relent - a2 church

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RELENT: A Journey of Surrender March 2 — April 16, 2022

© 2022 Chris Goins + A2.Church. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of Chris Goins or A2.Church, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews + certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, contact: A2.Church 6 Greenhill Pkwy Birmingham, AL 35242 [email protected] www.A2.Church www.chrisgoins.org

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ISAIAH 53 | MSG Who believes what we’ve heard + seen? Who would have thought God’s saving power would look like this? 2-6 The servant grew up before God — a scrawny seedling, a scrubby plant in a parched field. There was nothing attractive about him, nothing to cause us to take a second look. He was looked down on + passed over, a man who suffered, who knew pain firsthand. One look at him + people turned away. We looked down on him, thought he was scum. But the fact is, it was our pains he carried — our disfigurements, all the things wrong with us.

We thought he brought it on himself, that God was punishing him for his own failures. But it was our sins that did that to him, that ripped + tore + crushed him — our sins! He took the punishment + that made us whole. Through his bruises we get healed.

We’re all like sheep who’ve wandered off + gotten lost. We’ve all done our own thing, gone our own way. + God has piled all our sins, everything we’ve done wrong, on him, on him.

7-9 He was beaten, he was tortured, but he didn’t say a word. Like a lamb taken to be slaughtered + like a sheep being sheared, he took it all in silence. Justice miscarried + he was led off — + did anyone really know what was happening?

He died without a thought for his own welfare, beaten bloody for the sins of my people. They buried him with the wicked, threw him in a grave with a rich man, Even though he’d never hurt a soul or said one word that wasn’t true. 10 Still, it’s what God had in mind all along, to crush him with pain.

The plan was that he give himself as an offering for sin so that he’d see life come from it—life, life + more life. God’s plan will deeply prosper through him.

11-12 Out of that terrible travail of soul, he’ll see that it’s worth it + be glad he did it. Through what he experienced, my righteous one, my servant, will make many “righteous ones,” as he himself carries the burden of their sins. Therefore I’ll reward him extravagantly — the best of everything, the highest honors — Because he looked death in the face + didn’t flinch, because he embraced the company of the lowest. He took on his own shoulders the sin of the many, he took up the cause of all the black sheep.

Like a lamb taken to be slaughtered . . . He took it all in silence.

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RELENT | A JOURNEY OF SURRENDER

Have you ever wondered what someone is talking about when they say they’re “giving up something” for Lent? Have you ever seen someone with a dark smudge on their forehead, pointed it out + had them respond, “Yeah, I know . . . It’s Ash Wednesday”? Maybe you’re like me, you didn’t grow up in a church that observed Ash Wednesday or Lent, so you’d really like to know what they mean, represent + are all about. Here goes . . .

WHAT IS LENT? Lent is the 40-day period (not including Sundays) that begins on Ash Wednesday (more about that in a moment) + culminates on the Saturday of Easter weekend. Sundays aren’t included in the 40-day count because Jesus rose from the dead on Sunday, so Sundays are considered resurrection day or days of “feasting” + celebration! Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, a day set aside by many churches as a day of prayer, fasting, reflection + repentance. Traditionally, Ash Wednesday features a time of being “anointed” or marked on the forehead or hand with ashes in the sign of the cross. The use of ashes is a recognition of our humanity + frailty. They’re a reminder that we are in desperate need of God’s grace. They’re also a symbol of mourning + repentance over sin. This symbol has roots that go all the way back to the Old Testament. The sign of the cross is a reminder of God’s amazing love demonstrated when Jesus died for our sin + in our place! At A2.Church, while we appreciate the beautiful tradition + symbolism of marking people with ashes, we don’t observe this practice. Instead, we mark or anoint people with oil on Ash Wednesday because we believe that Jesus came to fulfill the promise contained in Isaiah 61:1-3.

The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, 2 to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, 3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. —Isaiah 61:1-3 NIV

Lent begins on Ash Wednesday + provides a great opportunity for believers to deepen our commitment to Jesus, grow in our relationship with God + to surrender every aspect of our life to Christ. During Lent, we step back from the busyness of life, turn off the noise, see through the superficiality of this present age, reflect on how we got here + refocus our attention on Jesus + all that He accomplished through His cross + resurrection.

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Many writers see the forty days Jesus spent in the wilderness (Luke 4) as being a model for what Lent is all about. During His wilderness experience Jesus prayed, fasted + was tempted, but ultimately emerged with power! That’s why Lent is a time for 1) focused prayer, 2) intentional fasting, 3) personal repentance + surrender, 4) random acts of generosity + kindness (Isaiah 58:5-12) + an opportunity for breakthrough + increased spiritual power!

5 REASONS TO OBSERVE LENT This Lent at A2.Church represents a great time for us to: 1) Focus on all that Jesus accomplished on the cross. Sometimes the speed of life, along with a myriad of competing distractions that vie for our time + attention, keep us from thinking deeply about all that Jesus experienced + accomplished on the cross.

And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” 20 In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.” — Luke 22:19-20 NIV

Don’t miss the last phrase in Verse 19 . . . “Do this in remembrance of me.” In other words, Jesus basically said, “I don’t ever want you to forget what I’ve done for you. In fact, I’m giving you a memory tool to help you remember. Whenever you eat this bread or drink this cup, remember me. Remember Me!” We are so prone to forget, but Lent gives us an opportunity to remember. In fact, this Lent, A2.Church has provided this RELENT devotional with daily readings focused on all that Jesus experienced during the week leading to the cross. We believe that reading through + meditating on these events will deepen your love for + worship of Jesus. (By the way, this material has also been posted to our website, A2.CHURCH, so that you can invite your family + friends to join you in this 40-day journey.) On top of all this, Christians have believed that by taking the 40 days leading up to Easter to focus on the cross, we’ll prepare ourselves to more fully experience + celebrate the miracle + power of Jesus’ victorious resurrection on Easter Sunday! 2) Make prayer + intentional fasting a vital part of your life.

• Prayer In the self-help classic, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, author Stephen Covey asked one of the best questions I’ve run across. He asked:

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“What one thing could you do, that if you did it on a regular basis, would make a tremendous positive difference in your life?” —Stephen Covey 1 When it comes to growing + strengthening your relationship with God, the answer to that question is a no-brainer. Here’s what I believe: Prayer is the one thing we can do, that if we did it on a regular basis—if we made it a habit + lifestyle—it would make a tremendous positive difference in our lives. This is probably why the disciples came to Jesus one day after watching Him pray with this request:

Once Jesus was in a certain place praying. As he finished, one of his disciples came to him + said, “Lord, teach us to pray…” —Luke 11:1 NLT

Jesus wasn’t bothered by their interest. In fact, it was in response to their question that He gave them what we’ve come to call “The Lord’s Prayer.”

“This, then, is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, 10 your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us today our daily bread. 12 + forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 + lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’ For yours is the kingdom + the power + the glory forever. Amen. —Matthew 6:9-13 NIV

With that short, poignant + profound prayer Jesus taught us so much. He taught us that prayer is a conversation with our Father. When we pray, we affirm our relationship with God (v 9), acknowledge His greatness (v 9), align ourselves with His heart (v 10) + access His resources + power (vs 11-13). This is why I believe that: Prayer is the one thing we can do, that if we did it on a regular basis—if we made it a habit + lifestyle—it would make a tremendous positive difference in our lives.

Lent is a terrific opportunity to make prayer a vital part of your life. Here are a few suggestions:

• Pick a time. Schedule some time every day to be alone with God. If you currently don’t have a practice of spending time with God, start with fifteen minutes.

• Pick a place. I find that it’s very helpful to have a designated place in your home where

you go to pray. For me, it’s a chair in my home office.

• Eliminate distractions. Turn off your phone, computer, television + anything else that distracts you. This is one of the reasons I love to spend time with God first thing in the morning. Nothing else is competing for my attention, which allows me to intentionally focus on time with my Father.

1 Stephen Covey, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, p. 163, Kindle Edition.

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• Read + meditate on Scripture. I read God’s Word every day, not because I’m “spiritual,”

but because I’m desperate. His Word helps to form, shape + guide the direction of my prayers.

• Be real + raw with God. C.S. Lewis once described it like this, “We must lay before [God] all that is in us not what ought to be in us.” 2

• Take time to listen. Prayer isn’t just about talking to God, it’s about creating space for God to talk to you.

This Lent, make prayer a vital part of your life.

• Fasting

Historically, Lent is viewed as an opportunity to pursue the heart of God through fasting. Maybe you’re asking, “What is fasting all about? Why should I do it?” Here’s your answer . . . Fasting is the classical spiritual practice of voluntarily going without food (or some other gift from God that you would normally enjoy) for the sake of focusing all of your attention on God + pursuing a spiritual goal you believe God has planted in you. For instance, to grow in your faith, a closer relationship with God, freedom over some self-defeating habit or healing in some area of your life. But ultimately, the goal of fasting is always God.

As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. 2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God? —Psalm 42:1-2 NIV

2 C.S. Lewis, Letters To Malcolm

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Fasting helps us put God first, hear His voice, know His heart, receive His guidance, pursue His plans + receive His blessing. Fasting can also serve as a catalyst for spiritual growth + breakthrough. When it comes to how you can fast, here are a few options:

• A Complete (Full) Fast – This is when you abstain from food, but continue to drink liquids (mainly water or healthy, no-sugar-added vegetable + fruit juices).

• The Daniel Fast – It gets its name from a fast that Daniel observed in the book of Daniel.

During this fast believers abstain from meats, bread, sweets + wine + only drink water or healthy, no-sugar-added vegetable + fruit juices. While several variations exist, the Daniel Fast focuses primarily on eating healthy whole foods like vegetables + natural fruits.

• The “Partial” or “Jewish” or “Sun-up to Sun-down” Fast. Yes, this is known by several

names. It involves abstaining from eating any type of food from sun-up to sun-down. Some people determine specific times of the day to observe the fast. For instance, they fast from 6 a.m. to 4 or 5 p.m. But the general principle is sun-up to sun-down.

• A Selective Fast – Traditionally, Lent is often associated with practicing a selective fast

where we remove certain foods from our diet so that we can more fully pursue the heart of God.

As I indicated above, you may have heard someone say something like, “This Lent I’m giving up Sugar. . . Chocolate. . . Desserts., etc.” A selective fast can include giving up foods like dairy, sugar, artificial sweeteners, bread, grains, soda, caffeine, coffee, chocolate, ice cream, wine, alcohol, processed foods, or any number of food items that may exert a controlling influence over you. Believers prayerfully choose the foods they will eliminate as a means of more fully focusing on God.

• A Non-Food “Fast” – It’s important to point out that in the Bible fasting always involves

food. Always. While Scripture doesn’t describe “a non-food fast,” those with health issues that require adherence to specific dietary guidelines + restrictions may choose to honor God by implementing some kind of a non-food “fast.” This is a decision to limit or completely abstain from something in your life that may exert a “controlling influence” or where you may need to develop more self-discipline + experience growth + freedom. For instance, you may choose to stop using social media, viewing television, using Netflix, watching the news, playing video games, reading certain books, etc., for a specific period of time.

Sometimes even those who are observing one of the “food” fasts described earlier, will also fast non-food items, as well. It’s important for me to point out, if you’re on medication, have a medical condition, are under the care of a physician, or you’re considering engaging in a prolonged “full” fast, I recommend that you consult your doctor before implementing a fast.

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WHY IS FASTING ESSENTIAL? John Piper once wrote: “The birthplace of Christian fasting is homesickness [or hunger] for God.” — John Piper 3 In Matthew 5:6 Jesus gave us this promise:

“Blessed are those who hunger + thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” —Matthew 5:6 NIV

Back to Piper. When I read the following lines in his book almost two decades ago, I was crushed. “The greatest enemy of hunger for God is not poison but apple pie. It is not the banquet of the wicked that dulls our appetite for heaven, but endless nibbling at the table of the world. It is not the X-rated video, but the prime-time dribble of triviality we drink in every night. For all the ill that Satan can do, when God describes what keeps us from the banquet table of his love, it is a piece of land, a yoke of oxen + a spouse (Luke 14:18-20).” —John Piper, A Hunger for God All too often I’m tempted to anesthetize the ache in my spirit + soul with a piece of pizza, a scoop of Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream, a bucket of popcorn, a burger from Baha Burger, a glass of Diet Coke, or by binging some show on Netflix. The list of possible substitutes is endless. Fasting is an opportunity for me to lay aside every substitute or “functional savior” I tend to gravitate to + place myself before God in desperation admitting, “God, I’m desperate for You. In fact, I want You this much.” My physical hunger becomes a catalyst for + a reminder of my deeper spiritual hunger.

HOW HUNGRY ARE YOU FOR GOD? So my question for you at this point is, “How hungry are you for God? Really?” Will you pursue the heart of God + the spiritual goal He has placed on your heart through fasting? Several decades ago, A.W. Tozer, in one of his Christian classics, The Pursuit of God, wrote the following prayer. “O God, I have tasted Thy goodness + it has both satisfied me + made me thirsty for more. I am painfully conscious of my need of further grace. I am ashamed of my lack of desire. O God, the Triune God, I want to want Thee; I long to be filled with longing; I thirst to be made more thirsty still. Show me Thy glory, I pray Thee, so I may know Thee indeed. Begin in mercy a new work of love within me. Say to my soul, ‘Rise up, my love, my fair one + come away.’ Then give me grace to rise + follow Thee up from this misty lowland where I have wandered so long. In Jesus’ name. Amen.” —A. W. Tozer 4

3 John Piper, A Hunger for God. 4 A.W. Tozer, The Pursuit of God, p. 5 of 32. Kindle Edition.

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Centuries ago, the prophet Jeremiah shared this promise from God Himself.:

“When you come looking for me, you’ll find me. Yes, when you get serious about finding me + want it more than anything else, I’ll make sure you won’t be disappointed.” God’s Decree. —Jeremiah 29:13 MSG

CHOOSING YOUR FAST. During Lent, you may want to observe one of the above fasts for the entire 40-day period, or you may want to use a variety of the options we’ve described. For instance,

§ Week One: A Selective Fast § Week Two: The Daniel Fast § Week Three: The Sun-up to Sun-down Fast § Week Four: The Sun-up to Sun-down Fast § Week Five: The Daniel Fast § Week Six: A Complete or Full Fast for 3 Days + the Sun-up to Sun-down Fast for the

remainder of the fast Finally, throughout Lent, even those of you observing a “food” fast, may also want to “give up” a non-food item like social media, news media, your intake of television or movies, video games, etc., so that you can more fully focus on God.

GET A PARTNER. LIFE + FASTING ARE BETTER TOGETHER.

One more thought on fasting. While fasting is a very personal decision + should never be forced or coerced, many people find that they’re better able to stick with their commitment + decision to fast when they bring an accountability partner into the mix. You might even want to make this a family affair or part of your weekly small group gathering. Life + fasting are better together. Why not ask a close friend, family member, or your small group to participate in this journey with you? Lent is a great opportunity for us to:

• Focus on all that Jesus accomplished on the cross. • Make prayer + intentional fasting a vital part of your life.

3) Pursue God for the freedom + deliverance made available at the cross. Maybe there are self-defeating, sinful habits that have held you in bondage for years. When Jesus stepped out of the wilderness, He stepped out with an announcement of freedom + deliverance.

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners + recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” —Luke 4:18-19 NIV (Cf Isaiah 61:1-2)

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The next forty days could represent a defining moment for you to believe God for complete healing, breakthrough, freedom + total deliverance! Your complete freedom really is possible! Jesus also stepped out of His desert experience in the “power of the Holy Spirit” (Luke 4:14). This Lent, why not make yourself available to God to be filled with + empowered by the Holy Spirit?

DEFINE YOUR SPIRITUAL GOAL. A great practice at the start of Lent is to define what you want to see God do during the next 40 days. What is your spiritual goal? For instance, “This Lent, I really want to grow in my relationship with God.” Or, “This Lent, I long to see God transform my marriage.” Or, “This Lent, I’m asking God to save my lost son or daughter.” Or, “This Lent, I’m asking God for clarity in my life + direction for my future.” Define your purpose. Intentionality makes all the difference when it comes to whether or not you’ll experience Lent in a way that transforms your life. 4) Seek God for personal direction + guidance. Sometimes we can’t hear God simply because we don’t get quiet + still enough to listen. Lent is a season to “. . . be still and know that [He] is God” (Psalm 46:10). The 40 days of Lent can be a great opportunity for you to ask God to fulfill His promise in Isaiah 30:21.

“Your own ears will hear him. Right behind you a voice will say, ‘This is the way you should go,’ whether to the right or to the left.” —Isaiah 30:21 NLT

God loves giving guidance to His kids! He loves it! If you need direction + clarity in some area of your life, ask God for it + expect Him to provide it.

“If you don’t know what you’re doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You’ll get his help, + won’t be condescended to when you ask for it.” —James 1:5 MSG

5) Practice generosity + random acts of kindness. Traditionally, churches that observe Lent have viewed it as an opportunity for Christians to increase their generosity. This includes honoring God not only with His tithe, but with offerings above + beyond the tithe. It includes random acts of kindness like purchasing a coffee for the car behind you in the drive-thru at Starbucks, paying for lunch for the police officers in line at Chick-fil-A, sending an assortment of cookies from Cookie Fix to the teachers at your child’s school, or giving the pastor at A2.Church a gift certificate to Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream. Haha! Just kidding. But, you get the point.

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2 Corinthians 8-9 may contain the first “fundraising” letter written by a leader in the church. Paul was challenging the church to give. In those two chapters, He indicated that our example when it comes to generosity is none other than the amazing generosity + extravagant grace of Jesus.

“You know the generous grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich.” —2 Corinthians 8:9 NLT

That’s why Christians throughout centuries have viewed the 40 days of Lent as an opportunity to increase their generosity + to share random acts of kindness. We really believe Lent can represent one of the most meaningful church-wide experiences in the history of A2.Church + be a strategic opportunity for spiritual growth + breakthrough, as we:

• Focus on all that Jesus accomplished on the cross. • Make prayer + intentional fasting a vital part of your life. • Pursue God for the freedom + deliverance made available at the cross. • Seek God for personal direction + guidance. • Practice generosity + random acts of kindness.

ARE YOU READY TO JOIN THIS JOURNEY OF SURRENDER?

RELENT: SETTING MY COURSE Set your course + make a plan by answering these questions before you begin the journey:

1. What is my purpose, reason, or spiritual goal for observing Lent? 2. What kind of fast will I observe during Lent? 3. Who will my accountability partner(s) be during Lent?

4. Why is this the right time for me to pray, fast + pursue God's heart? 5. What areas—or issues in my life-—do I sense the Holy Spirit challenging me to surrender totally + completely to God during Lent? (List every item where surrender has been an issue.)

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A PRAYER FOR A GOSPEL SATURATED LENT

Pastor Scotty Smith 5 I love the prayers of Pastor Scotty Smith of Christ Community Church in Franklin, Tennessee. I’ll close this intro to Lent with this prayer from 2011.

Jesus answered, “How can the guests of the bridegroom fast while he is with them? They cannot, so long as they have him with them. But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them + on that day they will fast.” —Mark 2:19-20 NIV

Dear Jesus, it’s Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the season of Lent. For the next forty days, we have the privilege of surveying Your cross + preparing for the greatest of all celebrations—Easter Sunday, the foundation of our hope + the fountain of eternal joy. For Your glory + our growth, we ask You to inundate us with fresh grace in the coming weeks. We don’t want an ordinary Lent season, Jesus. Saturate it with the gospel. It’s all about You, Jesus. It is all about You, what You’ve done for us, not what we promise to do for You. Sadly, I used to dread Lent like late summer football practice. A lot of striving + sweat mixed in with much uncertainty + fear. “What’s the coach think about my performance? Am I doomed to sit on the bench? Will I even make the team this year?” What a misuse of the season of Lent. What a complete misrepresentation of the gospel. What a dismal way to live the Christian life. We’re Your betrothed bride, not a beleaguered people. Indeed, Jesus, we begin Lent today anticipating our wedding, not our funeral. Jesus, for You’re the loving Bridegroom who died to make us Your cherished bride. The work’s already done; the dowry has been paid in full; the wedding dress of Your righteousness is already ours; the invitations have been sent out; the date has been secured; You’ll not change your mind! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Over these next 40 days intensify our hunger, assurance + longing for the Day of Your return—the Day of consummate joy, the wedding feast of the Lamb. In light of that banquet, we choose to deny ourselves (fast) certain pleasures for this brief season. But we’re not looking to get one thing from You, Jesus, just more of You. Fill our hearts with Your beauty + bounty, so very Amen, we pray, in Your holy + loving name.

5 https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/scotty-smith/a-prayer-for-a-gospel-saturated-lent/

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MY HEART FOR YOU!

I’m looking forward to observing Lent with the A2.Church family + extended family this year. Yes, I really mean that . . . I’m actually looking forward to it!

I’m excited about the potential + possibility of our entire church family participating in this experience that has deep roots in church history + is so focused on Jesus.

As we participate in this journey together, I want you to know that I am praying with you + for you:

• that you will be better able to “fix your eyes on Jesus, the pioneer + perfector of your faith”(Hebrews 12:2).

• that you will grow in your relationship with God.

• that you will be filled with + empowered by the Holy Spirit.

• that you will surrender every aspect of your life to Christ.

• that you will experience breakthrough, especially when it comes to the spiritual goal(s) youare pursuing +

• that Jesus will become the magnificent obsession of your life.

If there’s a way I can serve you or pray with you during this journey, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

You can contact me at [email protected] or [email protected].

I love you + thank God for you,

Chris Goins Lead Pastor A2.Church

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DAY 1 | MARCH 2

On Good Friday, the most sophisticated religious system of its time, allied with the most powerful political + military empire on the planet, aligned themselves against one solitary man—the only perfect man who has ever lived.

God in the flesh. Jesus, a thirty-something-year-old man from a town in the middle east known as Nazareth.

But, that’s getting ahead of ourselves. We’ll take an in-depth, “behind the scenes” look at what happened during the week that changed the world + the events that changed eternity.

The final week of Jesus’ life includes a flurry of activity. So, we’ll journey together over the next 40 days, as we count down to the cross.

Now, let’s back up + begin one week before the events of Good Friday.

The Friday or Saturday, one week before Jesus’ execution—began with an intimate moment of worship. Six days later, the week would culminate with an unbelievable act of murder.

Six days before the Passover celebration began, Jesus arrived in Bethany, the home of Lazarus—the man he had raised from the dead. 2 A dinner was prepared in Jesus’ honor. Martha served + Lazarus was among those who ate with him. 3 Then Mary took a twelve-ounce jar of expensive perfume made from essence of nard + she anointed Jesus’ feet with it, wiping his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance. 4 But Judas Iscariot, the disciple who would soon betray him, said, 5 “That perfume was worth a year’s wages. It should have been sold + the money given to the poor.” 6 Not that he cared for the poor—he was a thief + since he was in charge of the disciples’ money, he often stole some for himself. 7 Jesus replied, “Leave her alone. She did this in preparation for my burial. 8 You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.” 9 When all the people heard of Jesus’ arrival, they flocked to see him + also to see Lazarus, the man Jesus had raised from the dead. 10 Then the leading priests decided to kill Lazarus, too, 11 for it was because of him that many of the people had deserted them + believed in Jesus. —John 12:1-11 NLT

On the heels of Lazarus being raised from the dead, Martha, Mary + Lazarus hosted a dinner party for Jesus in their home.

In the aftermath of a family miracle, Mary decided to crash the party + take a jar of expensive perfume—worth the equivalent of about a year’s wages (12:5). In that era an ordinary worker worked six days a week, approximately 12 hours a day, to make a living that in today’s economy may be the equivalent of approximately $27,000. The equivalent of a year’s salary was gone in one 15 to 45 minute act of worship.

Mary took the equivalent of a year’s worth of income that may have represented her life’s savings, her dowry, or her portion of some kind of inheritance + she poured it out on the feet of Jesus.

One author described this act of worship as “extraordinary love.”

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Joanna Weaver wrote in her excellent book, Having A Mary Heart in a Martha World: “The kind of love that disregards everything else so it can focus on one thing alone: the object of that love. The kind of love that sacrifices everything, only wishing it had more to give. Nothing is too precious. Nothing is too exorbitant . . . When Mary anointed Jesus at the banquet given in his honor, she gave her very best. In fact, she may have laid down her very future when she poured the perfume on his feet. For that jar of perfume . . . may have very well held every hope + dream she’d ever had.” 6 The perfume inside the jar was pure nard. It was made from the root of a plant grown mainly in India. It has to be imported, which meant it was extremely rare + very expensive. It was a perfume used for anointing the dead for burial, anointing priests + anointing + honoring kings. Mary’s inspiring act of worship indicates at least three things:

1) She knew Jesus was King. 2) She knew Jesus was a Priest. 3) She knew that Jesus was the Savior who would die for our sins + in our place.

Mary took a twelve-ounce jar of expensive perfume, made from essence of nard + she anointed Jesus’ feet with it, wiping his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance. —John 12:3 NLT

Notice that Mary even took her hair + wiped Jesus’ feet with her hair. Why? Why did Mary kneel at the feet of Jesus + wipe His feet with her hair? Perhaps because she wanted everyone in the room to know that the very “least” of Jesus is worthy of the best of us. Why didn’t Mary use a clean, soft towel? In that era a woman’s hair was a treasured part of her identity. In fact, a woman would only let down her hair in the presence of her husband. By wiping Jesus’ feet with her hair, Mary seems to be saying something like: “My hair is the most beautiful + pure thing I have. It represents who I am. But if it can serve to magnify the beauty + purity of Jesus, then it would be an honor to turn it into a rag to dry Your feet.” Verse 3 indicates that the “house was filled with the fragrance.” I love that detail that gets included in the text. It’s a reminder to me that authentic, God-centered, Jesus-obsessed, extravagant worship may be personal, but its impact isn’t always private. It has a way of changing the atmosphere + environment. It has a way of influencing, affecting + changing everyone in the vicinity.

6 Joanna Weaver, Having A Mary Heart In A Martha World, page 159.

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Today’s Verse: Mary took a twelve-ounce jar of expensive perfume, made from essence of nard + she anointed Jesus’ feet with it, wiping his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance. —John 12:3 NLT Today’s Prompt: How do you express your worship to Jesus? Today’s Gratitude: I am grateful that I don’t have to express my worship like anyone else + Jesus accepts + loves my personal + specific form of worship. Today’s Prayer: Father, I pray that my worship is not only a pleasing aroma to You, but it has the power to fill the room where I stand + has a way of influencing, affecting + changing everyone in the vicinity. May it always point to You + give You glory. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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DAY 2 | MARCH 3 As Mary poured out the expensive perfume + her worship, the majority in the room were taking in the fragrance + captivated by Jesus’ presence. Unfortunately, at least one person was upset by the entire episode.

But Judas Iscariot, the disciple who would soon betray him, said, 5 “That perfume was worth a year’s wages. It should have been sold + the money given to the poor.” 6 Not that he cared for the poor—he was a thief + since he was in charge of the disciples’ money, he often stole some for himself. —John 12:4-6 NLT

Have you ever asked yourself: “Why did Mary’s humble, generous + extravagant act of worship bother Judas so much?” Maybe because whenever generosity + worship—especially radical generosity + extravagant worship—focuses on Jesus as the center of everything, self-centeredness + selfishness will always battle to retake center stage + control. John 12:1-11 gives us insight into the character of Judas.

Six days before the Passover celebration began, Jesus arrived in Bethany, the home of Lazarus—the man he had raised from the dead. 2 A dinner was prepared in Jesus’ honor. Martha served + Lazarus was among those who ate with him. 3 Then Mary took a twelve-ounce jar of expensive perfume made from essence of nard + she anointed Jesus’ feet with it, wiping his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance. 4 But Judas Iscariot, the disciple who would soon betray him, said, 5 “That perfume was worth a year’s wages. It should have been sold + the money given to the poor.” 6 Not that he cared for the poor — he was a thief + since he was in charge of the disciples’ money, he often stole some for himself. 7 Jesus replied, “Leave her alone. She did this in preparation for my burial. 8 You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.” 9 When all the people heard of Jesus’ arrival, they flocked to see him + also to see Lazarus, the man Jesus had raised from the dead. 10 Then the leading priests decided to kill Lazarus, too, 11 for it was because of him that many of the people had deserted them + believed in Jesus. —John 12:1-11 NLT

He didn’t care about the poor. He didn’t see this as an opportunity for benevolence. Instead, he saw the equivalent of a year’s salary as being wasted, instead of being liquidated + put into the collection box so he could skim some off the top for himself. Do you want to know the difference between Mary + Judas? It boils down to this: Whether we become increasingly generous + extravagant in our worship, or increasingly self-centered + selfish, depends on what has captured + what continues to captivate our hearts.

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Today’s Verse: But Judas Iscariot, the disciple who would soon betray him, said, 5 “That perfume was worth a year’s wages. It should have been sold + the money given to the poor.” —John 12:4-5 NLT Today’s Prompt: Have there been times where you have been increasingly self-centered + selfish? Today’s Gratitude: I am grateful that no matter how many times I mess up, act selfishly or get it wrong, I am always loved by God. Today’s Prayer: Father, I pray that I become more aware of the ways I act selfishly, so that I can course-correct without condemnation, but out of a love for You + desire to be obedient to You + Your leading. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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DAY 3 | MARCH 4 Four Thoughts From the Story of Mary’s Extravagant Worship: 1. Gratitude, worship + generosity are always the right response to God’s extravagant grace (vs 1-2).

Six days before the Passover celebration began, Jesus arrived in Bethany, the home of Lazarus—the man he had raised from the dead. 2 A dinner was prepared in Jesus’ honor. Martha served + Lazarus was among those who ate with him. —John 12:1-2 NLT

According to John 12:1-2, Martha, Mary + Lazarus hosted a dinner party in honor of Jesus, because this little family was overwhelmed with gratitude for what Jesus had done for their brother, Lazarus. Thankfulness, gratitude, worship + generosity flow out of a heart that sees all of a life as a gift. The only alternative to a life of gratitude, worship + generosity is a heart that is chronically self-centered, selfish, discontent, dissatisfied, complaining + judgmental. 2. Extravagant grace inspires extravagant worship + radical generosity (v 3).

Then Mary took a twelve-ounce jar of expensive perfume made from essence of nard + she anointed Jesus’ feet with it, wiping his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance. —John 12:3 NLT

There was nothing “safe” or “conservative” about Mary’s act of worship. She went “all in.” Her act was beautiful. It was historical. We’re still talking about it 2,000 years later! It’s even possible that her act of giving + worship was part of what God used to create a culture of radical generosity + extravagant worship in the first-century church. Have you ever considered that? The first-century church made an impact by out-loving + out-serving everyone around them! Somehow, they knew + understood that the only appropriate response to extravagant grace is extravagant worship + radical generosity. 3. The enemy of radical generosity + extravagant worship is a preoccupation with self (vs 4-6).

But Judas Iscariot, the disciple who would soon betray him, said, 5 “That perfume was worth a year’s wages. It should have been sold + the money given to the poor.” 6 Not that he cared for the poor—he was a thief + since he was in charge of the disciples’ money, he often stole some for himself. —John 12:4-6 NLT

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In his excellent book, Money, Possessions + Eternity, Randy Alcorn writes this about giving: “The act of giving is a vivid reminder that our life is all about God, not about us. It says, ‘I am not the point, God is the point. He does not exist for me. I exist for him . . .’ Giving is a joyful surrender to a greater Person + a greater agenda. Giving affirms Christ’s lordship. It dethrones me + exalts him. It breaks the chains of [money] that would enslave me + transfers my center of gravity to heaven.” 7 Whether we become increasingly generous + extravagant in our worship, or increasingly self-centered + selfish, depends on what has captured + what continues to captivate our hearts. 4. Extravagant worship + radical generosity always gets the attention of God (vs 7-8).

Jesus replied, “Leave her alone. She did this in preparation for my burial. 8 You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.” —John 12:7-8 NLT

Jesus was basically saying, “You will have many opportunities to help the poor, but you will not always have Me.” Jesus seemed to be the magnificent obsession of Mary’s life. Some time before the extravagant act of worship we read about in John 12, Martha hosted another dinner party for Jesus in her home.

39 Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught. 40 But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus + said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come + help me.” 41 But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried + upset over all these details! 42 There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it + it will not be taken away from her.” —Luke 10:39-42 NLT Jesus replied, “Leave her alone. She did this in preparation for my burial. 8 You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.” —John 12:7-8 NLT

This likely took place on Friday or Saturday—approximately one week before Jesus’ arrest + crucifixion. A second anointing would take place only four days later (See Matthew 26:6-13; Mark 14:3-9). 8

7 Randy Alcorn (2011-11-13). Money, Possessions + Eternity (Kindle Locations 4312-4315). Tyndale House Publishers. Kindle Edition. 8 Jesus was likely anointed three times during His ministry. The first takes place in Luke 7:36-50, early on in His ministry. The second takes place here + the third will take place four days later (See Matthew 26:6-13; Mark 14:3-9).

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Today’s Verse: Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught. —Luke 10:39 NLT Today’s Prompt: Have there been times when you were too busy to listen to Jesus? Today’s Gratitude: I am grateful that I don’t have to do works in order to please Jesus, but I can sit at His feet + listen as He talks to + teaches me. Today’s Prayer: Father, help me to be “all in.” Help me to be extravagantly generous, so I am always aware that my life is all about You + not about me. Lead me in a way that Jesus is the magnificent obsession of my life. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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DAY 4 | MARCH 5 The day after Sabbath, Jesus entered Jerusalem in what we call The Triumphant Entry. Scholar, Andres Kostenberger, estimates that the first day of the last week of Jesus’ earthly life—what we call Palm Sunday—took place on March 29, 33 AD! 9 This was the most important week in the life of the most important person who has ever lived. The events that occurred on Palm Sunday are so important that they are shared in all four gospels (Matthew 21, Mark 11, Luke 19 + John 12).

As Jesus + the disciples approached Jerusalem, they came to the town of Bethphage on the Mount of Olives. Jesus sent two of them on ahead. 2 “Go into the village over there,” he said. “As soon as you enter it, you will see a donkey tied there, with its colt beside it. Untie them + bring them to me. 3 If anyone asks what you are doing, just say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ + he will immediately let you take them.” 4 This took place to fulfill the prophecy that said, 5 “Tell the people of Jerusalem, ‘Look, your King is coming to you. He is humble, riding on a donkey — riding on a donkey’s colt.’” 6 The two disciples did as Jesus commanded. 7 They brought the donkey + the colt to him + threw their garments over the colt + he sat on it. —Matthew 21:1-7 NLT

8 Nearly all the people in the crowd threw their garments down on the road, giving him a royal welcome. Others cut branches from the trees + threw them down as a welcome mat. —Matthew 21:8 MSG

9 Jesus was in the center of the procession + the people all around Him were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest heaven!” —Matthew 21:9 NIV/NLT

The crowds were shouting “hosanna,” which is defined as an expression of adoration, praise or joy. Because Passover was just a few days away, the population of Jerusalem was probably 2-3 times its normal size. Based on the buzz surrounding Lazarus’ miraculous resurrection, the crowds + expectations around Jesus surged as He entered Jerusalem! It set off a massive celebration!

9 Andreas J. Kostenberger; Taylor, Justin (2014-01-31). The Final Days of Jesus: The Most Important Week of the Most Important Person Who Ever Lived (Kindle Locations 413-414). Crossway. Kindle Edition.

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Today’s Verse: Jesus was in the center of the procession + the people all around him were shouting, “Praise God for the Son of David! Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Praise God in highest heaven!” —Matthew 21:9 NLT Today’s Prompt: Do you give Jesus a “royal welcome” into your life? Today’s Gratitude: I am grateful I get to freely express my adoration, praise + joy for Jesus. Today’s Prayer: Father, I thank You for Jesus + the way He has triumphantly entered my life. Help me to remember His place in my life + to celebrate Him, His love for me + the way He continuously changes my life for the better.

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DAY 5 | MARCH 6 | SUNDAY: CATCH UP + CONTEMPLATE

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DAY 6 | MARCH 7 Jesus came into the city riding on a donkey—which was an intentional symbolic action that Jesus was the Messiah King who came to bring lasting peace + fulfill the prophecy of Zechariah 9:9.

“Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous + victorious, lowly + riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” —Zechariah 9:9 NIV

Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem gets described in ways that are very similar to the way King Solomon entered Jerusalem when he was crowned king of Israel centuries before (1 Kings 1:32-40). Solomon came into the city riding on David’s donkey.

Then King David ordered, “Call Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet + Benaiah son of Jehoiada.” When they came into the king’s presence, 33 the king said to them, “Take Solomon + my officials down to Gihon Spring. Solomon is to ride on my own mule. 34 There Zadok the priest + Nathan the prophet are to anoint him king over Israel. Blow the ram’s horn + shout, ‘Long live King Solomon!’ 35 Then escort him back here + he will sit on my throne. He will succeed me as king, for I have appointed him to be ruler over Israel + Judah.” 36 “Amen!” Benaiah son of Jehoiada replied. “May the Lord, the God of my lord the king, decree that it happen. 37 + may the Lord be with Solomon as he has been with you, my lord the king + may he make Solomon’s reign even greater than yours!” 38 So Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, Benaiah son of Jehoiada + the king’s bodyguard took Solomon down to Gihon Spring, with Solomon riding on King David’s own mule. 39 There Zadok the priest took the flask of olive oil from the sacred tent + anointed Solomon with the oil. Then they sounded the ram’s horn + all the people shouted, “Long live King Solomon!” 40 + all the people followed Solomon into Jerusalem, playing flutes + shouting for joy. The celebration was so joyous + noisy that the earth shook with the sound. —1 Kings 1:32-40 NLT

Matthew mentions two animals—a donkey + its colt (Matthew 21:7).

They brought the donkey + the colt to him + threw their garments over the colt + he sat on it. —Matthew 21:7 NLT

Jesus entered Jerusalem riding the colt, riding a young donkey. The gospels of Mark + Luke only mention the colt + the fact that it had “never been ridden before” (Mark 11:2; Luke 19:30).

“Go into that village over there,” he told them. “As soon as you enter it, you will see a young donkey tied there that no one has ever ridden. Untie it + bring it here.” —Mark 11:2 NLT

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“Go into that village over there,” he told them. “As you enter it, you will see a young donkey tied there that no one has ever ridden. Untie it + bring it here”. —Luke 19:30 NLT

They’re pointing out the fact that this colt had not been broken or trained. If you’ve never been around farm animals, it’s important to point out that you can’t ride an unbroken young donkey or colt, especially around crowds of screaming + cheering people unless you want your ride to be really, really interesting, to say the least. However, Jesus is sovereign, so this young donkey or colt submits to the authority of the one who created it. Every action in this story is an indication that Jesus is King + that Jesus is Sovereign! Again, all of this happened to fulfill a prophecy found in Zechariah 9:9.

Today’s Verse: “Go into that village over there,” he told them. “As soon as you enter it, you will see a young donkey tied there that no one has ever ridden. Untie it + bring it here.” —Mark 11:2 NLT Today’s Prompt: Do you obey Jesus when He asks you to do things that might not make sense? Today’s Gratitude: I am grateful that Jesus loves me so much, that He guides me + instructs me. Today’s Prayer: Father, help me to listen for Your voice when You guide me + lead me. Help me to not question Your instruction, but to have enough faith + trust in You to know You would not steer me in the wrong direction.

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DAY 7 | MARCH 8

“Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous + victorious, lowly + riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” —Zechariah 9:9 NIV

That prophecy was given 500 years before Jesus entered Jerusalem. He fulfilled it perfectly by entering Jerusalem riding on a donkey as our humble, gentle King. It’s interesting that in most coronation ceremonies during this era, when the king entered there was reverence, awe + even a sense of fear. The king was usually dressed in really regal, royal clothing that indicated his superiority + position. The coronation ceremony itself was filled with lots of pomp + ceremony. The king was usually riding a stallion or warhorse. But Jesus—the King of the Universe—entered Jerusalem surrounded, not by heads of state, but by crowds of people He had recently healed + people still wanting healing. He entered Jerusalem surrounded by the poor, children, outcasts + rejects, riding on a young donkey. One of the things that Jesus demonstrated throughout His life was that salvation + freedom came through weakness, not through strength. It came through humility + surrender, not through pride + power plays. Another thought about Jesus riding a donkey . . . In that era, it wasn’t uncommon for a king to ride a donkey. The only issue was when the king rode a donkey.

If a king was going to war, he would ride a warhorse as a sign + symbol of his power + authority. But when a king was not at war, he would ride a donkey as a symbol that he had come in peace. When Jesus entered Jerusalem riding a donkey, it was a symbol that He was the King who had come to bring peace—peace with God + peace between people. Perhaps you’re reading this + in desperate need of peace today. Don’t worry, Jesus came to bring peace!

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Today’s Verse: “Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous + victorious, lowly + riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” — Zechariah 9:9 NIV Today’s Prompt: Do you believe the peace Jesus brings is for you? Today’s Gratitude: I am grateful that salvation + freedom comes through weakness, humility + surrender + not strength, pride + power plays. Today’s Prayer: Father, I am in need of the peace of Jesus. Help me remember that Jesus arrived gentle + lowly, on a symbol of peace, which demonstrates His absolute, healing, peace-giving love for me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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DAY 8 | MARCH 9 There’s one more important thought regarding the donkey Jesus rode in on. Another thing Jesus was saying by riding a young donkey was, “I’m the King, but not like you think.” “What if I did liberate you from the Romans? What if I did lead a political + military revolution? What then? You would just get enslaved to something else. Or, even worse, you would perpetrate the same kind of pain on others that’s been perpetrated on you. Even more important, if I liberated you from the Romans, what would you do with all your guilt, shame, sin, addiction, personal pain + trauma? How would you deal with that?” “I came to liberate you, but not in the way that you think! I came to give you real liberation + real freedom!” As Jesus descended the Mount of Olives + got closer to Jerusalem, the crowds continued to swell in size. What is a mystery to most of us, was clear to the people who flocked to see Jesus that day. They understood all of the symbolism. They had heard stories about Solomon’s inauguration so many centuries before. They could “feel” history repeating itself. So, this crowd brought their “A” game + they began to worship Jesus with passion, joy, enthusiasm, energy + lots of emotion! The gathered crowds removed their outer coats + spread them before Jesus as He entered the city. This was part of an ancient custom where citizens of a country would throw their garments or coats in the road for their leader or ruler to ride over, symbolizing their honor + respect for the leader + their submission to His authority. By spreading their outer coats before Jesus, the crowd was essentially saying, “We place ourselves at your feet, even for you to walk over if necessary.” Others in the crowd took leafy palm branches + waved them in the air or threw them down as a welcome mat on the road. This was the ancient equivalent of rolling out “the red carpet.” All of this was an expression of worship + adoration. It was the customary way returning conquering kings were greeted + military victories were celebrated in the first century. The waving of palm branches signaled the hope that Jesus was a political, military + national Messiah who had arrived + who would bring freedom + an end to the tyranny imposed by the Roman Government. The people also raised their voices! They made some noise! They danced + sang:

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“Hosanna, to the Son of David!” “Blessed is the One who comes in the name of the Lord!”

“Hosanna in the highest heaven!” (Matthew 21:9; Mark 11:10; John 12:13)

“Blessed is the king of Israel!” (John 12:13c) “Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! (Mark 11:10a)

When the crowd shouted, “Hosanna!” they were actually reciting a passage of Scripture that was regularly sung during Passover, with lyrics taken from Psalm 118:26.

Bless the one who comes in the name of the Lord. We bless you from the house of the Lord. —Psalm 118:26 NLT

The word “Hosanna!” means, “Save us!” or “Save us now!” The lyrics of their song were not simply an exclamation of praise. They were also a cry for help. “Save us!” That one word is both a prayer + praise. Even our heartfelt cries for help can simultaneously be prayer + praise. They are worship to the ears of the Father who cares about what is going on in our lives.

Today’s Verse: Bless the one who comes in the name of the Lord. We bless you from the house of the Lord. —Psalm 118:26 NLT Today’s Prompt: Do you believe your cries for help are both prayers + praise + God never tires of hearing them? Today’s Gratitude: I am grateful that I get to worship Jesus with all the passion, joy, enthusiasm, energy + emotion I can muster. Today’s Prayer: Father, help me offer my heart to Jesus in such a way that it reveals my honor + respect for Him + my submission to His authority. May I always place myself at His feet, representing His place in my life. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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DAY 9 | MARCH 10

“Blessed is the king of Israel!” (John 12:13c). The crowds that gathered on what we call “Palm Sunday,” were openly announcing + proclaiming that Jesus was King, not Caesar + the entire city was shaken by what was happening! Some of the religious leaders were completely frustrated by the celebration. They challenged Jesus, “Don’t you hear what these people are saying? This is so inappropriate. I mean, the kids are beside themselves. Tell them to stop!” But Jesus just smiled + said, “I hear them! Haven’t you read the Scripture that says, ‘You have taught children + infants to give you praise’ + ‘If they keep quiet, the very rocks + stones would break into praise for them’?” (Matthew 21:15-17; Luke 19:39-40)

The leading priests + the teachers of religious law saw these wonderful miracles + heard even the children in the Temple shouting, “Praise God for the Son of David.” But the leaders were indignant. 16 They asked Jesus, “Do you hear what these children are saying?” “Yes,” Jesus replied. “Haven’t you ever read the Scriptures? For they say, ‘You have taught children + infants to give you praise.’” 17 Then he returned to Bethany, where he stayed overnight. —Matthew 21:15-17 NLT But some of the Pharisees among the crowd said, “Teacher, rebuke your followers for saying things like that!” 40 He replied, “If they kept quiet, the stones along the road would burst into cheers!” —Luke 19:39-40 NLT

In other words, “I’m not about to tell them to stop!” On the surface, this appears to be the positive “peak of the week.” But what went down on Palm Sunday, would set in motion a series of events that would either result in the overthrow of Rome + the religious establishment of that day, or in Jesus’ arrest + ultimate execution. That was Sunday. The very next day—Monday—Jesus would turn up the heat on the religious system of that day, by walking into the primary worship center in that era + cleaning house. More on that later.

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Today’s Verse: But some of the Pharisees among the crowd said, “Teacher, rebuke your followers for saying things like that!” 40 He replied, “If they kept quiet, the stones along the road would burst into cheers!” —Luke 19:39-40 NLT Today’s Prompt: Do you believe Jesus longs to hear your voice + actually hears your praise? Today’s Gratitude: I am grateful that my praise, prayers + petitions are a sweet sound to Jesus. Today’s Prayer: Father, help me to not remain quiet in my praise + love for Jesus. I don’t want to forfeit my gift of cheers to Him to the stones who would cry out in my stead. Help me see my praise offering as a pleasure to Him + a privilege for me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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DAY 10 | MARCH 11 Back to the events that opened the week that changed the world; events that took place 5-6 days before Jesus’ arrest + execution. Here’s what the events that took place on the Friday or Saturday one week before the cross + the events of Palm Sunday can teach us . . . Almost two hundred years ago, German writer + statesmen, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe wrote: “We are shaped + fashioned by what we love.” Before his death in 2008, a decidedly non-Christian, but highly respected author, David Foster Wallace gave the commencement address at Kenyon College + made some amazing statements about worship. Here are just a few sentences from that speech: “There is no such thing as not worshiping. Everybody worships. The only choice we get is what to worship. An outstanding reason for choosing some sort of God or spiritual-type thing to worship is pretty much anything else you worship will eat you alive. If you worship money + things—if they are where you tap real meaning in life—then you will never have enough. Never feel you have enough. It’s the truth. Worship your own body + beauty + sexual allure + you will always feel ugly + when time + age start showing, you will die a million deaths before they finally plant you . . . Worship power—you will feel weak + afraid + you will need ever more power over others to keep fear at bay. Worship your intellect, being seen as smart—you will end up feeling stupid, a fraud, always on the verge of being found out . . . Look, the insidious thing about these forms of worship is not that they’re evil or sinful; it is that they are unconscious. They are default-settings. They’re the kind of worship you just gradually slip into, day after day . . .” —David Foster Wallace, from his Kenyon College Commencement Address 2005 10 The crowds that gathered on Palm Sunday were worshiping, but their worship was inferior. They failed to truly understand all of the significance behind the symbols. They worshiped their political ideology + national identity + failed to truly worship Jesus. How do I know? Because days later, some of the same people who shouted, “Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!” would also cry out, “Crucify Him!”

10 https://web.ics.purdue.edu/~drkelly/DFWKenyonAddress2005.pdf

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Human beings are worshipers. It’s not just something we do . . . It’s who we are. Human beings can’t be divided into people who worship + people who don’t. Everybody worships. We all give our devotion to something or someone. It might be something as eternally insignificant as football, wine, traveling, working out, an addiction, stamp collecting or the stock market. Or it could be something good or noble like our children, spouse, an important relationship or a special group of friends. Everybody worships something or someone. But our deepest passion + devotion were intended to be reserved for God + God alone.

Today’s Verse: Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me. —Psalm 103:2 NLT Today’s Prompt: What is shaping or fashioning you? What do you love? Today’s Gratitude: I am grateful that I am a worshiper + it’s not just something I do. Today’s Prayer: Father, help me live in a way that my deepest passion + devotion are reserved for You + You alone. I want to be shaped + fashioned by You, the One that I love. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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DAY 11 | MARCH 12 On Palm Sunday Jesus stepped out of the shadows + made His identity crystal clear. He came not only as a servant who would suffer, He came as King + Messiah who is worthy to be worshiped. On Palm Sunday Jesus raised the stakes + through His actions basically said, “I am Sovereign! I am King! You can crown Me or you can kill Me, but the one thing you can’t do is simply ‘like Me’.” “Christianity, if false, is of no importance + if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important.” —C. S. Lewis Three Thoughts: 1. I worship + recognize Jesus as King when I honor Him with my attitudes, actions, character + words. Worship involves all of the above. Worship is responding to all that God is with all that I am. 2. I worship + recognize Jesus as King when I honor Him with my time, abilities + resources. “There is not a square inch in the whole domain of our human existence over which Christ, who is Sovereign over all, does not cry, Mine!” —Abraham Kuyper 3. Worship isn’t something reserved for one day each week. It’s the way I live my life. Jesus isn’t just King on Sunday, He’s King every day!

Today’s Verse: As I looked, I heard the voices of a lot of angels around the throne + the voices of the living creatures + of the elders. There were millions + millions of them, 12 + they were saying in a loud voice, “The Lamb who was killed is worthy to receive power, riches, wisdom, strength, honor, glory + praise.” —Revelation 5:11-12 CEV Today’s Prompt: Is Jesus truly the leader of every aspect of your life? Is Jesus your King? Today’s Gratitude: I am grateful that I serve a King who is worthy to receive power, riches, strength, honor, glory + praise. Today’s Prayer: Father, help me move past just worshiping Jesus on Sunday + grow into a lifestyle of worship + praise for the One who gave all of Himself in the hope that I would give all of myself back to Him. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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DAY 13 | MARCH 14 On Monday, as Jesus + His disciples were returning to Jerusalem, He was hungry. Spotting a fig tree, He walked towards the tree hoping for the first century equivalent of a “fast food” breakfast. When He reached the tree there was nothing on it but leaves.

The next morning as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. 13 He noticed a fig tree in full leaf a little way off, so he went over to see if he could find any figs. But there were only leaves because it was too early in the season for fruit. 14 Then Jesus said to the tree, “May no one ever eat your fruit again!” + the disciples heard him say it. —Mark 11:12-14 NLT

According to the ESV Study Bible, the fruit of a fig tree usually appeared about the same time as the leaves or just a little after. The appearance of leaves in full bloom should have indicated that fruit—in the form of new figs—were already growing on the tree. Instead, the “fig tree” was barren. Mark’s account gives us this little insight, “ . . . it was not the season for figs . . . ” (11:13). But a fig tree with leaves was “advertising” fruit. As Daniel Akin in his commentary on the Gospel of Mark writes, this tree was saying, “Come to me. Others may be barren, but not me. I have [some] fruit for you.”11 The tree looked good, but it was empty. It was barren. It had failed its purpose in providing food for a hungry world. Jesus was upset. He immediately spoke to the tree, “No more figs from this tree . . . Ever!” (Matthew 21:19 MSG) Matthew’s gospel condenses the event. Mark’s gospel gives us the chronological order. Fast forward 24 hours + the next day the fig tree had withered + the disciples were blown away at the power of Jesus’ word + the swiftness of His judgment (Mark 11:20). For the casual reader, the story can appear odd. I mean, what’s going on in this passage + with this story? According to Andres Kostenberger, “Israel is often characterized as a fig tree in the Old Testament (Jeremiah 8:13; Hosea 9:10, 16; Joel 1:7), + Jesus’ cursing the fig tree symbolized God’s judgment upon a nation that had the outward appearance of life, but failed to bear fruit.”12 I believe this is also a revelation of God’s heart when it comes to hypocrisy—of God’s heart when it comes to those who have the appearance that they’re bearing fruit, but upon closer inspection, it’s all for show. The heart of God + the expectation of Jesus is that we bear fruit. God’s first command was for us to “Be fruitful + multiply” (Genesis 1:22).

11 Daniel Akin, Exalting Jesus In Mark, Location 5454 of 9730. 12 Andres Kostenberger, The Final Days of Jesus, Location 465 of 3547

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According to Leonard Sweet + Frank Viola when God gave us that command, He was simply calling upon us to “reflect His nature. He is fruitful + multiplies” + He longs for us to do the same!13

Today’s Verse: Then God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful + multiply. Let the fish fill the seas + let the birds multiply on the earth.” —Genesis 1:22 NLT Today’s Prompt: Do you believe God wants you to represent Him + be fruitful, as He is fruitful? Today’s Gratitude: I am grateful I can bear fruit in + out of season. Today’s Prayer: Father, I want to reflect Your nature, but I need Your help to do so. I don’t want the appearance of bearing fruit or a life lived as a hypocrite. I’m asking that You show me ways to be fruitful + multiply in my own life, so people see the sweetness of a life lived with + for You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

13 Leonard Sweet + Frank Viola, Jesus: A Theography, page 205.

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DAY 14 | MARCH 15 In Luke 13:6-9, Jesus shared a story about a farmer + fig tree that illustrates God’s expectation for His people.

Then Jesus told this story: “A man planted a fig tree in his garden + came again + again to see if there was any fruit on it, but he was always disappointed. 7 Finally, he said to his gardener, ‘I’ve waited three years, + there hasn’t been a single fig! Cut it down. It’s just taking up space in the garden.’ 8 “The gardener answered, ‘Sir, give it one more chance. Leave it another year + I’ll give it special attention + plenty of fertilizer. 9 If we get figs next year, fine. If not, then you can cut it down.’” —Luke 13:6-9 NLT

The point of the story? God’s expectation is that we will produce fruit. In His grace, He gives us chance after chance, providing “special attention” + fertilizer. But make no mistake, a day of reckoning is coming + God’s expectation is that I produce fruit. When it comes to believers, the fruit involves the character + quality of my life. Galatians 5:22-23 describes it like this:

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness + self-control. —Galatians 5:22-23 NLT

This fruit also involves the impact of my life. In other words, am I actively leading the people God allows me to rub shoulders with + do life with, into a personal relationship with Jesus? Am I being intentional + proactive in sharing my faith with the people God has placed in my life? On Monday Jesus saw a fig tree that had the appearance of fruit but was barren. He cursed it. By Tuesday, the tree had withered. God’s expectation is always fruit + always fruitfulness.

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Today’s Verse: But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness + self-control. —Galatians 5:22-23 NLT Today’s Prompt: Am I becoming more + more like Jesus in my character, attitudes + actions? Today’s Gratitude: I am grateful that I have the Holy Spirit to help me produce fruit in my life. Today’s Prayer: Father, I don’t want to miss an opportunity to actively lead people to You. Help me to be intentional + proactive in sharing my faith with the people You have so lovingly placed in my path. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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DAY 15 | MARCH 16 The action on Monday began with Jesus cursing a fig tree. “No more figs from this tree . . . Ever!” (Matthew 21:19 MSG) But it didn’t stop there. With the events of Sunday + last week still fresh on everyone’s minds, speculation must have mounted as to what Jesus would do next. People didn’t have to guess for long. Jesus marched straight back into the temple. He knew what He would find because He had just been there the evening before. Merchants + money changers had set up shop, selling sacrificial animals for anyone coming to worship. Many believe that Annas, the former high priest + his sons had grown incredibly wealthy at the expense of the people who came to worship God. According to one commentary, Annas basically took over an area of the temple known as the Court of the Gentiles where everyone was allowed entrance + he transformed it into an over-crowded market that had come to be known as the “Bazaar of Annas.”14 Here’s the problem: this made it even more difficult for people on the “outside” to know they mattered to God + the people they viewed as “on the inside.” In the first century, the Temple had several divisions. Closest to the Holy of Holies—near the inner court or the Holy of Holies or Most Holy Place—was the court of the Priests. Only priests were allowed to enter this area of the temple. Next to that, was the court of the Israelites. Only Jewish men were allowed to enter this section of the temple. Separated by several steps was what was known as the court of women. This was as far as a Jewish woman could enter into the temple complex. It was as close as she could get to the most Holy Place. Then, there was the court of the Gentles. This was as far as a non-Jewish person was allowed to go. In fact, the court of the Gentles + the rest of the temple was divided by a literal wall of separation. The historian Josephus tells us that attached to that barrier at various intervals were signs that marked the boundaries for Gentiles when it came to worship. Archeologists have even discovered an inscription that marked this wall that reads like this: “No foreigner may enter within this barricade which surrounds the sanctuary + enclosure. Anyone who is caught doing so will have himself to blame for his ensuing death.” —Inscription on Temple

14 John MacArthur, Commentary on Matthew, Location 35478 of 54768

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“Welcome to church! We’re glad you’re here. Cross this line + you die.” Yeah! The temple was not “seeker friendly” at all! This is the area that had evidently been turned into some kind of religious flea market.

Jesus entered the Temple + began to drive out all the people buying + selling animals for sacrifice. He knocked over the tables of the money changers + the chairs of those selling doves. 13 He said to them, “The Scriptures declare, ‘My Temple will be called a house of prayer,’ but you have turned it into a den of thieves!” —Matthew 21:12-13 NLT

When Jesus saw all these divisions, separations, exclusions + the spiritual shakedowns taking place He had had enough. This is the way the episode reads in The Message:

Jesus went straight to the Temple + threw out everyone who had set up shop, buying + selling. He kicked over the tables of loan sharks + the stalls of dove merchants. He quoted this text:

My house was designated a house of prayer;

You have made it a hangout for thieves.

Now there was room for the blind + crippled to get in. They came to Jesus + he healed them. —Matthew 21:12-14 MSG

Today’s Verse: “As for the outsiders who now follow me, working for me, loving my name + wanting to be my servants—All who keep Sabbath + don’t defile it, holding fast to my covenant—I’ll bring them to my holy mountain + give them joy in my house of prayer. They’ll be welcome to worship the same as the ‘insiders,’ to bring burnt offerings + sacrifices to my altar. Oh yes, my house of worship will be known as a house of prayer for all people.” —Isaiah 56:6-7 MSG Today’s Prompt: Do you truly believe you matter to God? Today’s Gratitude: I am grateful that I don’t have a wall of separation between me + God, but have complete + total access to Him any time I want it. Today’s Prayer: Father, Jesus didn’t tolerate divisions, separations, exclusions + shakedowns + I don’t want to either. Help me to show others that there is no separation between You + them. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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DAY 16 | MARCH 17 Jesus’ overturning the tables of those selling goods in the temple, wasn’t simply a protest against the commercialism of the temple . . . It was so much more than that! By driving out those who were buying + selling temple sacrifices, He effectively brought what had gone on in the temple for centuries to a screeching halt for the next 30 minutes to an hour. Talk about performance art! Jesus was making a statement. Think about what He said . . .

“My house was designated a house of prayer . . . ” —Matthew 21:13 The Gospel of Mark includes a line that was originally in the prophecy from Isaiah,

“My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations . . . ” (Mark 11:17, Cf Isaiah 56:7). In other words, the Temple was meant to be a place where people from every nation, tribe, village + people could come + experience God. No divisions, separations, or exclusions! But Annas, the dude who was supposed to be in charge of making certain God’s directives were actually being carried out, had transformed the very area meant to be designated for those who felt like “outcasts” into an overcrowded, overpriced “spiritual swap meet” that created barriers between people + God, instead of removing them. Jesus even said,

“You have made it a hangout for thieves.” —Matthew 21:13 (Cf Jeremiah 7:11) He was quoting Scripture again (Jeremiah 7:11).

Don’t you yourselves admit that this Temple, which bears my name, has become a den of thieves? Surely I see all the evil going on there. I, the Lord, have spoken! —Jeremiah 7:11 NLT

In Jesus’ mind, the temple was supposed to be a place where people could come + know they mattered to God, express their worship, experience His presence, receive His goodness + offer God their best. Instead, the temple had become a place where the broken, outcasts, rejects + marginalized were extorted, pushed aside, crowded out, dismissed + even abused. Jesus said, “Enough!”

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Today’s Verse: The Decree of the Master, God himself, who gathers in the exiles of Israel: “I will gather others also, gather them in with those already gathered.” —Isaiah 56:8 MSG Today’s Prompt: Do you believe that the House of God is a place for every nation, tribe, village + people? Today’s Gratitude: I am grateful that I am welcome anywhere + everywhere God dwells. Today’s Prayer: Father, I’ve felt like an outcast before + I know how lonely that can be. Help me to always have an open heart, open mind + open arms to those that feel marginalized, rejected, or forgotten. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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DAY 17 | MARCH 18 It’s interesting that the primary issue for Jesus wasn’t Rome’s political power or army, it was God’s temple. He didn’t come as a military, economic, political or social revolutionary. He came as a Savior who would willingly pay the penalty for sin that all of us rightfully owed, so that He could rescue us from sin + death + set us free! He came to tear down every wall that separated us from God. According to the Gospel of John, Jesus had actually cleared the temple at the beginning of His ministry, as well (John 2:13-22).

It was nearly time for the Jewish Passover celebration, so Jesus went to Jerusalem. 14 In the Temple area he saw merchants selling cattle, sheep + doves for sacrifices; he also saw dealers at tables exchanging foreign money. 15 Jesus made a whip from some ropes + chased them all out of the Temple. He drove out the sheep + cattle, scattered the money changers’ coins over the floor + turned over their tables. 16 Then, going over to the people who sold doves, he told them, “Get these things out of here. Stop turning my Father’s house into a marketplace!”

17 Then his disciples remembered this prophecy from the Scriptures: “Passion for God’s house will consume me.” 18 But the Jewish leaders demanded, “What are you doing? If God gave you authority to do this, show us a miraculous sign to prove it.” 19 “All right,” Jesus replied. “Destroy this temple + in three days I will raise it up.” 20 “What!” they exclaimed. “It has taken forty-six years to build this Temple + you can rebuild it in three days?” 21 But when Jesus said “this temple,” he meant his own body. 22 After he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered he had said this + they believed both the Scriptures + what Jesus had said. —John 2:13-22 NLT

Now, in Matthew 21, Mark 11 + Luke 19, He did it again just four days before His arrest + execution. This is an indication of the priority He placed on + the passion He had for the temple! In fact, after Jesus cleared the temple the first time in John 2, John’s commentary on what went down was that, “His disciples remembered that it is written, ‘Passion or zeal for your house will consume me.’” (John 2:17) That’s a quote from Psalm 69:9:

For zeal for your house has consumed me + the reproaches of those who reproach you have fallen on me. —Psalm 69:9 ESV

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It was Jesus’ passion for His House that moved Him to: 1) cleanse it, 2) de-clutter it, + 3) restore it to its original purpose as . . . • A House of Prayer—a place where people from every nation could gather to communicate with God. • A House for His Presence—a place where people from every nation could encounter the presence of God, + • A place where people could experience God’s Power in operation to save, heal, deliver + set them free! That’s what Matthew 21:14 is describing when it reads:

Now there was room for the blind + crippled to get in. They came to Jesus + he healed them. —Matthew 21:14 MSG

Today’s Verse: For zeal for your house has consumed me + the reproaches of those who reproach you have fallen on me. —Psalm 69:9 ESV Today’s Prompt: Do I have a passion + zeal for God’s House? Today’s Gratitude: I am grateful for my church + my church family. Today’s Prayer: Father, help me to not become complacent or numb to the power of gathering in Your House. May I always have a passionate fire burning within to go to Your House, to meet with Your people, to gather with other believers + to glorify You with others. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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DAY 18 | MARCH 19 Once the kiosks for temple merchants + “spiritual loan sharks” had been cleared out, there was room for the blind + crippled—the outcasts, rejects + poor—to get in! People who had been ignored by their own families, friends, religious community + culture now had a path to not only get to God, but receive from God + they came flooding into the temple! How did Jesus respond? He healed them all. The blind + crippled were healed, delivered + set free!

Then the blind + the crippled came into the temple courts, + Jesus healed them all + the children circled around him shouting out, “Blessings + praises to the Son of David!” —Matthew 21:14 TPT

Who knows how long this went on? Perhaps it took up the better part of that Monday. But for a few hours, only days before His death, Jesus gave us a picture of what the temple was supposed to be. Unfortunately, here’s how the religious establishment responded:

When the religious leaders saw the outrageous things [or “wonderful miracles” (NLT)] + heard all the children running + shouting through the Temple, “Hosanna to David’s Son!” they were up in arms + took him to task. “Do you hear what these children are saying?” Jesus said, “Yes, I hear them + haven’t you read in God’s Word, ‘From the mouths of children + babies I’ll furnish a place of praise’?” —Matthew 21:15-16 MSG

I love the fact that children, who, in that culture were often ignored, overlooked + neglected, but who Jesus regularly honored (Luke 18:16-17; Mark 9:37; Matthew 18:6, 10, 14), were running + shouting, probably dancing, singing + celebrating through the temple declaring Jesus’ identity + reveling in their freedom! The religious establishment was ticked! They went ballistic! “Don’t you see what’s happening? Don’t you hear what they’re saying?” Jesus’ answer was so straightforward. Once again, He quoted Scripture from Psalm 8:2:

Jesus said, “Yes, I hear them + haven’t you read in God’s Word, ‘From the mouths of children + babies I’ll furnish a place of praise’?” —Matthew 21:16 MSG

It’s almost as if Jesus was saying: “You guys don’t get it, do you? This is what God had always imagined the temple to be . . . ” “No, I won’t tell them to stop! Because this place doesn’t need less of this . . . It needs more of it!” This is the action that went down on Monday.

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Here’s my question: What was the message in Jesus cleansing the temple? Again, He did it twice. Once at the beginning of His ministry + once near the end. Why? Why was this so important that in Jesus’ mind, as He approached the end of His life, it demanded a repeat performance? Also, why did Jesus curse the fig tree + the next day allow his disciples to see it completely withered away? What was all of this about? I believe that through both of these “prophetic acts” that took place on the Monday before His arrest + crucifixion on Friday, Jesus was demonstrating a critical message. When He cursed the fig tree + cleaned house at the temple, he was putting everyone on notice: “This entire system is finished! Its day is done! It’s about to be overturned!” “This ‘tree’ is never going to bear fruit again + this ‘temple’ will no longer be a barrier again.” It’s almost as if Jesus is saying, “Don’t weep over a dead tree, weep over a dead temple.” “This ‘tree’ is never going to bear fruit again + this ‘temple’ will no longer be a barrier again. I’ve come as the fulfillment of every sacrifice that has ever been offered. This system is under judgment + it’s about to be destroyed.” Through Jesus’ actions on Monday, He was saying, “The time is coming when all of these barriers between people + God will be ancient history. The time is coming when a person will not have to sacrifice an animal in order to connect with a holy God. Because I will be the final + ultimate sacrifice.” Hebrews 10:12 would later describe it like this:

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. —Hebrews 10:12 NLT

It doesn’t stop there . . . When Jesus cleansed the temple, He was saying: “The day is coming when there will be no more barriers, no more exclusions + no more walls! Anybody who wants to—Jew or Gentile, male or female, rich or poor, slave or free—anyone + everyone will be able to walk right into God’s presence! “I’m not only flipping tables, I’m flipping the system! I’m flipping things back to God’s original intention, which was never about meticulously keeping all the rules, but always about the beauty of a personal relationship! “The day is coming when the need for this temple will not exist, because God is going to make Himself available anytime, anywhere, to anyone + everyone who wants Him! It’s all going to happen through Me” (Luke 21:6; Mark 13:1-2; Luke 19:44).

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Paul would later describe it like this in Ephesians 2:14:

For Christ himself has brought peace to us. He united Jews + Gentiles into one people when, in his own body on the cross, he broke down the wall of hostility that separated us. —Ephesians 2:14 NLT

That’s what went down on Monday. On Monday, Jesus publicly picked a fight with the religious authorities by essentially saying, “This whole system is coming down! I’m flipping things from religion back to relationship! I’m going to show you what extravagant grace looks like!” From now on, when you think of the “temple”, the “House of God” or the church, think of it through the heart of Jesus as: • A House of Prayer—a place where people from every nation + people group can gather to communicate with God. • A House for His Presence—a place where people from every nation + people group can encounter the presence of God. • A place where anyone + everyone can experience God’s power in operation to save, heal, deliver + set them free!

Today’s Verse: Jesus said, “Yes, I hear them + haven’t you read in God’s Word, ‘From the mouths of children + babies I’ll furnish a place of praise’?” —Matthew 21:16 MSG Today’s Prompt: Do you see your church as a House of Prayer + His Presence? Today’s Gratitude: I am grateful I have a place to go where I can pray, feel God’s presence + experience His power. Today’s Prayer: Father, furnish a place of praise in my life. Let my prayers + praise ignite Your power + presence. I am in awe of Your grace + Your heart toward me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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DAY 20 | MARCH 21 Tuesday was a whirlwind of activity. It probably won’t surprise you that Jesus went back to the temple to teach again. In fact, He spent the majority of that day in the temple. We’ll talk more about what went down at the temple soon, but here are the bullets of the action that took place on Tuesday. • Jesus taught His followers a lesson about prayer from the cursed fig tree. (Mark 11:20-26; Matthew 21:20-22) You’ll remember that on Monday, Jesus had very publicly cursed a fig tree that was in bloom, but completely barren. On the way back to the temple the very next day, the disciples noticed that in less than 24 hours the fig tree had died + actually withered from the roots (Mark 11:20). Remembering what Jesus had said to the tree only 24 hours earlier, Peter shouted out, “Teacher! The fig tree you cursed is shriveled up + dead” (Mark 11:21). It almost sounds as if Peter was surprised. Jesus used that as an opportunity to teach His closest followers about the power of prayer. Check out Mark 11:22:

“Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. 23 “Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ + does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. 24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it + it will be yours. 25 + when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” —Mark 11:22-25 NIV

The “mountain” in Verse 23 is symbolic. Craig Keener notes that “some Jewish texts speak of ‘removing mountains’ as an infinitely long or virtually impossible task [that could only be] accomplished by the most pious . . . Rabbis applied it to mastering tasks that appeared [to be] humanly impossible to master . . . ”15 But in Mark 11, Jesus looked at a group of utterly ordinary men + said, “If you have faith in God, you can speak to this mountain . . . ” The “mountain” most dominantly on Jesus’ mind at that moment was likely the “mountain” of dead religion + a dead temple. It could be that Jesus even pointed to the temple as if to say, “Guys, see that mountain? That mountain is going to be moved + I came to move it!” The great news is that ultimately, He did! The mountain of dead religion + a dead temple was moved through the cross of Christ.

15 Craig Kenner, The IVP Bible Background Commentary, NT, p 166.

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When Jesus was crucified, He became the ultimate sacrifice for our sin. His body was placed in a tomb. A stone was placed over the entrance to that tomb, but on resurrection morning, the stone was rolled away! The mountain of religion was moved + access to God was made available to every man, woman, boy, girl whether rich or poor, Jew or Gentile, male or female, slave or free. Let’s dig a bit deeper into the word, “mountain.” In that era, a “mountain” was a Jewish metaphor for any challenge or situation in life that appeared to be impossible, immovable or beyond our limited abilities. Think of the drama jammed into this moment. Jesus was just hours from taking on the “mountain” of our sin. He was moments from taking on the “mountain” of dead religion + a dead temple system. So, when the disciples appeared to be surprised over a fig tree He had cursed the day before, it’s almost as if Jesus was looking at them saying, “Really? You think that’s something? You ain’t seen nothing yet! The mountain of your sin is going to be moved + cast in the sea of My grace! The mountain of a religious system that has forgotten its purpose is about to be moved.” “If I can do all of that, then, regardless of the ‘mountains’ you face in life—whether it’s a mountain of sin, guilt, shame, fear, failure, finances, debt, sickness, disease, some self-defeating habit, some constant, persistent character flaw, anxiety, worry, fear that is crippling, a broken relationship, a marriage on the ropes, a challenge bigger than your abilities or opposition that is bigger + stronger than you . . . It doesn’t matter! “The size of your mountain can’t compete with the size of your God. If you just have faith in God, you can speak to the mountain + your mountain is left with no option but to move!” Mark Batterson has written extensively about the power of prayer. Here are a few of my favorite quotes: “The greatest tragedy in life is the prayers that go unanswered because they go unasked . . . ” —Mark Batterson.16 Why not start speaking to your mountain today? “Bold prayers honor God + God honors bold prayers. God isn’t offended by your biggest dreams or boldest prayers. He is offended by anything less. If your prayers aren’t impossible to you, they are insulting to God.” —Mark Batterson17 What mountain do you need to begin speaking to today? Jesus began the Tuesday of the last week of His life by challenging His followers, “Have faith in God. Speak to the mountains in your life. They will move! By the way, remember there’s a direct correlation between the effectiveness of your prayer life + the health of your relational world. Make certain you don’t harbor any unforgiveness. It matters to your Father.” That’s significant. It reminds us of the priority Jesus placed on His closest followers knowing, believing + activating the power of prayer in their lives.

16 Mark Batterson, Draw the Circle: The 40 Day Prayer Challenge, Kindle Locations 986-988 17 Mark Batterson, The Circle Maker: Praying Circles Around Your Biggest Dreams + Greatest Fears (Kindle Locations 82-83). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.

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Jesus + His disciples arrived at the temple some time Tuesday morning + a crowd showed up early to hear Him teach (Luke 21:37-38). • Jesus taught in the Temple + directly confronted the religious leaders. (Matthew 21:23-23:36; Mark 11:27-12:37; Luke 20:1-44) Jesus + His disciples arrived at the temple some time Tuesday morning + a crowd showed up early to hear Him teach (Luke 21:37-38). The religious leaders immediately began to attempt to pick a fight with Jesus by challenging His authority. Fresh on their minds were the events that took place the day before—that Monday—when Jesus had cleaned out the “Bazaar or Market of Annas” so He could make room for the blind, crippled, poor + children to receive ministry + spend time in His presence. These leaders probably feared that Tuesday would be a repeat of Monday, so the moment they got a shot, they challenged Jesus:

“By what authority are you doing all these things? Who gave you the right to do them?” —Mark 11:28 NLT

In other words, “Jesus, maybe You didn’t get the memo. You’re not in charge, we are. We have authority over what goes on in the temple. Not You! Who gave You the right?” There’s a scene in the 2012 movie, Dark Knight Rises where one of Bane’s business associates, a guy named John Daggett, is upset about some of Bane’s activities. Daggett tries to challenge Bane’s authority, barking to one of his underlings, “I’m in charge here . . . ” At this point, Bane towers above Daggett, places his hand on Daggett’s shoulder + says in that deep distorted, Bane-like voice, “Do you feel in charge?” Of course, just before the lights go out for Daggett, he realizes he was never in charge at all. That’s the absurdity of what’s going on in this scene from the last Tuesday of Jesus’ life. These religious authorities had the audacity to believe that they were in charge of the temple that had been created for the glory of God—the God they were actually in the presence of but didn’t even recognize! They thought they were calling the shots! So, they confronted Jesus + asked Him a question, “Who gave You the right?” Once again, Jesus completely flipped the script. Instead of answering their question, He asked them a question that they couldn’t possibly answer in public without upsetting the crowd + potentially inciting a riot. Round One of the Tuesday Temple Smackdown went to Jesus.

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Today’s Verse: Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it + it will be yours. —Mark 11:24 NIV Today’s Prompt: Do you believe you can move the “mountains” in your life? Today’s Gratitude: I am grateful that I serve a God who wants to hear my prayers, my pleas + my petitions. Today’s Prayer: Father, help me have the faith to believe that with You, I can move mountains. Help me grow in my belief + reliance on the power of prayer. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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DAY 21 | MARCH 22 Now, it’s Round Two. Jesus doesn’t even give the religious leaders an opportunity to mount an attack. Instead, He goes on the offense by sharing a series of three stories.

The Story of the Two Sons (Matthew 21:28-32) In Matthew 21:28-32, Jesus shared a story about a man who had two sons. He asked them both to work in his vineyard. At first, the older son responded, “No way. I won’t go.” But then he later changed his mind + went to work. The younger son initially responded, “You got it, Pop. You bet. I’ll go.” But then, he never got up + went. Jesus closed the story by asking, “Which of the two obeyed?” The leaders immediately responded, “Well, duh! The first, of course.” That’s when Jesus landed an uppercut to the chin by saying, “You need to know . . . Corrupt tax collectors, crooks + prostitutes will get into the kingdom of God before you . . . ” The implication was clear. The group of people Jesus just referred to—corrupt tax collectors, crooks + prostitutes—had initially said, “No!” when it came to the invitation to be a part of His kingdom. But during Jesus’ ministry, they ended up coming into the kingdom in droves. While the religious leaders who indicated they were all about God’s kingdom, were currently completely ignoring the reality of the kingdom that was right before their eyes. That story stung . . . But Jesus wasn’t done!

The Story of the Wicked Tenant Farmers (Matthew 21:33-46) The religious leaders were already angry when Jesus launched into another story (Matthew 21:33-46). This story was about a wealthy + apparently honorable, landowner + a group of really evil, greedy, wicked tenant farmers. While the landowner was away on a trip, he sent representatives to collect his share of the grape harvest, even though the tenant farmers had made an agreement with the landowner. They were farming on his land, using seed he had purchased, resources he had provided, but when the landowner sent reps to collect his share, the group of tenant farmers beat the first rep, murdered the second rep, stoned the third rep + then beat the fourth group of reps. The landowner was surprised + shocked. So, in a gesture of patience + kindness, he decided to send his own son, believing that this group of wicked, evil, greedy tenant farmers would at least respect the authority + position of the landowner’s son + see this as an act of grace. But the moment the son showed up at the vineyard, this group thought to themselves, “That’s the heir. If we kill him, it all belongs to us . . . ” So, they grabbed him, drug him out of his own vineyard + murdered him in cold blood. Jesus then asked, “What do you think the landowner is going to do when he gets back home from his trip? How will he respond?”

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The leaders didn’t hesitate. “He’ll obviously execute the wicked farmers + then lease his vineyard to responsible farmers who’ll give him his share of the crops.” To make certain the religious leaders didn’t miss the point, Jesus made it plain.

Then Jesus asked them, “Didn’t you ever read this in the Scriptures? ‘The stone that the builders rejected has now become the cornerstone. This is the LORD’s doing + it is wonderful to see.’” —Matthew 21:42 NLT

This was a spiritual hook that landed square on the jaw + put the religious leaders on the mat. They completely lost it. They were furious about the story. They wanted to arrest Jesus that moment, but were afraid of the crowds that had gathered to hear Him teach, so they somehow regained their composure. But Jesus wasn’t done. Not yet. He had one more story.

The Story of the Wedding Feast (Matthew 22:1-14) This story was about a king who prepared a huge wedding feast for his son. When it got time for the wedding, the king sent his servants to notify everyone who had been invited, that the banquet was ready. Dinner was served. Incredibly, everyone on the guestlist refused to come. To refuse an invitation from the king was an incredible insult + complete dismissal of the king’s authority. This was unbelievable. Amazingly, the king, in his patience + grace, sent a second group of servant messengers with the same invite, “Hey! Maybe you missed the invite? Maybe you forgot? The wedding feast is prepared + ready! We’re serving filet mignon! We’ve got great wine! The time has arrived.” This time, not only did some of the people on the guestlist completely ignore the invite of the king + just keep going about their business, for some reason, others on the guestlist actually insulted the messengers + murdered them. Contempt for the king’s messengers was the equivalent of contempt for the king himself. This was an act of rebellion. The king was furious, so he sent out an army to deal with the rebellion. They not only executed the murderers, but the army set the entire city on fire. This was a prophetic story that would be fulfilled in Jerusalem in 70 A.D. when the Roman General, Titus leveled Jerusalem + slaughtered more than 1,100,000 Jewish people. The king then invited a new guest list to the wedding feast.

Go therefore to the main roads + invite to the wedding feast as many as you find.’ 10 + those servants went out into the roads + gathered all whom they found, both bad + good. So the wedding hall was filled with guests. —Matthew 22:9-10 ESV

The implication of the third story was clear. The current religious leaders in Israel had been on God’s original guest list. But they not only ignored the King’s invitation, they also rejected the King + even murdered the King’s messengers which were the prophets.

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But God’s heart has always been people, so the King didn’t cancel the feast, He just expanded the guest list so that the wedding hall would be filled! The crowds that had gathered were filled with hope. All of their lives they had been taught that they weren’t on the list! Now, they discovered that they are! The religious got even angrier because Jesus had called them out on their hypocrisy + exposed their rebellion against God. They wanted to arrest Jesus, but in the aftermath of the healing crusade that went on the day before, the temple was filled with crowds that had come to hear Him teach. The leaders feared that arresting Him would cause a riot + even endanger their lives. So, they decided to make a proverbial half-time adjustment + began asking Jesus a series of questions, all meant to trick Him into incriminating Himself so they could accuse + arrest Him. Jesus answered every question in a way that silenced + infuriated the religious leaders, while amazing the gathered crowd. One of the most important questions Jesus was asked was when an expert in Scripture stepped forwarded + asked Jesus to “bottom line” the most important or greatest commands in Scripture. Jesus didn’t hesitate. He responded by quoting Deuteronomy 6:4-5 + Leviticus 19:18:

“Listen, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. 5 + you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul + all your strength. —Deuteronomy 6:4-5 NLT “Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against a fellow Israelite, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord. —Leviticus 19:18 NLT

In other words, Jesus said, “It all boils down to this . . . love God + love people.”

“‘You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul + all your mind.’ 38 This is the first + greatest commandment. 39 A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 The entire law + all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.” —Matthew 22:37-40 NLT

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Today’s Verse: “‘You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul + all your mind.’ 38 This is the first + greatest commandment. 39 A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” —Matthew 22:37-39 NLT Today’s Prompt: What do you think it means to love God with all your heart, all your soul + all your mind? Today’s Gratitude: I am grateful for a Savior that doesn’t rush through wisdom + understanding, but is patient with me as I glean knowledge from His Word. Today’s Prayer: Father, help me to not reject Jesus in my words, actions, thoughts or deeds. I want to obey Him, work side-by-side with Him + represent Him well by loving my neighbor as I love myself. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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DAY 22 | MARCH 23 Jesus wasn’t finished. In Matthew 23, He directly challenged + confronted the religious leaders on issue after issue. This was probably Jesus’ last public sermon. • Jesus prayed over Jerusalem + wept over the people in the city that He deeply loved. (Matthew 23:37-39) What does He teach about? Salvation? The resurrection? More principles for living the kingdom life? None of the above! Once again, He took on dead religion + challenged the religious leaders + community of that day! It’s important to point out that Jesus didn’t merely “dis” these religious leaders, He spoke truth to them because He deeply loved them. In fact, at some point during that day, Jesus actually took time to weep + pray over Jerusalem.

Jesus: “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets + stones God’s messengers! How often I have wanted to gather your children together as a hen protects her chicks beneath her wings, but you wouldn’t let me. 38 + now, look, your house is abandoned + desolate. 39 For I tell you this, you will never see me again until you say, ‘Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the LORD!’” —Matthew 23:37-39 NLT

• Jesus talked with His disciples about the future + eternity. (Matthew 24-25:46; Mark 13:1-37; Luke 21:5-36) As Jesus + the disciples started to leave Jerusalem, the disciples were blown away by + fixated on the size, scope + beauty of the buildings that made up the temple complex. That’s when Jesus began to unpack a vivid description of what the future would look like. He even indicated that the temple would ultimately be destroyed. Once again, it happened in 70 AD. That’s an overview of Tuesday. But before we move on to Wednesday, it’s important to go over the difference between religion + Christianity. Do vs. Done Religion is spelled D-O. Religion is spelled “D-O” because it’s about all the stuff people do to try to somehow gain God’s forgiveness + favor. Like praying, going to church, being nice to people + giving money to the poor, all in order to earn our way to heaven. In Jesus’ day, it was about all the meticulous rules a person had to keep.

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But the problem with that approach is that we can never know when we’ve done enough. It’s like being a salesman who knows he’s got a quota to meet, but he’s never told what the quota is or where he stands. So, he can never be sure that he’s actually done enough. Worse yet, when it comes to you + me, the Bible tells us in Romans 3:23 that we can never do enough to merit eternal life. It tells us that we will always fall short of God's perfect standard.

For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. —Romans 3:23 NLT

Christianity is spelled “D-O-N-E.” Religion is spelled “D-O.” But Christianity is spelled differently. Christianity says that no one can ever measure up to God’s standard or holiness. No amount of effort or sacrifice can merit God’s favor or eternal life. We can’t save ourselves by becoming good or doing good. So, Christianity is spelled “D-O-N-E,” which means that what we could never do for ourselves, Jesus has already done for us. He lived the perfect life that we could never live + willingly died on the cross as our substitute to pay the penalty we owed for all the wrongs we’ve done. In fact, when He died He cried these words, “It is finished or I have done it!” (John 19:30) To become a real Christian is to simply trust what Jesus has already done. When we trust Him, He adopts us into His family + begins to change us from the inside out! Christianity is about a relationship. It’s not about religion. If you’re not in a relationship with God, you can begin one today by expressing your faith through this simple prayer: “Dear God, thank You for loving me. I realize that I’ve sinned. My sin has separated me from You. I make a decision today to stop trusting in my own efforts + to start trusting in what Jesus did. I believe that Jesus died for my sins + in my place. I ask that You forgive my sins + lead my life. I choose to trust Jesus. Amen.”

Today’s Verse: For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. —Romans 3:23 NLT Today’s Prompt: Do you really believe that you don’t have to work your way into a relationship with God? Today’s Gratitude: I am grateful that Jesus took my penalty, so I can enjoy the presence of God. Today’s Prayer: Father, help me to not get caught up in religion + rules, but to trust that You love me, as I am right now + there is nothing I could ever do to make You love me more. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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DAY 23 | MARCH 24 On Wednesday—just two days before Jesus’ death—Jesus may have gone back to the Temple for another day of teaching.

Every day Jesus went to the Temple to teach + each evening he returned to spend the night on the Mount of Olives. 38 The crowds gathered at the Temple early each morning to hear him. —Luke 21:37-38 NLT

The last week of His life, Jesus filled it by pouring into the lives of others. He healed the sick + He taught the Word of God.

Then this message came to me from the LORD: 2 “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds, the leaders of Israel. Give them this message from the Sovereign LORD: What sorrow awaits you shepherds who feed yourselves instead of your flocks. Shouldn’t shepherds feed their sheep? 3 You drink the milk, wear the wool + butcher the best animals, but you let your flocks starve. 4 You have not taken care of the weak. You have not tended the sick or bound up the injured. You have not gone looking for those who have wandered away + are lost. Instead, you have ruled them with harshness + cruelty. 5 So my sheep have been scattered without a shepherd + they are easy prey for any wild animal. 6 They have wandered through all the mountains + all the hills, across the face of the earth, yet no one has gone to search for them. —Ezekiel 34:1-6 NLT

Jesus leveled some of the same charges against the religious leaders in Matthew 23:

“They crush people with unbearable religious demands + never lift a finger to ease the burden.” —Matthew 23:4 NLT

But Isaiah had prophesied that a shepherd would come who would actually do what a shepherd is called to do:

O Zion, messenger of good news, shout from the mountaintops! Shout it louder, O Jerusalem. Shout + do not be afraid. Tell the towns of Judah,“Your God is coming!” 10 Yes, the Sovereign LORD is coming in power. He will rule with a powerful arm. See, he brings his reward with him as he comes. 11 He will feed his flock like a shepherd. He will carry the lambs in his arms, holding them close to his heart. He will gently lead the mother sheep with their young. —Isaiah 40:9-11 NLT

Jesus was the good shepherd + in the final days of His life, He was caring for His sheep by feeding + nurturing them.

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep.” —John 10:11 NLT “I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep + they know me, 15 just as my Father knows me + I know the Father. So I sacrifice my life for the sheep.” —John 10:14-15 NLT

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While Jesus was pouring into the lives of others, Matthew, Mark + Luke—all three of the Gospel writers—describe the Jewish religious leaders of that day—a group known as the Sanhedrin—getting together to plan, plot + brainstorm how they were going to get rid of Jesus.

When Jesus had finished saying all these things, he said to his disciples, 2 “As you know, Passover begins in two days + the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified.”

3 At that same time the leading priests + elders were meeting at the residence of Caiaphas, the high priest, 4 plotting how to capture Jesus secretly + kill him. 5 “But not during the Passover celebration,” they agreed, “or the people may riot.” —Matthew 26:1-5 NLT (Cf Mark 14:1-2; Luke 22:1-2)

On Wednesday, evil plots + plans were considered, weighed + hatched by people who thought they were in power + control. They make the decision: “Jesus has to die. We’ve got to kill him, but it can’t be during Passover.” The inference is, “Let’s wait until after Passover . . . Maybe until the Feast of Unleavened Bread, when the crowds disperse + the people go back home.” They’re willing to sit tight, bide their time + wait for their moment. What they’re completely unaware of + blind to is the fact that they are not calling the shots. Jesus is! He will not die on their timetable. He will die during Passover. In fact, some Bible scholars believe that at the very moment the Passover Lamb was being slaughtered, Jesus Himself breathed his last. Amazingly, on the same day that the members of the Sanhedrin were planning Jesus’ execution—that evening—Jesus went back to Bethany, to the home of a man named, Simon, who had evidently been healed of leprosy. On the day that representatives from the most elite group of religious experts in Israel were plotting a murder, Jesus went to the home of another friend, a complete outcast—a woman—interrupts the dinner party to worship Jesus + anoint Him again, in preparation for His death + burial. Wednesday is often referred to as a day of silence. But you could also call it a day of worship. Because on that day, Jesus honored the Father by shepherding His people. He probably took the time to spend time with His Fathe —He needed to hear from Dad. He needed to spend time in His presence. He also received worship. On Wednesday afternoon/evening, Jesus went back to Bethany + spent time with good friends, evidently one of whom He had healed of leprosy.

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Here it is from The Passion Translation, because I love the way it paraphrases these verses:

Then Jesus went to Bethany, to the home of Simon, a man Jesus had healed of leprosy. A woman came into the house, holding an alabaster flask filled with fragrant + expensive oil. She walked right up to Jesus + in a lavish gesture of devotion, she poured out the costly oil + it cascaded over his head as he was at the table. —Matthew 26:6-7 TPT

There are a variety of opinions on the anointing of Jesus. Some believe that Jesus may have been anointed two times just days before His arrest + execution. For instance, these people believe that on Friday, He was anointed by Mary in the home of Mary, Martha + Lazarus (John 12:1-11). We went over this earlier. Then, on Wednesday, two days before Passover, He was anointed again. Some believe these anointings coordinate with the experience of the Passover Lamb. It’s interesting that the Passover Lamb was chosen on the Tenth Day of Nissan—five or six days before Passover. This allowed the lamb to be brought into the family’s home, to become part of the family + to also be inspected for blemishes or defects. As part of that inspection, anointing oil would be rubbed into the feet + ankles of the Lamb. This is exactly what Mary did for Jesus in John 12:1-11. She anointed Jesus’ feet + wiped them with her hair! She anointed the same feet that days later would be pierced with nails. Then, just two days before Passover, the Passover Lamb would be anointed a second time, this time on the head. This was to announce that the lamb was free from defects, sickness + blemishes + ready to serve as a sinless, perfect substitute. This is one of the reasons I believe that a second anointing took place + it’s the anointing that gets referred to + recorded in Matthew 26 + Mark 14. It probably took place on Wednesday. Jesus’ head was anointed with oil. The same brow that hours later would wear a crown of thorns. The symbolism is powerful! Jesus experienced both anointings because He is our Passover Lamb (See John 1:29; 1 Corinthians 5:7).18 I love the way Leonard Sweet + Frank Viola describe this in their excellent book, Jesus: A Theography. They write: “Picture the scene. The disciples were reclining on the floor, probably on mats, around a low table, eating from a common bowl, dipping chunks of bread into olive oil. Suddenly a woman crashed their party + crashed on Jesus’ head a flask of perfume. She broke the expensive vial (or “snapped off the neck,” meaning she used the entire flask) + poured out all the costly ointment. The magic of spikenard, the pleasure of this perfume, is made clear in this simple phrase: ‘the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.’

18 https://inspired2think.wordpress.com/2015/04/11/understanding-the-significance-of-jesus-being-anointed-by-oil/

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“Given spikenard’s high price tag, the reaction of Jesus’ disciples to the alabaster jar being broken over Jesus’ head is understandable: they were irate at Jesus + indignant with the woman.”19 Rabbinical teaching of that day indicated that if a guest entered your home, it was okay to anoint them with perfume. That was viewed as hospitable. But it wasn’t okay to anoint them with pure nard. That was viewed as wasteful. That’s one of the reasons some of those at the table went ballistic! They felt that this was in violation of the Torah. The Bible says that they “were indignant” + “scolded her harshly” (Mark 14:4-5). Sweet + Viola continue: “Messiah’ literally means ‘Anointed One.’ There were diverse, even conflicting understandings + ideas of messiahship. But one thing was sure: when someone said ‘the Anointed One’ in first-century Judaism, he or she was referring to the King of the Jews, whom God would raise up at the end of times. By pouring this perfume over Jesus’ head, this unnamed woman was symbolically proclaiming Him to be the Messiah, the Anointed One of God . . . ”20 Jesus was anointed Messiah + King, not by kings, heads of state or world leaders, but by an unnamed woman. Jesus was anointed Messiah + King, not in the Holy City, the Capital Building or the Temple of God, but in the home of a former leper, in a town called Bethany. Get this: “Jesus entered this world smelling what? Barnyard smells of straw, stable dung + smelly shepherds. “Jesus left this world smelling what? Perfume. “Ancient Israelites didn’t take baths every day. They washed their hands frequently before every meal, but they washed their bodies even less frequently than the Egyptians did. “Part of the cruelty of crucifixion was the emotional as well as physical torture. Yes, Jesus’ physical agonies were beyond imagining. But the emotional agonies were even worse—the humiliation of being stripped naked, with all bodily parts + functions exposed for the humiliating gaze of the public; the mixture of blood, sweat, urine, feces + refuse creating a nauseating stench, the smells of death that kept even the families of the crucified at a distance . . . ”21 But the aroma of this woman’s worship accompanied Jesus through everything He went through + experienced. From His battle with the evil one in the garden, to His torture when He was beaten with a rod + then flogged with a whip, to His crucifixion, as He breathed in the reality of the moment, He would also breathe in the aroma of this woman’s worship!

19 Sweet, Leonard; Viola, Frank. Jesus (p. 229). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition. 20 Sweet, Leonard; Viola, Frank. Jesus (p. 231). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition. 21 Sweet, Leonard; Viola, Frank. Jesus (pp. 233-234). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition.

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No wonder, when people in the house began to criticize this woman, Jesus jumped to her defense by replying:

But Jesus replied, “Leave her alone. Why criticize her for doing such a good thing to me? 7 You will always have the poor among you + you can help them whenever you want to. But you will not always have me. 8 She has done what she could + has anointed my body for burial ahead of time. 9 I tell you the truth, wherever the Good News is preached throughout the world, this woman’s deed will be remembered + discussed.” —Mark 14:6-9 NLT

I love the way Harold Best described worship in a book titled, Unceasing Worship. Best wrote: “Worship is the continuous outpouring of all that I am, all that I do + all that I can ever become in light of a chosen or choosing god." —Harold Best In other words, worship doesn’t start + stop. It can’t be limited to a specific day of the week or time slot on Sunday morning. Worship is a lot bigger than music or the hour + fifteen minutes we spend together every Sunday. Worship is all of life. It’s non-stop + continuous. In Matthew 26, Mark 14 + Luke 7, an unnamed woman gave all she had, all she was + poured it all on the head of Jesus. A life of extravagant worship is the only reasonable response to the extravagant love of God. “All in” is the only way to live when you realize that God went “all out” for you!

We have an altar from which the priests in the Tabernacle have no right to eat. 11 Under the old system, the high priest brought the blood of animals into the Holy Place as a sacrifice for sin + the bodies of the animals were burned outside the camp. 12 So also Jesus suffered + died outside the city gates to make his people holy by means of his own blood. 13 So let us go out to him, outside the camp, + bear the disgrace he bore. 14 For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come. 15 Therefore, let us offer through Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise to God, proclaiming our allegiance to his name. 16 + don’t forget to do good + to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God. —Hebrews 13:10-16 NLT

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Today’s Verse: “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep.” —John 10:11 NLT Today’s Prompt: Can you imagine sacrificing your life for someone else? Today’s Gratitude: I am grateful that the Good Shepherd calls me His own. Today’s Prayer: Father, help me to extravagantly worship the One who extravagantly loves me. I pray that I am like the woman who gave all she was + all she had to pour out her worship on Jesus. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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DAY 24 | MARCH 25 At some point on Thursday, Jesus met with His closest friends. He gave them an example of what servant leadership looks like by washing their feet (John 13).

Before the Passover celebration, Jesus knew that his hour had come to leave this world + return to his Father. He had loved his disciples during his ministry on earth + now he loved them to the very end. 2 It was time for supper + the devil had already prompted Judas, son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had given him authority over everything + that he had come from God + would return to God. 4 So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, 5 + poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him. —John 13:1-5 NLT After washing their feet, he put on his robe again + sat down + asked, “Do you understand what I was doing? 13 You call me ‘Teacher’ + ‘Lord’ + you are right, because that’s what I am. 14 + since I, your Lord + Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. 15 I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you . . . —John 13:12-15a NLT

Jesus loved object lessons + according to John 13:13-15, Jesus wanted His disciples to hold the image of Him actually touching + washing their feet on the screen of their minds. This is what He wanted these guys to think about each time that image came to mind: “Remember Guys, this act represents all the ways I have loved you. I want this love—my selfless, unconditional + sacrificial love for you—to carry you out into the world so that everyone you meet can experience My grace-filled love through you.” Jesus wanted us to understand that learning to take off the garment of your own self-importance + kneel down + turn away from your own self-centeredness to pour the water of your own resources on the feet of someone else in need is what Christ-like love is all about. He makes it crystal clear in John 13:34:

So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. 35 Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” —John 13:34-35 NLT

Jesus basically said, “Hey, Guys, the way you’ve seen Me love . . . That’s the way I want you to love. It’s more than a feeling. It’s an attitude that reveals itself with an action.”

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A New Standard For Love • Love one another selflessly. • Love one another unconditionally. • Love one another sacrificially.

There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command. —John 15:13-14 NLT

Today’s Verse: “Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” —John 13:35 NLT Today’s Prompt: Are you able to love others selflessly, unconditionally + sacrificially? Today’s Gratitude: I am grateful that Jesus set an example on how I should love my friends. Today’s Prayer: Father, I need Your help to lay down my own self-importance + self-centeredness, so I can carry Your love out into the world. I pray that others can experience Your grace-filled love through me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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DAY 25 | MARCH 26 Jesus then led His closest friends in Passover, transforming that beautiful meal into what we know as The Lord’s Supper or Holy Communion. Preparation for Passover took place on the 14th of Nissan—from nightfall on Wednesday to nightfall on Thursday. The Passover Meal itself took place on the 15th of Nissan—nightfall on Thursday to nightfall on Friday. According to one first-century historian, the number of sacrificial lambs slain at Passover during this period of time was approximately 260,000 lambs. One lamb was usually offered up for every ten people. Conservative estimates indicate that at least 2,000,000 people had gathered in Jerusalem for the Celebration of Passover. The Passover Meal included a meal of roasted lamb, bitter herbs, unleavened bread + wine. It’s very likely that Jesus + His disciples ate this meal together sometime after midnight Thursday night or technically, Friday morning. Jesus knew He was the ultimate Passover Lamb. He probably remembered the words of His relative John who said, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world . . . ” (John 1:29). In Matthew 26:18 Jesus said, “My time is at hand . . . ” In other words, “I’m about to die. I’m about to give My life as a ransom. It’s all come down to this.” The Gospel of John gives us an intense perspective on these moments. John 13:21 says, “Now Jesus was deeply troubled . . . ” A very similar phrase shows up one chapter earlier in the Gospel of John where Jesus makes this statement:

“Now my soul is troubled + what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. 28 Father, glorify your name!” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it + will glorify it again.” —John 12:27-28 NIV

It’s during this incredibly emotional time that Jesus transforms Passover into Holy Communion. Let’s read the way Matthew describes what took place:

As they were eating, Jesus took some bread + blessed it. Then he broke it in pieces + gave it to the disciples, saying, “Take this + eat it, for this is my body.” 27 + he took a cup of wine + gave thanks to God for it. He gave it to them + said, “Each of you drink from it, 28 for this is my blood, which confirms the covenant between God + his people. It is poured out as a sacrifice to forgive the sins of many. 29 Mark my words—I will not drink wine again until the day I drink it new with you in my Father’s

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Kingdom.” 30 Then they sang a hymn + went out to the Mount of Olives. —Matthew 26:26-30 NLT

When you combine the narratives in all four Gospels, at this point, Jesus poured His heart out to this inner circle by:

• speaking peace to their fears, • giving them promises about their future, • warning them of the plans of the evil one + • praying for them personally (John 14-17).

He longs to speak the same things to + over us. Jesus even took the time to worship with them, sing hymns with them + invite His inner circle to join Him in the Garden of Gethsemane for prayer (Matthew 26:30; Mark 14:26; Luke 22:39). On Thursday, Jesus spent time with His closest friends + spent even more time with His Father.

Today’s Verse: “Now my soul is troubled + what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour.” —John 12:27 NIV Today’s Prompt: Has your soul ever been troubled? If so, did you talk to God about it? Today’s Gratitude: I am grateful Jesus came to set me free, regardless of what it cost Him. Today’s Prayer: Father, help me hear Jesus speaking to my fears, giving me promises about my future, warning me of the plans of the evil one + praying for me personally. He did it for His disciples + I know He’ll do it for me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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DAY 27 | MARCH 28 Late Thursday evening or early Friday morning, knowing that He was destined for the cross-—that in a few hours He would bear the weight of the sin of the whole world throughout all of human history on His shoulders—Jesus entered the Garden of Gethsemane + invited His inner circle of friends to join Him in prayer. What occurred next is unlike anything we’ve seen up to this moment in Jesus’ life. War In The Garden: Mental Torment + Anguish Mark 14:33 says it was in Gethsemane, just hours before his death, that Jesus “ . . . began to be greatly distressed + troubled.” The Message describes it like this, “ . . . He plunged into a sinkhole of dreadful agony.”

He took Peter, James + John with him + he became deeply troubled + distressed. —Mark 14:33 NLT [Jesus] took Peter, Jacob + John with him. An intense feeling of great horror plunged his soul into deep sorrow + agony. —Mark 14:33 TPT

It’s interesting that the word Gethsemane actually means “oil or olive press.” It was located in an area known as the Mount of Olives where there was evidently a grove of olive trees. The entire scene is a visual picture or metaphor of what Jesus was about to experience or endure in every aspect of His being. Just as olives are pressed + crushed to produce oil, Jesus was about to be pressed + crushed on our behalf. War In The Garden: Emotional Pain + Agony Not only was Jesus under mental stress in the garden, He was under emotional distress in Gethsemane, as well. The emotional + interior struggle was so severe, that Jesus looked at three of His closest friends + said, “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here + keep watch with me” (Matthew 26:38). In other words, “I really don’t want to be alone right now. This moment is just too heavy. The pressure is too great. I need my friends. I need you.” If Jesus needed to be surrounded + supported by a group of friends, we all need friends who will stand with us + by us in moments of celebration + despair (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10). Phillip Yancey wrote: “ . . . I detect in the Gospels’ account of Gethsemane a profound depth of loneliness that Jesus had never before encountered . . . “The world had rejected Jesus: proof came in the torch light parade then snaking through the pathways of the garden. Soon the disciples would forsake him. During the prayers, the

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anguished prayers that met a stone wall of no response, it surely must have felt as if God, too, had turned away.” —Phillip Yancey22 Tim Keller once tweeted, “Every single emotion you have should be processed in prayer.”23 Jesus did this in Gethsemane. He shared His heart with His friends + He poured His heart out to God in prayer. Luke 22 describes it:

…being in agony he prayed more earnestly: + his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground. —Luke 22:44 KJV He prayed even more passionately, like one being sacrificed, until he was in such intense agony of spirit that his sweat became drops of blood, dripping onto the ground. —Luke 22:44 TPT

The word “agony” means, “ . . . being in the grip of a shuddering horror in the face of the dreadful prospect before him.” 24 It’s also used “ . . .of a man who is rendered helpless, disorientated, who is agitated + anguished by the threat of some approaching event.”25 This gives us a glimpse as to what might have been going on inside Jesus just before His arrest + crucifixion. He knew exactly what He was about to experience + endure. He understood every second of anguish + the extent of the brokenness He was about to take on. He understood the spiritual, mental, emotional, relational + physical pain ahead of Him. This is why, when He entered the garden, He walked a few yards away from His circle of friends + threw Himself face down on the ground (Mark 14:35-36). The burden + weight He was carrying was so heavy + horrific that He couldn’t even manage to stand! He crumbled to the ground + began to passionately pray. Jesus understood that He was about to bear God’s judgment against sin as our substitute— suffering + dying in our place—so He prayed with a passion + burden unlike anything we’ve ever witnessed. The spiritual, mental + emotional anguish He experienced was so intense that Luke writes, “ . . .His sweat became like great drops of blood falling to the ground” (Luke 22:44).

. . .He was in such intense agony of spirit that his sweat became drops of blood, dripping onto the ground. —Luke 22:44 TPT

Medically, this condition is known as hematidrosis. It’s an extremely rare medical condition that is usually associated with an individual who is experiencing a high degree of psychological stress, severe anxiety or fear. The fear + anxiety causes the body to release chemicals that break down the capillaries in the sweat glands. As a result, there’s a small amount of bleeding in the sweat glands + the sweat becomes tinged with blood. Jesus was literally bleeding through the pores of his skin as He prayed in the Garden. Part of our redemption was actually taking place in these moments.

22 Phillip Yancey, The Jesus I Never Knew, page 195 23 Tim Keller, Twitter Feed, July 20, 2017, @timekllernyc 24 George Knight, Exploring Mark: A Devotional Commentary, page 262. 25 Erich Kiehl, The Passion of our Lord, page 70.

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The blood loss was probably minimal, but hematidrosis “leaves the body weak, dehydrated + with skin so tissue-thin + tender that even a touching of skin is excruciating.”26 It is also accompanied by an accelerated heart rate, high blood pressure, abdominal cramps + vomiting, 27 which would have left Jesus completely exhausted + dehydrated.

Today’s Verse: Jesus: “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here + keep watch with me.” —Matthew 26:38 NLT Today’s Prompt: Do you have friends who will stand with you + by you in times of despair + celebration? Today’s Gratitude: I am grateful Jesus showed me I can passionately pray when I feel the crushing weight of my burdens. Today’s Prayer: Father, help me be the kind of friend that keeps watch with those who need me, when they need me. I pray You lead me me to friends that will stand with me + by me in life + in prayer. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

26 Leonard Sweet. Jesus (p. 220). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition. 27 https://catholicinsight.com/the-physical-effects-of-the-scourging-+-crucifixion-of-jesus/

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DAY 28 | MARCH 29 War In The Garden: Spiritual Warfare The word “agony” in the original Greek, used to describe Jesus’ struggle in Gethsemane, can also mean struggle or conflict. It’s from a root word, which was used to describe the place where the Greeks assembled to celebrate their Olympic Games. It can refer to “a place of contest, conquest + physical struggle for the purpose of overcoming all opposition in the attainment of a goal.” Satan had avoided any direct confrontation with Jesus since the smackdown Jesus gave him in the wilderness. But now, in Gethsemane, Satan made one last, all-out frontal assault in an attempt to keep Jesus from going to the cross. (Matthew 16:23; 1 Corinthians 2:8) Some Bible scholars believe that Satan was actually attempting to kill Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane.28 Mel Gibson hints at this in his film, The Passion of the Christ. As Jesus prays in the Garden, Satan appears, whispering to Jesus, tempting Him to abandon His path to the cross. The battle is fierce, but Jesus is resolved. He eventually stands to His feet, looks Satan in the eyes + crushes the serpent Satan has placed in His path. This is a picture of what Paul would later write in Romans 16:20, “The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.” It’s a fulfillment of Genesis 3:15, when God said, “the serpent will strike His heel, but He will crush the serpent’s head.” It’s interesting that the failure that plunged this world into terror + placed us under the curse began in a garden (Genesis 3). Jesus would also face one of the greatest battles in history in a garden. A few hours later, He would be betrayed by a kiss in that same garden (Luke 22:47-48). But the good news is that He would eventually be resurrected in another garden, redeeming the story of the garden. This was the prayer Jesus prayed over + over again in the garden:

He went on a little farther + bowed with his face to the ground, praying, “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” —Matthew 26:39 NLT

The Passion Translation paraphrases this:

“My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet what I want is not important, for I only desire to fulfill Your plan for me.” —Matthew 26:39 TPT

The symbol of a “cup” is used several times in the Bible. Sometimes it’s used in Scripture for a “cup of blessing.”

28 See J. Vernon McGhee, Thru The Bible Vol 51, Hebrews 1-7, commentary on Hebrews 5:7; Also see John MacArthur, The MacArthur NT Commentary Set of 33 Volumes, commentary on Matthew 16:23

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For example:

• Psalm 16:5, “Lord, You alone are my inheritance, my cup of blessing.” • Psalm 23:5, “You anoint my head with oil, my cup overflows with blessings.” • Psalm 116:11, “I will lift up his cup of salvation + praise him extravagantly for all that he’s

done for me.” But the symbol of a “cup” is also used in the Bible for the “cup of divine wrath + judgement.” For instance, Psalm 75:8:

“For the LORD holds a cup in his hand that is full of foaming wine mixed with spices. He pours out the wine in judgment + all the wicked must drink it . . .” —Psalm 75:8 NLT (Also see, Isaiah 51:17; Jeremiah 49:12-16)

Amazingly, in the garden, Jesus switched cups with us! Because of His sinless perfection, He could drink from the cup of God’s blessing. Because of our sin, we were destined to drink from the cup of God’s judgement + wrath. Amazingly, at some point in eternity past, Jesus decided to switch cups! In the garden + on the cross, Jesus took our judgment so we could receive His blessing! He took our sin so we could receive His righteousness (See 2 Corinthians 5:21).29 It’s important to point out that the events we’ve covered thus far + the events we’ll cover soon, were not the tragic upending of God’s plan; they were the fulfillment of God’s plan. The hour of Jesus’ most intense agony was the hour for which He had come into the world. Scripture indicates that Jesus anticipated the time + manner of His death (Matthew 20:17-19). He taught His followers that His death would be the climax of His earthly mission + ministry. He said it like this in Mark 10:45:

“ . . . the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve + to give his life as a ransom for many." —Mark 10:45

I love the way John Stott describes this. Stott writes: “The essence of sin is we human beings substituting ourselves for God, while the essence of salvation is God substituting Himself for us. We . . . put ourselves where only God deserves to be; [but] God . . . puts Himself where we deserve to be.”30 It’s on the heels of three hours in prayer that a group of more than 200 people—including Judas, members of the Sanhedrin, the temple guard + a detachment of soldiers (which represented a group of at least 200 + as many as 600)—entered the garden to arrest Jesus.

29 Jesus: A Theography, Leonard Sweet + Frank Viola, page 220 of 418. The idea of Jesus switching cups is covered in this book by Sweet + Viola. 30 John Stott, quoted by Tim Keller in The Reason for God, page 195.

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Today’s Verse: “The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.” —Romans 16:20a NLT Today’s Prompt: Do you believe God has the power to crush anything + everything that is attacking you? Today’s Gratitude: I am grateful that Jesus took my cup of judgment + wrath, so I could have His cup of blessing. Today’s Prayer: Father, I need Your peace when I feel like I am in agony + being crushed. Help me cling to You in those moments + trust that Your plan for my life will not be upended, but will be fulfilled. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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DAY 29 | MARCH 30 It was probably sometime after midnight that Judas + a huge crowd of armed men entered the garden with swords + clubs to arrest Jesus. The group that arrived was overkill. It included Judas, a group of leading priests, the captains + members of the temple guard, elders from the Jewish religious system—probably members of the Jewish Sanhedrin (Luke 22:52), a group Matthew + Mark both describe as a “crowd” (Matthew 26:47; Mark 14:43) + a detachment of Roman soldiers (John 18:3,12). The detachment of Roman soldiers is interesting. It represents a group of at least 200 men + possibly a group numbering as many as 600. The fact that they carried weapons like swords + clubs could be an indication that they expected a full-scale confrontation with Jesus’ followers. The agony Jesus had already experienced in the garden had so altered His appearance that when the arresting party arrived, Jesus wasn’t easily recognizable. In fact, when the group approached, Jesus asked them, “Who are you looking for?” (John 18:4). It’s evident that the blood + sweat had so altered His appearance that He was already unrecognizable to most of the people in the party. The party answered, “Jesus, the Nazarene.” The next words are stunning:

“I AM he,” Jesus said . . . 6 As Jesus said “I AM he,” they all drew back + fell to the ground! —John 18:5-6 NIV

The phrase, “I am he” is powerful. Jesus used this expression three times during this exchange. It’s the Greek expression, “Ego eimi.” It’s the same expression He used back in John 8:58 when a group of religious people squared off against Him + said, “You’re not even fifty years old. How can you say you’ve seen Abraham?” (John 8:57) Jesus stared straight back at this group + with authority said, “I tell you the truth, before Abraham was even born, I AM” (John 8:58). The Gospel of John contains seven “I am” statements spoken by Jesus:

1. “I am the bread of life.” (John 6:35, 41, 48, 51) 2. “I am the light of the world.” (John 8:12) 3. “I am the gate for the sheep.” (John 10:7, 9) 4. “I am the resurrection + the life.” (John 11:25) 5. “I am the good shepherd.” (John 10:11,14) 6. “I am the way, the truth + the life.” (John 14:6) 7. “I am the true vine.” (John 15:1,5)

These are the same words God spoke to Moses from the burning bush in Exodus (Exodus 3:14). This is a name for God considered so holy + revered that devout Jews won’t even speak it. It’s called “the unspeakable name of God.” What’s stunning is that when Jesus spoke these words in the Garden of Gethsemane, the power of His word was so forceful that it literally knocked a group of leading priests, members of the temple police, a mob of people + a detachment of professional Roman soldiers to the ground!

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They literally couldn’t remain on their feet when Jesus said the same words to them that God had said to Moses, “I am”. This points to something Paul would later write:

“…at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven + on the earth + under the earth, 11+ every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” —Philippians 2:10-11 NLT

When a group of more than 200 professionally trained men involuntarily go prostrate on the ground at the power of Jesus’ spoken word, it’s reminding us that the events that are about to go down over the course of the next 12-18 hours, didn’t go down because Jesus was impotent, weak, or powerless. They went down because Jesus wanted them to go down. They went down because Jesus is omnipotent, all-powerful + in total control. What happened next must have been one of the most emotionally painful moments Jesus experienced:

The traitor, Judas, had given them a prearranged signal: “You will know which one to arrest when I greet him with a kiss.” 49 So Judas came straight to Jesus. “Greetings, Rabbi!” he exclaimed + gave him the kiss. 50 Jesus said, “My friend, go ahead + do what you have come for.” Then the others grabbed Jesus + arrested him. —Matthew 26:48-50 NLT

A kiss was the customary sign of love, respect, honor, trust + devotion a disciple gave his teacher or rabbi. But this evening, it was a sign to the temple guard + detachment of soldiers that this was the man they needed to arrest. On this night, a kiss became the symbol of ultimate betrayal.

Today’s Verse: “I am he,” Jesus said. —John 18:5b NIV Today’s Prompt: Have you ever felt betrayed by a friend? Today’s Gratitude: I am grateful that everything bows to the name of Jesus. Today’s Prayer: Father, when I feel weak or betrayed, remind me of the power You have to speak to anything + everything in my life. I can rely on You because You are the great “I AM’. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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DAY 30 | MARCH 31 The events that happened next occurred at a breakneck pace. In the space of six to twelve hours, Jesus was betrayed by Judas, arrested by an armed force, abandoned by His closest friends, endured six interrogations or trials + was disowned by Peter. Jesus experienced three trials or interrogations at the hands of Jewish religious authorities. The first was an interrogation by Annas, the former high priest + father-in-law of the current high priest, Caiaphas (John 18:12b-14, 19-23). Annas was one of the most powerful men in Jerusalem. He had served as the high priest for twenty years + for all practical purposes, still controlled the office of the high priest. It was during this initial interrogation that a member of the temple guard hit Jesus for the first of what would be many times, accusing Jesus of being disrespectful (John 18:13-14, 19-24). Frustrated by his inability to come up with something that could serve as grounds for execution, Annas sent Jesus off to his son-in-law, Caiaphas, the current high priest, for His second interrogation (Matthew 26:57, 59-68; Mark 14:53, 55-65; Luke 22:54a, 63-71; John 18:24). Caiaphas brought the Sanhedrin together at his house in the middle of the night for this trial. The Sanhedrin was a council consisting of twenty-four chief priests + forty-six additional elders chosen from among scribes, Pharisees + Sadducees. The high priest served as the overseer + a voting member of the group. A total number of seventy-one men were involved. At least 23 members showed up, the minimum number necessary for a conviction. There’s no real concern or desire for justice or fairness in what goes down next. The majority of these leaders just wanted Jesus dead (Matthew 27:1; Mark 15:1a; Luke 22:66-71). For most of the trial, Jesus demonstrated strength through silence. He knew that the outcome had already been determined, not by a group of feeble men gathered in a back room who thought they were in charge. The outcome had already been determined by God. The physical abuse began early on in the interrogation. Eventually, Caiaphas directly demanded, “I command you by the authority of the living God, tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.” Jesus finally broke His silence + replied, “You’ve said it . . . ” He then went on to apply Messianic passages from books like Daniel + Psalms to Himself (Daniel 7:13-14; Psalm 110:1-2). When Caiaphas heard Jesus say, “You’ve said it,” he tore his robe in apparent horror, shock + outrage over Jesus’ statement. It’s interesting that the guy who was supposedly so committed to keeping the law, actually broke the law by tearing his robe. Leviticus 10:6 + 21:10 prohibited the high priest from tearing his robe. But religious people always prefer “looking right” to “being right.”

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Caiaphas tore his robe + screamed, “But they had made up their minds, Why do we need any more evidence? We’ve all heard him as good as say it himself.” —Luke 22:71 MSG

The members of the council who were present all responded, “Death. He just sealed his own death sentence. He deserves to die [because of what He just said]” (Matthew 27:1; Mark 15:1a; Luke 22:66-71). The moment this group reached a conviction of blasphemy, the humiliation, beatings + torture of Jesus continued (Matthew 26:67-68; Mark 14:65; Luke 22:63-65). Then they began to spit in Jesus’ face + beat him with their fists. + some slapped him, 68 jeering, “Prophesy to us, you Messiah! Who hit you that time?” —Matthew 26:67-68 NLT

The religious authorities knew that Rome had limited their powers of execution, so they would have to wait until daybreak to get approval from Pilate + Rome for execution. They did, however, have the power to inflict physical punishment. So, for the next few hours, they unleashed all the pent up rage they had carried against Jesus in unbelievable, degrading verbal abuse + relentless physical violence. Jesus endured physical torture + verbal abuse that was unimaginable. He was blindfolded + beaten without mercy. He was mocked + verbally humiliated. Mockery is verbal violence. The Temple Guard torture squad ridiculed every aspect of Jesus’ life + ministry they could think of. Their goal was humiliation, degradation + dishonor. Amazingly, the physical + verbal torture Jesus endured had been predicted seven-hundred years earlier by the prophet Isaiah:

I offered my back to those who beat me + my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard. I did not hide my face from mockery + spitting. —Isaiah 50:6 NLT

Just before daybreak, Caiaphas gathered the entire Sanhedrin one more time—the third trial—to confirm the conviction + verdict (Matthew 27:1-2; Mark 15:1). The most powerful members of the council had already spoken. This gathering was about appearances, not about fairness. All three of these “trials” or interrogations took place between the hours of 1 + 6 a.m. on Friday.

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Today’s Verse: I offered my back to those who beat me + my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard. I did not hide my face from mockery + spitting. —Isaiah 50:6 NLT Today’s Prompt: Would you be able to demonstrate strength through silence if you were being wrongfully accused + mistreated? Today’s Gratitude: I am grateful that Jesus offers Himself to others, even when it’s undeserved. Today’s Prayer: Father, help me show the same strength Jesus showed when He was being attacked. Help me to have the same resolve to stay committed to what You’ve asked me to do, even when it costs me something. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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DAY 31 | APRIL 1 It was during this time that Peter ended up denying Jesus three times. Somehow, when Peter denied Jesus for the third time, Jesus + Peter made eye contact. When Peter looked into the eyes of the leader + Lord he had just failed, I don’t think for a moment that Jesus glared at him. I believe Jesus looked at him with compassion + forgiveness + that compassion triggered Peter’s memory + caused this rough, tough fisherman to break. Peter quickly ran out of the courtyard + fell completely apart (Matthew 26:58, 69-75; Mark 14:54, 66-72; Luke 22:54-62; John 18:15-18, 25-27). It was also during these early morning hours that Judas got clarity on what he had just done, regretted his actions + admitted, “I’ve sinned. I’ve betrayed an innocent man.” The religious authorities responded, “We could care less. That’s your problem.” Repulsed by his own actions, Judas threw the silver coins he had been paid into the temple, ran out of the temple + ultimately + violently hung himself (Matthew 27:3-10). At daybreak, the Roman trials began. According to the Old Testament, blasphemy was punishable by death by stoning (Leviticus 24:10-16). However, Rome didn’t allow the Jewish authorities to carry out capital punishment cases themselves. Just a few years prior, Rome had rescinded the rights of Jewish leaders to carry out the death penalty (John 18:31). They allowed the Sanhedrin to rule in religious matters + in some civil cases, but never in a capital case. Every death sentence had to be approved by Rome. The only person who could order the execution of Jesus was the Roman Governor, Pilate. So, at the break of day, around 6 a.m., Jesus was hurried off to Pilate for His civil trial. Even though the Jewish authorities had found Jesus guilty of blasphemy, no mention is made of blasphemy by the Jewish authorities in His civil or Roman trial. The charge the Sanhedrin leveled to the Roman Governor was changed to sedition, treason + subversion. The religious leaders realized that the Romans could care less about their religious beliefs + practices. If a charge was going to stick + a death sentence be passed, they needed to politicize the charges. Religion does strange things to people. The group of religious leaders who bring Jesus before the Roman Governor Pilate have murder on their mind, but also don’t want to exempt themselves from participating in the upcoming religious holiday. So, they refuse to enter Pilate’s headquarters for the legal proceedings because that would make them unclean + unable to participate in Passover + the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Again, religious people always love looking right over being right!

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The three Roman trials of Jesus take place within a span of about two hours. First, Jesus stood trial before Pilate who wasn’t able to find any fault at all in Him (Matthew 27: 2, 11-14; Mark 15:1-5, Luke 23:1-5; John 18:28-38). When Pilate discovered that Jesus was from Galilee, he passed the buck to Herod, hoping that Herod would take Him off his hands + deal with the whole sleazy mess. At first, Herod was elated. He had wanted to meet Jesus + was hoping to see Jesus do something spectacular. The second “trial” consisted of Herod peppering Jesus with question after question. In a beautiful display of strength, dignity + poise, Jesus refused to play Herod’s games. As the religious leaders stood there shouting their accusations, Herod turned on Jesus + led his soldiers in mocking + ridiculing Jesus. Finally, tired of the games + refusing to take responsibility, Herod sent Jesus back to Pilate for His third + final trial (Matthew 27:15-30; Mark 15:6-19; Luke 23:13-25; John 18:39-19:1, 4-16). Philip Yancey writes, “The trial sequence has a ‘pass-the-buck’ quality. No one seems willing to accept full responsibility for executing Jesus, yet everyone wants him disposed of.”31 The trials were nothing more than a Kangaroo Court where the evidence was rigged, the witnesses bribed + the verdict decided before the case ever began. The verdict would ultimately be death by crucifixion.

Today’s Verse: Just then, the Master turned + looked at Peter. Peter remembered what the Master had said to him: “Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” He went out + cried + cried + cried. —Luke 22:61-62 MSG Today’s Prompt: Have you ever felt like you denied knowing Jesus? Today’s Gratitude: I am grateful that Jesus already knows when I am going to mess up + He loves me still. Today’s Prayer: Father, help me to be faithful to You, to my love + affection for Jesus + my reliance upon the Holy Spirit. I am sorry for any time I denied You + ask for Your grace to help me stand stronger in the future. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

31 Philip Yancey, The Jesus I Never Knew, page 197.

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DAY 32 | APRIL 2 One of the questions we often ask is, “Why? Why did the religious authorities have such blood lust when it came to Jesus? Why did Pilate go along with them, even when he knew their charges weren’t legitimate?” Three Motives: • The Religious Motive To the religious elite, Jesus was a “religious fanatic” attracting too big a following. He was a source of embarrassment to the religious leaders of that era. His influence caused many to begin questioning the teachings + hierarchy of the system they had worked so hard to establish + maintain. • The Economic Motive On two occasions (John 2:11-12; Matthew 21:17-23), Jesus had overturned the tables of the moneychangers in the temple. Some feared that Jesus might further upset the commercialization going on. Money talks + it screamed to the religious leaders, “This guy has to go!” • The Political Motive When Jesus answered Pilate’s question, “Are you the King of the Jews?” by saying, “You’ve said it” (Matthew 27:11-14; Mark 15:2; Luke 23:3-4; John 18:33-37), that alone, was grounds for execution. Rome punished not only those who incited rebellion against Rome, but the leaders of the people, as well. In some respects, the Jewish leaders + Roman governor were held hostage to the obedience of the people to the Roman state. If this revolutionary named Jesus got out of hand, it could be their backs plastered to a cross or their heads on a platter. Jesus was considered by the Jewish authorities to be a menace, not only to their economic + religious situation but also to the political welfare of the Jewish State, which was dominated by Rome. It was to the political advantage of both Jewish + Roman leaders that Jesus die. After finding no evidence to proceed with capital punishment, Pilate proposed Jesus’ release. He even appealed to something called paschal amnesty. This was a tradition that allowed the people to make a choice as to which prisoner Pilate would release at Passover. The choice Pilate offered came down to two: one, a known criminal + murderer named Barabbas; the other, Jesus. Prompted by the religious leaders, the crowd demanded the release of Barabbas + the execution of Jesus. Pilate continued to insist on Jesus’ innocence. Pilate was a consummate politician. He wanted to set Jesus free. But the moment he made the decision to do it, someone in the crowd shouted, “If you release this man, you are no ‘friend of Caesar.’ Anyone who declares himself a king is a rebel against Caesar” (John 19:12 NLT).

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This was basically a form of blackmail! The religious leaders were reminding Pilate that it could ruin his career if he pardoned Jesus. Pilate’s immediate superior had been executed just months prior on charges of treason + disloyalty. A footnote in John 19:12 of The Passion Translation indicates that the term “friend of Caesar” was an honorary title given to the ruling wealthy class of Romans who had access to the court of the emperor. Michael Card says, “friend of Caesar” was actually a formal title for the governor. Pilate’s position was a political appointment given because he was a member of an elite, wealthy, Roman ruling class. When the religious leaders shouted, “If you let this man go, you’re no friend of Caesar,” they were, in effect, threatening to inform Rome that Pilate was allowing treason to co-exist in Caesar’s empire. One false move + Pilate’s appointment could be canceled, his career finished + he could actually be executed.32 Michael Card writes, “Whoever shouted this out knew that Pilate was on a slippery political slope. When Pilate heard it, he abandoned his defense of Jesus,”33 + handed him over to be crucified (Luke 23:24-25). Interestingly enough, Pilate was ultimately removed from office in A.D. 37 for excessive cruelty to the Jews. It’s believed that he committed suicide on his final journey to Rome. According to tradition, his wife, Claudia Porcula (Matthew 27:19), became a believer + later came to be revered as a saint in the Greek Orthodox Church.34

Today’s Verse: So Pilate sentenced Jesus to die as they demanded. 25 As they had requested, he released Barabbas, the man in prison for insurrection + murder. But he turned Jesus over to them to do as they wished. —Luke 23:24-25 NLT Today’s Prompt: Have you ever succumbed to peer pressure? Today’s Gratitude: I am grateful Jesus is the King + Ruler of my life. Today’s Prayer: Father, may I never forget all that Jesus endured for me. Help me to live a life surrendered to His authority + sovereignty in my life. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

32 Footnote in The Passion Translation of John 19:12. Footnote also references P. Barnett, Jesus + the Rise of Early Christianity: A History of New Testament Times, Illinois: InterVarsity, 1999, p. 147 33 Michael Card, A Violent Grace, page 57-58. 34 Michael Card, A Violent Grace, page 58.

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DAY 33 | APRIL 3 | SUNDAY: CATCH UP + CONTEMPLATE

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DAY 34 | APRIL 4 Here are the bare facts regarding what Jesus experienced leading up to the cross. Mockery, Humiliation + Torture by Roman Soldiers (Matthew 27:27-31; Mark 15:15-20; John 19:1-4)

Then Pilate ordered Jesus to be brutally beaten with a whip of leather straps embedded with metal. —John 19:1 TPT

It’s important to remember that Jesus had already been slapped + beaten repeatedly before being brought to Pilate. His face was already swollen. His body had already been bruised. He was undoubtedly already bleeding. The crucifixion process began with scourging or flogging in an area known as The Praetorium or the Governor’s Headquarters. Scourging was one of the most feared forms of punishment in the Roman world. Several years ago, a research paper by a medical doctor, a medical illustrator + Bible scholar, appeared in The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) titled, “On The Physical Death of Jesus Christ.” These experts described scourging or flogging as follows: “Flogging was a legal preliminary to every Roman execution + only women + Roman senators or soldiers (except in cases of desertion) were exempt. The usual instrument was a short whip (flagrum or flagellum) with several single or braided leather thongs of variable lengths, in which small iron balls or sharp pieces of sheep bones were tied at intervals . . . For scourging, the man was stripped of his clothing + his hands were tied to an upright post. The back, buttocks + legs were flogged either by two soldiers (lictors) or by one who alternated positions. The severity of the scourging depended on the disposition of the lictors + was intended to weaken the victim to a state just short of collapse or death. After the scourging, the soldiers often taunted their victim.”35 In Lee Strobel’s book, The Case for Christ, Dr. Alexander Metherell described the physical torture Jesus endured with these words: “The soldier would use a whip of braided leather thongs with metal balls woven into them. When the whip would strike the flesh, these balls would cause deep bruises or contusions, which would break open with further blows. The whip had pieces of sharp bone as well, which would cut the flesh severely. “The back would be so shredded that part of the spine was sometimes exposed by the deep, deep cuts. The whipping would have gone all the way from the shoulders down to the back, the buttocks + the back of the legs . . . “ . . . As the flogging continued, the lacerations would tear into the underlying skeletal muscles + produce quivering ribbons of bleeding flesh . . . ”36 A third-century historian named Eusubius described flogging as follows, “The sufferer’s veins were laid bare + the very muscles, sinews + bowels of the victim were open to exposure.”37

35 William D. Edwards, MD; Wesley J. Gabel, M Div; Floyd E Hosmer, MS, AMI, JAMA - The Journal of the American Medical Association March 21, 1986, Volume 256 Copyright 1986, American Medical Association 36 Quoted by Lee Strobel, The Case for Christ, page 195. 37 Quoted by Lee Strobel, The Case for Christ, page 195.

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We’re talking extreme violence + brutality. In fact, according to Dr. Metherell, many of the victims didn’t survive the beating. The Jews limited the number of stripes a person could receive to thirty-nine. The Romans had no such law. Sometimes, out of contempt + hatred for the Jewish people, or just the utter cruelty of the executioner, they would purposefully ignore the given limitations. They probably did that in the case of Jesus. Scourging was designed to inflict as much physical pain + suffering on the victim as possible, just short of death. The JAMA article contains the following illustration of the scourging Jesus experienced.

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He took the punishment + that made us whole. Through his bruises we get healed. —Isaiah 53:5b MSG

After the scourging, the whole company of Roman soldiers was gathered around Jesus, somewhere between 120-200 soldiers,39 + they continued to mock, verbally humiliate, physically abuse + torture Jesus.

But many were amazed when they saw him. His face was so disfigured he seemed hardly human + from his appearance, one would scarcely know he was a man. —Isaiah 52:14 NLT

Since someone said that He had claimed to be a king, one of the soldiers found a purple robe (John 19:1-2). Matthew calls it a “scarlet robe” (Matthew 27:27-28). It was probably an old military coat—the closest article of clothing the soldiers could find to purple, which was a symbol of royalty. The soldiers thought, “A king has to wear a robe,” so they threw the robe over the shoulders of Jesus.

38 William D. Edwards, MD; Wesley J. Gabel, M Div; Floyd E Hosmer, MS, AMI, JAMA - The Journal of the American Medical Association March 21, 1986, Volume 256 Copyright 1986, American Medical Association 39 See note in ESV Study Bible on Matthew 27:27.

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Someone else thought, “A king has to have a crown.” So, they fashioned a thorny vine into a crown + forced this crown of thorns onto Jesus’ head. Scholars aren’t certain of the plant that was used to fashion the crown of thorns, but several have speculated that it was probably a plant now known as the Syrian Christ-thorn, a plant with two large, sharp, curved thorns at the bottom of each leaf. It’s a common plant in the Middle East, especially near the area surrounding Golgotha.40 When the crown of thorns was forced down onto Jesus’ head, it would have caused painful wounds + more severe bleeding. In the opening chapters of Genesis, one of the penalties that resulted from the Fall was that God cursed the earth with thorns + thistles (Genesis 3:18). In the Gospels, God’s Son carried that curse on His own head. Through our sin + disobedience, we had brought a curse of thorns into God’s perfect creation. But the Son of God Himself, through His perfection + obedience, wore those thorns like a crown so that He could not only take on our curse, but overcome it! The soldiers didn’t stop with the crown of thorns. Someone thought, “A king has to have a scepter,” so they placed a wooden stick or staff in Jesus’ right hand for Him to use as a scepter. The goal of the robe, the crown + the rod were to make a mockery of any notion that Jesus was some kind of king! 120-200 soldiers took turns kneeling before Jesus in mock humility. Some of them spat on Him—a symbol of extreme disrespect. Eventually, one of them ripped the staff out of Jesus’ hand + repeatedly struck Him on the head + in the face with the rod. Several blows undoubtedly pounded the thorns more deeply into Jesus’ head producing even more intense pain. They slapped Jesus across the face with their own hands. It may have been during this moment that the Scripture was fulfilled which said, “ . . . they ripped out my beard . . . ” (Isaiah 50:6), which was another act of ultimate disrespect in ancient times. Jesus was beaten within an inch of his life. Seven hundred years before all of this happened, the prophet Isaiah, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, described it all in vivid detail:

I offered my back to those who beat me + my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard. I did not hide my face from mockery + spitting. —Isaiah 50:6 NLT But many were amazed when they saw him. His face was so disfigured he seemed hardly human + from his appearance, one would scarcely know he was a man. —Isaiah 52:14 NLT

40 Josh McDowell + Sean McDowell, Evidence for the Resurrection; https://catholicinsight.com/the-physical-effects-of-the-scourging-+-crucifixion-of-jesus/

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He was beaten, he was tortured, but he didn’t say a word. Like a lamb taken to be slaughtered + like a sheep being sheared, he took it all in silence. Justice miscarried + he was led off— + did anyone really know what was happening? He died without a thought for his own welfare, beaten bloody for the sins of my people. —Isaiah 53:7-8 MSG

Eventually, the soldiers tore off the robe, more than likely reopening the wounds + led Jesus away to be crucified. It was probably around 8:45 Friday morning when Jesus was led from the Roman Praetorium to the execution site at Golgotha.

When they were finally tired of mocking him, they took off the robe + put his own clothes on him again. Then they led him away to be crucified. —Matthew 27:31 NLT

Today’s Verse: He took the punishment + that made us whole. Through his bruises we get healed. —Isaiah 53:5b MSG Today’s Prompt: Do you believe that every ounce of pain Jesus experienced was so you wouldn’t have to endure it yourself? Today’s Gratitude: I am grateful for what Jesus endured for me. Today’s Prayer: Father, I can’t imagine carrying that kind of pain for someone else. Help me to never forget that the path that leads to You is paved with Jesus’ sacrificial love for me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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DAY 35 | APRIL 5 The Road To The Cross Although as many as six hundred men were sent to arrest Jesus, only four soldiers carried out His actual execution. It was customary for convicted criminals to carry their own cross to the place of execution. Since the entire cross weighed approximately 200-300 pounds, convicted criminals were only required to carry the crosspiece or patibulum, which weighed between 75-125 pounds. The crosspiece was strapped to the victim’s shoulders, which distributed the weight to the lower neck + upper spine of Jesus. Already devastated by the sleepless nights, miles of walking, hematidrosis, dehydration, the severe beatings, the violent scourging + physical torture, Jesus was eventually unable to carry His cross to the execution site. Under Roman law a soldier had the right to require anyone to carry a burden as far as one mile. One of the soldiers randomly selected a man from the crowd by the name of Simon of Cyrene + forced him to help Jesus carry the cross (Matthew 27:32; Mark 15:21; Luke 23:26). Not much is known about Simon, except that he came from Cyrene, which implies that he was an African + therefore probably black. Tradition indicates that after carrying the cross, Simon became a believer. In fact, Scripture seems to support this because Mark identifies Simon as the father of Alexander + Rufus (Mark 15:21). Simon’s name actually gets mentioned in Matthew, Mark + Luke. Later in Romans 16:13, Paul the Apostle greets a man named Rufus. Some believe that Mark assumed that his readers would be acquainted with Simon’s sons + that one of them may have been a part of the church in Rome. It’s not difficult to imagine that his experience that day so moved him that he became a devoted follower of Jesus.

In fact, one unverified legend surrounding Simon of Cyrene has him being interviewed, in the aftermath of the crucifixion, about carrying Jesus’ cross. When he was asked about the difficulty of the assignment + the weight of the cross, legend has him responding, “I didn’t feel the weight of the cross for feeling the touch of His hand.”

Golgotha is Aramaic for “the place of the Skull.” The Latin is “calvaria” from which we get our English word Calvary. It was a small hill outside the walls of ancient Jerusalem that was used as an execution site for only the most wicked + heinous of criminals. It was the “termination zone for the most wicked + the worst.”41 It was probably called Golgotha not because of its physical shape, but because of the number of skulls that regularly littered the landscape.

41 Leonard Sweet + Frank Viola, Jesus: A Theography, page 222.

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This was the execution site for Jesus. Just before nailing Him to the cross, someone attempted to give Jesus some cheap, sour wine to drink (Matthew 27:33-34; Mark 15:23). It may have been an act of mercy to help dull or numb the pain. Jesus refused to drink it. Upon tasting it, He spat it out. His mind was made up. He didn’t want His senses numbed. He would suffer the full experience of all the pain—physical, mental, emotional + spiritual—that the cross could dish out. He would bear it all, so we wouldn’t have to.

Today’s Verse: Along the way, they came across a man named Simon, who was from Cyrene + the soldiers forced him to carry Jesus’ cross. —Matthew 27:32 NLT Today’s Prompt: Would you have been willing to help Jesus carry His cross? Today’s Gratitude: I am grateful that Jesus had help—even if it was forced + small in comparison—in His greatest hour of need. Today’s Prayer: Father, help me to be like Simon, where I am so enamored with the touch of Jesus’ hand upon me, that I don’t feel the weight of the world. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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DAY 36 | APRIL 6 The Romans didn’t invent crucifixion, but they had perfected it as a form of torture + capital punishment. By the time of Jesus, it had become the favorite method of execution throughout the empire. In fact, the Jewish historian Josephus indicates that Titus crucified so many people when He leveled Jerusalem in 70 A.D. that there was no wood left for crosses + no place left to put one up!42 Crosses with dead + dying men on them were a common sight around Jerusalem + a constant reminder of who was in charge. Eventually, crucifixion was considered so barbaric, that it was banned by the Emperor Constantine in the 4th century, around 351 A.D. The specific details of Jesus’ crucifixion aren’t completely known. The Gospels don’t give us a detailed account. But here’s what we can put together from what we do know . . . Crucifixion was designed to produce a slow + excruciatingly painful death. In fact, the word “excruciating” comes from the Latin word, “excruciare” + means “to crucify” or “ . . . out of the cross . . . ” It speaks of unbearable pain or extreme agony. The pain experienced on the cross was so intense + severe that a word had to be created to describe the magnitude of it. The Jewish historian, Josephus, observed numerous crucifixions + described it as “the most wretched of deaths.”43 So much so that it was reserved for slaves + non-Romans convicted of the most notorious crimes. It was designed to maximize the victim’s pain + suffering + prolong the process of dying. It was one of the world’s most cruel, degrading, disgraceful, despicable + disgusting forms of torture ever invented. Historian Will Durant wrote, “ . . . even the Romans . . . pitied the victims.”44 Crucifixion was a government sanctioned, even government encouraged, opportunity for executioners to carry out on real people their most sadistic, brutal + viciously inventive fantasies . . . 45 Jewish people considered crucifixion a sign that a person had been cursed by God. Perhaps this is another reason the religious leaders insisted that Jesus be crucified. They wanted people to think of Jesus in the worst possible of ways.

“…anyone who is hung on a pole is under God’s curse.” —Deuteronomy 21:23

Interestingly, it wasn’t until the fourth century that the cross became a symbol of faith. In fact, C.S. Lewis once remarked that the cross didn’t become common in art until everyone who had seen the horrors of crucifixion had died off.46

42 John MacArthur, The Murder of Jesus, page 198. 43 Mark Driscoll, Vintage Jesus, page 108 44 Josh McDowell + Sean McDowell, Evidence for the Resurrection, page unknown. 45 Greg Gilbert, Ibid, pages 71-72. 46 https://www.waterfromrock.org/2011/04/18/april-18/

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There were four pieces that made up a cross: • The Patibulum or the Cross Piece, was the horizontal cross bar that the victim’s arms were tied or nailed to. Again, it probably weighed somewhere between 75-125 pounds. This is the part of the cross that Jesus + Simon carried. • The Simplex or post was the vertical beam of the cross + it probably weighed between 150-75 pounds. This was the vertical post that the cross beam was attached to + that Jesus’ feet were eventually nailed to. • The Titulus was the sign that was nailed to the cross announcing the crime the person had committed. During the process of execution, the Titulus was often fastened around the neck of the convicted criminal or carried ahead of him by a solider. Once the cross was secured, it was placed above the head of the victim after he had been nailed to the cross to announce to the world his crime. • The Sedile or Wooden Seat was positioned about midway up the simplex. It was a “seat” that served to lengthen the agony of the crucifixion. Here’s an example from the article that appeared in JAMA:

47 According to archeological discoveries, by the time of Jesus’ crucifixion nailing the hands + feet to the cross was ordinary + quite common. Jesus was likely stretched out completely naked on the cross as it lay flat on the ground. Experts say that He was probably stretched out about six inches beyond His normal arm span so that both shoulders were dislocated.48

47 William D. Edwards, MD; Wesley J. Gabel, M Div; Floyd E Hosmer, MS, AMI, JAMA - The Journal of the American Medical Association March 21, 1986, Volume 256 Copyright 1986, American Medical Association 48 Dr. Alexander Metherell quoted in The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel, page 198.

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Then, five to seven inch long spikes or nails were driven just below the palms of Jesus’ hands, through His wrists + the largest nerve extending from His hand, creating the continuous sensation of pain every moment Jesus hung on the cross. In Jesus’ day, the wrist was considered to be part of the hand. The ligaments + bones in this area were capable of supporting the weight of a person’s body.

Fig 4. Nailing of wrists. Left, Size of iron nail. Center, Location of nail in wrist, between carpals + radius. Right, Cross section of wrist, at level of plane indicated at left, showing path of nail, with probable transection of median nerve + impalement of flexor pollicis longus, but without injury to major arterial trunks + without fractures of bones.49

After the hands were nailed, the feet were twisted into a painful + unnatural position, placed on top of one another + a single spike was driven through both feet. None of the nail wounds would have been fatal, but they would all increase the severity of the pain a victim felt while hanging on the cross.

49 William D. Edwards, MD; Wesley J. Gabel, M Div; Floyd E Hosmer, MS, AMI, JAMA - The Journal of the American Medical Association March 21, 1986, Volume 256 Copyright 1986, American Medical Association

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Fig 5. Nailing of feet. Left, Position of feet atop one another + against stipes. Upper right, Location of nail in second intermetatarsal space. Lower right, Cross-section of foot, at plane indicated at left, showing path of nail.50

Isaiah wrote, “But he was pierced for our rebellion . . . ” Hebrew scholars say that the word “pierced” is the strongest, most vivid word available to describe the violent, gruesome + agonizing death Jesus endured.

The word means “pierced through.” This happened to Jesus. His body was pierced in at least five places: both hands, both feet + then in His side. This doesn’t even include what must have occurred when a “crown of thorns” was forced onto His head. After the victim’s body was attached to the prone cross, soldiers would elevate the cross + carefully slide the bottom of the vertical post into a deep hole. Once the post + hole were aligned, the soldiers would drop the cross into the hole, so that when it hit rock bottom the full weight of the victim’s body would immediately be carried by the nails that had just been driven into the wrists + feet. This would heighten the sensation of pain + likely cause several bones to be pulled out of joint (Psalm 22:14).


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My life is poured out like water + all my bones are out of joint. My heart is like wax, melting within me. —Psalm 22:14 NLT

Today’s Verse: My life is poured out like water + all my bones are out of joint. My heart is like wax, melting within me. —Psalm 22:14 NLT Today’s Prompt: Have you ever wondered how the cross—a symbol of brutal torture + excruciating death—became a symbol of Jesus’ triumphant sacrifice + God’s all-powerful victory? Today’s Gratitude: I am grateful that what the enemy meant for evil, God turned into His, + our, ultimate good. Today’s Prayer: Father, the vivid imagery in Psalm 22:14 hurts my heart in such a way I pray that I never forget that Jesus’ life was squeezed out of Him, so that I can have eternal life with You. May I feel the weight of His sacrifice, so I can feel the weight of His love. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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DAY 37 | APRIL 7 By 9 a.m. on Friday, Jesus was hanging on the cross suspended between heaven + earth, as though unworthy of both. Historians indicate that while hanging on the cross, naked + with their body in shock, most victims would lose control of their bodily functions, adding humiliation to the pain + a pool of blood, sweat, urine + feces would often gather at the base of the cross.51 The entire scene was repulsive + grotesque. This is why the Roman statesmen + philosopher, Cicero, wrote, “The idea of the cross should never come near the bodies of Roman citizens, it should never pass through their thoughts, eyes or ears.” Victims of crucifixion would experience waves of nausea, fever, intense thirst, constant cramping + incessant, throbbing pain. Sleeplessness, hunger, dehydration + infection all took their toll. Sometimes, the victim would actually survive + linger for three days or more.52 Upon getting the cross into position, the soldiers attached a large sign or titulus to the cross above Jesus’ head with the following inscription, “This is Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews” (Matthew 27:37; Mark 15:26; Luke 23:38; John 19:19). The intention was to add to the mockery + humiliation. The religious leaders were livid. “Change the language! Make it read, ‘He said, ‘I am King of the Jews.’” By this time, however, Pilate had it with this petty group of men, so he responded, “What I’ve written, I’ve written” (John 19:21-22). What Pilate didn’t know + the religious leaders didn’t realize is the fact that Jesus is not only King of the Jews, but He is King of kings + Lord of lords! According to Charles Spurgeon, the old Latin version of Psalm 96:10, contains an amazing statement written hundreds of years before Jesus went to the cross: “Tell it out among the heathen, that the Lord reigneth from the tree.”53 Jesus is + was King of kings + Lord of lords. In fact, John would later write,

“On his robe at his thigh was written this title: King of all kings + Lord of all lords.” —Revelation 19:16 NLT

This “king” wasn’t crucified alone. There were three crosses on Golgotha that day. Jesus was crucified between two thieves (Matthew 27:38, Mark 15:27–28,32, Luke 23:33, John 19:18). The Greek word Matthew uses for “revolutionaries, rebels or criminals” indicates that these men were not petty thieves, they were hardened criminals + outlaws. Some speculate that they may have even been Barabbas’ accomplices, which means, the cross Jesus was crucified on could have originally been intended for Barabbas.54

51 Mark Driscoll, Vintage Jesus, page 110. Also, Andrew Wilson, God Stories, page 168. 52 John MacArthur, The Murder of Jesus, page 200. 53 Charles Spurgeon, The Treasury of David, Volume 4, page 347, Psalm 96:10. 54 John MacArthur, The Murder of Jesus, page 204.

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Even this was a fulfillment of prophecy:

He was counted among the rebels. He bore the sins of many + interceded for rebels. —Isaiah 53:12b NLT

Crowds passed by + shouted insults at this man hanging from the cross. The religious leaders couldn’t resist the urge to take one last shot at Jesus, “He saved others—he can’t save himself! King of Israel, is he? Then let him get down from that cross. We’ll all become believers then! He was so sure of God—well, let him rescue his ‘Son’ now—if he wants him! He did claim to be God’s Son, didn’t he?” —Matthew 27:42-43 MSG

Astonishingly, even the criminals joined in the chorus of mockery + ridicule. In the final moments of His life, Jesus became a person completely hated + utterly despised by everyone but His closest friends + family. Reaching a point where they could take a break from the action, the four soldiers divided + gambled for Jesus’ clothes. John describes it like this in his gospel.

When they crucified him, the Roman soldiers took his clothes + divided them up four ways, to each soldier a fourth. But his robe was seamless, a single piece of weaving, so they said to each other, “Let’s not tear it up. Let’s throw dice to see who gets it.” This confirmed the Scripture that said, “They divided up my clothes among them + threw dice for my coat.” (The soldiers validated the Scriptures!) —John 19:23-24 MSG

There may have been five pieces of clothing for the soldiers to divide: • leather sandals • a headpiece (a cloth-like piece of material worn like a prayer shawl) • a belt (probably made of cloth material, not leather), • a robe-like garment, + • a tunic That was the traditional clothing for a Jewish man in that culture. Each soldier selected one of the top four items. Then, they gambled for the tunic. Once again, amazingly this was also in fulfillment of an ancient prophecy made hundreds of years before Jesus’ death:

My enemies surround me like a pack of dogs; an evil gang closes in on me. They have pierced my hands + feet. 17 I can count all my bones. My enemies stare at me + gloat. 18 They divide my garments among themselves + throw dice for my clothing. —Psalm 22:16-18 NLT

Jesus hung on the cross for approximately six hours—from 9 in the morning until 3 in the afternoon. Mark 15:24-25 says that it was 9 a.m. when Jesus was crucified. Matthew 27:45-46 says that “from noon to 3 p.m., the whole earth was dark.“ The length of survival for people who were crucified lasted anywhere from three to four hours to three or four days. The average length was approximately twenty-four hours. Survival length was usually related to the severity + extent of the scourging. However, if the scourging had been mild + the victim lingered, the Roman soldiers would sometimes speed the death of the victim by

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breaking his legs just below the knees. This was called crucifracture. It prevented the victim from pushing himself up to inhale + exhale. According to the research paper that appeared in JAMA, it wasn’t uncommon for insects to land upon the open wounds or the eyes, ears + nose of a dying + helpless victim. Sometimes birds of prey would even land on a crucified victim + tear at their flesh.55 One third century historian described crucifixion like this: “Punished with limbs outstretched . . . they are fastened + nailed to the stake in the most bitter torment, evil food for birds of prey + grim picking for dogs.”56

Today’s Verse: On his robe + on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings + Lord of lords. —Revelation 19:16 ESV Today’s Prompt: Have you ever given thought to how long six hours really is when you’re in excruciating pain? Today’s Gratitude: I am grateful that Jesus was King of kings then, He is King of kings now + will be King of kings forever. Today’s Prayer: Father, I don’t understand why Jesus would endure such pain + sacrifice. But I don’t need to understand it. I just need to accept it as the great gift + the great display of love that it is. Help me to never forget the loss + to always remember the gain. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

55 William D. Edwards, MD; Wesley J. Gabel, M Div; Floyd E Hosmer, MS, AMI, JAMA - The Journal of the American Medical Association March 21, 1986, Volume 256 Copyright 1986, American Medical Association 56 Quoted by Craig Evans, The World of Jesus + the Early Church + other works.

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DAY 38 | APRIL 8 Crucifixion was death by exhaustion, shock, asphyxiation or suffocation. During crucifixion, the stress on the muscles in the diaphragm put the chest into the inhaled position. In order to exhale, the crucified person had to push up on his feet so that tension in his chest would be relieved for just a moment. But every time he pushed up, the nail would tear through the feet creating the terrible sensation of pain. This went on + on until complete exhaustion took over + the person wasn’t able to push up any longer to get another breath + then began to asphyxiate. One of the strongest instincts we have is the instinct to breathe. A crucified victim couldn’t simply “turn off” that instinct. History indicates that some victims survived as long as nine days. That’s why the guards were sent to check the bodies of the victims. Anne-Graham Lotz, the daughter of Billy Graham, described Jesus’ crucifixion as follows: “Every movement must have added to His torture, reopening the wounds in His back, tearing at the flesh around the bones in His wrists + ankles + inflicting even greater pain. But the only way to remain alive was to push up, breathe, then release; push up, breathe, release; push up, breathe, release. Crucifixion was actually a very slow death by suffocation.”57 —Anne-Graham Lotz In an extensive article, Dr. Truman Davis, an ophthalmologist, described death by crucifixion like this: “As the arms fatigue, great waves of cramps sweep over the muscles, knotting them in deep, relentless, throbbing pain. With these cramps comes the inability to push Himself upward. Hanging by His arms, the pectoral muscles are paralyzed + the intercoastal muscles are unable to act. Air can be drawn into the lungs, but cannot be exhaled. Jesus fights to raise Himself in order to get even one short breath. Finally, carbon dioxide builds up in the lungs + in the bloodstream + the cramps partially subside. Spasmodically, He is able to push Himself upward to exhale + bring in the life-giving oxygen. Hours of this limitless pain, cycles of twisting, joint-rending cramps, intermittent partial asphyxiation, searing pain as tissue is torn from His lacerated back as He moves up + down against the rough timber; then another agony begins. A deep crushing pain in the chest as the pericardium slowly fills with serum + begins to compress the heart. It is now almost over . . . the compressed heart is struggling to pump heavy, thick, sluggish blood into the tissues. The tortured lungs are making a frantic effort to gasp in small gulps of air.”58 —Dr. Truman Davis As carbon dioxide began to build in His bloodstream, Jesus’ heartbeat probably became irregular alerting Him to the fact of His approaching death. Then, after approximately six hours on the cross, at 3 p.m. Jesus died.

57 Anne-Graham Lotz, Just Give Me Jesus, p 226. 58 Dr Truman Davis, The Crucifixion of Jesus; The Passion of Christ from a Medical Point of View, Arizona Medicine, vol 22, March 1965, pp 183-87.

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There are at least three possible causes for Jesus’ death: 1. Hypovolemic shock 2. Exhaustion asphyxia 3. A ruptured or “broken” heart

“I am poured out like water + all my bones are out of joint. My heart has turned to wax; it has melted within me.” —Psalm 22:14 NIV

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Because Passover was quickly approaching, the religious leaders asked Pilate to break the legs of all three criminals so that they could be buried before Passover + Sabbath. For some reason, Pilate complied with their request. The soldiers broke the legs of the first two criminals, but when they came to Jesus, He was already dead. By custom, one of the guards pierced Jesus’ body with a spear. Ordinarily, this was a fatal wound to the heart through the right side of the chest taught to most Roman soldiers. In this case, it fulfilled prophecy + verified the fact that Jesus was already dead (See Psalm 34:20 + Zechariah 12:10).

So the soldiers came + broke the legs of the first man crucified with Jesus + then the other. When they got to Jesus, they saw that he was already dead, so they didn’t break his legs. One of the soldiers stabbed him in the side with his spear. Blood + water gushed out. —John 19:32-34 MSG


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Dr. Truman Davis writes that John 19:34 is proof of Jesus’ cause of death. He writes that the “blood + water [that] gushed out” was: “ . . . an escape of watery fluid from the sac surrounding the heart. We, therefore, have rather conclusive post-mortem evidence that [Christ] died, not the usual crucifixion death by suffocation, but of heart failure due to shock + constriction of the heart by fluid in the pericardium.” 60 —Dr. Truman Davis You could actually say Jesus died of a broken heart! A heart that was broken for me, for you + for the entire world.

Behold the man upon a cross My sin upon His shoulders

Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice Call out among the scoffers.

It was my sin that held Him there

Until it was accomplished His dying breath has brought me life

I know that it is finished. —"How Deep The Father’s Love,” Stuart Townend

Because of the physical pain + exhaustion involved in crucifixion, Jesus spoke very little while hanging on the cross + even that must have been with incredible difficulty. Scripture records only seven brief sayings that Jesus spoke from the cross. But each statement was packed with meaning, filled with grace + demonstrated His control + sovereignty over everything that was going on. Jesus’ seven statements from the cross were as follows: Saying #1

While they were nailing Jesus to the cross, he prayed over + over, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they’re doing.” —Luke 23:34 TPT (Isaiah 53:12)

The footnote in The Passion Translation reads, “The Greek text implies a repetitive action . . . As the centurion crushed him to the ground + tied his arms to the crossbeam, Jesus prayed, ‘Father, forgive them.’ When the spikes tore through each quivering wrist, he prayed again, ‘Father, forgive them.’ + when the soldiers parted his garments + gambled for the seamless robe, again Jesus prayed, ‘Father, forgive them.’ Only heaven knows how many times that prayer was spoken.”61 Saying #2 At some point during the time Jesus hung on the cross, one of the criminals crucified with Him stopped mocking Him, interrupted the mocking of the other criminal + said, “Don’t you fear God

60 Dr Truman Davis, The Crucifixion of Jesus; The Passion of Christ from a Medical Point of View, Arizona Medicine, vol 22, March 1965. Also, quoted by Josh McDowell in The Resurrection Factor. 61 The Passion Translation Footnote [a] of Luke 23:34

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even when you’ve been sentenced to die? We deserve this, but not Him . . . He did nothing to deserve this” (Luke 23:40-41 MSG). Somehow, this criminal had the clarity to throw up a desperate prayer. Hanging naked before God + everyone gathered. Feeling the weight of eternity + his misspent life. Utterly desperate for grace, this man cried out, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom” (Luke 23:42). Jesus didn’t hesitate. He spoke His second recorded saying from the cross. It was a promise of salvation + hope to a dying criminal.

Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.” —Luke 23:43 NLT

This is a reminder to every person who has ever questioned the limits of grace or the extent God will go to in order to reach you. Jesus was still extending grace + love in the final moments of His life. He’s doing the same right now! Saying #3 In the last moments of His life, Jesus provided care for His mother.

When Jesus saw his mother there + the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, “Woman, here is your son,” 27 + to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home. —John 19:26-27 NIV

Saying #4 Feeling the weight of our sin pressing + crushing down on Him, Jesus cried out to God the Father.

At noon, darkness fell across the whole land until three o’clock. 46 At about three o’clock, Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” which means “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” —Matthew 27:45-46 NLT (Cf. Psalm 22:1)

If you’ve ever felt alone + abandoned, Jesus felt that way too. If you’ve ever questioned God, Jesus did that too. This is why the book of Hebrews encourages us: “We don’t have a priest who is out of touch with our reality. He’s been through weakness + testing, experienced it all—all but the sin” (Hebrews 4:15 MSG). Saying #5 Jesus demonstrated His humanity.

Jesus knew that his mission was now finished + to fulfill Scripture he said, “I am thirsty.” —John 19:28 NLT

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Saying #6 He demonstrated His absolute sovereignty + total victory.

When Jesus had tasted it, he said, “It is finished!” —John 19:30 NLT Saying #7 Finally, He surrendered everything He had accomplished to the purpose + plan of God.

Then Jesus shouted, “Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands!” + with those words he breathed his last. —Luke 23:46 NLT

Many believe that the last two statements (Saying #6 + #7) were probably said with the same breath. “It is finished. Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands!” Everything had come to pass the way Jesus had said it would. Everything had perfectly fulfilled the plan + purpose of God. Our redemption had been accomplished.

When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head + gave up his spirit. —John 19:30 NIV

Matthew + Luke tell us that just before His death Jesus shouted with “a loud voice” (Matthew 27:50; Luke 23:46). John tells what He shouted: “It is finished!” When Jesus died, He didn’t sigh. He didn’t go out in a whimper of defeat. He shouted with a loud voice! The Greek phrase for “a loud voice” is “megas phone” which is a cry of victory or a cry of triumph. It’s the cry of a soldier when he has won a battle or a king when he has won the war. That’s how Jesus cried when he shouted, “It is finished! Father, I trust my Spirit into Your hands.” Six hours after being nailed to the cross, at approximately 3 p.m., Jesus was dead.

Today’s Verse: When Jesus had tasted it, he said, “It is finished!” —John 19:30 NLT Today’s Prompt: Have you ever thought that “It is finished” was not meant for you + your life? Today’s Gratitude: I am grateful that Jesus always has the last word + His word stands. Today’s Prayer: Father, help me to be as intentional as Jesus was. Though His breaths were hard to come by, He wanted His thoughts + feelings known. I have endless breaths + still don’t use them to make amends, look out for others, ask for forgiveness or ask You questions. Help me to not waste my breaths. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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DAY 39 | APRIL 9 At least five supernatural miracles occurred as Jesus died. • The sky turned black at noon. (Matthew 27:45; Mark 15:33) The day Jesus died, at the moment the sun should have been the brightest, a dark gloom filled the sky + fell over the land, lasting for the next three hours. In the Bible, darkness is often connected to the judgment of God. The darkness that filled the sky the day of Jesus’ crucifixion was an indication that the judgment + wrath of God upon all sin had been poured out upon Jesus. On the cross, Jesus died for our sin + in our place. • The veil within the Temple was torn. (Matthew 27:51; Mark 15:38; Luke 23:45)

At that moment the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. —Matthew 27:51 NLT

The veil was a very thick curtain that separated the entrance into the Holy of Holies or Most Holy Place from the Holy Place in the Jerusalem temple. The Holy of Holies was the place where the Ark of the Covenant was kept. The Ark was the visible symbol of the invisible presence of God. Only one person, the high priest, could go behind the veil, only once a year, on the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16), + just long enough to offer the annual sacrifice for the sin of the people. The curtain that separated the Holy of Holies from the Holy Place was 60 feet high + 30 feet wide. We are uncertain as to how thick the veil was. But the moment Jesus cried out, “It is finished!”, the veil within the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The specific mention that the curtain was torn from top to bottom is an indication that it was God Himself who was removing the barrier that had separated you + me from His presence. What’s even more amazing is that the veil was torn during the afternoon sacrifice, the very period of time when the priests were on duty in the Holy Place + the temple was packed with worshipers who were there for the killing of their Passover lambs, that last of which would have been slain at 3 p.m. By God’s design, the very hour that thousands of lambs were being slain, the true Passover Lamb—the Lamb that all the other lambs merely symbolized + pointed to— the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world , had died while hanging on the cross! When Jesus cried, “It is finished!” + the veil was ripped in two, for the first time ever, priests + people could look from the Holy Place into the Holiest of Holies, the most sacred place in the temple! What did the priests + people in the temple see when they looked into the Holy of Holies for the first time? Other than a few pieces of furniture, the answer is nothing. Absolutely nothing! The “lights were out” in the Most Holy Place because the glory of God was no longer housed in that little room!

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The glory of God was hanging from a cross on the hill called Calvary. Through that act God was saying, “My Son has removed the veil. He has torn down the dividing wall that separates you from Me + My glory! He has created a way for you to know Me, love Me, connect with Me + relate to Me. He has made a way for you to be forgiven + free!” What kind of effect did the tearing of the veil have on some of the priests who may have been on duty that day? Perhaps this event is one of the reasons Acts 6:7 says that “ . . . even a great number of Jewish priests became believers + were obedient to the faith.” • A supernatural earthquake. (Matthew 27:51) Not only was the veil separating the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place in the temple torn from top to bottom, but there was also a seismic earthquake, powerful enough to split rocks.

At that moment, the Temple curtain was ripped in two, top to bottom. There was an earthquake + rocks were split in pieces. —Matthew 27:51 MSG

The earthquake was like a divine punctuation mark! Maybe it was a reminder of God’s absolute sovereignty. That the religious authorities in Jerusalem, the political power structure in Rome + the forces of hell + darkness hadn’t placed Jesus on the cross, but God’s sovereign will, purpose + plan had put Him there + that God had received His sacrifice.

“By his death, Jesus opened a new + life-giving way through the curtain into the Most Holy Place.” —Hebrews 10:20 NLT

• Dead people raised + brought back to life. (Matthew 27:52-53) Matthew 27 also adds another interesting detail. Only Matthew mentions this event, but he writes that at the moment Jesus died, another miracle took place. Several believers who had died + had been in + around Jerusalem, were raised back to life!

. . . tombs opened. The bodies of many godly men + women who had died were raised from the dead. 53 They left the cemetery after Jesus’ resurrection, went into the holy city of Jerusalem + appeared to many people. —Matthew 27:52-53 NLT

This is incredible! The moment Jesus cried, “It is finished!” life started breaking out as a result of His death. Hebrews 2:14 says that “through death He [destroyed] the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil.” The moment Jesus died there was some kind of mass resurrection! Matthew writes, “The bodies of many godly men + women . . . were raised from the dead.” Matthew is letting us know that Jesus’ death was a death-defeating death. Jesus’ death actually produced life!

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After Jesus’ resurrection, all of those who had been raised, walked into Jerusalem + began declaring Jesus’ message of victory + freedom. They were “Plaintiff’s Exhibit #1” that not only had Jesus conquered death for Himself, but He had conquered death for every person on the planet. • A Roman soldier worships. (Matthew 27:54) This may have been the greatest miracle of all.

When the centurion + those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake + all that had happened, they were terrified + exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!” —Matthew 27:54 NIV

A Roman military officer or centurion was usually the commander of a one-hundred man division, the basic building block for a Roman legion. This was probably the guy in charge of Jesus’ crucifixion. He was a trained, hardened executioner who was familiar with death. This officer + his soldiers had taken in all of the events of the last several hours. They even perpetrated some of the brutality. But they also had a ringside seat to Jesus’ beauty, grace + dignity in the face of mockery, humiliation + murder. They were there when the sky turned black. They watched as Jesus prayed for those who were mocking him. They saw Jesus offer grace + forgiveness in the face of jealousy + hatred. They heard Him cry out with a loud voice, “It is finished!” They felt the earthquake! Something about the way Jesus died, something about all that they had observed, caused this group of trained killers to look at one another + say, “There is no doubt. This man was definitely the Son of God!” (Matthew 27:54; Mark 15:38-39; Luke 23:47) Luke goes so far as to say that this Roman officer actually “worshiped” + “glorified God.” In other words, He did what so many have done who have looked at the sacrifice, love, grace + beauty of the cross over the last 2,000 years. He surrendered His life + said, “There is no doubt. Jesus is the Son of God. I’m trusting my life + future to Him.” God’s love is reckless! His grace is extravagant! Just think of it. Some of the first people to receive the work the cross was designed to accomplish, were the very people who had helped to put Jesus on the cross in the first place.

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Today’s Verse: Then Jesus shouted, “Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands!” + with those words he breathed his last. 47 When the Roman officer overseeing the execution saw what had happened, he worshiped God + said, “Surely this man was innocent.” — Luke 23:46-47 NLT Today’s Prompt: Can you say that you entrust your life + your spirit to God, your Father? Today’s Gratitude: I am grateful that God’s love is reckless + His grace is extravagant. Today’s Prayer: Father, I pray that I always revere, honor + glorify Jesus as Your Son—the One who saved my life because I could never save myself. May I always look to His sacrifice, love, grace + beauty + live a surrendered life to You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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DAY 40 | APRIL 10 | SUNDAY: CATCH UP + CONTEMPLATE

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DAY 41 | APRIL 11

Joseph of Arimathea took a risk + went to Pilate + asked for Jesus’ body. (Joseph was an honored member of the high council + he was waiting for the Kingdom of God to come.)

Pilate couldn’t believe that Jesus was already dead, so he called for the Roman officer + 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 + 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 + Mary the mother of Joseph saw where Jesus’ body was laid. —Mark 15:43-47 NLT

Joseph of Arimathea was a wealthy Jewish religious leader, a member of the Sanhedrin, who was also a secret follower of Jesus. John 19:39-40 says that Joseph was joined by Nicodemus, another wealthy religious leader. Together they wrapped Jesus’ body in about 75-100 pounds of spices + long linen strips. These linen strips later became the empty grave clothes that would give testimony to Jesus’ victory over death + His miraculous resurrection! Jesus was then laid in the borrowed tomb of Joseph, a tomb that was carved out of solid rock. A stone that weighed approximately 1½ to 2 tons was rolled to the entrance of the tomb completely sealing off the body. One historian indicates that the stone was so heavy it would have required 20 men to move it! The stone was designed to keep animals from devouring or desecrating the body of a dead loved one. Even the burial of Jesus in a rich man’s tomb was a fulfillment of another prophecy by Isaiah, “ . . . he was buried like a criminal; he was put in a rich man’s grave” (Isaiah 53:9b NLT). The next day, the religious authorities went to Pilate + requested that a guard be placed at the entrance to the tomb. They told him, “Sir, we just remembered that that liar announced while he was still alive, ‘After three days I will be raised.’ We’ve got to get that tomb sealed until the third day. There’s a good chance his disciples will come + steal the corpse + then go around saying, ‘He’s risen from the dead.’ Then we’ll be worse off than before . . . ” (Matthew 27:63-64 MSG) It’s probable that the supernatural phenomenon surrounding Jesus’ death—the sun going black, the earthquake + the veil ripped in two—had these leaders on edge. Pilate granted their request. There’s speculation as to whether the guard was made up of the Roman Guard or members of the Temple Guard. Regardless, both were highly trained. Further, Roman guards would have inspected the tomb + then rolled the stone back into its place before sealing the tomb. Sealing the tomb required that a cord be stretched across the rock + fastened at each end with sealing clay. Finally, the clay packs were stamped with the official signet of the Roman governor (Matthew 27:66).62 The seal was an official + public testimony that Jesus was actually in the tomb. The seal also verified the fact that His body was protected from vandals by nothing less than the power + authority of the Roman Empire. Anyone who tampered with the seal or tried to move the stone was guilty of a crime punishable by death.

62 Josh McDowell, Evidence That Demands A Verdict, Kindle Edition, page 255 of 798.

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All of these events took place in the last seven days of Jesus’ life:

• An intimate act of worship.

• Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem as the arriving King.

• Jesus cleansing the temple + challenging the religious leaders.

• A plot hatched to murder Him.

• Another intimate act of worship preparing Jesus for His death + burial.

• Jesus gathering His disciples for Passover + Holy Communion.

• Jesus praying in the garden.

• Jesus being betrayed + arrested.

• Finally, Jesus being tortured, crucified + buried. At first, His closest followers viewed all of this as a horrible travesty of justice + a failure of the purpose + plan of God. But, in reality, this is exactly what God had intended + designed since before our ancestors committed high treason by rebelling against God in the Garden of Eden.

Today’s Verse: They buried him with the wicked, threw him in a grave with a rich man, Even though he’d never hurt a soul or said one word that wasn’t true. —Isaiah 53:9 MSG Today’s Prompt: Have you ever felt like all hope is lost? Today’s Gratitude: I am grateful that things are not always what they seem, especially when I feel like all is lost. Today’s Prayer: Father, I want to offer up prayers of praise + thanksgiving for Jesus—the One who never hurt a soul, but came to save them + who never uttered a word that wasn’t true, but actually is the Truth. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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DAY 42 | APRIL 12 Why did Jesus die + what does all this mean to me? Isaiah answers the question in Isaiah 53: 1. . . . it was our weaknesses he carried . . . (v. 4) 2. . . . it was our sorrows that weighed him down . . . (v. 4) 3. . . . he was pierced for our rebellion . . . (v. 5) 4. . . . he was crushed for our sins . . . (v. 5) 5. . . . the punishment that brought us peace + wholeness was on him . . . (v. 5) 6. . . . by his wounds we are healed . . . (v. 5) 7. . . . the Lord laid on him the iniquity of us all . . . (v. 6) 8. . . . he was struck down for the rebellion of my people . . . (v. 8) 9. . . . his life was made an offering for our sin . . . (v. 10) 10. . . . [he] will make it possible for many to be counted righteous . . . (v. 11) 11. . . . he will bear all their sins . . . (v. 11) 12. . . . he bore the sins of many + interceded—he got right in the middle between God’s wrath

+ us—for rebels . . . (v. 12)

Today’s Verse: He was wounded + crushed because of our sins; by taking our punishment, he made us completely well. —Isaiah 53:5 CEV Today’s Prompt: Are you still living wounded when Jesus has made you completely well? Today’s Gratitude: I am grateful that my sins have been atoned + forgiven. Today’s Prayer: Father, sometimes I still live wounded + as if I am not already forgiven + loved. Help me to step into the freedom Jesus’ imprisonment gave me. Help me to lean into the healing that Jesus’ wounds granted me. Help me engage in the relationship that Jesus’ blood bought me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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DAY 43 | APRIL 13 If you’ve ever wondered, “What is the heart of Christianity? What’s at the center of it all?” This is it . . . The idea of substitution. Four thoughts: 1. Jesus was born to die so that we could actually live. Do you realize that there are as many details about the crucifixion of Jesus in the Old Testament as there are in the New Testament? There are literally dozens of predictions + prophecies about Jesus’ crucifixion in the Old Testament. Seven hundred to 1,000 years before Jesus was even born, the prophets indicated stuff like this: Jesus would be . . . • rejected by His own people (Isaiah 53:3). • betrayed by a friend (Psalm 41:9). • sold for thirty pieces of silver (Zechariah 11:12). • accused by false witnesses (Psalm 35:11). • stand silent when accused (Isaiah 53:7). • scorned + mocked (Psalm 22:7). • spat upon + humiliated (Isaiah 50:6). • crucified with criminals (Isaiah 53:12). • further humiliated as soldiers gambled for His clothes (Psalm 22:18). • given vinegar mixed with gall to drink (Psalm 69:21). The Old Testament predicted that Jesus would pray for His enemies (Psalm 109:4), that none of His bones would be broken (Psalm 34:20), + that He would be buried in a rich man’s grave (Isaiah 53:9). What does all this mean?

It means that Jesus was born to die! The crucifixion of Jesus wasn’t an accident. It was a divine appointment. From the opening moments of Jesus’ life, we get glimpses of this. For instance, when Joseph + Mary took their newborn son to the temple for His “christening” or “dedication” + an old man, a prophet named Simeon, held Jesus in his arms + praised God for the fulfillment of His promise, He looked at Mary + said, “ . . . a sword will pierce through your very own soul . . . ” (Luke 2:52). In other words, “This child was born to die!” That must have horrified Mary. Thirty-three years later she would actually live to see that take place. When Jesus’ own relative, John, introduced Him, John introduced Jesus like this: “Here He is! God’s Passover Lamb! He forgives the sins of the world” (John 1:29 MSG).

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Revelation 13:8 says that Jesus is “ . . . the Lamb of God who was slaughtered before the world was made.” Jesus was born to die so that you + I could actually live. His death made possible our life. Remember, John 19:30 says that when Jesus died, He cried out in a loud voice, “It is finished!” In Hebrew, the word is kalah. It’s the word that was used by the temple priest after all the sacrificial Passover lambs had been slaughtered. The priest would cry, “It is finished!” When Jesus said the same thing He was announcing the end of that entire system. Passover started on Thursday at about 3 p.m. + concluded on Friday at about 3 p.m., so that the Passover Lamb could be roasted before Sabbath or Shabbat began at 6 p.m. Track with me . . . Jesus died at around 3 p.m., at the very moment the last Passover lamb was being sacrificed on Friday. At the same time the temple priest was saying, “kalah” — “It is finished!” Jesus, hanging on the cross, was also saying, “kalah”—“It is finished!” The Greek New Testament term translated, “It is finished!” is tetelestai, which can be translated “paid in full.” In other words, when Jesus died, the sacrifice for sin was complete. The penalty for sin had been paid. Our eternal destiny was sealed. Jesus’ death was not just the end of His life, it was the accomplishment of His mission. On the cross, Jesus—God in the flesh—willingly took our place! He died for our sin, in our place. Jesus was born to die so that we could actually live! Before Jesus died on the cross, we were in bondage to sin. We were sold as slaves to sin + we deserved to die in our captivity. A price needed to be paid to redeem us, to buy us back from sin + death. The price for our freedom + life was a perfect sacrifice. A sacrifice we could never make. When Jesus said: “It is finished,” He was announcing that He had paid the price, in full! That’s why the veil in the temple was ripped in two. Because Jesus’ death destroyed the wall, gap + barrier between us + God! Jesus created a doorway out of what had previously been a dead-end called death. That’s why we have the promise of new life.

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Today’s Verse: The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him + said, “Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”—John 1:29 NLT Today’s Prompt: Have you ever felt the relief that comes when something is finally paid in full? Do you feel that relief about your own life? Today’s Gratitude: I am grateful that the debt that could have destroyed me, Jesus paid in full. Today’s Prayer: Father, thank You for finding a way to spare me from the suffering I should’ve taken on because of my sin. May I always remember that Jesus paid my ransom + it is paid in full. Help me remember there is nothing more I need to do in order to reconcile my debts or to be loved by You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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DAY 44 | APRIL 14 Four thoughts: (continued) 2. Jesus was wounded so that we could be healed.

Surely he took up our pain + bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him + afflicted. 5 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him + by his wounds we are healed. —Isaiah 53:4-5 NIV

Peter, in his 1st letter, looked back at the cross + quoted Isaiah’s prophecy like this:

“He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins + live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” —1 Peter 2:24 NIV

The KJV + NAS says, “you were healed.” Pardon the English, but I love the way one man said it, somewhere between “you are healed” + “you were healed,” you is healed! Matthew quotes Isaiah + describes the ministry of Jesus like this: He put upon himself our weaknesses + He carried away our diseases + made us well. —Matthew 8:16-17 TPT Jesus is our “wounded healer.” Our healing—body, soul, mind, spirit, emotions—our complete + total healing, was made possible because Jesus was willing to be wounded. Our wholeness was made possible because of His brokenness. 3. Jesus bore the weight of God’s judgment so that we could escape it + receive God’s mercy. If I had been one of the people watching as Jesus was nailed to that crossbeam, I’m sure I would have thought, “He was a criminal! There’s the proof! I mean He’s hanging on a cross, being mocked + humiliated.” But Jesus wasn’t hanging there because of His own sins. He was hanging there for my sins. He was taking the punishment I deserved. He was dying for my sins, in my place.

For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. —2 Corinthians 5:21 NKJ For God made the only one who did not know sin to become sin for us, so that we who did not know righteousness might become the righteousness of God through our union with him. —2 Corinthians 5:21 TPT

This has been referred to as a beautiful, divine exchange. At the cross, all of our sins were placed on Jesus. All of them! At the cross, all of His perfection + righteousness was given to us. All of it!

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On the cross, Jesus became our substitute. He was made to be the worst of what we are, so we could become the best of what He is. He never sinned, but on the cross He was made to be sin for us. Martin Luther called this, “the great exchange.” Jesus exchanged His perfection for our imperfection, His obedience for our disobedience, His intimacy with the Father for our distance from the Father. He exchanged His blessing for our curse + His life for our death. He took our sin, so we could receive His perfection. He came to die, so that we could really live. I love the way Sally Lloyd-Jones describes it in her book, The Jesus Storybook Bible. Sally writes: “They nailed Jesus to the cross. ‘Father, forgive them,’ Jesus gasped. ‘They don’t understand what they’re doing.’ ‘You say you’ve come to rescue us!’ people shouted. ‘But you can’t even rescue yourself!’ But they were wrong. Jesus could have rescued himself. A legion of angels would have flown to his side—if he’d called. ‘If you were really the Son of God, you could just climb down off that cross!’ they said. Of course, they were right. Jesus could have just climbed down. Actually, He could have just said a word + made it all stop. But Jesus stayed. You see, they didn’t understand. It wasn’t the nails that kept Jesus there. It was love . . . ’ Even though it was midday, a dreadful darkness covered the face of the world. The sun could not shine. The earth trembled + quaked. The great mountains shook. Rocks split in two. Until it seemed that the whole world would break. That creation itself would tear apart. The full force of the storm of God’s fierce anger at sin was coming down. On His own Son. Instead of His people. It was the only way God could destroy sin + not destroy His children whose hearts were filled with sin.”63 Because of what Jesus willingly did at the cross, today when God looks at you + me all He sees is the sinless beauty + perfection of His Son.

63 Sally Lloyd-Jones, The Jesus Storybook Bible, pages 304-306.

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Today’s Verse: For God made the only one who did not know sin to become sin for us, so that we who did not know righteousness might become the righteousness of God through our union with him. —2 Corinthians 5:21 TPT Today’s Prompt: Have you ever thought about Jesus staying on the cross not because of the nails, but because of His love for you? Today’s Gratitude: I am grateful that Jesus loves me. Today’s Prayer: Father, help me truly understand what love is + the power it contains. When there are times that I withhold love or I’m scared to show it or let it in, remind me of how Jesus showers me lavishly with His love. Because of His love for me, I shouldn’t be stingy with my love for others. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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DAY 45 | APRIL 15 | GOOD FRIDAY Four thoughts: (continued) 4. Jesus was stretched out on a cross between two thieves so that we would always know the reach of love.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one + only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. —John 3:16 NIV But God put his love on the line for us by offering his Son in sacrificial death while we were of no use whatever to him. —Romans 5:8 MSG But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. —Romans 5:8 NIV So, what do you think? With God on our side like this, how can we lose? If God didn’t hesitate to put everything on the line for us, embracing our condition + exposing himself to the worst by sending his own Son, is there anything else he wouldn’t gladly + freely do for us? + who would dare tangle with God by messing with one of God’s chosen? Who would dare even to point a finger? The One who died for us—who was raised to life for us—is in the presence of God at this very moment sticking up for us. Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us + Christ’s love for us? There is no way! Not trouble, not hard times, not hatred, not hunger, not homelessness, not bullying threats, not backstabbing, not even the worst sins listed in Scripture . . . None of this fazes us because Jesus loves us. I’m absolutely convinced that nothing—nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable—absolutely nothing can get between us + God’s love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us. —Romans 8:31-39 MSG

A Prayer “Heavenly, thank You for loving me. I realize that I’ve sinned. My sin has separated me from You. But today, I make a decision to stop trusting in my own efforts + to start trusting in what Jesus has already accomplished. I believe that Jesus died for my sins + in my place. I ask that You forgive my sins + lead my life. Today I choose to trust Jesus. Amen.”

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Today’s Verse: I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. —Romans 8:38 NLT Today’s Prompt: Have you ever felt separated from God? Today’s Gratitude: I am grateful that there is literally nothing that can keep me separated from God + His love for me. Today’s Prayer: Father, help me stay rooted in the conviction that nothing will ever separate me from You. Remind me that I don’t have to fear death or worry about my life. I don’t have to succumb to the powers of hell or cower under the weight of my anxieties. I don’t have to chase angels or run from demons because You are in control of it all, You reign over it all + You devised a divine plan to conquer it all. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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DAY 46 | APRIL 16 Thousands of years ago . . . This day was the Day of In-Between. The time after the death of Jesus . . . But before they saw how the story really ends. That place where nothing makes sense . . . You grow weary in the wilderness . . . Where victory seems out of reach. The place where hope is lost . . . Strength is surrendered . . . Dreams dissolve + . . . Clarity succumbs to confusion. That place where silence is your only friend. On this side of the Cross . . . We know how the story plays out. So, this Day of In-Between is lost on us. Today . . . Take a moment to stand in the silence of the in-between. The space between the Cross + the Resurrection. Where you feel the loss . . . The weight of the sacrifice . . . So that the rising of the Son is that much sweeter.

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