March/April 2012

Following
and Risen Lord
The Crucified

Also: Lent: A Season of Hope

Friends,

Spring is coming, and it can be a time

of contrasts—warm days and cool days,
sunshine and mud, the freshness of a
new year and a season of repentance
as we remember Christ’s death and
resurrection. The rusty nails on our
cover remind us that even in this season
of renewal, a deep and cruel price was
paid for our new life.

Our devotions begin with a month of reflection on why we

need a Savior. We remember why Easter was necessary, yet
we do so in an eager sense of hope as we look forward to
the glory of Easter. Even Lent is a season of hope.

Then, in the month of April, as we follow Jesus through the

final week of his suffering, through his death, resurrection,
and beyond, we ask what it means to continue following the
crucified and risen Lord today.

This spring, may we live out both our aching hope and our
glorious call to serve Christ as his disciples.

Steven Koster
 Today
March/April 2012

refresh, refocus, renew

TODAY (USPS 185-140),

Volume 62, Number 2,
published bimonthly by
ReFrame Media, a division
of Back to God Ministries
International, at 6555 West
College Drive, Palos Heights, IL
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at Palos Heights, Illinois, and at
additional mailing offices.
“Lent: A Season of Hope”
Postmaster: Send address
Dale Vander Veen changes to Today, 6555 W.
College Dr., Palos Heights, IL
60463.
Copyright © 2012, Back to
God Ministries International.
Printed in U.S.A.
Unless otherwise noted,
Scripture quotations in this
publication are from The
Holy Bible, New International
Version®, NIV®. Copyright
© 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011
“Following the Crucified
by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by
and Risen Lord” permission. All rights reserved
John Van Schepen worldwide
Cover photo by iStock.
Managing Editor: Eleanor Lamsma
Executive Editor: Steven Koster
this month
Lent: A Season of Hope
Dale Vander Veen

Lent, a period of forty weekdays before Easter, is a time to reflect

on our need for a Savior. This year the traditional Lenten sea-
son began on Ash Wednesday, February 22, and will conclude on
Saturday, April 7, the day before Easter, when we celebrate the
resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Lent is marked by prayer, repentance, and self-denial. However,
a number of Christian churches celebrate the six Sundays during
Lent as “mini-Easters,” focusing on the joy that God brings even
during self-examination, and recognizing the joy of new life that
our Savior gives because he has already risen from the dead.
The word Lent derives from old English and German words refer-
ring to spring. It looks forward to the lengthening of days after
winter has passed. Lent is sobering, but not severe. The emphasis
remains on grace, not gloom. Some Christians call Lent the season
of “bright sadness.”
Knowing that Christ has died and risen once for all doesn’t take
away our suspense. It takes away our despair—and gives us hope.
This month we will walk the path of hope as we anticipate com-
memorating the death and resurrection of our Lord.

Rev. Dale Vander Veen is a retired pastor, who, with his wife, Edith, has
ministered in California, Washington, and Michigan. They have three
married children and six grandchildren. He currently writes a daily
e-mail series of devotions.
Mark 1:1-18 THURSDAY, MARCH 1

HOW DOES THE GOOD NEWS BEGIN?

The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son
of God . . . . —Mark 1:1

The first six words of Mark’s gos- have to admit we have been
pel prompt the question “How sinful. And when Jesus calls us
does the good news begin?” to follow him, we have to leave
our old life of sin behind. So he
John the Baptist comes “preach-
tells us, “Repent” (which means
ing a baptism of repentance for
“turn around”), and “believe the
the forgiveness of sins,” and
good news” that God has made
many respond by “confessing
salvation possible. Then he says,
their sins.”
“Come, follow me.”
We soon read of Jesus’ being
Lent is a good time to go back
baptized, receiving the Father’s
to “the beginning of the good
blessing, and then being sent to
news,” recognizing that we are
the wilderness to be tempted
still capable of sin even though
by Satan. Jesus resists the devil
we believe in and follow Jesus.
so effectively that Satan leaves
His Spirit is working in us, but
him (Matthew 4:11).
(in this life) we are not yet
Then Jesus begins preaching made perfect.
that “the kingdom of God has
Are there any sins you need to
come near. Repent and believe
repent of today, so that you can
the good news!”
follow Jesus more faithfully?
The gospel, the good news of
Jesus Christ, is that our Creator Father, in your love con-
so loves us that he provides a vict us of our sin—and
way out of our miserable life assure us of your forgive-
of sin—through belief in Jesus. ness. In Jesus, Amen.
Before we can be saved, we
Genesis 16:1-13; Matthew 6:6 FRIDAY, MARCH 2

THE UNSEEN SEES

“Your Father, who is unseen . . . sees what is done in secret.”
—Matthew 6:6

Jesus instructs us not to make God in his grace sees us in our

a spectacle of praying to our wilderness. God in his glory
Father, “who is unseen.” And sees us in our dishonor. God
he adds, “Then your Father, in his strength sees us in our
who sees what is done in se- weakness.
cret, will reward you.”
And the Word, who encour-
We don’t see our Father, but ages us to pray, “became flesh
our Father sees us. If you were and made his dwelling among
given the choice between see- us. We have seen his glory, the
ing God or having God see you, glory of the one and only Son,
which would you choose? who came from the Father, full
of grace and truth” (John 1:14).
Hagar, pregnant with Ishmael
With that much sight we can
and fleeing from Sarai’s mistreat-
rest content until we “see him
ment, encounters God in the
as he is” (1 John 3:2).
wilderness. “She gave this name
to the Lord who spoke to her: Lent is a good time to remember
‘You are the God who sees me,’ that we are seen by our unseen
for she said, ‘I have now seen Father. Is this a comfort to you?
the One who sees me.’” Hagar
did not see God himself, but his Father, in this Lenten
angel, who represented God. season teach us to pray
But God, through his angel, saw with confidence, knowing
Hagar and spoke with her. God that you see us as we are
may hide his face, but he does and hear us as we call. In
not close his mouth.
Christ our hope, Amen.
Psalm 19 SATURDAY, MARCH 3

HIDDEN FAULTS, SECRET SINS

You have set . . . our secret sins in the light of your presence.
—Psalm 90:8

English pastor Thomas Watson perhaps they will sin behind the
(1620-1686) warned, “God curtain.” Praise God that our
can neither be deceived by our balcony sins and our curtain
subtlety, nor excluded by our sins are fully cleansed.
secrecy.”
“We have this hope as an an-
Hidden faults and secret sins chor for the soul, firm and se-
are not an isolated theme in the cure,” sealed by “Jesus, the pio-
Scriptures. neer and perfecter of our faith”
(Hebrews 6:19; 12:2).
The psalmist admits, “You have
set . . . our secret sins in the light Lent is a good time to be hon-
of your presence.” est about our secret sins, hum-
ble about our hidden faults,
The teacher concludes, “God
and hopeful about the finished
will bring every deed into judg-
work of Jesus on our behalf.
ment, including every hidden
thing” (Ecclesiastes 12:14).
The senseless are asked, “Does
he who fashioned the ear not
hear? Does he who formed the
eye not see?” (Psalm 94:9).
No wonder David pleads, Father, in this season may
“Forgive my hidden faults.” the Holy Spirit point us to
our sins, and point us sin-
Thomas Watson also said, “All ners to Jesus. In his name
will not sin on a balcony, but we hope. Amen.
1 Peter 2:9-10 SUNDAY, MARCH 4

FORMED FOR PRAISE

I formed [my people] for myself that they may proclaim my
praise. —Isaiah 43:21

“Why are we here?” The ques- best, unformed or uninformed.

tion is not limited to philoso- There are no exceptions. Every
phers and theologians. And it’s thought, every action and atti-
not only “Why are we (human- tude, every glance, every mem-
ity) here?” The question is more ory and desire, every plan and
personal: “Why am I here?” hope—all are to be for his praise
and only for his praise.
Through Isaiah and Peter, God
gives the same answer. God And here is an amazing truth.
says he formed his people for Though our sin brings sorrow
himself, that we may proclaim and detracts from praising God,
his praise, and we “are a chosen it is forgiven so that we may
people . . . God’s special pos- give God praise. “In [Jesus] we
session,” that we may “declare have redemption through his
[his] praises.” The truth stands blood, the forgiveness of sins
today for all God’s people. . . . for the praise of his glory”
And each one who believes (Ephesians 1:7, 12).
is a valued part of this people
Lent is a good time to live up
(1 Corinthians 12:12-27).
to why we are here—each one
We have been formed for God’s of us.
praise, informed about Christ
for his praise, and conformed
to Christ for his praise. We Father, may our worship
are also being transformed by and our lives be filled
Christ for his praise. Anything with your praise. In Christ
that falls short of his praise must our hope, Amen.
be labeled deformed or, at
Exodus 3:1-10 MONDAY, MARCH 5

COME CLOSER
You have come to God . . . to Jesus . . . .
—Hebrews 12:23-24

As Moses approached the burn- writer to the Hebrews rejoices,

ing bush, God warned, “Do not “You have come to God.” James
come any closer.” summons, “Come near to God”
(James 4:8). The Bible’s final
God restrained Moses with
chapter adds three more in-
good reason. God knew that an
vitations: “Come” (Revelation
unholy man approaching him
22:17).
would face death. So his words
that seem to reject are actually Let us praise God for his law
words of love, not unlike a par- that somberly warns, and for his
ent’s warning to a child to be grace that softly welcomes.
careful near a fire.
Come, for all is well. Jesus has
While the words speak compas- come to earth so that we might
sion, they also remind us of the come to God.
contrast between God’s law and
Lent is a good time to come
God’s grace.
closer to God.
Law says, “Do not come any
closer. You are not worthy.”
But grace declares, “I have made Jesus, in this Lenten sea-
you worthy, through Jesus.” son we praise you that all
God’s grace calls us to come. is well between you and
Four times in one verse in us. We hear your invita-
Isaiah, the Lord urges, “Come” tion, and we come to you.
(Isaiah 55:1). Jesus calls, “Come In your name we hope.
to me” (Matthew 11:28). The Amen.
Psalm 25 TUESDAY, MARCH 6

THE LORD’S CLASSROOM

He instructs sinners in his ways.
—Psalm 25:8

“Good and upright is the Lord; And when we don’t get the as-
therefore he instructs _______ signment right, we must do it
in his ways.” What might fill in over till we get it right!
the blank?
Actually, none of us gets a per-
“The righteous” would fill the fect score. As sinners, we can
blank nicely. The righteous are so never be perfect.
teachable. They listen to the in-
But God counts us righteous
structor and do as they are told.
because of Christ, who gave his
But the psalmist says, “He in- perfect life for us. That keeps us
structs sinners in his ways.” humble. “He guides the humble
in what is right and teaches
Sinners? The Lord must special-
them his way.” And when we
ize in difficult students.
do stray into pride, we can pray,
Actually, this teaching is very “Forgive my iniquity, though it
encouraging. We are all sinners, is great.”
so we are all welcome in the
Lent is a good time to enroll in
Lord’s classroom.
Grace 101.
Let’s take a look at our class
schedules. What? No elec- Lord, in this Lenten season
tives? No vacations? Classes
we thank you for teaching
meet 24 hours a day, 7 days a
us your ways, especially in
week, 365 days a year?
and through the work of
What’s more, if we skip class, Jesus, in whose name we
the Lord comes looking for us! hope. Amen.
1 Kings 19:19-21 WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7

“FOLLOWERSHIP”
“Come, follow me.”
—Mark 1:17

The importance of leadership is Jesus examines Peter’s love for

neither doubted nor debated— him, not his leadership skills
in government, education, busi- (see John 21:15-17).
ness, or church.
Pastors are gifted, commissioned
Elisha, like most leaders, be- leaders in Jesus’ church. So they
gins as a follower. Elijah finds are called to lead people—first
him plowing in his family’s field to faith in Christ, and then to
and summons Elisha to follow maturity in faith. And the heart
him, just as God has directed of that maturity is simply to fol-
(1 Kings 19:16). low Christ. There is no better
way to lead for Christ than to
Elijah throws his cloak over
follow hard after Christ.
Elisha, a symbol of anointing
him for leadership. Lent is a good time to ask, “Am
I following Christ wholeheart-
Then, after literally burning his
edly?”
“bridge” (a yoke is a bridge be-
tween two oxen) behind him,
Elisha sets out to follow Elijah
and become his servant.
When Jesus calls his disciples,
the recurring word is not “Lead Father, in this season, grip
for me” but “Follow me.” our hearts so that we may
To Peter he says, “Feed my willingly and faithfully fol-
sheep,” not “Lead my sheep.” low Jesus. In his name we
And when he examines Peter, hope and pray. Amen.
Isaiah 49:13-16 THURSDAY, MARCH 8

HANDS
I have engraved you on the palms of my hands.
—Isaiah 49:16

Today’s verse is often misquoted never let go of his loved ones.

as “I have engraved your name All who believe in him as Lord
on the palms of my hands.” and Savior are safe and secure
in the palms of his hands.
Actually the word picture in
Isaiah 49 indicates that God has As Jesus promised, “I give them
engraved not our names, but eternal life, and they shall never
our very selves, on his hands. perish; no one will snatch them
The point is to show that God out of my hand. My Father,
loves us, cares for us, and will who has given them to me,
never forget us. is greater than all; no one can
snatch them out of my Father’s
Occasionally my grandchildren
hand” (John 10:28-29).
work hard to pry open my fin-
gers, searching for something Lent is a good time to reflect on
I have hidden in my hand. God’s powerful hands—and to
Sometimes I move the prized see ourselves engraved there.
object to my other hand, elicit-
ing an exasperated “Grandpa!”
It’s a playful game that always
ends in their victory and a hug.
Life is not a mere playful game,
Jesus, in this Lenten season
but it will end with Jesus’ vic-
we rejoice in the secure
tory—his hands still holding us
grip of your nail-scarred
securely. Those hands were
scarred by the nails of the cross, hands. In your name we
but he has promised that he will hope. Amen.
Psalm 34:1-10 FRIDAY, MARCH 9

TASTE AND SEE

I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the
Lord. —Psalm 116:13

Enjoying a cup of Earl Grey tea us to “taste and see that the
reminds me of my mother-in- Lord is good.”
law’s distaste for any tea besides
I have tasted, and I agree. The
her traditional orange pekoe and
Lord is good. He is very good.
pekoe black. With unusual force
He is superlatively good. He is
she would comment that Earl
unfailingly and eternally good.
Grey tea “tastes like dishwater.”
The song is right: “God is good—
Earl Charles Grey, England’s
all the time.” And Mom, now
19th-century prime minister,
living in the Lord’s presence,
would have disagreed. What
would agree—for surely she is
Mom referred to was the taste
tasting the Lord’s goodness at
of oil of bergamot, an acidic or-
this very moment.
ange that is actually a cross be-
tween the sweet or pear lemon Lent is a good time to “lift up
and the Seville or sour orange. the cup of salvation” and say,
“The Lord is good.”
For Mom, variety in tea-drinking
came from the choice of bone
china cups rather than a selec-
tion of fine teas. Occasionally
we use her heirloom cups and Father, in this Lenten sea-
find ourselves saying, “Tea does son we thankfully lift the
taste better in a china cup.” cup of our Lord and joy-
Taste, I guess, is indisputable. fully taste his goodness.
The taste of the Lord is also in- In his name we hope.
disputable. The psalmist invites Amen.
Isaiah 55:6-13 SATURDAY, MARCH 10

GOD’S WAY, NOT OURS

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways
my ways.” —Isaiah 55:8

Christians often quote Isaiah on hold before you reluctantly

55:8 when life takes a surpris- forgive them, but that’s not
ing twist. We say something like my way. Come on, talk to me
“Well, God’s ways certainly are about it. You’ll be surprised at
not our ways.” how quickly I will forgive you.
And when we’re back together,
But here is the context: “Let the
‘You will go out in joy and be
wicked forsake their ways and
led forth in peace.’”
the unrighteous their thoughts.
Let them turn to the Lord, and What a new way of thinking!
he will have mercy on them, Who would have imagined that
and to our God, for he will the holy Lord Almighty (see
freely pardon.” Isaiah 6:3) would think and act
that way toward people like us!
After those words, our verse for
today begins with “For.” Our Lent is a good time to be sur-
way is not to extend mercy and prised by God’s way of thinking
pardon to people who wrong about sin and forgiveness.
us. We tend to nurse grudges,
harbor bits of bitterness, and
avoid offenders.
But God’s way is totally unlike
Father, thank you for sur-
ours. In effect, God says, “When
you sin, seek me out, and I will
prising us with your amaz-
pardon you—freely, immediate- ing way of responding to
ly. I know that’s not the way you our sin. Through Jesus
think. You put your offenders Christ our hope, Amen.
John 1:35-42 SUNDAY, MARCH 11

SPENDING A DAY WITH JESUS

They went and saw where he was staying, and they spent that
day with him. —John 1:39

On a recent trip we noticed that When Jesus invited them to

many gas station names high- come and see, “they went and
light how quickly we can fill up saw where he was staying, and
and scurry on our way: “On the they spent that day with him.”
Run,” “QuikTrip,” “QuikStop.”
For the disciples and Jesus,
And where do my wife and I
there was no “On the Run” or
buy most of our gas? At the lo-
“QuikStop” that day.
cal Speedway station.
And what began with an awk-
I remember (long ago) lean-
ward, sandal-shuffling question
ing against the fender of my
ended up as one of the richest
1953 Ford, chatting with my
days of their lives.
neighborhood service station
friend as he pumped my car’s Lent is a good time to slow
gas, checked the oil, adjusted down and spend some time
the tire pressure, washed the with “the Lamb of God, who
windshield, and asked how takes away the sin of the world”
my seminary studies were go- (John 1:29).
ing. He might have taken my
blood pressure and pulse if I
had asked!
When John the Baptist pointed Jesus, in this season, slow
out Jesus to two of his own dis- us down, teach us to re-
ciples, they followed Jesus and fresh, refocus, and renew.
asked him, “Where are you In your name we hope.
staying?” Amen.
Psalm 37:1-8 MONDAY, MARCH 12

GOOD, SIMPLE, STRONG WORDS

Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads
only to evil. —Psalm 37:8

We find many quiet but pow- we do not wait patiently for the
erful words in the early verses Lord. When we fret, we do not
of Psalm 37—“trust,” “do good,” do good, we do not dwell with
“dwell,” “enjoy,” “delight,” “com- God, and we do not enjoy the
mit,” “be still,” “wait.” Lord’s safe pasture.
And all these words are used Fretting, like a termite, nibbles
in reference to the Lord. The at the trusses of trust. Fretting
psalmist calls us to “trust in dehydrates our delight into
the Lord”; “take delight in the the dryness of despair. Fretting
Lord”; “commit your way to babbles and gabbles away our
the Lord”; “be still before the stillness.
Lord”; “wait patiently for him.”
Trusting in the Lord and fretting
And we can only “do good” in
are incompatible.
the strength of the Lord. We
can only “dwell in the land” that Lent is a good time to turn
God gives us. We can only “en- aside from fretting and be filled
joy safe pasture” that the Lord with faith.
promises and provides for us.
Fretting is discouraged three
times in these verses. It doesn’t Lord, release us from
take long to figure out why. fretting—for the glory of
When we fret, we do not trust your name, for the good
in the Lord, we do not delight of others, and for our own
in the Lord, we do not commit peace. In your name we
our way to the Lord, we are hope. Amen.
not still before the Lord, and
Mark 4:35-41 TUESDAY, MARCH 13

IN THE MIDST OF STORM

Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion.
 —Mark 4:38

After a busy day, Jesus suggest- 6:48). Again he was present in

ed an evening boat trip across a severe time.
the lake. Soon he was napping
Sheldon Vanauken’s book A
while the disciples handled the
Severe Mercy relates the conver-
oars. But then a sudden squall
sions of his wife and himself un-
came upon them.
der the influence of C. S. Lewis,
Where was Jesus? “Jesus was in and his wife’s subsequent death
the stern”—that is, in the back in the prime of her life. His se-
of the boat—and in the midst of quel, Under the Mercy, details his
this squall he was “sleeping on dark pilgrimage after her death.
a cushion.” Both books convey the theme
that in the most difficult and se-
This startling story reminds
vere times of life there is mercy.
us that Jesus is present in the
In this merciful care, the Lord is
stormy times of our lives—the
with us always.
severe, harsh, hard times. And
when he rebukes the storm— Lent helps us remember that
“Quiet! Be still!”—the disciples Jesus endured the most difficult
know that he cares for them suffering of all so that we might
in their times of severe struggle live in hope under his mercy.
and even fear and terror.
Some time later the disciples Jesus, please remind
were alone in a boat on that us that even in severe,
same lake, “straining at the oars, stormy times you are with
because the wind was against us in your mercy. In your
them.” Jesus “went out to them, name we hope. Amen.
walking on the lake” (Mark
John 21:15-19 WEDNESDAY, MARCH 14

GLORIFYING GOD IN DEATH

Jesus said . . . to . . . Peter . . .“Follow me!”
—John 21:19

After his resurrection, Jesus met We have no control over when

with Peter and several of the or how we will die, and it does
other disciples for breakfast by little good (and perhaps some
the Sea of Galilee. harm) to fantasize about details.
Yet it is wise and good to reflect
Later Jesus said (more privately)
on how such a significant event
to Peter, “When you are old . . .
as our death might honor God,
someone else will . . . lead you
who has planned the timing
where you do not want to go.”
and the method of our entrance
Then we read, “Jesus said this
into his presence.
to indicate the kind of death by
which Peter would glorify God.” Still, lest Peter (or we) expend
too much mental energy on
Believers in Christ aim to glorify
death, Jesus says to Peter (and
God in all they do—with admit-
to us), “Follow me.”
tedly varying degrees of inten-
sity and success. But the Bible’s Lent is a good time to follow
words about Peter prompt us to the Lord in life, that we might
ask, “How will my death glorify glorify him in death.
God?”
I know of a woman who, when
diagnosed with a terminal ill-
Lord, keep us faithfully
ness, said to her daughter, “I
following you in life, that
have taught you how to live.
we might faithfully glo-
Now I will teach you how to
die.” Weighty words! rify you in death. In your
name we hope. Amen.
Psalm 40 THURSDAY, MARCH 15

IN THE DITCH
He lifted me . . . out of the mud and mire . . . and gave me a firm
place to stand. —Psalm 40:2

One day in winter while we damaged. Our sin has different

were driving through Illinois, faces, yet we all need help.
a blizzard closed our route.
But here is the telling difference.
Heroic road crews enabled us
Jesus Christ did not stay on the
to continue our journey home
high, dry, safe ground of heav-
the next day.
en (Philippians 2:6-8). He took
Along the way that day, we the greatest risk and plunged
saw vehicles of every descrip- into the deepest ditch to rescue
tion that were still stuck in us. He did not merely extend a
ditches along the highway. Just long arm that we could grab on
when we wondered how the to. He came down, slipped un-
big semi-trailer trucks—upright, derneath us, lifted us up, carried
jack-knifed, or flipped on their us to safety, and sent us on our
sides—would be pulled out, (his) way.
we saw the removal of one in
Lent is a good time to thank
progress. Two large tow trucks,
Jesus for lifting us out of the
carefully positioned on the
mud and giving us a firm place
road, had attached cables to the
to stand.
trucks and were winching them
to safety.
Lord Jesus, in this Lenten
The comparison to our spiritual season we thank you for
lives was inescapable. We are lifting us up, carrying us to
severely mired in sin and trou- safety, and sending us on
bles. Some of us may seem up- your way. In your name
right; others are obviously bent; we hope. Amen.
still others seem irreparably
Romans 5:12-21 FRIDAY, MARCH 16

SINNER AND SAVIOR

Where sin increased, grace increased all the more.
—Romans 5:20

The film Amazing Grace master- grace, God’s grace, grace that is
fully portrays the long campaign greater than all our sin.”
of William Wilberforce (1759-
And Paul, the apostle who cele-
1833) to abolish the slave trade
brates salvation by grace through
throughout the British Empire.
faith (Eph. 2:8), writes eloquent-
When Wilberforce seeks counsel
ly, “Where sin increased, grace
from converted slave trader John
increased all the more.”
Newton, Newton summarizes
his life, my life, and the gospel in Someone has said, “You cannot
one sentence: “I am a great sin- out-sin the grace of God.” God
ner; Christ is a great Savior.” forbid that anyone should try
(see Romans 6:1-2), but it is so.
These are surely the most im-
“I am a great sinner; Christ is a
portant ten words any of us
greater Savior.”
could say—unless we might
alter them slightly to read, “I Lent is a good time to fall in
am a great sinner; Christ is a grateful repentance before our
greater Savior.” Five words of great and only Savior.
repentance, five of redemption.
Humility and hope in one sen-
tence. The words echo those of Father, in this season we
Newton’s own hymn: “I once thankfully confess with
was lost but now am found, believers past and pres-
was blind but now I see.” ent, “I am a great sinner;
Christ is a greater Savior.”
Another hymn celebrating Through Jesus Christ our
grace puts it this way: “Grace, hope, Amen.
Romans 8:28-39 SATURDAY, MARCH 17

PROMISES MADE—AND KEPT

No matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in
Christ. —2 Corinthians 1:20

The body shop promised that “hopefully,” “maybe,” “prob-

our car would be ready the day ably,” or “I don’t know.” And
before we planned to begin a the final result always matches
long trip. The workers were cor- his promise.
dial and sounded competent,
We celebrate Lent because God
but I did check their progress
makes reliable promises and
a week ahead of time. And we
keeps them. He promised to
made a contingency plan.
send the Messiah for our salva-
Was the body shop’s promise tion, and he delivered. If God
sincere? Probably. Were they kept his greatest promise to us
trustworthy? Hopefully. Would at the cost of his Son, will he
they finish on time? Maybe. But not keep every other promise
anything could happen: delays he has made?
beyond their control, unavail-
Lent is a good time to review
able parts, damage initially un-
our faith and renew our hope
detected, difficulty in matching
in the promises of God.
paint. Reality can interfere with
the best of human promises.
Is God cordial? Yes. Competent,
sincere, and trustworthy? Yes. Is Father, in this Lenten sea-
God in full control? Yes. Is ev- son, strengthen our faith
erything available to him? Yes. to trust your unbroken
Does he know how damaged and unbreakable prom-
we are? Yes. Every question is ises. Through Jesus Christ
answered with a definite “Yes.” our hope, Amen.
With God, there’s not a single
Psalm 147:1-11 SUNDAY, MARCH 18

PLEASANT AND FITTING

How good it is to sing praises to our God, how pleasant and fitting
to praise him! —Psalm 147:1

Not everything that is fitting is our uncertainty and celebrates

pleasant. God’s victories. Praise glorifies
our God and magnifies our
Forgiving an offender is fitting,
Savior. Praise is the lifeblood of
but it may not be pleasant, par-
our souls. Praise is the language
ticularly if the offense is oft-re-
of heaven. No wonder praise is
peated (see Matthew 18:21-22).
pleasant!
Giving and receiving discipline is
fitting, but it may not be pleas- God declares that praise is fit-
ant (see Hebrews 12:11). ting as well. Shall we not then
do what is pleasant and fitting
Ultimately, both forgiving and
more often, more spontane-
discipline are pleasant, for for-
ously, more exuberantly, more
giving overcomes our bitterness
reverently, more sincerely?
and often restores the offender,
and discipline produces righ- Lent is a fitting time to praise
teousness and peace. But it may God—and that is pleasant.
take time to see the pleasant
results.
Psalm 147 tells us that praise
is both pleasant and fitting as
Father, in this season, fill
soon as we do it. “How good
it is to sing praises to our God, our hearts with pleasant
how pleasant and fitting to and fitting praise that over-
praise him!” flows from our hearts to
honor you. Through Jesus
Praise lifts our spirit. Praise re- Christ our hope, Amen.
stores our hope. Praise dispels
Ephesians 2:1-10 MONDAY, MARCH 19

THINKING ABOUT GOD’S KINDNESS

God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance.
 —Romans 2:4

Within one week I met kind- “Do you show contempt for the
ness at least four times. riches of his kindness . . . not
realizing that God’s kindness is
A colleague commented that
intended to lead you to repen-
Plato urged, “Be kind, for every-
tance?”
one you meet is fighting a hard
battle.” We have lost hard battles with
sin. But Christ’s umbrella is
I read that playwright Douglas
cross-shaped, protecting us
Jerrold (1803-1857) described
from a deluge of God’s just
a man so kind that “he would
wrath. God, our Father, is kind
have held an umbrella over a
beyond measure. Why? “In
duck in a shower of rain.”
order that . . . he might show
Someone remembered a the incomparable riches of his
sermon in which I had said, grace, expressed in his kindness
“Perhaps the most important to us in Christ Jesus.”
thing to look for in a potential
Lent is a good time to reflect on
spouse is kindness.”
God’s kindness.
And in The New World, a film
about the Native American Jesus, thank you for hold-
princess Pocahontas, she asks ing the umbrella of your
John Rolfe, “Are you kind?” grace over us. Thank you
Human kindness is a dim re- for your everlasting kind-
flection of God’s kindness. In ness and faithfulness.
a lengthy discourse on our sin In your name we hope.
and God’s wrath, Paul wrote, Amen.
Philippians 2:5-15 TUESDAY, MARCH 20

THE TENT OF DISCONTENT

They grumbled in their tents and did not obey the Lord.
 —Psalm 106:25

I don’t like the sensation in my No wonder Jesus had to die on

spirit when I read the words of the cross—our sins include even
today’s verse. The unpleasant our grumbling, murmuring,
feeling is conviction, as in convic- complaining, and discontent.
tion of sin. And he died without grumbling
about our grumbling!
I can grumble at the gas station
(high prices), at the library (the Jesus didn’t grumble; “he hum-
book I want isn’t available), at bled himself by becoming obe-
the grocery store (not enough dient to death—even death on
checkout lanes open), in the a cross!” We, then, should “have
car (no one is working in the the same mindset as Christ
construction zone), in the living Jesus.”
room (my eyes get dry when
Lent is a good time to work on
I read at night), in the kitchen
our attitude and give up our
(emptying the dishwasher), on
grumbling.
the driveway (the inside of the
windshield smears when I clean
it). Good grief—my tent of dis-
content is huge!
No wonder Jeremiah Burroughs’
1648 classic is titled The Rare
Father, in this season,
Jewel of Christian Contentment. work in us the attitude of
And what he wrote in the book Christ Jesus. Help us to
is true: “Murmuring is below honor you as he did, in
the spirit of a Christian.” humble obedience. In his
name we hope. Amen.
Psalm 84 WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21

VIGOROUS ACTION, SWEET QUIET

Lord Almighty, blessed is the one who trusts in you.
 —Psalm 84:12

Action and quiet—both are nec- strength to strength” till they ap-
essary for a well-rounded life. pear before God. Being “a door-
We might tend toward one or keeper in the house of my God”
the other, with action perhaps sounds like a quiet responsibil-
more to our liking in our fast- ity, and yet one “whose walk is
paced world today. Yet I also blameless” leads a life of action.
sense that a longing for quiet as-
Vigorous action and sweet qui-
serts itself at times. Some speed
et. We need both, and we need
bumps are now called “calming
them in the proportion God
strips.”
ordains for us. As the psalmist
Psalm 84 bears the imprint of puts it, “Lord Almighty, blessed
quiet. “My soul yearns, even is the one who trusts in you.”
faints, for the courts of the
Lent is a good time to trust
Lord.” The swallow nests qui-
God—in our action and our
etly with her young near God’s
quiet.
altar. Yet caring for the young
is also about action. Psalm 84
pictures a balance of both quiet
and action.
“Ever praising you” is an example Father, in this Lenten sea-
of continual action while enjoy- son, may we find your
ing the quiet blessing of dwelling strength in times of quiet,
with God. “Blessed are those . . . that we may actively walk
whose hearts are set on pilgrim- with you. Through Jesus
age”; they move from quiet re-
Christ our hope, Amen.
flection to action, going “from
2 Timothy 2:1-10 THURSDAY, MARCH 22

ENDURANCE
Let us . . . [fix] our eyes on Jesus . . . . For the joy set before him
he endured the cross. —Hebrews 12:1-2

In rapid succession Paul illus- parents, nurses—all endure.

trates Christian living by com- Add your own occupation to
paring it to the life of a soldier, the list.
an athlete, and a farmer. I have
Being human requires endur-
never served in the military, I
ance. And endurance requires
am not an athlete, and I was
grace. That’s why Paul prefaces
not raised on a farm. But I get
his call to endurance with these
the point of Paul’s examples.
words: “Be strong in the grace
He brackets his images with the
that is in Christ Jesus.”
words “Join with me in suffering
. . . . I endure everything for the No one endured more than
sake of the elect.” Jesus. He endured the cross as
he took on himself the penalty
Soldiers endure discipline, sepa-
for all our sin—that we might
ration, combat, and at times a
have life. So we fix our eyes on
seemingly arbitrary command-
him, who focused on the joy of
ing officer. Athletes endure
winning that victory for us.
training, sweat, sore muscles,
and at times defeat, which can Lent is a good time to fix our
be heartbreaking and humiliat- eyes on Jesus—to ponder his
ing. Farmers endure uncertain grace and his endurance.
weather, cantankerous animals,
balky machinery, and at times
devastating loss. Father, may the endur-
ance of Jesus enable us
But endurance is not limited to endure for him. In his
to three professions. Plumbers, name we hope. Amen.
accountants, teachers, students,
2 Timothy 3:10-17 FRIDAY, MARCH 23

THE GRAND GUIDE

God . . . will be our guide even to the end.
—Psalm 48:14

Our newspaper included a fresh broccoli, a stepladder, or

supplement called the Grand shoes.
Guide: Your Guide to Living.
I wondered, “If God produced
Performance centers, ticket out-
something called Your Guide to
lets, galleries, restaurants, fairs,
Living, what would it look like?”
festivals, recreation, and more
Then it dawned on me. He al-
were highlighted.
ready has produced the defini-
I thought about the words Your tive Guide to Living: his Word,
Guide to Living. Part of my “liv- the Bible. It says, “All Scripture
ing” in this North American cul- is God-breathed and is useful
ture includes some of these op- for teaching . . . and training in
portunities. But my day-to-day righteousness.” What a privilege
living revolves around questions to read our Guide to Living every
like “Where can I get my car day—to seek and find both guid-
repaired? What grocery store ance and the Guide himself.
has good fruits and vegetables?
Lent is a good time to read the
Where is the nearest hardware
guide for living and grow closer
store? Where can I buy clothes
to our Lord and Guide.
at a reasonable price? What
church can I call home? When
I need a funeral home, where
will I go?” Churches and funeral Jesus, in this Lenten sea-
directors were included in some son, may we come to you,
of the Grand Guide advertising for “you have the words
space. But, as far as I could tell, of eternal life.” In your
no one needed an oil change, name we hope. Amen.
Ephesians 1:17-23 SATURDAY, MARCH 24

Open, Illuminated
I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened . . . that
you may know the hope to which he has called you . . . .
—Ephesians 1:18

What a blessing it is to read this William Henry Temple Gairdner

prayer of the apostle Paul! He (1873-1928), a missionary to
asks that God will open, or en- Cairo, Egypt, prayed as a young
lighten, the eyes of our hearts. student, “Come in Jesus, and
Why? That we may “know him make me brave, retiring, hum-
better,” have “the Spirit of wis- ble, hardy, large-hearted, stren-
dom and revelation,” and know uous, pure, loving.” And then
the hope of all that God prom- at home briefly in Scotland, he
ises to us. With hearts open to stood on a windswept seawall
the wonder of all that God has and asked God to make him
done, we are empowered by “calm, pure, fresh, fragrant,
his Spirit to live faithfully for open, and spacious as the sea.”
him, as Jesus did.
Lent is a good time to have
When we are open to God’s hearts open and illuminated to
working in and through our all that our Lord has done, all
lives, we are like a blank page that he can do in our lives, and
on which he writes his poetry, all that we can look forward to
an empty canvas on which he in sure hope.
works his artistry, softened clay
with which he molds his vessel.
Jesus, encourage us in the
Perhaps the right combination singleminded pursuit of
is openheartedness and sin- being open to your wis-
glemindedness—our heart and dom and your working
mind equally devoted to the in our lives. In your name
God of infinite wisdom. we hope. Amen.
Luke 19:45-48 SUNDAY, MARCH 25

WORDS
All the people hung on his words.
 —Luke 19:48

On Palm Sunday Jesus entered 4:15)? Is what I say “helpful for

Jerusalem to the shouts of the building others up according to
crowd, celebrating him as their their needs” (Ephesians 4:29)?
promised King. On Monday Does my “gentle answer” turn
and Tuesday he taught in the away wrath—or does my “harsh
temple, frustrating the religious word” stir up anger (Proverbs
leaders, who wanted to kill him 15:1)?
but were unable to “because all
Our silent and gracious Savior
the people hung on his words.”
took our sins on himself, and we
Within five days he hung on the are healed by his saving work,
cross because of their words. in which he declared once for
By that time the people didn’t all, “It is finished.” May we be
want him anymore. “The whole finished with words that hurt,
crowd shouted, ‘Away with this and may we give our tongues
man!’ . . . They kept shouting, to words that heal.
‘Crucify him! Crucify him!’ . . .
Lent is a good time to review
With loud shouts they insistent-
how we use our tongues, and in
ly demanded that he be cruci-
our reviewing, to repent.
fied, and their shouts prevailed”
(Luke 23:18-23).
Jesus, as we approach the
My words also bear respon- week of your passion,
sibility for Jesus’ death. Have speak to our hearts about
my conversations always been what our mouths speak to
“full of grace” (Colossians 4:6)? others. In your name we
Am I consistently “speaking hope. Amen.
the truth in love” (Ephesians
Mark 12:28-34 MONDAY, MARCH 26

LOVING GOD
“Love the Lord your God . . . .”
—Mark 12:30

Jesus taught that loving God is think God has wronged us? Do
the greatest commandment, we delight secretly in evil that
and that the second greatest breaks God’s heart? Or do we
command is to love our neigh- trust, hope, and persevere in do-
bor as ourself. ing what is right, to honor God?
(See 1 Corinthians 13:4-7.)
Then one of the greatest ques-
tions must be “What is love?” How much we have to grow
In 1 Corinthians 13 we find a in love! Remember, though,
beautiful answer. Paul’s words that God first loved us. He is
in that chapter guide our under- infinitely patient and eternally
standing of love on the basis of kind. And God’s love “never
God’s love for us. And we can fails” (1 Cor­inthians 13:8).
apply that to our love for God
Lent is a good time to examine
as well as for our neighbor.
our love—for God as well as
Are we ever impatient with others—and to thank God for
God? Are we unkind to God? his love.
Do we envy God in any way?
Are we ever boastful, taking
credit for what God enables us
to do? Lord, we confess that we
Are we rude to God? Are we often fall short of showing
self-seeking, forgetting to love your love—to you as well
God first? Are we easily an- as others. Forgive us, and
gered by God? Do we keep a help us to love the way
mental record of the ways we you do. Amen.
Luke 9:28-36 TUESDAY, MARCH 27

THE TOWEL
[Jesus] wrapped a towel around his waist . . . . and began to wash
his disciples’ feet. —John 13:4-5

When Jesus was transfigured, ed to show his disciples that life

Peter wanted to build three in the kingdom of God is about
shelters. Luke comments, “He humbly serving others.
did not know what he was say-
“I have set you an example,”
ing.” Though the disciples spent
Jesus says (John 13:15). Shall
time with Jesus, witnessed many
we follow it?
miracles, and heard his amaz-
ing teaching, they often did not Serving others in Jesus’ name
grasp what it meant to follow can be uncomfortable, hum-
him. Later in that same chapter, bling, and even painful. It can
for example, Luke writes, “They be costly. Bringing glory to God
did not understand” (9:45). can be inglorious to ourselves.
Will we “throw in the towel” or
Humanly speaking, Jesus would
use the resources we have to
have had good reason to impa-
serve others? To serve God?
tiently “throw in the towel” as
he worked with these disciples. Lent is a good time to lay down
Throughout his entire teaching our pride and serve others for
and preaching ministry they Jesus’ sake.
often showed that they had
barely learned anything.
But it’s a cynic who throws in Jesus, humble us with
the towel, not a servant. your humility and move
The Savior, on the night before us with your servanthood.
his death, wrapped a towel In your name we hope.
around his waist and proceed- Amen.
Luke 22:17-23 WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28

FRAGMENTS
He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them.
 —Luke 22:19

We often have a 1,000-piece Next week the Christian world

puzzle spread out on our coun- will remember the broken-
ter. Our artistry is minimal, but ness that brought Jesus to the
our patience is long, and our cross, so that we could be freed
reward is beautiful. from our wretched slavery to
sin (John 8:34-36). “This is my
I read of a fine cathedral win-
body given for you,” he said;
dow that was fashioned out of
“this . . . is . . . my blood . . .
discarded glass fragments. The
poured out for you.”
stained-glass artist had greater
skill and worked harder than Jesus’ followers will break bread
we do, but the principle is the into fragments and call it “cel-
same—turning fragments into ebration.” And yet that will
beauty. help “bring unity to all things
in heaven and on earth under
The Bible mirrors the continu-
Christ” (Ephesians 1:10).
ous fragmentation of life and
relationships—Adam and Eve, Lent is a good time to mourn
Cain and Abel, Noah and his our brokenness and find our
sons, Abraham and Lot, Sarah wholeness in Christ.
and Hagar, Jacob and Esau,
Joseph and his brothers (all
these in Genesis!), and then
Jesus, as we approach the
Miriam and Moses, David and
week of your passion,
Absalom, Jew and Gentile, and
even Paul and Barnabas.
unite us and bind us to-
gether in yourself. In your
name we hope. Amen.
Psalm 56 THURSDAY, MARCH 29

WATCHING HIS STEPS

They conspire, they lurk, they watch my steps, hoping to take my
life. —Psalm 56:6

David lamented that his ene­ When we weep for him, he

mies were constantly conspir- will say, “Do not weep for me”
ing, lurking, and watching his (Luke 23:28). And we will be
steps, hoping to take his life. comforted, for each of his steps
brought our salvation closer.
In the coming week Christians
Our hope will be strengthened,
around the world will watch the
for he whose steps we watch is
steps of Jesus, many of which
always watching our steps. He
were watched gleefully by his
whose foot slipped under his
enemies. From Bethany, to the
cross will not let our feet slip
upper room, to the garden, to
(Psalm 121:3). He who suf-
the house of the high priest,
fered great harm at the willing
to Pilate the governor, to King
hands of people blinded by sin
Herod’s palace, to the city gates,
will keep us from eternal harm.
to Golgotha—we will watch his
Nothing can snatch us out of
steps. (See Matt. 26-27; Luke
his hand (John 10:28-29).
22-23.)
Lent is a good time to say with the
Some would say that Jesus was
psalmist, “I put my trust in you,
hounded every step of the way.
‘God, whose word I praise.’”
Isaiah says he was led, taken
away, cut off, assigned a grave.
But the prophet also says, “It Jesus, as we approach the
was the Lord’s will to crush him week of your passion, keep
and cause him to suffer” (see us watching and walking in
Isaiah 53:7-10). your steps. In your name
we hope, Amen.
Luke 23:35-39 FRIDAY, MARCH 30

SCORNING SCORN
I endure scorn for your sake . . . .
 —Psalm 69:7

Several psalms describe the tion. “For the joy set before him
scorn Jesus endured at his death. he endured the cross, scorning
Psalm 22:6: “I am. . . scorned by its shame, and sat down at the
everyone, despised by the peo- right hand of the throne of God.
ple.” Psalm 69:20: “Scorn has Consider him who endured
broken my heart.” Psalm 89:41: such opposition from sinners”
“He has become the scorn of (Hebrews 12:2-3). Jesus died as
his neighbors.” Psalm 109:25: our substitute, the atonement
“I am an object of scorn to my for all the times we scorned
accusers.” him by ignoring, opposing, and
rejecting him.
The gospels bear out those pre-
dictions. “The men who were Lent is a good time to confess
guarding Jesus began mocking our scorn and thank Jesus for
. . . him” (Luke 22:63). “Herod scorning the scorn heaped on
and his soldiers ridiculed and him.
mocked him” (23:11). “The
rulers even sneered at him. . . .
One of the criminals who hung
there hurled insults at him” Jesus, as we approach the
(Luke 23:35, 39). week of your passion, we
fix our eyes on you, and
Scorn wounds, scars, and even our hearts stir with grati-
kills. But in this case it also saved. tude that you endured
David, prophesying about Jesus, such scorn on our behalf.
wrote, “I endure scorn for your In your name we hope.
sake.” Jesus endured scorn for Amen.
the sake of God’s plan of salva-
Hebrews 7:23-28 SATURDAY, MARCH 31

ALL-SUFFICIENT SAVIOR
He is able to save completely those who come to God through
him. —Hebrews 7:25

As the month of March closes pure.” He is a “holy” Savior—

today and we anticipate the “set apart from sinners.” He is
week of Jesus’ suffering next an ascended Savior—“exalted
week, let’s look through today’s above the heavens.”
reading from Hebrews one
Jesus’ atoning work is finished—
phrase at a time. Here is what
“he does not need to offer sac-
we read about Jesus.
rifices day after day . . . he sacri-
Though “there have been ficed for [our] sins once for all.”
many . . . priests,” Jesus is the And he is a willing Savior—“he
one Savior. He is the living, offered himself.”
eternal Savior, for he “lives for-
Again, Jesus is the only Savior
ever.” Jesus is the permanent
(John 14:6). And we may call
Savior—“he has a permanent
him “our Savior.”
priesthood.”
Lent is a good time to meditate
Jesus is a complete Savior—“he
deeply on our one, all-sufficient
is able to save completely.”
Savior.
He is a welcoming Savior—he
saves “those who come to God
through him.” He is an unfail- Lord Jesus, as we ap-
ing, praying Savior—“he always proach the week of your
lives to intercede” for us. passion, we who are all-
Jesus is a fitting Savior—he “tru- deficient, adore you, our
ly meets our need.” He is a righ- all-sufficient Savior. In
teous, unimpeachable, unblem- your name we hope for-
ished Savior—he is “blame­less, ever. Amen.
this month
Following the Crucified and Risen Lord
John Van Schepen

Palm Sunday. Good Friday. Easter. These are very important days
in the life of the Christian church and for individual Christians. On
Palm Sunday we see Jesus on the move to Jerusalem. The crowds
are following him. However, by the end of the week Jesus has died
on the cross. It looks like the journey is over. But Easter changes
everything—Christ is risen!
Our call today is to continue the celebration and joy of Easter as
we follow our risen Savior and Lord. It is our prayer that as we look
to a variety of Scripture passages this month, we will learn from
Jesus what it means to follow him today.

Dr. John Van Schepen pastors a church in Lynden, Washington. He

has also served churches in Wisconsin, Indiana, Oregon, and California.
He and his wife, Willie, have been blessed with five children and eight
grandchildren.
Matthew 21:1-11 SUNDAY, APRIL 1

A KING ON A DONKEY?
“See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey. . . .”
 —Matthew 21:5

The picture would have been maintain a good Christian con-

perfect if Jesus had been riding fession while trying to avoid the
a white horse, used in those cross. But Jesus, the King who
days by warrior kings to symbol- rode on a donkey, calls us to
ize power and victory. But Jesus examine our walk with him as
rode a donkey. Why? we come to the cross this Friday.
Dig deep and ask, “Am I just go-
Long ago, the prophet Zechariah
ing along for the ride? If I have
had said the Messiah would come
to decide between God and my
in righteousness, riding on a don-
job, my reputation, or something
key, a symbol of humility and
else in my life—will I also change
peace (Zechariah 9:9). Though
my tune?”
the people saw Jesus fulfilling
this prophecy as their Messiah Palm Sunday is about King Jesus
(see also Psalm 118:25-26), they riding to the cross in total obedi-
expected him to announce war ence to his Father. His grace and
against their Roman oppressors. peace come by way of the cross.
But he didn’t. Perhaps that’s why Will you receive him?
the chanting crowds changed
their tune from “Hosanna” to
“Crucify him!” five days later (see
Matthew 27:22-23).
Lord, may we willingly
Things haven’t changed much, obey you and joyfully
have they? People are still will- follow you, the King of
ing to rally around the banner of kings, in whose name we
Christ if it goes along with their pray. Amen.
own interests. We also desire to
Mark 14:1-9 MONDAY, APRIL 2

A Lavish GiFT
“She has done a beautiful thing to me. . . . What she has done will
also be told, in memory of her.” —Mark 14:6, 9

Simon the Leper, who had the Lord. Though she might not
probably been healed by Jesus, have known Jesus would soon
was having a dinner party for die, he said, ‘She poured per-
Jesus, his disciples, and some fume on my body beforehand
friends. to prepare for my burial.”
A woman slipped in and stood What if we were totally broken
behind Jesus. No one noticed open for Jesus and we poured
her until she poured a bottle of out our love extravagantly in
perfume on his head. our community? What must
we lay aside so that a new
Nearly everyone was shocked.
freshness to love others can
Unbelievable! Smell it! It’s the
come into our lives? We may
real thing! It must have cost a
say, “Tomorrow I will go to my
year’s wages!
neighbor; tomorrow I will be
We are not told whether she kind to my enemies.”
was old or young, rich or poor,
Will you give lavishly of your
married or single. It makes no
love for Jesus in this broken
difference. Jesus said, “She has
world? It’s a beautiful thing.
done a beautiful thing to me.”
Why did she do it? If she was Dear Lord, it’s easy to say
looking for the praise of the we love you but hard to
crowd, she didn’t receive that. pour ourselves out for
Nor does the Bible suggest she others. Thank you for this
was trying to win favors from beautiful example. In your
Jesus. This beautiful thing was an
name we pray. Amen.
act of pure love and devotion to
2 Corinthians 2:14-17 TUESDAY, APRIL 3

FRAGRANCE
A woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume.
 —Mark 14:3

When someone wears a strong ter we have left a room, people

fragrance, it can be quite notice- will say, “A Christ follower was
able. Some may find it pleasant, here.”
but others may find it offensive.
“Who is equal to such a task?”
Paul intends for us to be aware asks Paul.
that our “fragrance” as follow-
Let’s thank God that our situa-
ers of Jesus Christ ought to be
tion is not hopeless. He “always
noticeable to those with whom
leads us . . . in Christ’s triumphal
we come into contact. In fact,
procession and uses us to spread
our aroma as Christ-followers
the aroma of the knowledge of
should be so obvious that no
him everywhere.”
one even needs to ask, “Are you
a Christian?” Stay focused on following in his
footsteps. Then people will sense
Further, says Paul, the aroma of
his presence wherever you go.
Christ can be so powerful that
Thanks be to God, indeed!
it makes a life and death dif-
ference to people. That’s more
than a subtle distinction.
Thank you, Lord, that in
Sad to say, we must confess that
Christ you cleanse us of
often our aroma is not pleasant.
the stink of sin and make
Too often foul language comes
from our mouths, we have a
us like a sweet-smelling
foul temper, or people avoid us aroma. There is victory in
because we are in a foul mood. Jesus, in whose name we
May our heart’s desire be that af- pray. Amen.
Mark 14:1-11 WEDNESDAY, APRIL 4

SPOILSPORT
Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went to the chief priests to betray
Jesus to them. —Mark 14:10

Some people were looking Judas probably tried to justify

for a way to get rid of Jesus, his actions when he betrayed
fearing that if he became king Jesus. But the truth is that no
they would lose their power excuse we give for our actions
and prestige (see John 11:48). can justify us. If we hold on to
They needed the right time and our excuses or keep trying to
the right person to betray him. justify ourselves, we betray or
They were delighted to have deny Jesus. Only the grace of
Judas Iscariot, one of Jesus’ clos- God through the cross of Christ
est followers, come forward to can blot out our sins.
betray him.
Today God is inviting us to his
Like the religious leaders, we party. Come and receive the
too dislike others who rock our joy of being right with God be-
boat or undermine our status. cause of what Jesus has done
Like Judas, we too betray the for us.
lordship of Jesus in subtle ways
and try to sugarcoat our actions
with nice-sounding words.
“It’s not my fault,” says the angry
child; “he hit me first.” “Don’t Dear Lord, forgive us for
blame me,” says the teenager; the many subtle ways we
“my parents are poor examples.” commit the sin of betray-
“It might look like cutting cor- ing you. Thank you for
ners,” we say to our co-worker, the grace that is greater
“but it’s just business.” than all our sin. Amen.
John 13:1–17, 31-35 THURSDAY, APRIL 5

JESUS’ NEW COMMAND

“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love
one another.” —John 13:35

Jesus and his disciples were eat- “A new command I give you:
ing the Passover meal: lamb, Love one another. As I have
bitter herbs, and unleavened loved you, so you must love
bread. As they shared this time one another.”
together, only Jesus knew this
Today is Maundy Thursday.
would be his last night with
The name comes from the
his followers. Only he knew
Latin word “mandatum,” mean-
he would soon be arrested and
ing “command.” On this night
killed.
Jesus gave his disciples the “new
Suddenly Jesus got up, wrapped command” to love one another
a towel around his waist, poured as servants.
water into a basin and began
Is that difficult? Absolutely!
washing his disciples’ feet: their
rough heels, hammertoes, bun- But Jesus said, “By this everyone
ions, and blisters. We read only will know that you are my dis-
of Peter’s stuttering objections, ciples, if you love one another.”
but no doubt all the disciples
were confused as Jesus per-
formed this servant work.
Dear Teacher, you came
Setting aside the basin of dirty to earth and became an
water, Jesus returned to his example for us. Through
place at the table. Then he ex- your words and deeds
plained, “Now that I, your Lord come wisdom. Grant us
and Teacher, have washed your the wisdom to be who
feet, you also should wash one
you call us to be. Amen.
another’s feet.” Later he added,
John 19:28-37 FRIDAY, APRIL 6

“IT IS FINISHED”
When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.”
—John 19:30

“Are you finished with your isfaction of having completed

chores yet?” a mother asks her his life’s purpose. He came to
teenager. Parents know their seek and save the lost, and he
children are pulled in many di- accomplished everything need-
rections by their friends, jobs, ed for our redemption. Jesus
sports, and other activities. meant it when he said, “It is
Following through on chores finished.” He made forgiveness
while we’re young can help us and eternal life a reality for all
learn to meet goals and com- who trust in him. “There is no
plete important tasks in life. other name under heaven . . .
by which we must be saved”
Often as adults, though, we
(Acts 4:12). That’s why today is
may find that we have regrets.
Good Friday.
Middle-aged parents may wish
they’d spent more time with As you look to the cross today,
their children. People who be- be sure to receive him as your
come crippled by disease may Lord and Savior. And if you
wish they’d spent less time have received him, love him
building a career and more time with your whole being every
traveling with friends and build- day. Make today a great day as
ing relationships. But some diffi- you joyfully serve the Lord!
culties can’t be avoided. Life has
struggles and setbacks. Still, we
do well to make the most of the Lord Jesus, thank you for
opportunities we have each day. this Good Friday, for mak-
ing our salvation possible.
Jesus, the Son of God, died Hallelujah! Amen.
one day long ago with the sat-
Mark 15:42-47 SATURDAY, APRIL 7

FOLLOWING BOLDLY
Joseph . . . who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, went
boldly to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. —Mark 15:43

Funerals are sad times. Often hands and said, “I did what I
our grief is made greater by could,” and gone on with life.
our regrets. “Why didn’t I make
But Joseph resolved to do
that phone call to Dad?” “Why
more. He “went boldly to Pilate
didn’t I tell Mom more often
and asked for Jesus’ body.” He
that I loved her?”
sought permission to bury Jesus,
Today’s Scripture verses that and he buried him in the grave
describe Jesus’ burial are impor- he had prepared for himself
tant because they are solid evi- (Matthew 27:60).
dence that Jesus truly died. He
Dear friends, it is true that Jesus
was neither unconscious nor in
died, but it is also true that he
a coma. Both the centurion and
rose again. It’s not too late to
Pilate would want proof positive
come boldly to Jesus and trust
that he was dead. Our salvation
him as the only one who can
rests on this. “Christ . . . suffered
remove your sins and give you
once for sins, the righteous for
new life. Follow the living Lord,
the unrighteous, to bring you to
and make every day the best
God. He was put to death . . .”
day of your life.
(1 Peter 3:18).
Joseph was a prominent mem- Lord, even as we stand in
ber of the religious leaders’ the shadow of the cross,
council who had not consented we already rejoice in the
to their decision to have Jesus hope that today can be
crucified (Luke 23:50-51). the best day of our life.
But the deed was done. Many Thanks be to God! Amen.
would have thrown up their
Romans 6:1-7, 23 SUNDAY, APRIL 8

FREEDOM
Just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the
Father, we too may live a new life. —Romans 6:4

My wife and I traveled to After months in a prison dur-

Greece to retrace the foot- ing World War II, Joe Moser
steps of the apostle Paul. Near recalled how a tank roared to-
Philippi our guide pointed out ward the main gate and tore
a tumulus—a burial mound dis- through barbed wire on the
guised to look like a hill. After day of his liberation. He writes,
years of effort the archaeologist “There was a stunned moment
Manolis Andronikos discovered . . . then a roar went up from the
the tumulus of Phillip II, ruler camp that rolled through the
of Macedon in that region from acres down the narrow muddy
360-336 B.C. As he held the corridor.” Only those who have
golden chest containing the been set free can know that roar
bones of that famous king, he of relief, joy, and exhilaration.
said, “I can hardly believe it!”
On this Easter Day let the roar
You could spend ten lifetimes of freedom fill your heart and
trying to find Jesus’ bones, but home and all the corridors of
you would never succeed. Jesus your community. Let it wash
was crucified and buried, but over the sin and brokenness of
he did not stay in the grave. life with healing and restoration.
He arose! By his resurrection Christ the Lord is risen!
he frees us from the guilt of
sin and even from the power
of death. Jesus said, “If the Son Lord Jesus, may the joy
sets you free, you will be free we have received through
indeed” (John 8:36). your gift of free life be
evident to all! Amen.
Mark 16:1-8 MONDAY, APRIL 9

HE IS RISEN INDEED
“He has risen! He is not here.”
—Mark 16:6

Soon after that first resurrection Galilee. There you will see him,
day followers of Jesus began just as he told you.’”
greeting one another by say-
Today, in all the world, Jesus the
ing, “Christ is risen; he is risen
living Lord is on the move: in
indeed!” The whole message
our churches and in our schools,
of the gospel can be summed
in our workplaces and our mar-
up in these few words: “Jesus is
ketplaces. We are called to fol-
risen!”
low in his footsteps, bringing
The world is filled with religions the good news of Jesus’ victory
built on various philosophies over sin, death, and destruction
or personalities. But only the in our words and by our ac-
Christian faith claims its found- tions. We have been given the
er was raised from the dead privilege of telling others so that
and is alive today. “He is not they may know Jesus, the risen
here. See the place where they Savior of the world.
laid him.” This is the heartbeat
of the good news.
The cross and the grave are not
the end! Following Jesus is not a Lord, thank you that
dead-end street. The angel seat- you not only rose from
ed at the tomb not only invited the grave but are on the
the women to see the empty move, changing the world
tomb. He also gave instructions as you go. May we follow
for a new way into the future. you, our living Lord, with
“Go, tell his disciples and Peter, joy and courage. Amen.
‘He is going ahead of you into
John 20:11-18 TUESDAY, APRIL 10

WHY ARE YOU CRYING?

They asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?”
—John 20:13

There’s a lot of crying in the were opened to his life-giving

world today. On the Internet, presence.
I searched “songs about crying”
Do you think all your dreams
and got thousands of results.
and past efforts have been bur-
That’s a lot of tears! Tears over
ied by your losses or by the hurts
lost love, or over loved ones
and injustices heaped on you?
who have died. Tears of regret.
Whoever you are, Jesus knows
Tears of pain. Right now many
your name (see John 10:3-4).
who are reading these words
have eyes filled with tears. When we respond to his gentle
call and trust him as Savior, we
I have heard people say, “Big
have this life-giving hope: one
boys don’t cry.” The truth is
day God will wipe away every
they do—and so do big girls.
tear from our eyes; “there will
There is nothing wrong with
be no more death or mourning
crying. Even Jesus cried (see
or crying or pain” (Revelation
John 11:35). The question is,
21:4).
“Amid tears, how can we have
hope to carry on?”
Loving Lord, thank you
The angels did not tell Mary, for understanding us
“Don’t cry.” They asked her, when our eyes fill with
“Why are you crying?” Blinded tears. Thank you for call-
by her sorrow, Mary did not ing us by name. May our
recognize Jesus; not even the eyes be opened to your
sound of his voice awakened
life-giving presence. In
her hope. Then he called her
your name, Amen.
name, “Mary,” and her eyes
John 20:19-23 WEDNESDAY, APRIL 11

HIS PRESENCE AND HIS PEACE

Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with
you!” —John 20:19

Let’s say your high school team Young man, Mom, Grandpa,
just lost the state championship. never forget it! He is not dead.
All the players stare at the floor, He is alive, and he is here. As
thinking about what they could Betsy Ten Boom said from inside
have done differently. For a mo- a prison, “There is no pit so deep
ment you think you will never but God’s love is deeper still.”
get over it.
Jesus also gives his peace. To
That night in Jerusalem was the disciples he said, “Peace be
much worse. Black clouds of with you.” If we look back on
failure filled the room. How our lives, we see the footprints
could the disciples succeed at of sin. But because of the cross,
anything now? our shame, guilt, and failure
are gone. The risen Lord offers
We can sum up the solution in
you his peace: “Do not let your
two words: “Jesus came.” And
hearts be troubled. . . . I am the
Jesus didn’t come empty-hand-
way and the truth and the life”
ed. He brought with him some
(John 14:1, 6).
very significant gifts—and these
are for us also.
Risen Lord Jesus, thank
First of all, Jesus gave the gift of
his presence. “The disciples were
you for being with us
overjoyed when they saw the ­every moment and for of-
Lord.” Jesus was right there with fering us your peace. May
them! His word is true that says, our lives today be filled to
“Never will I leave you; never will overflowing with joy be-
I forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5). cause of you. Amen.
John 20:21-23, 28-29 THURSDAY, APRIL 12

HIS POWER AND A NEW PURPOSE

“Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
—John 19:29

We return today to the disciples c­ ontrol” (Galatians 5:22-23) as

who were “overjoyed when we live in his service.
they saw the Lord” on the eve-
Jesus gives us a new purpose.
ning of the first Easter (John
“As the Father has sent me, I am
20:20).
sending you.” Jesus sends us out
Jesus gave his followers his into the world with his authority
power. He breathed on them, and with his message of healing
saying, “Receive the Holy and renewal. He sends you and
Spirit.” The same creating Spirit me into the world to minister to
who shaped the world at the its needs with our love.
beginning of time is now given
Jesus is alive, and he desires to
to Jesus’ disciples. The Spirit
pour out his gifts on the world.
enabled them to say, “I can do
Believe it, and be overjoyed as
all . . . through him who gives
his followers to share the good
me strength” (Philippians 4:13).
news of Jesus with others.
That is how this motley crew of
followers went out and turned
the world upside down!
Have you ever run when you Gracious Spirit, thank you
should have stood firm? Have for coming into the world
you ever kept silent when you to live the life of Christ in
should have spoken out? God us and through us. Pour
gives his Spirit to empower out your gifts on our lives
us with “love, joy, peace, for-
so that we may minister in
bearance, kindness, goodness,
Jesus’ name. Amen.
faithfulness, gentleness and self-
John 20:1-10 FRIDAY, APRIL 13

FROM FAITH TO FAITH: PETER

Peter . . . went away, wondering to himself what had happened.
—Luke 24:12

Good Friday and Easter are Later that day, Peter and the
over. And life goes on. Maybe other disciples saw Jesus alive
you wonder, “Did Good Friday again. Can you imagine the
and Easter really happen? Does thoughts that raced through
our faith make any difference? their minds?
Is my life different because of
On another occasion, Peter and
Jesus’ resurrection?”
some others were fishing, and
When Peter and John heard that they again met the risen Lord.
the tomb was empty, they sprang Jesus asked Peter if he loved
into action. John outran Peter to him, and Peter said, “Lord, you
the tomb, but Peter was the first know all things; you know that
to go inside. The Bible describes I love you” (John 21:17).
in detail what Peter saw in the
Jesus wants us all to take him
tomb. Perhaps he wondered
seriously. Because he loved you
whether Joseph, the owner of
enough to die for you, I pray
the tomb, had decided not to
that you too will say, “Lord, you
put Jesus’ body there. Or maybe
know that I love you.”
the Jewish leaders had taken the
body somewhere else.
Luke 24 tells us that Peter “went
away, wondering to himself what Lord, sometimes we won-
had happened.” He could not der about your claims and
immediately grasp that Jesus was promises. Thank you for
alive. He needed time to sort your patience. Fill us with
things out. Perhaps you need faith in you. Amen.
time to wonder about Jesus too.
John 20:1-10 SATURDAY, APRIL 14

FROM FAITH TO FAITH: JOHN

Finally the other disciple . . . also went inside. He saw and be-
lieved. —John 20:8

John had outrun Peter to the forget that just three years earli-
tomb. As he stopped at the en- er they had been called to leave
tryway, Peter went past him into their fishing boats and follow
the tomb. When John finally did Jesus (Luke 5). They had very
go inside, “he saw and believed.” little education and were ordi-
Unlike Peter, who wasn’t sure nary, hardworking people like
what had happened, John was most of us.
sure: he believed.
Today I encourage you to take
Both Peter and John had been the first step of faith; believe
among Jesus’ closest disciples. that Jesus has truly risen from
Both had heard the report of the dead and sealed your salva-
the women that first Easter tion. Know that his Spirit will
morning (Luke 24:10). Both deepen your faith as you seek
saw that the tomb was empty. him with all your heart. Then
And yet they had different reac- the day will come when you
tions. Peter went away wonder- too will say, “Lord . . . you know
ing what had happened (Luke that I love you” (John 21:17).
24:12), while John recalled
what Jesus had said, and be-
Thank you, Lord, for the
lieved (18:31-33; 24:7-8).
leeway you give us as our
Note, however, that the Bible faith develops. May we be
says, “They still did not under- equally gracious to one
stand from Scripture that Jesus another as we struggle
had to rise from the dead.” Both with questions while we
Peter and John had a long way follow you. Amen.
to go in their faith. We quickly
Luke 24:13-35 SUNDAY, APRIL 15

FROM FAITH TO FAITH: THE EMMAUS ROAD

He explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concern-
ing himself. —Luke 24:27

Two people trudged from as they shared the story about

Jerusalem to Emmaus. One was Jesus’ death. They “had hoped
Cleopas; the other is unnamed. that he was the one who was
They had heard the reports of going to redeem Israel.”
Jesus’ resurrection but were
Then, beginning with Moses,
skeptical.
Jesus interpreted the Scriptures
Can you identify with their be- to them. He gently pried open
ing downhearted? Have you their expectations with his
hoped Jesus would fix your words. Their eyes were opened,
problems, but perhaps the mir- and they believed Jesus was the
acle you prayed for didn’t hap- risen Lord who offered them
pen? Don’t lose heart; Jesus is new life.
near (Philippians 4:5).
Today, whether you may be
Jesus joined the two travelers, doubting or firm in faith, open
though they didn’t recognize him. God’s Word and let the Holy
“What are you discussing?” he Spirit fire you up for a life of joy
asked. Cleopas replied, in effect, in Jesus, the risen Lord.
“You’re coming from Jerusalem
and you don’t know what has
happened these past few days?” Thank you, Lord, for giv-
I wonder if Jesus smiled or stifled ing us your Word in the
a chuckle, since he alone knew Bible. As we read it, open
what had really happened. our hearts so that our trust
“What things?” asked Jesus. in you will be renewed
Then it all came tumbling out, daily. Amen.
John 21:1-23 MONDAY, APRIL 16

“FOLLOW ME!”
The disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!”
 —John 21:7

It’s Monday, and the routine of day normal ways of life we are
another week has begun. You called to follow Jesus. Nothing
may be reading this before you and no one should distract us
head off to work or at the end from that pursuit.
of the day before going to bed.
How can we keep our focus on
Some of Jesus’ followers had Jesus in the normal routine of
gone from Jerusalem to Galilee life?
to meet him (Matthew 28:10).
Begin by knowing that Jesus
While waiting for Jesus there,
loves you. He made us and died
Peter decided to go fishing, and
to heal our brokenness.
the others joined him. But no
matter how hard they tried, Then turn to Jesus and say, as
they caught nothing that night. Peter did, “Lord, you know all
things; you know that I love
Jesus met them the next morn-
you” (John 21:17).
ing and reminded them of some
important life lessons. These les- Finally, trust Jesus to fill up the
sons apply to us as well. nets of your life. Let the “new
normal” in your life begin!
First, in giving them fish, Jesus
reminds us that all our abilities
are a gift from God. Second, of
Lord of our life, fill our
all the things we have in life—
nets to overflowing so that
such as our friends, family, jobs,
or possessions—nothing is as we may serve you with joy
important as our relationship as we serve those around
with Jesus. Third, in our every- us. In your name, Amen.
John 21:4-17 TUESDAY, APRIL 17

REVISITING OLD HURTS

Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me
more than these?” —John 21:15

Can you smell the aroma of I do not know what past failures
outdoor cooking as you read may be harming your present
these verses? The mention of pursuits or what unhealed hurts
burning coals with fish on the may be hindering you from fol-
fire is not a random detail. John lowing Jesus. Probing deeply into
18:18 says that Peter warmed a badly infected wound can be
himself by a fire the night he very painful, but it’s the only way
denied his Lord three times. As to begin the healing process.
the aroma wafted toward him,
Know this truth: being imper-
surely it brought back bitter
fect does not disqualify us from
memories of his past failure.
serving Jesus. That’s what his
When Jesus asked for some fish, unfailing love for us is all about.
Peter quickly rushed off to sup- Look at the scars in his hands.
ply it. Was he eager to get away He understands our hurts and
briefly, or was he trying to show knows how to heal them. Run
he could be helpful? to him and say, “Thank you,
Lord; I do love you.”
Jesus knows our past failures
can seriously impede our future
efforts and sap the daily joy Gracious Lord, thank you
from the lives of his followers. for your unfailing love.
I think Jesus was intentionally Help us to confidently
recreating the scene in order to come to you in our weak-
help Peter face his past and be ness to find healing and
renewed in his service. renewal in you. In your
name we pray. Amen.
John 10:1-6 WEDNESDAY, APRIL 18

WHOSE VOICE ARE YOU FOLLOWING?

“His sheep follow him because they know his voice.”
 —John 10:4

Internet, iPad, iPod—the “I”s a ride?” I thought it might be

certainly have it today! At the a taxi, so I kept walking with-
beach, in the department store, out looking back. Then a horn
on the college campus, every- beeped and a voice called out,
where people have listening “It’s Tuki. Don’t you recognize
devices in their ears. While both my voice?” Since I had only re-
technology and music are gifts cently become acquainted with
of God, I hope we also take Tuki, I did not quickly recognize
time to listen to the springtime his voice. But when I saw who
chatter of robins or the shrill cry it was, I gratefully accepted the
of a red-tailed hawk. ride he offered.
What we listen to makes a dif- Jesus, the good shepherd, says,
ference in our lives. Jesus is the “Listen, listen to me . . . that you
good shepherd. He laid down may live” (Isaiah 55:2-3).
his life for us on the Good
He invites you to “ride” with
Friday cross. If we are to follow
him.
Jesus and avoid imposters, we
must recognize his voice clearly Are you listening to his voice?
and quickly in every situation
we encounter. To do that, we
must spend time listening to his
Dear Lord, help me to lis-
Word in the Bible. ten closely to your voice
as I read your Word so
One day I was walking along that the pathway I follow
a road in Uganda when a car is yours and yours alone.
pulled over behind me. A In your name, Amen.
man called out, “Do you want
Matthew 8:18-22 THURSDAY, APRIL 19

WHEREVER YOU GO! REALLY?

A teacher of the law came to him and said, “Teacher, I will follow
you wherever you go.” —Matthew 8:19

Jesus’ ministry was flourishing. Could he really expect Jesus to

He had healed many people of wait for him till after a funeral?
their diseases and had driven And if his father had died, what
evil spirits out of many others. was the man doing here? Perhaps
The crowds were amazed and he thought Jesus would give him
followed him. a pat on the back for his pious
efforts. Jesus’ answer was not
Before Jesus left that day, two
unkind but straightforward. We
would-be followers came run-
must be fully committed.
ning up to him. One said, with-
out any excuses, “I will follow Jesus’ answers here boil down
you wherever you go.” The to this: Jesus alone must have
­other offered to follow as well, first place in the lives of his fol-
but said, “First let me go and lowers, everywhere and any-
bury my father.” time. On the cross he gave up
everything for us. He deserves
Jesus knew their hearts (see
the right to ask everything of
Luke 6:8). The first, a teacher of
us—and he does.
the law, was probably too ea-
ger. Maybe he figured that be-
ing with Jesus would be good Lord, forgive us for for-
for his résumé. Jesus’ answer getting about your cross
indicates that we should not ex- at times and thinking we
pect earthly gain from following can find easier ways to
him. We must count the cost. follow you. Thank you for
The second would-be follower your promise to be with
was too hesitant or just lying. us always. Amen.
Matthew 11:25-30 FRIDAY, APRIL 20

ARE YOU TIRED OUT?

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will
give you rest.” —Matthew 11:28

Whew! What a week it has How did Jesus deal with dis-
been! Exams at school, big couragement? He drew close
changes at work, scrambling to God. He praised God for his
to pay the bills—it’s no wonder goodness and grace.
people say “TGIF!”—“Thank
Jesus, whom the Bible says is
‘Goodness’ It’s Friday!”
“the exact representation of
Jesus had been busy teaching, [God’s] being” (Hebrews 1:3),
healing people, answering ques- clearly knows the pressures
tions, and mentoring his follow- and frustrations of our lives. He
ers. Yet in spite of all his efforts, invites us to come to him and
challenges remained. There learn from him, so that we too
was not enough help to get the may have rest for our souls.
work done (see Matthew 9:37).
Life is not easy, but God is good.
Even John the Baptist began
Let him lead you and give you
to have doubts about him (see
the rest you need today.
Matthew 11:3), and in those
places where Jesus had done
most of his miracles, people Lord, thank you for the
refused to repent of their sins reminder from your Word
(Matthew 11:20). that life was certainly not
always smooth sailing for
It has been said, “It’s not what you. Thank you for the re-
life throws at you; it’s how you minder to center ourselves
deal with it that makes all the on the will of God, just as
difference.” you did. May we find rest
for our souls today. Amen.
2 Thessalonians 3:6-13 SATURDAY, APRIL 21

FOLLOWING JESUS AT WORK

“The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.”
—2 Thessalonians 3:10

Children, do you know that had made (Genesis 1:28-30),

following Jesus has as much to and he showed by example the
do with your Saturday chores good rhythm of work and rest
as with going to worship on (2:2) to help us have a healthy
Sunday? Unfortunately, some- view of work.
times it is said that Christians
Do you have some chores to
are “so heavenly minded that
do? Do them without com-
they are no earthly good.” That
plaining. Thank the Lord for
happened to some Christ fol-
the opportunity to serve others
lowers in Thessalonica. They
and to glorify God by using his
became so focused on Jesus’
gifts. And tomorrow, as God
coming again that they forgot
gives you the opportunity to
their calling to be God’s people
rest, thank and praise him for
in the world every day.
the opportunity to worship him
The apostle Paul was a bi-voca- and be reenergized for the work
tional pastor who worked as a you have to do next week.
tentmaker. He was not afraid
to use himself as a role model
of a diligent worker. In effect,
Thank you, Father, for
he said, “If you are unwilling to the rhythm of work and
work, you will not eat.” rest in our lives. May we
praise you on Saturday as
This does not mean the Bible we do our chores and on
wants us to be workaholics or Sunday as we gather with
to disrespect people who can- fellow believers to wor-
not work. God told Adam and ship you. Amen.
Eve to care for the garden he
John 8:12-30 SUNDAY, APRIL 22

WALKING IN THE LIGHT

“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk
in darkness, but will have the light of life.” —John 8:12

By boldly declaring, “I am the Our lives are often muddled

light of the world,” Jesus estab- by the fear of being known or
lishes without question that he exposed, so we stay hidden in
is the very presence of God with the darkness. Jesus resists such
us. He is the light of the world, cover-ups. He floods our lives
for he and he alone knows the with the spotlight of his Word
Father. and challenges us today to for-
feit our own plans for his.
The Pharisees immediately ob-
jected to Jesus’ self-assessment The psalmist says it well: “In your
and mounted a campaign to light we see light” (Psalm 36:9).
try to ruin his reputation. First The secret of being guided by
they challenged his lineage. Jesus is to commit ourselves to
Then they twisted his words his life-giving Word. Trust him
to suggest he was suicidal. But and let his Word speak to you
if he could not be trusted, why today.
would they react so strongly to
what he said?
The saying is true, “Darkness Lord, thank you for the
does not like to be reminded by privilege many of us have
the light.” Because Jesus knew today to gather and hear
their hearts were darkened by your Word. We pray espe-
sin, he replied, “Whoever follows cially for all who are per-
me will never walk in darkness, secuted for following you.
but will have the light of life.” It Flood them with your
all comes back to the call to fol- light and love. Amen.
low Jesus, the true light giver.
Matthew 25:31-40 MONDAY, APRIL 23

“Come . . .”
The King will say to those on his right, “Come, you who are
blessed by my Father; take your inheritance.” —Matt. 25:34

There are many challenging ad- 25, for example, he calls us to

ventures to which Jesus calls us. feed the poor, show hospitality,
When the seed of God’s Word care for the sick, clothe the na-
takes root in our hearts, we ked, and visit prisoners. And he
follow its leading, inspired by says, “Whatever you did for one
God’s Spirit, and the Lord will of the least of these . . . you did
grow the fruit of his kingdom for me.”
through us (Matthew 13:23).
To follow Jesus, let’s use our
Our Lord leads us to do many time wisely with the challenges
kinds of things we would not he has given us throughout
usually do, and some of those Scripture. Then we will not only
can be uncomfortable. But hear our Lord say, “Come,” but
comfort (or lack of it) is not we will also hear the rest of his
the issue; the point is to bring words: “Take your inheritance,
God’s love to people in this the kingdom prepared for
hurting world, following Jesus’ you since the creation of the
example. world.”
Jesus came to reveal God to the
world (John 5:19-29; 14:6-21), Lord, too often we focus
showing his love and bringing on things that distract us
the good news of the kingdom
from serving you whole-
of God. Jesus’ teaching and
heartedly. Forgive us and
healing ministry is filled with
examples of showing God’s love
let us hear again your voice
and pointing the way to eternal calling, “Come.” Amen.
life, through him. In Matthew
Matthew 4:18-20; 28:16-20 TUESDAY, APRIL 24

JESUS IS CALLING: ARE WE LISTENING?

“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for
people.” —Matthew 4:19

Jesus was consistent about his bors. Fantastic! But approxi-

own calling, just as he is about mately two thirds of the world’s
the call he gives each of us: population does not follow
“Follow me,” and “make dis- Jesus. Children, young people,
ciples.” He calls us to take the and adults, will you ask God if
good news of God’s salvation he is calling you to be a mission-
to the ends of the earth (Acts ary for him? Must not we give
1:8). God’s great purpose, as the our all to enable people around
last book of the Bible indicates, the world to know him?
is that people from every tribe,
Remember, we have these radi-
nation, people, and language
cal promises from Jesus: “All au-
will one day praise him (see
thority . . . has been given to
Revelation 5:9-10; 7:9).
me.” “I am with you always, to
We are often tempted to ex- the very end of the age.” Let’s
empt ourselves from God’s be radically occupied with ways
great plan by saying, “I’m not to make his glory known at
called to be a missionary,” as if home and around the world.
that excuses us from being fish-
ers of people. Why are we will-
ing to claim God’s promise of
abundant life (John 10:10) but Lord, you never wavered
not his promise to become his from your calling, to bring
witnesses who make disciples? salvation to the whole
world. May we be faith-
Perhaps God has given you a ful as we hear your call.
heart for a ministry near your Amen.
home that blesses your neigh-
Matthew 19:27-30 WEDNESDAY, APRIL 25

WHAT’S IN IT FOR ME?

Peter answered him, “We have left everything to follow you!
What then will there be for us?” —Matthew 19:27

Following Jesus may be dif- the one who shares the cross of
ficult when we face setbacks Christ will also wear the crown.
in life: perhaps the college of Our chief reward is not material
our choice has not chosen us, possessions but a new fellowship
the economy has erased our with God’s people. Nothing can
job, or death has stolen away ever “separate us from the love
our spouse. We might begin to of God that is in Christ Jesus our
wonder, “Is it all worthwhile?” Lord” (Romans 8:39).
As Jesus entered Jerusalem, he We must willingly abandon the
knew he would soon complete trinkets of this world to discover
his God-given mission. While the infinite treasure of knowing
the disciples had been follow- him. There will be a world of
ing Jesus for three years and had surprises as God, who alone
seen him perform exceptional judges our hearts, sets things
miracles, their future was still right according to his justice
a huge puzzle. When Jesus told and righteousness. Because of
a rich young man to sell all his that, we will find that following
possessions to gain eternal life, Jesus is more than worthwhile!
Peter couldn’t hold back from
saying bluntly, “What do we get
out of following you?” Dear Lord, like the disci-
ples, we sometimes strug-
Jesus’ response indicates a special gle with following you.
place of honor for the disciples. May your Word to us to-
He reminds us of some other
day encourage us to follow
fundamentals as well. In God’s
joyfully. Amen.
economy it is always true that
Revelation 14:1-4 THURSDAY, APRIL 26

FOLLOW THE LAMB

They follow the Lamb wherever he goes.
—Revelation 14:4

Many children know the nurs- presence. Believers stand on

ery rhyme about Mary and the Mt. Zion with the Lamb, Jesus.
little lamb that followed her to Songs are sung before the
school. Well, our Bible reading throne that sound like a mix-
today is about a lamb—but not ture of rushing waters, thun-
that little lamb. It is about Jesus, der, and harp music. And the
the Lamb of God; Mary’s baby people? “They follow the Lamb
born long ago in Bethlehem. wherever he goes.”
Jesus, the Lamb of God who
Though we can’t answer many
died on a cross, was raised from
of our questions about heaven,
the dead and ascended to heav-
we know one thing for sure:
en. He is the ruling Lord who is
we will be completely devoted
coming again one day.
followers of Jesus. Now, let me
Children and adults often ask, ask, “If you have surrendered
“What will heaven be like?” your life to Jesus Christ, are you
Will there be streets paved with following him as the Lord of
gold? Will there be a sun? Will your life? Are you following in
we know each other? Will we the footsteps of the Lamb?”
keep making discoveries there?
Many books have been writ-
ten about this subject, and they Lamb of God, Lord Jesus
give a great diversity of answers. Christ, you have given
But no one really has all the your life for us. With joy
­answers. and with songs of thanks-
giving we surrender our
Our Scripture today gives a
lives to you. Amen.
rare glimpse of being in God’s
Luke 14:15-24 FRIDAY, APRIL 27

ON COMING TO THE WEDDING FEAST

“Come, for everything is now ready.”
—Luke 14:17

Last April the eyes of the banquet feast. His kingdom of-
world were on the wedding fers us the greatest gifts: full and
of Prince William of England eternal life (John 10:10).
and Katherine Middleton. One
But we must not imagine this
of the most closely guarded
great feast is like a take-out
secrets was the invitation list.
meal from a fast-food restau-
Stories abounded regarding
rant, something we might enjoy
people who felt rebuffed for
briefly while busying ourselves
not being invited.
with other things.
In our Scripture story for today,
Following Jesus calls for loyalty
the opposite is true. A man pre-
and wholehearted devotion to
pared a great banquet to which
him. Those who wish to enjoy
many guests were invited. The
it must come.
invitations went out in advance,
and firm commitments were What are you doing with Jesus’
made. invitation?
Finally the great day came, and
the servants went out with the
final announcement: “Come,
for everything is now ready.” Gracious God, search our
But in a rude affront to the host hearts, remove our excus-
at the very last moment, all the es, and enable us to accept
guests made excuses.
your offer of salvation
God invites us to participate in through Jesus today. We
his kingdom, pictured here as a pray in his name. Amen.
Matthew 16:13-28 SATURDAY, APRIL 28

FOLLOWING FAITHFULLY
“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and
take up their cross and follow me.” —Matthew 16:24

What is faith? stop to think about it. Jesus is

saying, “If you want to follow
A simple definition is that faith
me, you must be ready to be
is belief and trust in Jesus—as
crucified.”
your Savior from sin and as the
Lord over all things. In his book The Cost of
Discipleship, Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Some people describe it using
makes a similarly startling state-
the acronym FAITH: “Forsaking
ment: “When Christ calls a man,
All, I Trust Him.”
he bids him come and die.”
Many believers have memo-
Do we really believe that fol-
rized the description in Hebrews
lowing Jesus is worth giving up
11:1: “Faith is confidence in
everything else? If so, we must
what we hope for and assur-
strive to follow him faithfully.
ance about what we do not
see.”
At a crucial point in Jesus’ minis-
try, Peter declared faith in Jesus
Jesus, we confess that
as “the Messiah, the Son of the
often we are glad to call
living God.”
you Savior, but we do not
But Jesus makes clear that we always count the cost of
must also show our faith by fol- your claim on our entire
lowing him. He says, “Whoever lives. May we understand
wants to be my disciple must daily that it is in dying to
deny themselves and take up ourselves that we truly
their cross and follow me.” That live for you. Amen.
is utterly shocking, when we
Mark 6:30-32 SUNDAY, APRIL 29

TAKING A BREAK
“Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”
 —Mark 6:31

Most children are quick to let “leave it all behind” as we serve

you know that their favorite God, but there are also times
subject at school is recess. And when we need to step back and
adults may find that the daily take time alone with Jesus.
grind of going to work or pre-
A group retreat or a day of soli-
paring meals, or both, can be
tude can be a great time to hear
tiring.
him say, “Be still, and know that
We all need a break from time I am God” (Psalm 46:10).
to time.
God graciously gives us a
Jesus had sent his disciples out weekly reminder on the tradi-
on their first mission trip (Mark tional Christian day of worship,
6:7-13). No doubt they were Sunday, to come with him for
tired when they returned, yet some rest.
excited to share with him what
Make it a great day as you be-
had happened.
gin this new week.
But there was no time. More
needy people kept coming. Gracious God, thank you
Jesus had a solution: “Come
for understanding how
with me by yourselves to a qui- needy we are and for pro-
et place and get some rest.” viding a day of rest for us.
May we find a way to qui-
Following Jesus is not an easy et ourselves in your pres-
task. It calls us to self sacrifice, ence today as we prepare
humility, and even suffering. to follow you this week.
There will be times for us to Amen.
Psalm 23 MONDAY, APRIL 30

DO YOU KNOW WHERE YOU ARE?

The Lord is my Shepherd . . . . I will dwell in the house of the
Lord forever. —Psalm 23:1, 6

I read of two men who went herd’ who leads me and guides
to sleep on a houseboat. During me. In good times and in hard
the night the boat broke away times, whether facing enemies
from its moorings and drifted or seated at a table overflow-
off to sea. The first man got up ing with goodness—even in the
and looked around but could face of death—I know where I
see no land. He ran to his friend am going. Because I am follow-
and called out, “Get up quickly. ing the Lord, my shepherd, ‘I
We aren’t here anymore!” will dwell in the house of the
Lord forever.’”
I laughed when I read that story.
But it got me to thinking, “How You may not know where you
many people are there today are, but God does. He also
who don’t know where they knows that wherever we are,
are in life?” we need Jesus, the good shep-
herd—and that’s all that matters.
Perhaps difficulties in your life
Are you following him?
have made you ready to give
up. Perhaps you are so busy
that you have not taken time to Good Shepherd, may I
ask, “Where am I going?” follow you joyfully every
Psalm 23 is one of the sweetest day of my life. Thank you
portions of the Bible. It speaks that because of your love,
to us in helpful ways about revealed in Jesus Christ, I
the journey of life. David, the may “dwell in the house
psalmist, declares boldly, in of the Lord forever.”
effect, “‘The Lord is my shep- Amen.
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