This is the end of our 40-day journey through Jesus’ last days here on earth. I know, for me, this has made this very special season that much more special. Focusing specifically on Jesus’ last days and having the opportunity to share it with others has been a great blessing. May your Resurrection Sunday be more meaningful for having joined us on this 40-day journey! He is not here, but is risen! Luke 24:6
April 11—Matt. 21:1-11 Triumphal Entry
Blessings:
- If Jesus knows the steps of a colt, He knows my steps too! (v. 2)
- Praise the Lord that Jesus has and WILL fulfill every prophecy concerning Himself. (v. 3-5)
- May I be as obedient as these disciples. (v. 6)
- Never saw this before: Jesus quietly rode a colt that hadn’t been broken! He has power over all things! (v. 7)
- Some may ask, “Then why doesn’t He stop all the bad things from happening?
- Don’t you find it amazing that He didn’t stop His OWN crucifixion—the worst pain and suffering anyone would ever suffer?
- ANSWER: God is ALWAYS good. He knows what is best. He knows the beginning and the ending! He will ALWAYS do what is right. Suffering is part of His plan to prune us and bring for more fruit.
APPLICATION: Lord, please help me to worship You in true Spirit and Truth.
April 12—Matt. 21:12-14 Cleansing the Temple
We start this Holy Week with Jesus riding into Jerusalem on a colt, fulfilling the prophecies showing his humility. Today, we see Him making a scourge (John 2:15), overturning tables and seats and deriding those who made merchandise of the Passover system. Matthew also includes the verse accounting His healing the blind and lame.
Once again, I am reminded that we serve a God who loves us more than we will ever understand, but also a God who makes demands concerning our worship and holiness.
APPLICATION: Lord, help me to understand and display holiness in my life. Help me to love as You loved, knowing that without Your help it will be impossible!
April 13—Matt. 21:23-27 Jesus’ Authority Questioned
- 25b…And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say unto us, Why did ye not then believe him? 26 But if we shall say, Of men; we fear the people; for all hold John as a prophet.
- Show’s Jesus’ amazing wisdom!
- They knew that they were in a corner but still chose the wrong path of unbelief.
APPLICATION: How often to I rely on reason instead of faith!
April 15—Matt. 22:15-22 Question of Tribute Money
- So sad. Here we are in the last week and the Pharisees only seek to trip up the Son of God!
- 16 And they sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest (fear) thou for any man: for thou regardest not the person of men( no person’s position),
- 18—Jesus calls them hypocrites!
- LOVE His answer! Still true today! “Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s.”
APPLICATION: They marvel at his wisdom. We need to do more than just marvel, we need to submit and worship Him! He wants our hearts AND our brains!
April 16—Matt. 22:34-40 The Greatest Commandment
- Luke 10 goes right into “The Good Samaritan” story.
- 6:5; 10:12;30:6—all include the command to love God (heart, soul, mind)
- Spirit-controlled, Mind-controlled, Body
April 17—Matt. 25-31-46 Judgment Day
The day that the world talks about but doesn’t believe. This passage makes it sound as though we work our way into heaven. But we are responsible to compare scripture with scripture.
As born-again believers, our works glorify God—they do not purchase our salvation—Jesus’ blood does that! PRL!
Faith/works: Jas 2:18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
The opposite scenario is in Matthew 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. These people preached, cast our demons and did many wonders in Jesus’ name, but they were cast into hell. Sadly, Jesus says that “Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord…(22).
APPLICATION: I’m praising God for my salvation!!! Thank you for loving me and calling me, Lord!
April 18—Matt.27:35-38/John 19:18-24 The Crucifixion
Sometimes, I find it helpful to just look at the verbs in a passage (oops! Vs. 1-14):
Actions of the chief priests and elders: Plotted, bound, led, delivered, consulted, bought
Actions of Jesus: stood, said, answered nothing
Pilate: asked, said, marveled greatly
Soldiers: crucified; divided (his garments); cast lots; sat; kept watch
APPLICATION: Php 3:10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; THE MORE YOU KNOW HIM THE MORE YOU WILL LOVE HIM.
April 19—Luke 23:39-43, 47 Confessions of Belief
How many times has the testimony of this criminal been used to encourage folks to trust Christ alone? He was not baptized, did no good works, did not take communion, and did not join a church. In Christ Alone!
Every person that has ever lived is represented in these two men. We either choose to believe or not—it’s that simple.
APPLICATION: …Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief. Mr 9:24
April 20—Matt. 27:59-61 The Burial
What would have happened if Joseph of Arimathaea had not stepped in? Who would have buried Jesus and where would they have buried him? I’m sure someone would have done the difficult task, but Joseph is the one who did it.
I love the way the KJV words his approach of Pilate. He “begged the body of Jesus.” It shows a man with determination. We read that he was a disciple of Jesus. All the Gospel writers mention him. Mark says that he was “an honourable counsellor, which also waited for the kingdom of God.” John writes that he, “being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews.”
APPLICATION: Is there a job that God wants me to do? Certainly, Joseph’s job was difficult and unpleasant. It was a sacrifice and may have even been dangerous, but he did it! Oh, may I be so bold and obedient!
Beyond Common Sense 