Tag: Easter

Easter Sunday

The Resurrection of Jesus

But very early on Sunday morning, the women went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. They found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance. So they went in, but they didn’t find the body of the Lord Jesus. As they stood there puzzled, two men suddenly appeared to them, clothed in dazzling robes. The women were terrified and bowed with their faces to the ground. Then the men asked, “Why are you looking among the dead for someone who is alive? He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead! Remember what He told you back in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be betrayed into the hands of sinful men and be crucified, and that he would rise again on the third day.” (Luke 24:1-7)

The sun had not yet risen over Jerusalem, but a soft light began to creep into the sky, announcing the dawn of a new day. Mary Magdalene, with a few other women, went to the tomb where the body of Jesus lay. Their hearts were heavy, burdened by grief. The events of the past few days replayed in their minds: the betrayal, the arrest, the crucifixion, and the burial of Jesus. As they approached the tomb, they carried spices and oils, hoping to honor the body of the One they loved. They whispered to each other, concerned about the heavy stone sealing the entrance. But their worry momentarily faded as they saw that the stone had been rolled away, revealing an empty tomb. 

“Who has taken Him?” Mary gasped, her heart pounding. The others echoed her confusion as they peered inside. The grave clothes that had wrapped Jesus were neatly folded and an unsettling mixture of hope and fear filled the air. Suddenly, two men in dazzling apparel appeared, their presence both alarming and comforting. “Why do you seek the living among the dead?” they asked, their voices echoing in the silence of the sacred place. Mary’s heart raced, caught between sorrow and the spark of something she could not yet grasp. She knew they were speaking of Jesus, but the weight of her grief clouded her understanding. “He is not here,” one of the men explained. “He has risen!”

Those words hung in the air, striking a chord deep within her as memories of Jesus flooded her heart – the miracles, the teachings, the moments of profound love and grace. She remembered Jesus saying He would rise again. Could it be true? Could He truly be alive? “Remember how He told you,” the angels said, “that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified, and rise on the third day.” In that moment, as clarity began to break through her disbelief, the heaviness in Mary’s heart lightened, replaced by the thrill of hope. This was the end by no means. Instead, this was an incredible new beginning because Jesus was alive!

Prayer: Lord, today we celebrate the resurrection of Your Son! Thank You for defeating death, hell, and the grave, We worship You on this Easter Sunday. In Jesus’ name, Amen. 

Followup Activity: Today, as you go throughout your day, greet people by saying, “He is risen!” If they look at you with a puzzled look, let them know that you are celebrating the resurrection of Jesus. If you are leading your family through this devotion, lead them to do the same.

*Image courtesy of Jonny Gios

**This devotion is a part of RENEWED, an 8-day Holy Week Devotional from Celebration Church and available at http://www.celebrationchurch.org/library

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Holy Saturday

The Guards Secure the Tomb

The next day, on the Sabbath, the leading priests and Pharisees went to see Pilate. They told him, “Sir, we remember what that deceiver once said while He was still alive: ‘After three days I will rise from the dead.’ So we request that you seal the tomb until the third day. This will prevent His disciples from coming and stealing His body and then telling everyone He was raised from the dead! If that happens, we’ll be worse off than we were at first.” Pilate replied, “Take guards and secure it the best you can.” So they sealed the tomb and posted guards to protect it. (Matthew 27:62-66)

It had been a long week. On Sunday, Jesus rode triumphantly into Jerusalem. On Monday, He cleansed the temple. On Tuesday, He debated with the Jewish leaders. On Wednesday, He was anointed by Mary, the sister of Lazarus. On Thursday, He washed His disciples’ feet at the Last Supper. On Friday, He was crucified at the place of the skull. And then came Saturday. 

On Friday, Jesus cried out, “It is finished!” But on Saturday, when His body lay still and the stone was in place over the entrance of the tomb, Jesus was silent. Sunday may be coming, but for now, everything is quiet. Even the Lord was quiet. Max Lucado writes, “He (God) made Himself heard on Friday. He tore the curtains of the temple, opened the graves of the dead, rocked the earth, blocked the sun of the sky, and sacrificed the Son of Heaven. Earth heard much of God on Friday.” However… there is “Nothing on Saturday. Jesus is silent. God is silent. Saturday is silent.” 

Because of its silence, Holy Saturday doesn’t get much attention in the life of the church. Christians often observe Maundy Thursday with foot washing, Good Friday with Communion, and Easter Sunday with an explosive celebration. Good Friday marks the day when Jesus paid the price of redemption, and Easter Sunday marks the day of His glorious resurrection, but there in between is Saturday, and on that day, He is silent. It’s in this type of silence that we often feel the sting of death the hardest and sense the deepest sadness, which, until the quiet, we’ve hidden away inside ourselves. 

Sometimes God is silent on Saturday. In life, we experience many silent Saturdays. We might even endure a week or a month or even a year of Saturdays when we’re just waiting for God to speak. In those days, we must remember that Saturday’s silence is never God’s final word. He has not abandoned us. He is hard at work in our lives for our good and for His purposes. 

Yes, it can be deathly quiet on Saturday, but Sunday is on the way.

Prayer: Lord, in times when You seem silent, help us to always remember that You have not abandoned us and that You still have wonderful plans for our lives. In Jesus’ name, Amen. 

Followup Activity: Today, write out a prayer list of those people you would like to see God transform, specific needs you would like to see Him meet, and for guidance and patience in your own life as you wait for Easter Sunday. If you are leading your family through this devotion, lead them to do the same.

*Photo courtesy of Sincerely Media

**This devotion is part of RENEWED, a Holy Week Devotional from Celebration Church in New Orleans available for free download at http://www.celebrationchurch.org/library

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Maundy Thursday

Jesus Washes His Disciples’ Feet

Scripture – He (Jesus) got up from the table, took off His robe, wrapped a towel around His waist, and poured water into a basin. Then He began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel He had around Him… After washing their feet, He put on His robe again and sat down and asked, “Do you understand what I was doing? You call Me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right, because that’s what I am. And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you… So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other.” (John 13:4-5, 12-15, 34)

Maundy Thursday. It’s a strange name for the day when the disciples had their last evening with Jesus – the day before He was arrested, beaten, and crucified. The word “maundy” comes from the Latin word “command” or “mandate.” It was on this day that Jesus commanded His disciples not to fight with Him to the death but to love one another as He had loved them. His command would lead them to a whole new way of living filled with love, unity, and forgiveness. 

Prior to speaking these words, Jesus knelt down to wash His disciples’ feet, a model of love for the disciples that they were not expecting. For the sandal-wearing disciples, foot washing was a common practice, but washing the dirt from another person’s feet was something else altogether. It was a task reserved for the lowest-ranking servants. In a household without slaves, everyone was expected to wash their own feet. And yet, Jesus willingly dropped to His knees to wash the feet of His disciples, who were probably shocked and even embarrassed by Jesus’ act of humility and service.    

The love Jesus wanted His disciples to have for one another was radical. That is why He felt the need to command them to love each other. In fact, Jesus said this type of love would be the sign that a person was truly His disciple. More than being known for its correct theology, great music, phenomenal preaching, or online platform, the church should be known as a community where love is felt by everyone.   

Prayer: Lord, on this Maundy Thursday, help us embody the love You showed in service and sacrifice. As we grow closer to You, help us grow closer to one another, all the while with kindness and compassion in our hearts. Guide us to follow Your example, and may our love reflect Your own across this world. In Jesus’ name, Amen. 

Followup Activity: In your journal or on a piece of paper, make a list of 3-5 people you find difficult to love. Then, beside each name, write a simple way you could show them love today. From your list, choose one person to whom you can show kindness today. If you are leading your family through this devotion, guide each family member to complete the same exercise.

*Photo courtesy of Agustin Fernandez

**This devotion is a part of RENEWED, a Holy Week Devotional from Celebration Church in New Orleans. This 8-Day Devotional is available for free download at http://www.celebrationchurch.org/library

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Spy Wednesday

Jesus Anointed At Bethany/Judas Agrees To Betray Jesus

Scripture – Meanwhile, Jesus was in Bethany at the home of Simon, a man who had previously had leprosy. While He was eating, a woman came in with a beautiful alabaster jar of expensive perfume and poured it over His head. The disciples were indignant when they saw this. “What a waste!” they said. “It could have been sold for a high price and the money given to the poor.”

But Jesus, aware of this, replied, “Why criticize this woman for doing such a good thing to me? You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have Me. She has poured this perfume on me to prepare my body for burial. I tell you the truth, wherever the Good News is preached throughout the world, this woman’s deed will be remembered and discussed.”

Then Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve disciples, went to the leading priests and asked, “How much will you pay me to betray Jesus to you?” And they gave him thirty pieces of silver. From that time on, Judas began looking for an opportunity to betray Jesus. (Matthew 26:6-16)

Devotional Thought: The first three days of Passion Week were awash in drama – Sunday’s triumphal entry, Monday’s temple cleansing, and Tuesday’s temple confrontations. But then Wednesday enters like the calm before the storm. But Jesus wasn’t fooled by the seemingly peaceful day. He understood that evil was lurking about in the shadows, waiting to rear its ugly head. Wednesday of Passion Week is often called “Spy Wednesday” because it’s when the dark conspiracy against Jesus takes a giant leap, when a traitor, or spy, from within strikes a deal. It is on this day that the key pieces come together in the plot for the greatest sin in all of history, the betrayal and murder of the Son of God. 

However, on this day, a great kindness was also done for Jesus. A woman, believed to be Mary, the sister of Lazarus (John 12), anoints Jesus with expensive perfume. Critical remarks arose from Judas (John 12), saying Mary’s act was wasteful when it could have been sold with the proceeds given to the poor. But Jesus sees Mary’s anointing as an act of extravagant worship, preparing Him for burial. But to Judas, this extravagant anointing is the last straw. Allowing Satan to influence him, he goes to the chief priest and agrees to betray Jesus for thirty pieces of silver. From the beginning of Jesus’ ministry, the disciples have been at His side. They’ve traveled with Him, ministered in His name, and have been His earthly companions. But now, as Judas initiates his betrayal, Jesus is reminded that His death is something He must bear alone for the redemption of the world. 

Prayer: Lord, as I remember the happenings of Spy Wednesday, help me to be like Mary, the sister of Lazarus, who worshiped You with extravagance and abandon. In Jesus’ name, Amen. 

Follow-up Activity: Pray today, asking the Lord how you might worship Him with extravagance and abandon, just like Mary, the sister of Lazarus, did. If you’re leading your family through this devotion time, pray the same thing, either individually or as a family, then discuss any responses anyone may have received from the Lord.

*Image courtesy of Francesco Alberti

**This devotion is part of RENEWED, an 8-day devotional by Celebration Church of New Orleans. The entire devotional is available (in English and Spanish) for free download at http://www.celebrationchurch.org/library

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Good Friday Service Outline – The Seven Last Words of Christ

THE SEVEN LAST WORDS OF CHRIST – 2024 GOOD FRIDAY SERVICE OUTLINE

OPENING

  • Welcome
  • Suggested Song – “The Lion and the Lamb”
  • Suggested Song – “Hallelujah For the Cross”
  • Communion
  • Song (Repeated or new)

Offering and Transition

  • Offering Intro and Prayer
  • “This is the Cross” video from Hyper Pixels Media available at this link

Transition into the Seven Last Words of Christ

INTRO: Tonight, we remember the cross. In John 3:16, when Jesus said those words, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life,” He knew the price He was going to pay in order to fulfill that scripture. So tonight, before we rush into the celebration of the resurrection part of Easter, we need to remember what Christ did for us on the cross. Until we understand the significance of Good Friday, we can’t fully appreciate Easter Sunday. So tonight, we’re going to remember the final words Jesus spoke before His death so we can gain that full appreciation. You can follow along with us in your special insert in your worship guide. 

FIRST WORD – FORGIVENESS

  • Spoken – We read in Luke 23 that the Roman soldiers took Jesus to Calvary, the place of the skull, and there they nailed Him to a cross and lifted Him up for all to see. These were strong men performing their duty, but I’m sure they weren’t concerned with being respectful to Jesus, the Son of God. But Jesus’ reaction to the soldiers was the first of His seven last words. He said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34) 
  • Prayer Activity – Jesus offered forgiveness to the very soldiers who took His life. Through His death, He offers forgiveness to us as well if we will repent of our sins. The Apostle John writes, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Take a moment and ask the Lord to remind you of sins of which you need to ask Him for forgiveness. Once they come to mind, pray and ask His forgiveness. (Give them a moment to pray, then lead them in prayer of forgiveness).

SECOND WORD – SALVATION

  • Spoken – Jesus was crucified between two thieves. One of them scoffed at Jesus, saying “So You’re the Messiah, are you? Prove it by saving Yourself – and us, too, while You’re at it. But the other criminal protested, “Don’t you fear God even when you have been sentenced to die? We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man hasn’t done anything wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into Your Kingdom.”
  • Spoken – Then Jesus said the second of His seven last words. To the repentant thief, He said, “I assure you, today you will be with Me in paradise.” (Luke 23:43)
  • PRAYER ACTIVITY – Many of us rejoice when we think about how Jesus can give us access to Heaven. However, many of us also think about those people we know who we long to be in Heaven with us. Take a few seconds and think about those people you want to see in Heaven. (Give them a moment to do so)
  • In your worship guide (or on a piece of paper), write the names of those you know who you desire to see in Heaven. (Give them a moment to do so) Now, pray for each of them. (Give them time to pray then lead in prayer, asking the Lord to draw these people to Himself so they can be with us and Him in Heaven.)

THIRD WORD – RELATIONSHIP

  • Spoken – Even as Jesus was suffering on the cross, He was concerned for the needs of others. He forgave the soldiers, offered salvation to one of the thieves, but then, He saw His mother standing beside the disciple John. He had compassion for her. 
  • Action/Spoken – The third of Jesus’ seven last words was spoken to His mother Mary and to His disciple John. To Mary, Jesus said, “Dear woman, here is your son.” And to John He said, “Here is your mother.” (John 19:26-27)
  • Action/Spoken – The Bible tells us that “From then on this disciple took her into his home.” (John 19:27). Apparently, a cherished bond developed between Mary and John, in a similar way as if John had been her son. Just as Jesus showed love for His mother and His friend, He also shows love for us by helping us establish lifelong relationships with those who will help us through this life. Take a moment and thank the Lord for the cherished friends and family He has surrounded you with. You can write their names in your insert.
  • (After a moment, lead the people in prayer, thanking God for our family/friends/church)

FOURTH WORD – DISTRESS

  • Spoken – The fourth of Jesus’ seven last words reminds us of His humanity. We read in John 19:28 – Jesus knew that His mission was now finished, and to fulfill Scripture, He said, “I am thirsty.” 
  • Action/Spoken – Jesus truly suffered during the crucifixion. He was thirsty. He felt every lash, every thorn, and every nail. He endured it all because of our sin. An older Christian song asked the question, “Does He still feel the nails every time I fail? Can He hear the crowd cry “crucify” again. Am I causing Him pain? Then I know I’ve got to change. I just can’t stand the thought of hurting Him.” 
  • Jesus went through physical distress because of our sin. Romans 5:8 says, But God demonstrates His love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” He shed His blood for You and for me. Let’s stand together. Remember this and thank Him as we sing.

SUGGESTED SONG – Thank You, Jesus, for the Blood Applied

FIFTH WORD – ABANDONMENT

  • (Direct everyone to be seated)
  • Spoken – The fifth of the seven last words of Christ is Abandonment. In the Gospel of Mark, we read At noon, darkness fell across the whole land until three o’clock. Then… Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken Me?” (Mark 15:33-34). Many of us at one time or another may have felt abandoned in one way or another. We may have felt forsaken. We may have felt like crying out to the Lord using those words of Jesus. 
  • Engagement 
    • If you would say that phrase of Jesus with me starting with “My God, My God” Say – “My God, my God, why have You forsaken Me?” 
    • Say it again – “My God, my God, why have You forsaken Me?” 
    • Say it one more time – “My God, my God, why have You forsaken Me?” 
  • Action/Spoken – Saying those words out loud helps us realize the abandonment Jesus must have felt when he was temporarily separated from His Father. Imagine Him crying out to God the Father from the cross. He must have felt so alone when “God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Corinthians 5:21)
  • PRAYER – (Lead the people in a pastoral prayer, emphasizing our thankfulness to Jesus for the abandonment He must have endured while on the cross.)

SIXTH WORD – TRIUMPH

Object Needed – Slightly torn swatch of material representing the Temple curtain before the Holy of Holies

  • Spoken – The sixth of the seven last words Jesus spoke before His death was “It is finished.” (John 19:30) Even though it is a sad moment because Jesus is about to die. A word that is synonymous with this phrase, in Jesus’ case, is Triumph. 
  • Action/Spoken (Pick up the material). This swatch of curtain material is symbolic of the curtain in the temple in Jesus’ day. It separated the people from the Holy of holies. Matthew 27:51 reports that when Jesus breathed His last, “the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom.” (Tear the material into two pieces) This symbolized the division between God and humanity being removed, signifying the completion of Jesus’ redemptive work and the direct access to God made possible through His sacrifice. 
  • Prayer – Take a moment to thank Jesus for finishing His redemptive work for us on the cross. Surrender Yourself to live in obedience to His will. (Allow them to pray silently for a moment, then lead them in prayer)

SEVENTH WORD – RELEASE

  • Spoken – Finally, Jesus said, “Into Your hands I commend my Spirit.” It is a bittersweet moment because, although it was sad because of His death, it was also said in anticipation of His Reunion with His heavenly Father. (Luke 23:46)  
  • PRAYER ACTIVITY – Jesus released His Spirit to His Heavenly Father. This is a good example for us all. We all have things we’re holding back from the Lord, things we should be releasing to Him today. Right where you are, bow your heads and ask the Lord, “Who or what do I need to release to You today? Then, pray and ask God to help you release those people or items to Him.” (Give them a moment to do this)
  • Now, in your worship guide is a separate blank sheet of paper. On it, go ahead and write out the people or things you need to release to the Lord today. As you finish, bring them to the foot of the cross, symbolizing that you are surrendering them to Him on this Good Friday. 
  • Action – (Give time for people to do this. The way it is done at each campus will need to be determined because of traffic flow and space. 
  • (Prayer of Thanksgiving transitioning to a Salvation and Rededication DECISION prayer) – (AFTER everyone has brought up their items, say a Pastor led Prayer thanking God for receiving all of these items we’ve released to Him and asking Him to help us remember as well. THEN transition into a decision time focusing on Salvation and Rededication in your own words)

CULMINATION 

  • Spoken – Jesus commending His spirit was the sweet part, but Him breathing His last was the bitter part, especially for those around Him. We look at what He went through and remember the rest of the story, but those who were with Him at the time could only understand that Jesus was dead. Their Lord, their Messiah, had departed this life. We’ve remembered the seven last words of Christ tonight. Now, let’s remember what happened next as we sing. 

Celebration Song – O Praise The Name or Forever

CLOSING 

  • Communication Cards/Giveaways
  • Share remaining Easter Service times/Challenge people to bring others

Production Notes 

  • This service was created for the 2024 Good Friday Services at Celebration Church in New Orleans. Please forgive any church specific references you might see.
  • We created an insert using the image at the top of this blog post as the entire inside of our worship guide. Kudos of Brenda Miranda from our staff for the drawing and for our marketing/communications department for working it into the service materials.
  • We used a piece of purple material to represent the curtain in the temple that was torn in two during the Sixth Word.
  • We also added a small piece of blank paper (1/4 sheet) for the exercise during the Seventh Word
  • A cross at the front is best. If a large cross is not available, a smaller version is sufficient.
  • Have a keyboardist or guitarist play behind the presentations for effect.
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Jesus Numbers – Good Friday/Easter

2000 Years Ago

1 Savior

1 Betrayal

1 Ear Restored

1 Arrest

12 Disciples Run

1 Trial

1 Whipping Post

1 Lead Tipped Whip

39 Lashes

1 Crown of Thorns

1 Cross

1 Hill

3 Nails

5 Wounds

2 Thieves

1 Robe

6 Hours

7 Sayings

1 Mourning Mother

1 Ripped Curtain 

1 Borrowed Tomb

75 lbs of myrrh and aloes

3 Days Dead

1 Stone 

1 Seal 

2 Guards

2 White Robed Angels

0 Bodies in the Tomb

*Image courtesy of Vaishakh Pillai

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Resurrection Day – Our Blessed Day of Hope

Early on Sunday morning, as the new day was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went out to visit the tomb. Suddenly there was a great earthquake! For an angel of the Lord came down from heaven, rolled aside the stone, and sat on it. His face shone like lightning, and his clothing was as white as snow. The guards shook with fear when they saw him, and they fell into a dead faint. Then the angel spoke to the women. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as He said would happen. Come, see where His body was lying. And now, go quickly and tell His disciples that He has risen from the dead, and He is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see Him there. Remember what I have told you.” The women ran quickly from the tomb. They were very frightened but also filled with great joy, and they rushed to give the disciples the angel’s message. And as they went, Jesus met them and greeted them. And they ran to Him, grasped His feet, and worshiped Him. Then Jesus said to them, “Don’t be afraid! Go tell my brothers to leave for Galilee, and they will see me there.” (Matthew 28:1-10).

Hope. We use that word a lot. We use it to express our preferences and dreams about the weather, our favorite sports team, our future vacation destinations, and what we will eat for lunch. Hope, in a typical conversation, expresses a wish or a desire while there is still uncertainty. While hope is a part of our daily vocabulary, it seems to be less often used in its biblical context. It’s been said that “Hope is the one thing that will get us through the darkest of times.”

Today we celebrate Easter, the day when Jesus rose from the dead. His resurrection brings hope to us all. The late Emil Brunner once said, “What oxygen is for the lungs, such is hope for the meaning of human life.” As the human organism is dependent on a supply of oxygen, so humanity is dependent on its supply of hope. Yet today hopelessness and despair are everywhere. Peter, who himself was given to despair following his betrayal of the Lord, writes in a triumphant note, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy hath begotten us again into a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” (1 Peter 1:3)

There is hope that mistakes and sins can be forgiven. There is hope that we can have joy, peace, assurance, and security in the midst of the despair of this age. There is hope that Jesus Christ is coming again soon – this is what is called in Scripture “the blessed hope.” There is hope that there will come a new heaven and a new earth, and that the Kingdom of God will reign and triumph. Our hope is not in our own ability, or in our goodness, or in our physical strength. Our hope is instilled in us by the resurrection of Christ.

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It’s Only Friday

At noon, darkness fell across the whole land until three o’clock. At about three o’clock, Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” which means “My God, my God, why have You abandoned Me?” Some of the bystanders misunderstood and thought He was calling for the prophet Elijah. One of them ran and filled a sponge with sour wine, holding it up to Him on a reed stick so He could drink. But the rest said, “Wait! Let’s see whether Elijah comes to save Him.” 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. They left the cemetery after Jesus’ resurrection, went into the holy city of Jerusalem, and appeared to many people.

The Roman officer and the other soldiers at the crucifixion were terrified by the earthquake and all that had happened. They said, “This man truly was the Son of God!” (Matthew 27:45-54)

Good Friday evokes different feelings from different people. Today’s devotional thought is an excerpt from a sermon by S.M. Lockridge, who was a prominent African-American preacher known for his dynamic sermons, including this one titled “It’s Friday.” 

It’s Friday. Jesus is praying. Peter’s a sleeping. Judas is betraying. But Sunday’s coming.

It’s Friday. Pilate’s struggling. The council is conspiring. The crowd is vilifying. They don’t even know that Sunday’s coming.

It’s Friday. The disciples are running like sheep without a shepherd. Mary’s crying. Peter is denying. But they don’t know that Sunday’s coming.

It’s Friday. The Romans beat my Jesus. They robed Him in scarlet. They crowned Him with thorns. But they don’t know that Sunday’s coming.

It’s Friday. See Jesus walking to Calvary. His blood dripping. His body stumbling. And His spirit’s burdened. But you see, it’s only Friday. Sunday’s coming. 

It’s Friday. The world’s winning. People are sinning. And evil’s grinning. 

It’s Friday. The soldiers nail my Savior’s hands to the cross. They nail my Savior’s feet to the cross. And then they raise Him up next to criminals. It’s Friday. But let me tell you something – Sunday’s coming. 

It’s Friday. The disciples are questioning. What has happened to their King. And the Pharisees are celebrating that their scheming has been achieved. But they don’t know it’s only Friday. Sunday’s coming.

It’s Friday. He’s hanging on the cross. Feeling forsaken by His Father. Left alone and dying. Can nobody save Him? Oh, it’s Friday. But Sunday’s coming. 

It’s Friday. The earth trembles. The sky grows dark. My King yields His spirit. It’s Friday. 

Hope is lost. Death has won. Sin has conquered and Satan’s just laughing.

It’s Friday. Jesus is buried. A soldier stands guard. And a rock is rolled into place. But it’s Friday. It is only Friday. Sunday is coming!

Prayer: Lord, don’t let me despair on this Good Friday. Help me remember that Easter Sunday is coming.

*Photo courtesy of Wesley Tingey

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Simon of Cyrene

Then they led Him away to be crucified. Along the way, they came across a man named Simon, who was from Cyrene, and the soldiers forced him to carry Jesus’ cross. And they went out to a place called Golgotha (which means “Place of the Skull”). (Matthew 27:31-32)

Jesus, weakened from the flogging, cannot make it up Golgotha’s hill. When this becomes obvious to the Roman soldiers, they command Simon of Cyrene to help Jesus. Simon bends to help and lifts the cross, places it on his own back, and looks directly at Jesus with the crown of thorns pressed into His forehead with blood streaming down His swollen face. Simon feels for the man, but can’t help but wonder, “What if they confuse us? What if they think that I’m Jesus since I’m carrying the cross and end up crucifying me?” But this doesn’t stop Simon from serving Jesus. Instead, he takes up the cross and follows Jesus to Golgotha.

But who was Simon of Cyrene? We know he was a real historical person who was there at a real historical moment in time. We know that Simon was from Cyrene, a city in North Africa, in today’s Libya. He was a foreigner, an African, but it’s not certain if he was Jew or Gentile because the name Simon was common for both Jews and Greeks. Finally, we know that Simon helped the Lord in His final moments by carrying His cross. In Luke, Simon is reported to have carried the cross behind Jesus as He walked to Golgotha. Luke is the only one of the Gospels that says Simon carried the cross behind Jesus. All the other Gospels that mention Simon simply say that he carried the cross. Could it be possible that Luke wants us to recall Luke 9:23 where Jesus said, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me.”? Jesus had challenged His disciples with this scripture, but it was Simon of Cyrene who was available in the moment to serve the Lord. Though far from bearing the weight of our sin, Simon did at least bear the weight of the wooden cross. In that moment, Simon of Cyrene is a portrait of a true disciple of Jesus.

May we all be as true and faithful as Simon of Cyrene, ready to pick up our cross and follow Jesus at a moment’s notice.

Lord, thank You for the example of Simon of Cyrene. Please help me be ready to follow You wherever You may lead.

*Photo courtesy of James and Unsplash.com

by Categories: Church and Christian Life, Uncategorized, WorshipTags: , , , , , , Leave a comment

10 Reasons You Should Go To Church

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When I was young in ministry, I used to pray Psalm 27:4 which says, “One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.”

I had no idea He would take me so literally. Since coming to Christ more than three decades ago, I’ve spent most of that time serving in churches and ministries, mostly in worship ministry.

One thing I’ve noticed during that time is that often, even the most devout Christians, for one reason or the other, fall away from attending worship services or small group meetings on a regular basis.

So, in response, here’s my list of ten reasons why people should go to church:

1. Christian Fellowship goes two ways: with God and with others. (1 John 1:3)

2. It’s one of the greatest habits (Hebrews 10:25)

3. For the opportunity to use your spiritual gifts to help others. (1 Peter 4:10)

4. Accountability. (Hebrews 13:17)

5. There are no self-sufficient Christians. (1 Corinthians 12:21)

6. To make a joyful noise unto the Lord! (Psalm 100)

7. To “devote yourself to the apostles teaching, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer.” (Acts 2:42)

8. To pray for others and to be prayed for (Matthew 18:19)

9. To express your love for God publicly (Psalm 22:22)

10. It’s what Jesus did (Luke 14:6)

There are possibly hundreds of other reasons to attend worship services and small group meetings. Any that come to your mind today? If so, leave a comment below.

P.S. If you have fallen away from church, Easter is a great time to come back. If you live in or around New Orleans, South Baton Rouge, or even if you live in Turrialba, Costa Rica, let me officially invite you to join us at Celebration Church. This year, we have 58 services across all of our campuses. Check it out at http://www.celebrationchurch.org/easter.

*photo courtesy of Unsplash

by Categories: Church and Christian Life, Discipline, Uncategorized, WorshipTags: , , , , , , , 2 Comments