, help me realize I don’t have to be extraordinary to have my prayers answered. I simply need to have faith in extraordinary you. I entrust today’s concerns to you, and I believe you hear me. Amen. Faith Is Personal After that whole generation had been gathered to their ancestors, another generation grew up who knew neither the LORD nor what he had done for Israel. Then the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the LORD and served the Baals. They forsook the LORD, the God of their ancestors, who had brought them out of Egypt. They followed and worshiped various gods of the peoples around them. They aroused the LORD’s anger because they forsook him and served Baal and the Ashtoreths. Judges 2:10-13 After Joshua’s death, the people of Israel became complacent. The passage says they “forsook” the Lord (verse 12), which means they turned away from him. But their turning away wasn’t toward nothing; they turned to other gods. As a result, they suffered. Why? Because they turned from the living, available God toward false gods, who only bring emptiness and loss. The truth? We cannot borrow faith. Nor can we rely on our parents’ or grandparents’ faith to save us. Although the Israelites who entered the promised land with Joshua saw great deliverance and worshiped God with abandon, the next generation failed to do so. They didn’t personalize their faith; they chose not to pursue God for themselves. This led to a vacuum of belief. It is a privilege to actively put our faith in God. Whether you’ve had faith examples through your family or you have no spiritual heritage, right now you have the opportunity to love and worship God with your whole heart. Ask him to come near, even if you have ventured far. God loves to answer the prayers of those seeking him. He loves you. Reflect & Pray Who in your life has chosen to walk away from God? What happened? Write a prayer for them here, asking God to rescue them. Lord, I want the kind of faith that keeps me continuing to chase you all the days of my life. Forgive me for straying. I need you today. Keep me close to you. Amen. Devotionals drawn from the NIV Radiant Virtues Bible.

The Vantage Point of the Resurrection It’s not just the most important miracle ever. It’s not just the most astounding event in the life of the Messiah. It’s not just an essential item in your theological outline. It’s not just the reason for the most important celebratory season of the church. It’s not just your hope for the future. No, the resurrection is all that and more. It is also meant to be the window through which you view all of life. Second Corinthians 4:13–15 captures this truth very well: “[We know] that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence. For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.” But what does it look like to look at life through the window of the resurrection? As I assess my life right here, right now, what about the resurrection must I remember? Let me suggest five things. The resurrection of Jesus guarantees your resurrection too. Life is not a constantly repeating cycle of the same old same old. No, under God’s rule this world is marching toward a conclusion. Your life is being carried to a glorious end. There will be a moment when God will raise you out of this broken world, and sin and suffering will be no more. The resurrection tells you what Jesus is now doing. Jesus now reigns. First Corinthians 15 says that he will continue to reign until the final enemy is under his feet. You see, your world is not out of control, but under the careful control of One who is still doing his sin-defeating work. The resurrection promises you all the grace you need between Jesus’s resurrection and yours. If your end has already been guaranteed, then all the grace you need along the way has been guaranteed as well, or you would never make it to your appointed end. Future grace always carries with it the promise of present grace. The resurrection of Jesus motivates you to do what is right, no matter what you are facing. The resurrection tells you that God will win. His truth will reign. His plan will be accomplished. Sin will be defeated. Righteousness will overcome evil. This means that everything you do in God’s name is worth it, no matter what the cost. The resurrection tells you that you always have reason for thanks. Quite apart from anything you have earned, you have been welcomed into the most exciting story ever and have been granted a future of joy and peace forever. No matter what happens today, look at life through this window. This article is adapted from New Morning Mercies for Teens: A Daily Gospel Devotional by Paul David Tripp.

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is a cornerstone of the Christian faith. But what happened after the empty tomb? The Bible tells us about a crucial 40-day period where Jesus appeared to his disciples, solidifying their faith and preparing them for their mission. Let's delve into the significance of this period: 1. Reassurance and Overcoming Doubt (Luke 24:36-43): Scripture: After the resurrection, Jesus appears to the disciples in Jerusalem, who are initially startled and doubt they're seeing Him. He offers proof of his physical body by showing them his hands and feet, and even eats with them. Significance: This initial appearance reassures the disciples of Jesus' bodily resurrection, dispelling any doubts and strengthening their faith. 2. Instruction and Commissioning (John 20:19-23): Scripture: Jesus appears again to the disciples, this time with an absent Thomas. He breathes on them, imparting the Holy Spirit, and grants them the authority to forgive sins. He later offers the same message to Thomas, providing him with physical evidence of the wounds on his hands. Significance: Jesus not only confirms his resurrection but also empowers his disciples with the Holy Spirit and commissions them to carry out his work of forgiveness and spreading the gospel message. 3. Teaching and Preparing for the Future (Acts 1:3-8): Scripture: Throughout the 40 days, Jesus appears to his disciples on multiple occasions, teaching them about the Kingdom of God (a recurring theme – see also Luke 24:44-49). He instructs them to wait in Jerusalem for the coming of the Holy Spirit, which would empower them for their mission. Significance: Jesus uses these interactions to prepare his disciples for the coming of the Holy Spirit and their role in spreading the gospel. He equips them with knowledge and clarifies their purpose. 4. Ascension and Promise of Return (Mark 16:19-20): Scripture: After 40 days, Jesus leads the disciples out to Bethany, near Jerusalem. He lifts his hands in blessing, then ascends into heaven, disappearing into a cloud. Two angels appear, promising His return. Significance: The Ascension marks Jesus' departure from Earth in his physical form and his return to his heavenly glory. However, the angels' message assures the disciples that He will one day return. The 40 days following the resurrection were not just a period of reunion, but a time of profound transformation. Jesus' post-resurrection appearances provided essential reassurance, instruction, and empowerment for his disciples, preparing them to become the foundation of the Christian church. Remember: These appearances are just glimpses into a crucial 40-day period. The Bible doesn't detail every event, but the impact on the disciples is undeniable. As we reflect on this time, let it strengthen our faith in Jesus' promise and the ongoing presence of the Holy Spirit.

Good Friday. The name itself seems like an oxymoron. How can a day commemorating the brutal crucifixion of Jesus Christ be considered "good"? Good Friday is a solemn yet pivotal day within Holy Week for Christians. It's a day marked by deep sorrow and a glimmer of hope. Let's delve into the significance of this impactful day: Remembering the Sacrifice: On this day, we remember the events leading to Jesus' crucifixion as documented in the Gospels (Matthew 27:1-66, Mark 15:1-47, Luke 23:1-56, John 18:1-40): Betrayal and Arrest: Jesus is betrayed by his disciple Judas and arrested by the authorities (Matthew 26:46-56). Unjust Trial: Jesus endures a mockery of a trial filled with false accusations and condemnation by the religious leaders (Matthew 27:11-31). The Crucifixion: Jesus is led to Golgotha, where he is brutally crucified on the cross, enduring immense physical and emotional suffering (John 19:17-37). Why is it Called "Good" Friday? Good Friday isn't "good" because of the horrific events that unfolded. The "good" refers to the profound meaning behind Jesus' sacrifice. Here's why: Atonement for Sin: Through his death on the cross, Jesus took upon himself the penalty for humanity's sin (Romans 5:8). This act of sacrificial love opened the door for reconciliation with God. Promise of Salvation: Jesus' death wasn't the end of the story. It paved the way for his resurrection, offering hope for eternal life to all who believe in him (John 3:16). Ultimate Act of Love: The crucifixion exemplifies God's immense love for humanity. He was willing to sacrifice his own son to redeem us (1 John 4:9-10). Observing Good Friday: Good Friday is a day of somber reflection and prayer. Many Christians attend special church services focused on the crucifixion and its significance. Fasting or abstaining from certain foods can also be a way to express reverence and solidarity with Jesus' suffering. Beyond the Somberness: A Glimpse of Hope While Good Friday is a day of mourning, it also holds a powerful undercurrent of hope. The empty tomb on the following Easter Sunday signifies Jesus' resurrection, conquering death, and offering the promise of eternal life. Good Friday reminds us of the depth of God's love and the power of sacrifice. It's a day of reflection and repentance, ultimately a stepping stone towards the glorious celebration of Easter or Resurrection Sunday.

The week of Jesus’ crucifixion is called “Passion Week,” after the Greek verb pascho, meaning “to suffer.” It began with his triumphal, popularly acclaimed entry into Jerusalem, and it culminated in his atoning death on the cross, his burial, and his resurrection. Today, the Church around the world celebrates those crucial days, now called “Holy Week.” Its sequence of observances outlines the events of this central event in the Bible: Timeline of Passion Week LOCATION: Bethany, the Mount of Olives and JerusalemThe Roman road climbed steeply to the crest of the Mount of Olives, affording spectacular views of the Desert of Judea to the east and of Jerusalem across the Kidron Valley to the west. 1. FRIDAY: Arrival in BethanyJohn 12:1 Jesus arrived in Bethany six days before the Passover to spend some time with his friends, Mary, Martha and Lazarus. Here Mary anointed his feet with costly perfume as an act of humility. This tender expression indicated Mary’s devotion to Jesus and her willingness to serve him. 2. SATURDAY: Sabbath—Day of Rest Nothing is mentioned in the Gospels. The Lord likely spent the Sabbath day in traditional fashion with his friends. 3. SUNDAY: The “Triumphal” EntryMatthew 21:1–11; Mark 11:1–11; Luke 19:28–44; John 12:12–19 On the first day of the week Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, fulfilling an ancient prophecy (Zechariah 9:9). The crowd welcomed him with the words of Psalm 118:25–26, thus ascribing to him a Messianic title as the agent of the Lord, the coming King of Israel. 4. MONDAY: Clearing of the TempleMatthew 21:12–17; Mark 11:15–18; Luke 19:45–48 Jesus returned to the temple and found the court of the Gentiles full of traders and money changers making a large profit. Jesus drove them out and overturned their benches and tables. 5. TUESDAY: Day of Controversy and ParablesMatthew 21:23—24:51; Mark 11:27—13:37; Luke 20:1—21:36 In Jerusalem, Jesus evaded the traps set by the priests. Tuesday afternoon, on the Mount of Olives overlooking Jerusalem, Jesus taught in parables and warned the people against the Pharisees. He predicted the destruction of Herod’s great temple and told his disciples about future events, including his own return. 6. WEDNESDAY: Day of RestAlthough the Gospels do not mention this day, the counting of the days (Mark 14:1; John 12:1) seems to indicate that there was another day about which the Gospels record nothing. 7. THURSDAY: Passover, Last SupperMatthew 26:17–30; Mark 14:12–26; Luke 22:7–23 In an upper room Jesus prepared both himself and his disciples for his death. He gave the Passover meal a new meaning. The loaf of bread and cup of wine represented his body soon to be sacrificed and his blood soon to be shed. And so he instituted the “Lord’s Supper.” After singing a hymn they went to Gethsemane, where Jesus prayed in agony, knowing what lay ahead for him. 8. FRIDAY: CrucifixionMatthew 27; Mark 15; Luke 22:66—23:56; John 18:28—19:37 Following betrayal, arrest, desertion, false trials, denial, condemnation, beatings and mockery, Jesus was required to carry his cross to “the place of the skull” (Matthew 27:33), where he was crucified with two other prisoners. 9. SATURDAY: In the tombJesus’ body was placed in the tomb before 6:00 p.m. Friday evening, when the Sabbath began and all work stopped, and it lay in the tomb throughout the Sabbath. 10. SUNDAY: ResurrectionMatthew 28:1–10; Mark 16:1–8; Luke 24:1–49; John 20Early in the morning, women went to the tomb and found that the stone closing the tomb’s entrance had been rolled back. An angel told them Jesus was alive and gave them a message. Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene in the garden, to Peter, to two disciples on the road to Emmaus and later that day to all the disciples but Thomas. Prophesy is Fulfilled Many of Christ’s Passion Week actions and experiences fulfilled Scripture:• He rode on a young colt in humility (Matthew 21:1–5; Zechariah 9:9)• He cleansed and judged the temple (Matthew 21:12–13; Malachi 3:1–3• He faced accusations with silence (Matthew 26:63; Isaiah 53:7)• He was scorned and mocked in his suffering (Matthew 27:39–44; Psalm 22:6–8) and• He died among the wicked and was buried in the grave of a rich man (Matthew 27:57–60; Isaiah 53:9). The prophet Isaiah foretold Jesus’ suffering in detail, describing the Lord as a sacrificial lamb (Isaiah 52:13—53:12). Jesus himself explained that his death was his purpose in coming to earth (Matthew 20:28) calling his followers to “take up their own cross daily” in sacrificial service (Luke 9:23). After his death, the apostles echoed this call when they commended the “crucified life” to their hearers (Galatians 2:20). From the time of his final entry into Jerusalem, the Lord Jesus faced fierce opposition, physical torture and suffering, which led to his death. His choice of this path can only be explained by his love for the Father, his desire to obey his will, and his love for the lost sheep he came to find. He was determined to die a substitutionary death for our deliverance. This is the path he chose as he rode into Jerusalem. Drawn from study notes in the NIV Study Bible and NIV Storyline Bible.

Use this 7-Day Holy Week Devotional to focus on the cross of Jesus and the hope that we have through him! For each day of the Holy Week you will find related Scriptures and a guided prayer. May this daily devotional time bring peace and joy to your mind and heart in the days leading to Easter and the glorious Resurrection of Christ! We will be using the Gospel account of the last week of Jesus's ministry and life on earth as told in the Bible book of Matthew. As you prepare to celebrate Easter, use this 7-day reading plan and prayer prompts to reflect on the important moments that happened as Jesus drew closer to his death and resurrection. Palm Sunday Devotional Palm Sunday is the Sunday before Easter that begins the Holy Week. It is the day that we remember and celebrate the day Jesus entered Jerusalem as Savior and King. As Jesus rode a donkey into the town of Jerusalem a large crowd gathered and laid palm branches and their cloaks across the road, giving Jesus royal treatment. The hundreds of people shouted "Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven!" The Triumphal Entry And when he had said these things, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. When he drew near to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount that is called Olivet, he sent two of the disciples, saying, "Go into the village in front of you, where on entering you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever yet sat. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, 'Why are you untying it?' you shall say this: 'The Lord has need of it.'" So those who were sent went away and found it just as he had told them. And as they were untying the colt, its owners said to them, "Why are you untying the colt?" And they said, "The Lord has need of it." And they brought it to Jesus, and throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. And as he rode along, they spread their cloaks on the road. As he was drawing near--already on the way down the Mount of Olives--the whole multitude of his disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen, saying, "Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!" And some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, "Teacher, rebuke your disciples." He answered, "I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out." Jesus Weeps over Jerusalem And when he drew near and saw the city, he wept over it, saying, "Would that you, even you, had known on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. For the days will come upon you, when your enemies will set up a barricade around you and surround you and hem you in on every side and tear you down to the ground, you and your children within you. And they will not leave one stone upon another in you, because you did not know the time of your visitation." (Luke 19:28-44) Palm Sunday Prayer "Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord..." We give you praise and honor for your ways are righteous and true. We give you worship for you are holy and just. We will declare that your love stands firm forever. For your lovingkindness endures forever. Thank you that your ways are far greater than our ways, your thoughts far deeper than our thoughts. Thank you that you had a plan to redeem. Thank you that you make all things new. Thank you that your face is towards the righteous, and you hear our prayers, and know our hearts. Help us to stay strong and true to you. Help us not to follow after the voice of the crowds, but to press in close to you, to hear your whispers, and seek after you alone. We praise you, we bless you, Lord! Thank you that you reign supreme and we are more than conquerors through the gift of Christ! In the Mighty Name of Jesus, Amen. Holy Monday Devotional Holy Monday is the second day of Holy Week, right after Palm Sunday. It is the second day that Jesus was in Jerusalem, and the Bible records Christ teaching and debating the religious leaders over Holy Monday and the next day (Holy Tuesday). Whose Son Is the Christ? Now while the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them a question, saying, "What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is he?" They said to him, "The son of David." He said to them, "How is it then that David, in the Spirit, calls him Lord, saying, "'The Lord said to my Lord, Sit at my right hand, until I put your enemies under your feet'? If then David calls him Lord, how is he his son?" And no one was able to answer him a word, nor from that day did anyone dare to ask him any more questions. (Matthew 22:41-46) Holy Monday Prayer O God, Son of God, you took on yourself our nature and suffered death on the cross for us. By your Passion, you have set us free from eternal death. Preserve us in your grace; through your mercy, O our God, you are blessed and govern all things, now and forever. Amen. Holy Tuesday Devotional On Tuesday of Holy Week, Jesus taught in the Temple courts and instructed his disciples about faithfulness. No One Knows That Day and Hour "But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only. For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one left. Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. "Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his master has set over his household, to give them their food at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions. But if that wicked servant says to himself, 'My master is delayed,' and begins to beat his fellow servants and eats and drinks with drunkards, the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know and will cut him in pieces and put him with the hypocrites. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (Matthew 24:36-51) Holy Tuesday Prayer Lord God, the message of the cross is difficult to take. How can death give way to life? How can weakness be a strength? Yet your word says that Jesus, being God, took on human flesh and suffered the worst kind of death. How can this be? This message is indeed difficult to take. But your foolishness is wiser than our wisdom. Your weakness is greater than our strength. Help us to know that none of us can boast before you. It is only in Christ Jesus that we can boast. In his name, we ask you to help our unbelief. That we may love you, and walk in the way Jesus taught us. In his name, Amen. Holy Wednesday Devotional He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth. Like a lamb he was led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that is silent in the presence of her shearers, so he did not open his mouth.  (Isaiah 53:7) Almighty God, grant that we who are continually afflicted because of our evil deeds may be freed by the passion of your only-begotten Son; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. On Wednesday of Holy Week, Jesus may have rested. As known as Spy Wednesday, Matthew gives us a flashback to Jesus being anointed at Bethany and Judas starting his plot to betray Him. The Plot to Kill Jesus When Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said to his disciples, "You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified." Then the chief priests and the elders of the people gathered in the palace of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas, and plotted together in order to arrest Jesus by stealth and kill him. But they said, "Not during the feast, lest there be an uproar among the people." (Matthew 26:1-5) Jesus Anointed at Bethany Now when Jesus was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, a woman came up to him with an alabaster flask of very expensive ointment, and she poured it on his head as he reclined at table. And when the disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, "Why this waste? For this could have been sold for a large sum and given to the poor." But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, "Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a beautiful thing to me. For you always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me. In pouring this ointment on my body, she has done it to prepare me for burial. Truly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her." (Matthew 26:6-13) Judas to Betray Jesus Then one of the twelve, whose name was Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, "What will you give me if I deliver him over to you?" And they paid him thirty pieces of silver. And from that moment he sought an opportunity to betray him. (Matthew 26:14-16) Holy Wednesday Prayer You, Lord, are always faithful. We stumble, we become lost, But you are steady and sure. Give us the grace to endure our troubles, And reveal to us the glory of your kingdom, Through your son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit. Amen. Maundy Thursday Devotional Christ's "mandate" is commemorated on Maundy Thursday--- "maundy" being a shortened form of mandatum (Latin), which means "command."  It was on the Thursday of Christ's final week before being crucified and resurrected that He said this commandment to His disciples. Jesus and his disciples had just shared what is known as the Last Supper and he washed their feet saying: "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another" (John 13:34). (Excerpt from What Is Maundy Thursday?) The Passover with the Disciples Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Where will you have us prepare for you to eat the Passover?" He said, "Go into the city to a certain man and say to him, 'The Teacher says, My time is at hand. I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.'" And the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the Passover. When it was evening, he reclined at table with the twelve. And as they were eating, he said, "Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me." And they were very sorrowful and began to say to him one after another, "Is it I, Lord?" He answered, "He who has dipped his hand in the dish with me will betray me. The Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born." Judas, who would betray him, answered, "Is it I, Rabbi?" He said to him, "You have said so." (Matthew 26:17-25) Institution of the Lord's Supper Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, "Take, eat; this is my body." And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, "Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom." (Matthew 26:26-29) Maundy Thursday Prayer The world will know we are his disciples If we love one another. Strengthen our hands and our wills for love And for service. Keep before our eyes the image of your Son, Who, being God, became a Servant for our sake. All glory be to him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever. Amen. Good Friday Devotional The cross is where we see the convergence of great suffering and God’s forgiveness. Psalms 85:10 sings of a day when “righteousness and peace” will “kiss each other.” The cross and crucifixion of Jesus is where that occurred, where God’s demands, his righteousness, coincided with his mercy. We receive divine forgiveness, mercy, and peace because Jesus willingly took our divine punishment, the result of God’s righteousness against sin. “For the joy set before him” (Hebrews 12:2) Jesus endured the cross on Good Friday, knowing it led to his resurrection, our salvation, and the beginning of God’s reign of righteousness and peace. The Example of Christ's Suffering Slaves, in reverent fear of God, submit yourselves to your masters, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God. But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. "He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth." When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. "He himself bore our sins" in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; "by his wounds you have been healed." For "you were like sheep going astray," but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. (1 Peter 2:18-25) Good Friday Prayer Lord God, We wait, on Friday, for the resurrection of Sunday And sometimes our lives seem a succession of Fridays And we cannot see what is “Good.” Teach us to call your name As Jesus did. Help us to trust in you like little children. In Jesus’ name, Amen. Holy Saturday Devotional Holy Saturday, the day preceding the miracle is yes, a Sabbath, a day to rest, but it is also a day to be still. Exodus 20:8 is the original verse explaining to God’s people how to observe this law, “Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath day of rest dedicated to the Lord your God.” The act of keeping something Holy is to keep it set aside or reserved for a purpose, and this specific day is meant to rest in dedication to the Lord. On Holy Saturday Christians today can take this a step further in resting or abiding in what the Lord is doing today. Jesus Is Buried When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who also was a disciple of Jesus. He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate ordered it to be given to him. And Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen shroud and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had cut in the rock. And he rolled a great stone to the entrance of the tomb and went away. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were there, sitting opposite the tomb. (Matthew 27:57-61) The Guard at the Tomb The next day, that is, after the day of Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate and said, "Sir, we remember how that impostor said, while he was still alive, 'After three days I will rise.' Therefore order the tomb to be made secure until the third day, lest his disciples go and steal him away and tell the people, 'He has risen from the dead,' and the last fraud will be worse than the first." Pilate said to them, "You have a guard of soldiers. Go, make it as secure as you can." So they went and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone and setting a guard. (Matthew 27:62-66) Holy Saturday Prayer Help us to hope always in you, and through Your resurrection, the making of all things new. In Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen. As we conclude this seven-day devotional journey through Holy Week, let us carry with us the lessons we have learned and the truths we have encountered. May our hearts be stirred with gratitude for the sacrifice of Jesus Christ and renewed in our commitment to follow Him faithfully. Let us continue to meditate on the Scriptures we have explored and to deepen our prayer life, drawing closer to God each day. As we walk through the days ahead, may the significance of Holy Week remain ever-present in our hearts and minds, guiding us in our relationship with God and in our interactions with others. Amen.

“Remember that you are dust, and to dust you will return.” So begins the yearly Christian season known as Lent on February 14th 2024, a follow-up of sorts to the season of Advent, which concludes on March 28th 2024. While during Advent we celebrate the various “comings” of Christ—first as a baby born to take away the sins of the world, and second as the victorious king come again to put the world to rights—during Lent we traditionally take a more contemplative posture, examining ourselves and our own mortality in order to personally identify with what Christ did to break our chains of sin. In the book of Hebrews we find the perfect marriage of these two important Christian seasons: Since all his “children” have flesh and blood, so Jesus became human to fully identify with us. He did this, so that he could experience death and annihilate the effects of the intimidating accuser, who holds against us the power of death. By embracing death Jesus sets free those who live their entire lives in bondage to the tormenting dread of death (Hebrews 2:14–15). Consider this: Jesus became one of us and lived our life in order to experience our death, so that he could break the power of death reflected in the opening words above! This is what we reflect upon and celebrate during the season of Lent. For those who are unfamiliar with Lent, it is a forty-day journey of self-reflection and self-denial that prepares the believer for Holy Week, leading to Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday. Throughout this period Christians are invited to examine themselves as they remember the suffering and sacrifice of Jesus on their behalf. It’s also a time for setting aside our past sins and failures in light of the blessed future hope of who we will become by God’s grace. Accompanying this season of repentance is fasting, almsgiving, reflection, and prayer. Lent officially begins with Ash Wednesday, a solemn service in which we’re called to remember our mortality and express our need for God’s mercy and forgiveness. We are invited to remember that one day we will return to the dust from whence we came, and it is by God’s gracious gift that we will be resurrected from the dead and given everlasting life. “Even when we were dead and doomed in our many sins, he united us into the very life of Christ and saved us by his wonderful grace! He raised us up with Christ the exalted One, and we ascended with him into the glorious perfection and authority of the heavenly realm, for we are now co-seated as one with Christ!” Ephesians 2:5-6 TPT “For since we are permanently grafted into him to experience a death like his, then we are permanently grafted into him to experience a resurrection like his and the new life that it imparts.” Romans 6:5 TPT Traditionally, this season has been marked by fasting from food and entertainment as a way to experience, in some way, Christ’s own self-denial. You may have known a friend or coworker who gave up chocolate or Facebook, wine or TV—perhaps you yourself fasted from something or some experience for Lent as a way to prepare for Easter. While it may sound silly, these forty days of self-denial are meant to help believers identify with and understand the depths of Christ’s own self-denial on our behalf through his suffering and sacrifice on the cross. But why forty days? The number “forty” is deeply scriptural: God sent rain for forty days and nights during the great Noah flood; Moses spent forty days on Mt. Sinai with God; the children of Israel wandered in the wilderness for forty years before gaining the Promised Land; and Jesus went into his own wilderness and fasted for forty days, where he was tested and tempted by Satan before he began his ministry. So it is this deep, biblical history that inspired early Christians to begin setting aside these days to focus the heart and prepare the soul to celebrate the most important events in history: the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We hope this Lenten season will encourage and inspire your faith in the One who bore our pain and shame, so that you could be declared “Not guilty!” and enjoy everlasting life in the age to come! Published by Brian Simmons content was taken from Grace and Hope: A 40-Day Devotional for Lent and Easter