Seven daily readings to help you walk with Jesus this Holy Week.

EASTER SUNDAY – ‘The Resurrection!’

Bible base: Matthew 28: 1-10

After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.” So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”

It’s Resurrection Day!  Surely the greatest day in history!  As you read today’s Bible passage give thanks for Jesus and the hope he brings to you, your family and friends, and our world.  Hallelujah … Christ is Risen!

Seven daily readings to help you walk with Jesus this Holy Week.

EASTER SATURDAY – ‘The Crucifixion’

Bible base: Mark 15:21-47

A certain man from Cyrene, Simon, the father of Alexander and Rufus, was passing by on his way in from the country, and they forced him to carry the cross. They brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha (which means The Place of the Skull). Then they offered him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it. And they crucified him. Dividing up his clothes, they cast lots to see what each would get. It was the third hour when they crucified him. The written notice of the charge against him read: THE KING OF THE JEWS. They crucified two robbers with him, one on his right and one on his left. Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, “So! You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, come down from the cross and save yourself!” In the same way the chief priests and the teachers of the law mocked him among themselves. “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! Let this Christ, this King of Israel, come down now from the cross, that we may see and believe.” Those crucified with him also heaped insults on him. At the sixth hour darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour. And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?”–which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” When some of those standing near heard this, they said, “Listen, he’s calling Elijah.” One man ran, filled a sponge with wine vinegar, put it on a stick, and offered it to Jesus to drink. “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to take him down,” he said. With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last. The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, heard his cry and saw how he died, he said, “Surely this man was the Son of God!” Some women were watching from a distance. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome. In Galilee these women had followed him and cared for his needs. Many other women who had come up with him to Jerusalem were also there. It was Preparation Day (that is, the day before the Sabbath). So as evening approached, Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent member of the Council, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, went boldly to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. Pilate was surprised to hear that he was already dead. Summoning the centurion, he asked him if Jesus had already died. When he learned from the centurion that it was so, he gave the body to Joseph. So Joseph bought some linen cloth, took down the body, wrapped it in the linen, and placed it in a tomb cut out of rock. Then he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb. Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where he was laid.

Read the Bible passage today and be open to what God is saying to you about Jesus…

Seven daily readings to help you walk with Jesus this Holy Week.

GOOD FRIDAY – ‘Changing’

Bible base: John 3: 1-16

Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council. He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him.” In reply Jesus declared, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again. ” How can a man be born when he is old? Nicodemus asked. “Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb to be born!” Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” How can this be? Nicodemus asked. You are Israel’s teacher, said Jesus, “and do you not understand these things? I tell you the truth, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven–the Son of Man. Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life. For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Do you like change?  Do you thrive on change or find it unnerving?  Do you like reliability, or surprise?

In today’s Bible reading, Jesus meets a man called Nicodemus.  Jesus is very clear, to follow him and to see the Kingdom of God break into his life Nicodemus will need to experience change – he will need to be ‘born again’.  Jesus teaches a great truth here that whoever believes in him will have the gift of new life now and into eternity but that will mean change.

When we choose to follow Jesus and give everything of our lives to him … we will change.

On this Good Friday, let us choose to freely put ourselves in that place of change, of real life transformation as we follow Jesus.  It’s the only way to live!

“Lord Jesus, let me be open this day to the change you want to bring into my life.  Amen.”

Seven daily readings to help you walk with Jesus this Holy Week.

THURSDAY – ‘Giving’

Bible base: Mark 14: 1-11

Now the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread were only two days away, and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were looking for some sly way to arrest Jesus and kill him.  “But not during the Feast,” they said, “or the people may riot.”  While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of a man known as Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard.  She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head.  Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, “Why this waste of perfume?  It could have been sold for more than a year’s wages and the money given to the poor.”  And they rebuked her harshly.  “Leave her alone,” said Jesus.  “Why are you bothering her?  She has done a beautiful thing to me.  The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want.  But you will not always have me.  She did what she could.  She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial.  I tell you the truth, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”  Then Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Jesus to them.  They were delighted to hear this and promised to give him money.  So he watched for an opportunity to hand him over.

What’s the most precious gift anyone has ever given to you?  Think about that gift, what’s precious about it to you?  Is it precious because of what it is or because of what it represents?  The most precious gifts are often the ones that reveal what’s going on in our hearts.

It’s that kind of gift that Jesus receives at Simon’s house in today’s reading.  When this woman breaks the jar and begins to anoint Jesus’ head with oil, she’s giving far more than oil (which was so expensive!) … she is giving herself.

Oil was used by God to prepare Jesus’ body for burial.  Her simple act of devotion becomes a profound act of sacrificial giving and part of our story of salvation.  We don’t know how what we give will be used by God … we just give.

“Lord Jesus, receive the gift of my life afresh this day.  Amen.”

Seven daily readings to help you walk with Jesus this Holy Week.

WEDNESDAY – ‘Following’

Bible base: Mark 1: 14-20

After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God.  “The time has come,” he said.  “Repent and believe the good news!”  As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake. for they were fishermen.  “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.”  At once they left their nets and followed him.  When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets.  Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.

Today Jesus is inviting us, you, to follow him.  He is inviting us, you, to join us in his plans and his purposes … he offers his invitation but today will we follow?

We often sense that Jesus is inviting us to follow him, but we often hesitate.  We feel that we can’t start on this journey until we have all the right skills and experience that we need; that we need to get our lives sorted first, that we need all our questions answering.  We cannot follow Jesus until we know exactly where this following might lead us!

But Jesus’ call to those first disciples in today’s reading is a great encouragement to all of us.  he says ‘I will make you fishers of people’.  Jesus is saying that all you need to do is follow me and I will shape you on this journey into the person I have called you to be.  EXCITING!

“Lord Jesus, I pray that today I would be open to your call to follow you – whatever that may mean for me.  Amen.”

Seven daily readings to help you walk with Jesus this Holy Week.

TUESDAY – ‘Seeing’

Bible base: Matthew 16:13-20

When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”  They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah, and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”  “But what about you?” he asked.  “Who do you say I am?”  Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”  Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven.  And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.  I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”  Then he warned his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Christ.

How much time do we spend worrying about who we ‘are’ and what we are ‘doing’ here?

How much time do we spend just being confused about life?  Sometimes it’s hard to see Jesus!

Today’s Bible reading is a great help to us.  Peter has been waiting his whole life for a saviour.  So, when he says to Jesus ‘You are the Christ’, Peter is declaring that his search is over.  In that moment, Peter commits everything to Jesus; he says ‘I see clearly now’!

As Peter sees Jesus, he sees himself.  It’s in the seeing of who Jesus is that Peter is able to see clearly for the first time just who he is and what he is doing here in this life.

Maybe the answer to seeing who we are is in seeing who he is.  It only takes a moment…

“Lord Jesus, help me this day to see who you are and why you are here.  Amen.”

Seven daily readings to help you walk with Jesus this Holy Week.

MONDAY – ‘Looking’

Bible base: Luke 19: 1-10

Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. He wanted to see who Jesus was, but being a short man he could not, because of the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way. When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly. All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a ‘sinner.’ ” But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.” Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.”

Today, are you looking for Jesus?  Do you need to meet with him?  Maybe you’ve never considered him before or maybe you’ve been following him for a long time but it seems in this moment that you have lost sight of him.  Prayers seem to be unanswered and the closeness you once felt seems to have disappeared.

There is hope today in this story of Zacchaeus – his determination to ‘see’ Jesus leads to his life being completely transformed by the one he was looking for … Jesus.

When you are looking for Jesus remember that he is always looking for you!

“Lord Jesus, I am looking for you today – let me see you and experience you today in my life.”

Listen, O daughter, consider and give ear:Forget your people and your father’s house.The king is enthralled by your beauty;honour him, for he is your lord.The Daughter of Tyre will come with a gift,men of wealth will seek your favour.

 All glorious is the princess within her chamber;her gown is interwoven with gold.In embroidered garments she is led to the king;her virgin companions follow herand are brought to you.They are led in with joy and gladness;they enter the palace of the king.

 Your sons will take the place of your fathers;you will make them princes throughout the land.I will perpetuate your memory through all generations;therefore the nations will praise you forever and ever.

This is the second part of the wedding speech we began on Friday in the first part of this psalm – now it’s the bride’s turn!  She is ‘beautiful’ and ‘glorious’ as she is ‘led to the king’ her husband (v 14).

Imagine the bride coming down the aisle, beautiful on her wedding day and the groom, her husband waiting for her.  A time for ‘joy’ and ‘gladness’ (v 15).  A wonderful picture of marriage; however, this is also an amazing picture of the church.  This is how Jesus, the bridegroom, sees his beautiful and glorious bride, the church (see also 2 Corinthians 11:2).  Jesus loves the church – so should we!  Pray today for marriages that you know (yours, others) and pray for the church, the bride of Christ!

The woman Folly is loud;she is undisciplined and without knowledge.She sits at the door of her house,on a seat at the highest point of the city,calling out to those who pass by,who go straight on their way.“Let all who are simple come in here!”she says to those who lack judgment.“Stolen water is sweet;food eaten in secret is delicious!”But little do they know that the dead are there,that her guests are in the depths of the grave.

A proverb is a short saying that contains a profound truth.  This proverb appears at first glance slightly bizarre!  However, the truth it states (in vivid language!) is very profound.  ‘Folly’, which is a state of foolishness, is not the way to live life; God’s wisdom is what we need.  We all do foolish things at times, but when ‘folly’ becomes a way of life the outcome can be very serious! Ask God today for his wisdom to live a life that would honour him and bless you.

My heart is stirred by a noble theme as I recite my verses for the king; my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer.

You are the most excellent of men and your lips have been anointed with grace, since God has blessed you forever.

Gird your sword on your side, you mighty one; clothe yourself with splendor and majesty. In your majesty ride forth victoriously in the cause of truth, humility and justice; let your right hand achieve awesome deeds.  Let your sharp arrows pierce the hearts of the king’s enemies; let the nations fall beneath your feet.  Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever; a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom.  You love righteousness and hate wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy.  All your robes are fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia; from palaces adorned with ivory the music of the strings makes you glad.  Daughters of kings are among your honored women; at your right hand is the royal bride in gold of Ophir.

Read this psalm at least twice – what does it say to you?  It has a feel of the best wedding speech ever!  This is the groom’s bit – the bride’s is in the second part on Sunday.  The psalm is messianic; it speaks of the glory and splendour of the one who is to come – it speaks of Jesus.  Worship him today as Lord, King and Bridegroom!