Today’s Reading: Acts 1:14-2:13; Psalm 123, 125

They all met together and were constantly united in prayer, along with Mary the mother of Jesus, several other women, and the brothers of Jesus. – Acts 1:14

As the followers of Jesus anticipated what was coming, they gathered together and united themselves in prayer. 120 believers came together and spent time seeking God in prayer.

Peter recognized that there was someone missing from this body of believers. Judas had been one of them. They had spent three years doing life with their brother and they were feeling his absence, still stunned from his betrayal. But they made the choice not to wallow in self-pity or hold on to their anger. They chose to give it to God and move on.

Let his years be few; let someone else take his position. – Psalm 109:8

Peter stepped forward and suggested they fill this empty spot with someone who had been with them the whole time, from Jesus’ baptism until now. Two men were nominated and Matthias was chosen by the casting of lots to become an apostle with the other eleven (Acts 1:23-26).

Now that this business was taken care of, there was only one more thing to do – wait for the gift Jesus had promised would come.

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you.” – Acts 1:8a

Jesus promised the gift of the Holy Spirit and described the result as the receiving of power. The book of Acts describes the Spirit’s entrance as a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm and like flames or tongues of fire. The sound was so loud that it was heard across Jerusalem and everyone came running to see what was going on.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE SPIRIT’S PRESENCE IN YOUR LIFE?

On the day of Pentecost all the believers were meeting together in one place. Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability.

At that time there were devout Jews from every nation living in Jerusalem. When they heard the loud noise, everyone came running, and they were bewildered to hear their own languages being spoken by the believers.

They were completely amazed. “How can this be?” they exclaimed. “These people are all from Galilee, and yet we hear them speaking in our own native languages!…They stood there amazed and perplexed. “What can this mean?” they asked each other.

But others in the crowd ridiculed them, saying, “They’re just drunk, that’s all!” – Acts 2:1-13

LET’S GET LOUD!!!

The gift of the Holy Spirit is available for us today and could make a powerful difference in our lives and in the lives of those around us. Imagine the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives being so “loud” that people around us take notice. Imagine how God could use us if the Holy Spirit put the words in our mouths so that those to whom we are witnessing or ministering could understand the message – not our message, but His. What if His presence in our lives hit a whole NEW VOLUME!

Today would be a great day to stop and consider the Holy Spirit’s presence in our lives and to ask God for a fresh infilling of His Spirit. To sit in our “upper room” and simply breathe in His presence and ask Him to empty us of all that is who we are and fill us with all that is Him.

Heavenly Father, fill us with your Spirit today. Give us a spirit of wisdom to direct our words and our actions. Give us a spirit of compassion to lead our hearts in the direction you pull. Empty us of our own selfish desires and give us a heart that beats for only you. May we be witnesses of your power in our lives today. Amen.

Today’s Reading: Acts 1:1-13

ANOTHER CHAPTER IS COMING TO AN END

Why does it seem that life goes by fast? This morning the “memories” feature on Facebook popped on my newsfeed. No matter how busy I am, I am compelled to stop and look through those every time. I love looking to see what we were doing 1 year ago…3 years ago…7 years ago. But this feature is also a reminder that time is passing quickly and my girls are growing up.

There are so many things I miss about my girls being little but, at the same time, I am really enjoying life with three young adult daughters. I can look back and be thankful for those memories while also looking forward in anticipation of all God has for them. There is this inner conflict of wanting to keep them here by my side for the rest of their lives while also delighting in the beauty of watching them spread their wings and fly.

In the first chapter of Acts, we see the disciples at a similar point in their lives. A chapter is coming to an end and a new chapter is beginning. They have just spent 40 days with the resurrected Christ, listening and learning from Him, gaining some understanding of what His life was about, why He had to die and about what was to come. Now He is leaving them and they are caught between “straining to see him” and anticipating the gift He said He would send.

A NEW CHAPTER IS BEGINNING

In my first book I told you, Theophilus, about everything Jesus began to do and teach until the day he was taken up to heaven after giving his chosen apostles further instructions through the Holy Spirit. During the forty days after his crucifixion, he appeared to the apostles from time to time, and he proved to them in many ways that he was actually alive. And he talked to them about the Kingdom of God.

Once when he was eating with them, he commanded them, “Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the gift he promised, as I told you before. John baptized with water, but in just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit…You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

After saying this, he was taken up into a cloud while they were watching, and they could no longer see him. As they strained to see him rising into heaven, two white-robed men suddenly stood among them. “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why are you standing here staring into heaven? Jesus has been taken from you into heaven, but someday he will return from heaven in the same way you saw him go!”

Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, a distance of half a mile. When they arrived, they went to the upstairs room of the house where they were staying. – Acts 1:1-13

STRAINING TO SEE HIM AHEAD

As we wrap up another season of our lives, I pray each of us is able to take some time to look back and look forward. Let’s look back at all God has taught us, all the wonderful times mixed with all of the hard times. He has been faithful and He has been present. The evidence of His presence can be seen in a glance but, when we take the time to “strain to see him,” we recognize His hands and feet in even more ways than we initially remembered.

Then let’s look forward in anticipation of what this next year will hold for us. God has promises for each of us. “John baptized with water, but in just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” In the same way that He spoke to His disciples, Jesus is speaking to us – this is what is behind you and this is what is coming. Here are the wonderful things I have done for you, but in a few days…

Precious Father, we thank you for your Presence in our lives this year. You have been faithful and You have been generous. You have blessed us beyond our expectations and we praise You! Lord, today we sit at your feet and intentionally seek You as we near the end one chapter of our lives and begin a new one. Thank you for all you have done so far and thank You for all You plan to do for us in the future. We love you. Amen.

My heart is confident in you, O God;
my heart is confident.
No wonder I can sing your praises!
Wake up, my heart!
Wake up, O lyre and harp!
I will wake the dawn with my song.
I will thank you, Lord, among all the people.
I will sing your praises among the nations.
For your unfailing love is as high as the heavens.
Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.
Be exalted, O God, above the highest heavens.
May your glory shine over all the earth. – Psalm 57:7-11

Today’s Reading: Matthew 28:16-20; Mark 16:15-18

MAKING PLANS, CREATING LISTS AND SETTING GOALS

I am one of those people who likes to set goals, whether it is for today or this week or this month or this year. I am also a list person. I write out a list of all I need to do or want to accomplish. Because I am wired this way (as I am guessing many of you are), I already have this month pretty much planned out but I’m still working on my list of things I would like to accomplish.

There are also many things I would like to accomplish before this calendar year is over. But beyond my own heart’s desire, I find myself asking God this morning what He would like to do with the next few weeks of my life. I ask God this kind of question quite often, especially at the beginning of a new year or a new season, but sometimes even at the beginning of a new week or a new day. I give God permission to direct my ways and choose my paths. This surrender is not always easy – whatever, wherever, whenever. As I sit in this place of commitment again, I must admit I sense a familiar hesitation.

Let me reveal a little something about myself – I have a love-hate relationship with roller coasters. I love the thrill of the ride…when it’s over. As I move closer to the front of the line, I get a little more nervous. As I listen to the current riders screaming and the loud sound of the roller coaster rushing by, my heart starts to beat just a little faster (actually a lot faster). I know I am going to be safe and I know I am going to get off the roller coaster with a smile on my face, but the anticipation is nerve-wracking. I sit down, buckle up, and tighten my grip on the bars.

This is much truer when I ride a new roller coaster for the first time. I am unsure of what to expect. The ride is about to begin, zero to 70 mph in 3 seconds. The commitment has been made, seat belts fastened, but the upcoming ride is unknown and I find myself a little scared. The next two minutes of my life are now completely out of my control.

DO YOU TRUST ME? CAN I HAVE YOUR PLANS?

My natural tendency is to want to be in charge; I like being in control. But my natural pattern is to really mess things up when I try to do things of my own strength or follow my own plan. I hear God asking me this morning, “Do you trust me? Can I have your plans?” Yes, of course I trust you, Lord. Please calm my fears and help me to loosen my grip as I place my family and my list in your hands. I absolutely desire to fully commit everything to you, but the upcoming ride is still unknown and I find myself asking you to help me trust you.

Imagine how nervous the disciples were when they went to the upper room in anticipation of what was next. They had just watched Jesus ascend into Heaven. They had made the commitment to follow Him but the road ahead was unknown, the anticipation great. They did not need to ask God the question, “What would you like for me to do this year?” or “What goals would you like for me to set?” Jesus had already given them directions in His last few days with them. Now it was time to do what Jesus was asking them to do, just as it is time for us to do what God has already made clear to us.

DO WHAT GOD TOLD YOU TO DO.

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” – Acts 1:8

Goal #1 – Be a witness of Christ Jesus wherever He places me each day, a witness in my conversation, in my actions, in my attitudes.

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” – Matthew 28:18-20

Goal #2 – Go and make disciples, reach out and share the gospel with those who need Jesus, discipling them as they learn what it means to be a follower of Christ.

“Feed my lambs…Take care of my sheep…Feed my sheep…” – John 21:15-17

Goal #3 – Compassionate ministry; daily reaching out to those around me and around the world, meeting their physical needs as well as their spiritual needs.

“Peace be with you.” – John 20:19,21

Goal #4 – Don’t be afraid. Trust God with what is ahead. Rest in His care and in His plan, sit back and prepare for the ride of your life. Loosen your grip, raise your arms in the air and enjoy the ride.

Today’s Reading: John 8:21-30, 48-59; Luke 12:35-48, 13:1-5

When the Lord Jesus had finished talking with them, he was taken up into heaven and sat down in the place of honor at God’s right hand. – Mark 16:19

The disciples enjoyed their time with Jesus but, just as he had foretold, his time with them came to an end. But they were ready. They may not have felt ready, but he had been preparing them for this moment throughout his whole ministry. He told them over and over again that he would go away, and he laid out for them the importance of believing IN him in order to spend eternity WITH him.

YOU MUST BELIEVE

Once more Jesus said to them, “I am going away, and you will look for me, and you will die in your sin. Where I go, you cannot come…You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am he, you will indeed die in your sins.” – John 8:21-24

“…But unless you repent, you too will all perish.” – Luke 13:5b

YOU MUST REPENT

Believing that Jesus is the Messiah is only the first step in finding salvation. Even the demons believe in God (James 2:19). Jesus made it clear that there needs to be a change in direction — that our faith needs to be reflected in our actions. Repent of your old way of life and follow Jesus into a new way. Repent — change direction, do a 180 degree turn, stop the momentum of your bad decisions and head the other way.

What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? – James 2:14

And when an unbeliever comes to faith in God, repenting of their sins, there is much rejoicing in heaven. Jesus who is eternal, Jesus who had witnessed it firsthand, told his listeners that the angels of God celebrate when the prodigal returns home.

“I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” – Luke 15:10b

BE READY

“Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, like servants waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him. It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. Truly I tell you, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them. It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even if he comes in the middle of the night or toward daybreak. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” – Luke 12:35-40

The peace experienced at the ascension of Jesus exists when we hold tight to the promise that He will come again. So believe He is who He said He is, repent of your sins so that your faith is evidenced by your deeds, and be ready for His return.

“From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.” – Luke 12:48b

Today’s Reading: John 20:30-31; Mark 16:12-13,19-20; Luke 24:13-35, 44 -53

Jesus appeared to many people after his resurrection, including two men who were walking to a village outside of Jerusalem called Emmaus. As they walked, they discussed everything that had happened in Jerusalem. Jesus joined them in the conversation but they were so caught up their grief and dismay that they did not recognize him. He was intentionally showing up for them, but they did not see him; he chose to walk alongside them during a very difficult moment in their lives and they did not take note of his presence.

He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.

As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them.

When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” – Luke 24:25-32

I do not want to miss a moment of the presence of Jesus in my life. I pray I do not become so distracted by my own worries and grief that I forget to turn my attention to the One who gave His life for me. I want to sit at the table with Jesus and recognize His presence as we break bread together.

The disciples saw Jesus do many other miraculous signs in addition to the ones recorded in this book. But these are written so that you may continue to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing in him you will have life by the power of his name. – John 20:30-31

The miracles and conversations recorded in the gospels barely scratch the surface of all that those around Jesus would have experienced. Imagine the long conversations as they sat around an evening fire or walked from town to town. Consider how many miracles and healings the disciples would have witnessed in three years; yet these stories were recorded for a specific purpose – so that we might believe and, by believing, experience eternal life.

I love the study of the gospels because I love the main character so much! I also love what comes next because Jesus continues on as the main character, even after He has ascended back into Heaven. He continued to work THROUGH His disciples and He continues to work THROUGH us.

Do you wonder what is ahead for you? Rest in His presence and enjoy some time with Him this morning. He will lead you and work through you according to His plan.

When the Lord Jesus had finished talking with them, he was taken up into heaven and sat down in the place of honor at God’s right hand. And the disciples went everywhere and preached, and the Lord worked through them, confirming what they said by many miraculous signs. – Mark 16:19-20

Today’s Reading: John 21:1-14

John tells one more story — the story of the morning Jesus made breakfast on the beach for everyone. The day no one questioned who He was or what He was doing. They simply rested in the knowledge that he was the Lord.

Later, Jesus appeared again to the disciples beside the Sea of Galilee. This is how it happened. Several of the disciples were there – Simon Peter, Thomas (nicknamed the Twin), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and the two other disciples.

Simon Peter said, “I’m going fishing.”

“We’ll come, too,” they all said. So they went out in the boat, but they caught nothing all night. – John 21:1-3

The disciples did not know what to do with themselves. Jesus had already appeared to them twice since His resurrection but He was not with them at the time. I imagine they were kind of sitting around in silence, unsure of what to do next. Out of the awkward silence, Simon Peter stands up and declares, “I’m going fishing.” It was what they knew, what they had done before they followed Jesus and what they returned to for comfort when they were unsure of what life held for them next. It must have sounded like a good idea to the whole group because they quickly joined in and followed Peter to the boat.

But something was different this time. The men who knew fishing because they were fishermen were unable to catch any fish. What was going on? Why were the fish not biting on this early spring morning? The life that had previously been marked with familiarity and comfort now brought no results. It was no longer their life.

At dawn Jesus was standing on the beach, but the disciples couldn’t see who he was. He called out, “Fellows, caught any fish?”

“No,” they replied.

Then he said, “Throw out your net on the right-hand side of the boat, and you’ll get some!” So they did, and they couldn’t haul in the net because there were so many fish in it.

Then the disciple Jesus loved said to Peter, “It’s the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his tunic (for he had stripped for work), jumped into the water, and headed to shore. The others stayed with the boat and pulled the loaded net to the shore, for they were only about a hundred yards from shore. When they got there, they found breakfast waiting for them – fish cooking over a charcoal fire, and some bread.

“Bring some of the fish you’ve just caught,” Jesus said. So Simon Peter went aboard and dragged the net to the shore. There were 153 large fish, and yet the net hadn’t torn.

“Now come and have some breakfast!” Jesus said. None of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. Then Jesus served them the bread and the fish. This was the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples since he had been raised from the dead. – John 21:4-14

I connect with this story because I love my morning time with Jesus. He does not make me a delicious breakfast of fish and bread, but He does feed me. He faithfully shows up in my life when I am wondering – What’s next? What does my day hold and what does God want me to do today? When circumstances in my life are leaving me uncomfortable and I miss the familiarity of what I know, I can trust in my Jesus to nourish and provide for me.

Is there a situation or decision in your life that you need to bring to breakfast and give to the Lord this morning? Allow Him to fill you will His Spirit and rest in His presence before you start your day.

Today’s Reading: Luke 24:36-43; John 20:19-31

On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.

Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.” — John 20:19-23

Thomas was not with the other disciples when Jesus appeared to them. If he had been there, he would have believed. But Thomas was absent. Because he had not been fully present, he had missed an opportunity to experience the risen Savior.

The disciples told him what Jesus had said and what they had seen, but Thomas struggled to believe. He needed to see Jesus for himself — to see the nail marks in his hands and to touch the wounds where Jesus had been pierced. Thomas, still deep in his grief, needed proof in order to let go of his doubt and allow himself to believe that Jesus was alive.

Jesus appeared to Thomas, showing Him his wounds and calling him to believe. And because Thomas had not heard him say it to the other disciples, he took the time to say it again to this doubting disciple — “Peace be with you.”

Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe!”

Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”

Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” – John 20:26b-29

ARE YOU LOOKING FOR JESUS TODAY?

There are many who were raised in the church yet still struggle to believe in Jesus and His Sovereignty. Today, I ask them and I ask you the same question Jesus asked Mary and the question I challenge myself with today, “Who are you looking for?”

Jesus is ready and willing to reveal Himself to us today but we will miss it if we do not expect it – if we live today without expectation that Jesus will personally reach out to us. Things will happen and we will call them coincidences. God’s blessings will pour out on our life and we will call ourselves “lucky”. Evidence of Jesus will be all around us and we will say, “I wish God would show Himself to me.” I don’t want to miss out on seeing God today.

We have been studying the gospels for several months now — accounts of Jesus’ life that were written so that we would believe that Jesus was the Messiah, the Son of God. It is in believing that we fully experience life in his name. Jesus’ call to Thomas to believe brings me back to one of the first verses I ever memorized and a verse we looked at towards the beginning of the book of John. It’s familiar to all of us and probably the most well-known verse in the Bible.

“For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” – John 3:16

Who are you looking for today? Will you join me in walking into our day with confidence that Jesus will reveal Himself? Will you believe? And then, when we do experience Jesus today, let’s follow the same instructions He gave Mary and pass on the message to others – “I have seen the Lord!”

Today’s Reading: Matthew 26:69-75; Mark 14:66-72, 16:14; Luke 22:54b-62, 24:12; John 18:12-27, 20:3-10, and 21:15-25

HE WAS LOOKING FOR JESUS

Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. Bending over, he saw the strips of linen lying by themselves, and he went away, wondering to himself what had happened. – Luke 24:12

What was going through Peter’s mind as he stood inside the empty tomb? Was he reminded of his denial as he walked away in bewilderment? He had come looking for Jesus but he was nowhere to be found. There was so much he wanted to say — so much he wanted to apologize for. Perhaps his mind went back to the broken promises he had made to Jesus.

Simon Peter asked, “Lord, where are you going?”
And Jesus replied, “You can’t go with me now, but you will follow me later.”
“But why can’t I come now, Lord?” he asked. “I’m ready to die for you.”
Jesus answered, “Die for me? I tell you the truth, Peter – before the rooster crows tomorrow, you will deny three times that you even know me.” – John 13:36-38

And that is exactly what happened. While Jesus was being questioned in front of the high priest, Peter was in the courtyard being asked if he was one of Jesus’ disciples. “No,” he said, “I am not” (John 18:17b). As Simon Peter stood by the fire to warm himself, he was asked again if he was a disciple of Jesus. He denied it again but someone there recognized him from the olive grove where Jesus was arrested. Again Peter denied it and immediately a rooster crowed (John 18:25-27).

I can only guess how Peter felt in that moment, but I do know what it feels like to regret something I have done or said, or to be ashamed of my lack of faith, or to miss an opportunity to represent Jesus in a situation. I know the feelings of guilt when the Holy Spirit tugs on my heart to do something and I freeze, the moment lost forever. I know all too well the feeling of realizing I have sinned and knowing I need Jesus’ forgiveness, even though I do not deserve it. Because Peter was an emotional and passionate man, I imagine he experienced all of this to a higher degree than I can comprehend.

HE NEEDED TO TALK TO JESUS.

After Jesus’ resurrection from the dead, he appeared to his disciples and said the words that must have been like salve on Peter’s wounds, “Peace be with you” (John 20:19). Yes, peace was exactly what Peter had been without for three days and exactly what he needed from Jesus.

Then he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone’s sins, they are forgiven. If you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.” – John 20:22

Peter had experienced the privilege of watching almost every moment of Jesus’ ministry – the healings, the sermons, sins forgiven, the false accusations – and yet he denied Jesus on that dreadful Friday afternoon when His Savior needed him the most. And now Jesus was giving the man who needed forgiveness the ability to forgive. Did Peter feel unworthy of this gift? Was this conversation with Jesus in response to Peter’s need for restoration?

Jesus asked Peter three questions and allowed him to individually answer each of the three questions. He gave Peter the opportunity to state his commitment to Christ three times, just as he had denied Jesus three times.

After breakfast Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”
“Yes, Lord,” Peter replied, “you know I love you.”
“Then feed my lambs,” Jesus told him.
Jesus repeated the question: “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
“Yes, Lord,” Peter said, “you know I love you.”
“Then take care of my sheep,” Jesus said.
A third time he asked him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Then feed my sheep.” – John 21:15-17

HIS FEAR WAS REPLACED WITH BOLDNESS.
HIS SHAME WAS REPLACED WITH PEACE.
HIS DENIAL WAS REPLACED WITH COMMITMENT.

Lord, you know everything. You know the moments we regret the most and yet you forgive us. Then you heal our shame by giving us opportunities to replace our denial with commitment to serve you for the rest of our life. Like Peter, we have been saved to serve. We have received your call — feed my lambs, take care of my sheep, feed my sheep. That call looks different for each one of us, just as the sheep have different faces and different needs, but you are calling all of us to care for someone in some way. Jesus, help us move beyond the feelings of unworthiness produced by our guilt and shame. Give us the boldness to proclaim our love for you and faithfully commit to your call on our life — to feed your sheep!

Today’s Reading: Matthew 27:62-66, 28:1-10; Mark 16:1-11; Luke 8:1-3, 24:1-11; John 20:1-2, 11-18

Luke tells us that there was a small group of women who often followed Jesus from town to town along with the disciples. Each had their own personal story of how Jesus had healed them of diseases or freed them from the evil spirits that were controlling their lives. They were so thankful for what Jesus had done in their lives that they gave sacrificially in order to help support the ministry of Jesus. Among these women were Mary Magdalene, Joanna the wife of the manager of Herod’s household, and Susanna (Luke 8:1-3).

At the foot of the cross, we again see a small group of women who faithfully stayed by Jesus’ side, even in his death. While others were running in fear, these women were ministering to the needs of Jesus’ mother as she watched her son suffer. Again we see Mary Magdalene, along with Jesus’ aunt and Mary the wife of Clopas.

To get a picture of how much Mary Magdalene loved and cared for Jesus, who had changed her life drastically, we can fast forward to Sunday morning. There may have been others with her that morning as she came to anoint Jesus’ body (Mary the mother of James, Salome and Joanna).

WHO WAS SHE LOOKING FOR?

Early on Sunday morning, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance. She ran and found Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved. She said, “They have taken the Lord’s body out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!” – John 20:1-2

We do not know what the other women did after they went to tell the disciples. We do know that Mary Magdalene returned to the empty tomb. We don’t know a lot about Mary and how she was treated in her community but we do know that women in general were not respected but considered possessions, having no rights of their own. If Mary had at one time been possessed by seven demons, I wonder how that affected her position among her family and community.

What reputation followed Mary? Did others treat her as a new person who had been healed by Jesus (Luke 8:2) or was she marked by her past to be forever known as the one who had been possessed? How did she see herself? If she ever struggled with feeling unloved and unimportant, I wonder if those feelings went away when Jesus chose her to be the first person He appeared to after His resurrection – even before returning to His Father. I can only imagine how this encounter with Jesus changed her life, just as our encounters with Christ are life-changing.

WHO ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?

Mary was standing outside the tomb crying, and as she wept, she stooped and looked in. She saw two white-robed angels, one sitting at the head and the other at the foot of the place where the body of Jesus had been lying. “Dear woman, why are you crying? The angels asked her.
“Because they have taken away my Lord,” she replied, “and I don’t know where they have put him.”
She turned to leave and saw someone standing there. It was Jesus, but she didn’t recognize him. “Dear woman, why are you crying?” Jesus asked her. “Who are you looking for?”
She thought he was the gardener. “Sir,” she said, “if you have taken him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will go and get him.”
“Mary!” Jesus said.
She turned to him and cried out, “Rabboni!” (which is Hebrew for “Teacher”).
“Don’t cling to me,” Jesus said, “for I haven’t yet ascended to the Father. But go find my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”
Mary Magdalene found the disciples and told them, “I have seen the Lord!” Then she gave them his message. – John 20:11-18

WHO AM I LOOKING FOR?

I find great significance in Jesus’ question to Mary and I ask myself the same thing – Who am I looking for? Am I looking for Jesus? Am I expecting Him to reveal Himself to me today? Am I expecting to hear from Him, to encounter His presence in my life today? Am I following Him today with a willingness to serve Him?

Jesus, here I am with a heart willing to experience you today. Open my eyes to the ways in which you are working in my life and in the lives of those around you. Strengthen my faith and help me to see my value in you no matter how others define me. Amen.

Today’s Reading: Matthew 27:45-61, Mark 15:33-47; Luke 23:44-56; John 19:28-42

WHAT KIND OF LOVE IS THIS THAT HE WOULD BEAR OUR SINS ON THE CROSS?

Scripture says that Jesus was nailed to the cross at 9 o’clock in the morning. At noon, darkness fell over the whole land. At about three o’clock, the time at which the Passover lamb would be sacrificed, Jesus called out in a loud voice, “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” (Matthew 27:46).

Then Jesus shouted out again, and he released his spirit. At that moment the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook, rocks split apart, and tombs opened. The bodies of many godly men and women who had died were raised from the dead. – Matthew 27:50-52

When the Roman officer who stood facing him saw how he had died, he exclaimed, “This man truly was the Son of God!” – Mark 15:39

Many walked away in deep sorrow while some stayed close by. A man named Joseph came with an order from Pilate to release Jesus’ body to Joseph. His loved ones followed as Jesus’ body was placed in the new tomb. By now it as the Sabbath so they would have to wait until Sunday morning to anoint his body.

WHAT KIND OF LOVE IS THIS THAT HE WOULD EXPOSE HIMSELF TO DEATH?

He was despised and rejected—
a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief.
We turned our backs on him and looked the other way.
He was despised, and we did not care.
Yet it was our weaknesses he carried;
it was our sorrows that weighed him down.
And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God,
a punishment for his own sins!
But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins.
He was beaten so we could be whole.
He was whipped so we could be healed.
All of us, like sheep, have strayed away.
We have left God’s paths to follow our own.
Yet the Lord laid on him the sins of us all.
He was oppressed and treated harshly,
yet he never said a word.
He was led like a lamb to the slaughter.
And as a sheep is silent before the shearers,
he did not open his mouth.
Unjustly condemned, he was led away.
No one cared that he died without descendants,
that his life was cut short in midstream.
But he was struck down
for the rebellion of my people.
He had done no wrong and had never deceived anyone.
But he was buried like a criminal;
he was put in a rich man’s grave.
But it was the Lord’s good plan to crush him
and cause him grief.
Yet when his life is made an offering for sin,
he will have many descendants.
He will enjoy a long life,
and the Lord’s good plan will prosper in his hands.
When he sees all that is accomplished by his anguish,
he will be satisfied.
And because of his experience,
my righteous servant will make it possible
for many to be counted righteous,
for he will bear all their sins.
I will give him the honors of a victorious soldier,
because he exposed himself to death.
He was counted among the rebels.
He bore the sins of many and interceded for rebels. – Isaiah 53:3-12