Monday – Read Luke 19:41-47. Jesus Weeps Over Jerusalem and Cleanses the Temple. Jesus wept over Jerusalem because he loved God’s people and he knew what was going to happen. He knew they were going to reject the path that leads to peace. He knew they were going to follow leaders who would take up the sword and rebel against the Romans. He knew that when they rebelled, the Romans were going to utterly crush them. Jesus knew that within forty years the city of Jerusalem would lay in ruins. As he looked at the Temple and saw the coming destruction, Jesus wept for his people. But Jesus’ tears did not stop him from walking the Hard Road on his Journey to the Cross. Then Jesus entered the Temple and drove out the money changers and those who were selling things. He shut down the Temple’s economy when the religious leaders made the most money. The religious leaders wanted to get rid of Jesus. He threatened their power. He threatened their privilege. He threatened their economics. They hated Jesus so much that they wanted to kill him. They couldn’t do that at the beginning of the week because the people were spellbound by what they heard. But it was a long week. God’s desire has always been to call all people to follow and live in God’s ways. Israel was God’s chosen people whom God wanted to bless in order to be a blessing to all of the families of the earth. But now, the religious leaders of Israel were rejecting God’s Son, and it made Jesus cry. Even though he denounced their practices, Jesus never stopped loving his chosen people. How does it make you feel to know that Jesus weeps over us when we reject his ways? Pray for God to help you follow Jesus and to reach out to people to share God’s love and grace with them.

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Tuesday – Read Luke 23:1-25. Pilate, Herod, and Barabbas. Pilate found no basis for accusation against Jesus, so he sent him to Herod who mocked Jesus and dressed him in an elegant robe. Neither Herod nor Pilate found reason to execute Jesus, so Pilate told the religious leaders that he would flog him, but they all shouted, “Away with this man! Release Barabbas for us!” They kept shouting, “Crucify, crucify him!” and their voices prevailed. So Pilate... released the man... who had been put in prison for insurrection and murder, and he handed Jesus over as they wished. Jesus took Barabbas’ place on the cross. Pray the words from the song He Paid a Debt: He paid a debt he did not owe. I owed a debt I could not pay. I needed someone to wash my sins away. And now I sing a brand new song, Amazing Grace, all day long. Christ Jesus paid the debt that I could never pay. 

 

Wednesday – Read Luke 23:26-31; Mark 15:21; and Romans 16:13. Simon of Cyrene and the Daughters of Jerusalem. As Jesus walked the Via Della Rosa to be crucified, the Roman soldiers compelled Simon of Cyrene to carry his cross. How do you think carrying Jesus’ cross impacted Simon of Cyrene? Ask God to give you the strength to carry the cross in your life. Luke tells us that only the women had the courage to grieve publicly for Jesus as they watched him being led to Calvary. The disciples all abandoned Jesus. In verse 28-31, Jesus foretells the coming destruction of Jerusalem. Because the people chose Barabbas and the path of violent conflict with Rome as opposed to Jesus’ call to sacrificial love and loving their enemies, the city would be destroyed within four decades. Prior to the destruction there was a terrible famine in the city as it was surrounded by Roman forces when many children starved to death. Pray for people who are sick and hurting and longing for peace.

 

Maundy Thursday – Read Luke 23:32-38. The Soldiers. Jesus looked upon the Roman soldiers who had crucified him and were gambling for his clothes, the people who were insulting him, the thieves on his left and his right, and the chief priests. Then he prayed, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said, 43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be children of your Father in heaven.” Jesus believed what he said, and on the cross, Jesus prayed for those who were crucifying him. Jesus is willing and able to forgive even our darkest sins. As you pray, confess your sins to Jesus, and ask him to forgive you. Thank Jesus for his willingness to pay the price for your sins, and ask God to help you forgive those who hurt you. Invite someone to come with you to our Maundy Thursday Service

at 6:30 p.m.

 

Good Friday – Read Luke 23:32, 39-43. Two Criminals. Even as Jesus hung on the cross, he was still focused on his mission of seeking and saving the lost. As one of the criminals hanging next to him derided Jesus, the criminal on his other side defended Jesus. “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 41 And we indeed have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Do you think he understood the Doctrine of the Trinity or any of the Theories of Atonement? Do you think he understood that Jesus was fully human and fully divine? Do you think he was ever baptized? Jesus offered this man the same grace he offers to you and me. He told that thief, “Today you will be with me in Paradise.” Pray for someone you know who needs the love of Jesus and a church home. Invite that person to come with you tour Tenebrae Service of Darkness at 6:30 p.m. and to worship with us on Easter Sunday.

 

Saturday – Read Luke 23:44-56 and Psalm 31:1-24. The Centurion, the Women, and Joseph of Arimathea. Jesus hung on the cross from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. Darkness came over the land from noon until 3:00 p.m., and the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Then Jesus cried out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.” Then he breathed his last breath. 47 When the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God and said, “Certainly this man was innocent.” Jesus’ character and faith on the cross touched this man. The women who followed Jesus walked every step of his journey to the cross. They watched as he died on the cross, and they watched as Joseph of Arimathea took Jesus down from the cross and laid him in a tomb where no one had ever been laid. How do you experience the love of Jesus Christ when you see him crucified? We call it Good Friday because God was in control on this day and accomplished the divine and eternal purpose of redemption through the forgiving agony of Jesus on the cross. Thank Jesus for his act of love on the cross. Jesus understands what it feels like to suffer, and he loves you so very dearly. Spend some time expressing your love to Jesus in prayer.