Day 30

Read Matthew 28:16-20; Luke 24:50-53.

Well, this is the 30th day of our journey through the Bible with Jesus. Thank you to all of you that have been faithful through this journey. I hope that you continue the discipline of journeying through the scriptures on a daily basis. 

We started out the journey with this verse:

Do Not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2

I hope that you have found this experience to be transforming! Jesus’ last words before he ascended to heaven were “go and make disciples”. There is much work to be done…let’s go!

 

Day 29

Read John 20-21.

Hopelessness… Intense Grief… Overwhelming despair…these were the feelings and emotions that had overtaken the disciples of Jesus as they mourned the death of him. To make matters worse, now his body is missing! I could only imagine how numb they felt as they left the tomb disappointed, discouraged, and demoralized. And then Mary Magdalene witnessed the most incredible thing. Jesus is alive! I’m sure she second guessed herself and reasoned with herself, “It can’t be”, “I’m just tired, and need some rest.” But It was true, he has risen! He defeated death and sin. And because of that, our eternity was forever altered. 

 

Day 28

Read John 19:17-42.

All of the details surrounding Christ’s death were happening just as they were predicted they would through scripture. The script was unfolding right before their very eyes. They were fulfilling prophecy without even realizing it. Or did some realize it? Perhaps as each piece of the prophecy puzzle was put into the place, the picture started to take shape, just as it said it would. Pilate’s notice that was placed on the cross and how he responded to the critics seems to indicate that he realized who Jesus was. It had to happen. It was the plan from the beginning. He came to die so that we could live!

 

Day 27

Read John 18:19-19:16.

No commentary today. Just one word…LOVE.

 

Day 26

Read Matthew 26:36-75.

Deserted. Betrayed. Denied. All in one night! All from his friends! The human side of Jesus had to deal with these painful realities. I’m sure glad that his mission wasn’t dependent upon the reaction and response of his friends. His mission was dependent on one thing…the one thing was love! An overwhelming desire to provide a perfect sacrifice for the sins of the world!

 

 

Day 25

Read John 14-15.

God is in the process of changing us. He is cutting off the branches of our life that are not bearing fruit. These are the things that He has no use for. Things that get in the way of our relationship. He cuts off the dead branches so that he can see the healthy ones. He also prunes the healthy branches so that they grow even more. The pruning process is not always fun. Sometimes it hurts. But in the end my life is better for it. Through time, the pruned branches bring new, vibrant life.

What dead branches does God want to get rid of in your life?

What healthy branches is he in the process of pruning?

 

Day 24

Read John 13:1-17; Matthew 26:17-35.

It was time. Jesus’ life on earth was coming to a close. Verse 1 says, “he now showed them the full extent of his love.” Up to this point he has loved people, he has cared for people, he has healed people, but now it was time for him to unleash the full extent of his love. He gave some departing words to those closest to him. He had one last intimate time with them where he gave them and us several things to remember him by. Just as Jesus was on the verge of unleashing the full extent of his love, he was being betrayed, disowned, and left alone.

I’m thankful that the full extent of his love wasn’t dependent upon the reaction of men. I’m thankful that Jesus didn’t return to us the same treatment that he himself received from those closest to him! Aren’t you?

 

 

Day 23

Read Matthew 21:1-27.

People could not figure Jesus out. The King of Kings making a triumphal entry on a borrowed donkey? People took notice…verse 10 says, “the whole city was stirred.” They watched him get off of his donkey, heal some people, then get angry and took care of business as he saw what was going on at the temple. Who is this man? as his disciples watched him speak to fig tree and see the tree obey his orders and wither right in front of their eyes! Even after seeing all of these things…many questioned his authority. I think many times we question his authority when we don’t obey his Word. We question his authority when we doubt him…when we replace our faith in him with our confidence in ourselves. Here is the incredible thing…when we truly understand the authority of Jesus, we also understand that we have his authority at our disposable. We have the ability to tap into the authority of Jesus today!

 

Day 22

Read John 11:1-44.

When was the last time that you have been impatient with God? You have been praying, maybe fasting, praying some more and…nothing! In these times I often cry out to God, “God what are you teaching me?” or “God, do you see that I’m hurting here?…I could use a little help here!”

Mary and Martha believed that Jesus was the Son of God. They have witnessed his miracles and they knew that if Jesus would come to Lazarus, that he could be healed. They sent for Jesus, they requested his presence, they begged for him to come, and he did! Just NOT when they wanted him to. In fact, after it seemed too late and after the fact…then Jesus showed up. Four days late. The human thoughts would be…wow, Jesus you must not care. You’re insenstive to my needs. I thought you were a friend that sticks closer than a brother! Jesus what’s up?

Read verse 4 again. Jesus heard the request immediately and had already had answered the request. In this case he answered the request by saying that this sickness will not end in death. The delay of Jesus was on purpose and for a purpose. The purpose…To bring glory to God and his Son!

It comes down to trusting God. Trusting that he sees your pain, your hurt, and your struggles. Trusting that he hears your prayers, your cries, your pleas. And trusting that this situation – whatever the outcome – will bring glory to God and his Son Jesus.

 

Day 21

Read Luke 11:1-13.

So many times our prayer time is about asking God for stuff. Jesus was teaching his disciples that prayer is more than going before God with our wish list. We should start off by praising God for who he is and what he has done for us. He also teaches us that prayer should be a time of asking forgiveness and restoring our relationship with God and others. He also teaches the disciples and us the importance of persistence in our prayers. I love the picture that he paints of a persistent neighbor asking for bread. It’s an invitation directly from Jesus for us to be extremely persistent in asking God to hear our prayers. 

Have you been persistent enough in your prayers?