Named, Adopted, Sent
Read: John 20:1-18 Jesus said to her, “Mary.” (v. 16) In John’s Gospel, Mary sees but cannot see. Mary is stuck in darkness until Jesus opens her eyes to see the true story. When she hears the voice of the risen Jesus calling her, she is named, adopted, and sent. Today, as we celebrate Easter, we […]
A Burial Fit for a King
Read: John 19:38-42 . . . a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds in weight. (v. 39) Jesus’s burial was performed by two men, Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus. Both were prominent men, but they were also secretly disciples of Jesus. However, by caring for Jesus’s body, the secret of their discipleship to Jesus was out. […]
It is Finished
Read: John 19:28-30 He said, “It is finished.” (v. 30) At the culmination of the gospel story are Jesus’s words “It is finished.” And then death, and three days later, resurrection. The last words John records Jesus saying sum up Jesus’s mission, life, and the very events of his death and resurrection. What is finished? What […]
Curtain Torn in Two
Read: Mark 15:33-39 The curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. (v. 38) During the Covid-19 pandemic, as an American living in Canada, I could not go home. The border was closed. After several years of being unable to travel, I was finally able to visit my family in the United […]
April 2024 Prayer Guide
INDONESIA — The Acehnese-speaking province of Aceh is a region of Sumatra where the majority of people are fanatic Muslims. In this area, Christianity does not have the freedom to carry out its activities as in other parts of Indonesia. Because Christian radio stations are not allowed on the mainland there, Words of Hope’s partners […]
Crucifixion
Read: John 19:16-25 . . . The Place of the Skull, which in Aramaic is called Golgotha. (v. 17) Sometimes, where something takes places matters. Sand from the beaches of Normandy means something different than sand from Holland, Michigan. Saying “I do” at a wedding is different than answering in the kitchen when asked if you want a […]
Simon the Cyrene
Read: Matthew 27:32-37 They compelled this man to carry [Jesus’s] cross. (v. 32) I don’t think this was how Simon thought his day would go. Since Simon was from the distant region of Cyrene, he was likely a faithful Jew who had come to Jerusalem for the Passover. He wasn’t there to see Jesus. As far […]
Trial before Pilate
Read: John 18:28-40 Are you the King of the Jews? (v. 33) What kind of king do we actually want? Do we want a ruler like Pilate, or are we willing to follow a king like Jesus? Jesus, the King of kings, stood before Pilate, the governor. Pilate was like many rulers before and after him—he […]
Peter’s Denial
Read: Luke 22:54-62 Woman, I do not know him. (v. 57) Jesus stood before the high priest and religious leaders. They questioned him about his identity and brought false witnesses (Matt. 26:59-60). Jesus knew where this would lead, and he calmly refused to engage. The result—they condemned him, as they had planned (vv. 66-71). While Jesus sat […]