Verses:

'From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land. About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” ). '

Matthew 27:45

'When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots. The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.” The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar '

Luke 23:33

'When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, “Woman, here is your son,” and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home. Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. '

John 19:26

'fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. '

Hebrews 12:2

'If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. '

Romans 10:9

Devotional:

From the cross, Jesus makes seven simple yet profound statements. Jesus ensured His mother was cared for, quoted Psalm 22 to fulfill prophecy, and promised heaven to one of the thieves being crucified with Him. But the most powerful final statement of His on the cross can be found in John chapter 19 verse 30, in which Jesus declares, “It is finished.”

It’s important to note Jesus did not say, “I am finished.” That would imply He died discouraged and defeated. However, Jesus’ death was not some tragic accident brought on by evil men; His death was a divine appointment orchestrated by a sovereign God. So, what did Jesus mean when He declared, “It is finished”?

The phrase “It is finished” comes from the Greek word, tetelestai, which means to complete, execute, or cancel a debt. In the first century, this word could be applied in a variety of contexts. For example, tetelestai was a term servants used when they completed a task assigned by their master. It was also a term soldiers used when they executed a mission for their commanding officers. And finally, it was an accounting term used by merchants any time a bill had been paid in full.

On the cross, Jesus embodied all three definitions. Through His death, Jesus completed God’s purpose for His life. Through His resurrection, Jesus executed His mission defeating death and the grave. And finally, by taking on the punishment we deserved, Jesus canceled the debt of our sins. Tetelestai, then, is the Savior’s final cry of VICTORY!!! Tetelestai meant Jesus left no unfinished business on earth. More importantly, it means those who put their faith in who Jesus is and what He did on the cross can experience peace with God and live as part of His family for all eternity.

Reflect:
Jesus endured so much on the cross. And yet, according to Scripture, it was a joy for Him to do so. The joy wasn’t in the suffering–there is no way He enjoyed being betrayed by His friends, being falsely accused, being beaten beyond recognition, or being nailed to a cross. But the reason Jesus was able to endure so much pain on the cross is because He knew just how much it would benefit the world, all of us. The cost of our salvation was an expense much more than we could afford but it was His joy to save us!

Respond:
Each one of us was born with a debt we could not pay. Jesus paid that debt with His own life on the cross. The offer of salvation is free but must be accepted, taken, received. If you have put your faith in Jesus, thank Him for the sacrifice He made. If not, you can do so today by believing that Jesus died for your sins and that He resurrected from the dead. Because you believe, you must admit that you believe and follow Jesus the rest of your life. Confess that You need His forgiveness to pay the debt that was too much for you to pay on your own! And He will redeem you! It is finished! Anyone who has believed this and confessed Jesus as Lord has their sin debt paid in full! Tetelestai!

Pray:
Lord, thank You for sending Jesus to the earth to pay the penalty for my sins. Help me to never take Your sacrifice for granted. Just as Jesus submitted His life to You, give me strength to walk in obedience every single day. In Jesus' Name I pray, amen.

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Verses:

'On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, when it was customary to sacrifice the Passover lamb, Jesus’ disciples asked him, “Where do you want us to go and make preparations for you to eat the Passover?” So he sent two of his disciples, telling them, “Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him. Say to the owner of the house he enters, ‘The Teacher asks: Where is my guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ He will show you a large room upstairs, furnished and ready. Make preparations for us there.” The disciples left, went into the city and found things just as Jesus had told them. So they prepared the Passover. When evening came, Jesus arrived with the Twelve. While they were reclining at the table eating, he said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me—one who is eating with me.” They were saddened, and one by one they said to him, “Surely you don’t mean me?” “It is one of the Twelve,” he replied, “one who dips bread into the bowl with me. The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.” While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take it; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and they all drank from it. “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many,” he said to them. “Truly I tell you, I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.” '

Mark 14:12

Devotional:

On the night before His crucifixion, Jesus shared His last meal with the disciples. This meal is known as the Last Supper. During this Passover meal, Jesus revealed to the disciples the deeper meaning behind what was about to happen to Him.

Jesus took the bread, broke it, and gave it to His disciples and told them that it represented His body. He took the cup from which they would drink and declared that His blood would be poured out for many and that this would establish a new covenant with God and His people. This meal was more than just a farewell gathering—this meal was a declaration of the sacrifice Jesus was going to make for the forgiveness of sins.

The Last Supper teaches and reminds us of Jesus’ love and the salvation He offers through His perfect sacrifice on the cross. Through His broken body and shed blood, represented by communion, we are invited into a relationship with God. Each time we take communion, we remember His sacrifice and we proclaim His death until He comes again.

Reflect:
This is a very important question: Have you accepted the gift of salvation that Jesus offers through His sacrifice? When you take communion, do you truly reflect on what the communion means for you? Jesus instructs us to do just that. To take time to remember His payment of a debt that you and I could not pay; a sacrifice that shows God’s love for us and gives us the free gift of salvation.

Respond:
Jesus gave His life so that we may live. Now is a great time to thank Him for His sacrifice. Reflect on His great love for us all. Ask God to help you to remember Christ’s work on the cross every day.

Pray:
Jesus, thank You for giving Your body and shedding Your blood for my salvation. Help me to live my life in a way that brings glory to You. Guide me in everything I do so that I may tell others of the amazing gift of salvation available to all through Jesus Christ. Amen.

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Verses:

'And foreigners who bind themselves to the Lord to minister to him, to love the name of the Lord , and to be his servants, all who keep the Sabbath without desecrating it and who hold fast to my covenant— these I will bring to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations.” '

Isaiah 56:6

'And as he taught them, he said, “Is it not written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations’ ? But you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’ ” '

Mark 11:17

Devotional:

As Christ followers, one of our ongoing goals is to live our life in such a way that we look like Christ to a broken world. In the reading for today, we hear both God the Father and Jesus the Son express the same desire for Their house: that it would be called a House of Prayer. Would you describe your house as a House of Prayer? Isn’t that an amazing compliment? Imagine if your family and neighbors knew that when they hit a rough patch in life, they could come to your house and you would pray with them.

There are several things you can start doing today to make that a reality. Get into the habit of praying with people, not just promising to pray for them. Most of us have experienced someone stopping us to tell us about something difficult that is going on in their life. The conversation usually includes a request: “just pray for me.” What is our normal response? Usually we say, “I sure will.” And then we walk away, get busy, and forget to tap into the power of prayer and actually pray for them. Maybe by the next time we see them, we totally forgot what they asked us to pray about! The next time someone asks you to pray for them, why not stop immediately and pray with them at that moment?

God longs to hear from us, and speak to us, so much so that Jesus gave His life on the cross and physically removed the barrier between God and man. The veil has been torn, and we have access to the throne! Jesus made it possible to access the power of prayer anywhere, anytime. Let’s get better at making prayer our first stop on this journey of life, not a last resort. Keep an ongoing conversation going with God and turn your house into a House of Prayer!

Reflect:
The only answer we have for a broken world is God. He has all that anyone needs, and all that we need. As we pray with other people, we help them gain that answer. God has all we need! When we pray with them, they get to know this God that we love and Who loves us and them. Your prayers can help others seek God and realize His great love for them!

Respond:
What are some things you can do in your life to make your house a House of Prayer? What do you need to do to improve your prayer life?

Pray:
Jesus, thank You for removing the barrier between God and man. I have seen the power of prayer in my life many times. Help me to make prayer a first response to the challenges of this life. And remind me to give You all the glory when things are going well. In Your name I pray, amen.

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Verses:

' “I am not referring to all of you; I know those I have chosen. But this is to fulfill this passage of Scripture: ‘He who shared my bread has turned against me.’ “I am telling you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe that I am who I am. Very truly I tell you, whoever accepts anyone I send accepts me; and whoever accepts me accepts the one who sent me.” After he had said this, Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified, “Very truly I tell you, one of you is going to betray me.” His disciples stared at one another, at a loss to know which of them he meant. One of them, the disciple whom Jesus loved, was reclining next to him. Simon Peter motioned to this disciple and said, “Ask him which one he means.” Leaning back against Jesus, he asked him, “Lord, who is it?” Jesus answered, “It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish.” Then, dipping the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him. So Jesus told him, “What you are about to do, do quickly.” But no one at the meal understood why Jesus said this to him. Since Judas had charge of the money, some thought Jesus was telling him to buy what was needed for the festival, or to give something to the poor. As soon as Judas had taken the bread, he went out. And it was night. '

John 13:18

'When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. '

Luke 9:1

'He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it. '

John 12:6

'When evening came, Jesus arrived with the Twelve. While they were reclining at the table eating, he said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me—one who is eating with me.” They were saddened, and one by one they said to him, “Surely you don’t mean me?” “It is one of the Twelve,” he replied, “one who dips bread into the bowl with me. '

Mark 14:17

Devotional:

So often we see people whom we respect or follow, famous celebrities or even pastors, fall from grace and we think, “I never saw that coming!” We wonder how we missed the signs that should have been obvious and apparent to all. But what we fail to realize is that it usually doesn’t happen in one fell swoop, or in one bad decision; it’s the result of a slow, steady descent away from where they started to where it all falls apart. One of the most famous heel-turn narratives ever is the story of Judas Iscariot, the disciple who betrayed Jesus.

While we do not have any biblical narratives of how they met, we know that Jesus personally invited His disciples to leave their previous lives and follow Him. We assume the same was true with Judas. In Luke 9, we read about all of the disciples receiving power and authority from Jesus to drive out demons and heal diseases, and that would include Judas. He also was an eyewitness to Jesus’ miracles: the healing of the lame/blind/leprous, the feeding of the 5000, the calming of the storm, and even raising Lazarus from the dead. Surely Judas was riding a spiritual high!

But then he did what so many have done…he left the door to his heart open for Satan to walk in. He began to get greedy and would steal money from the offering. He began to live in the shadows with his secret sin, and it led him to leave his first love and to betray Jesus.

Reflect:
If you have gone through something similar, you might have guilt about not being able to recognize it. Even when Jesus told them one of them would betray him, the disciples had no idea which one it would be. They all asked who it was. That’s because none of us can see the heart—only God can. But it does serve as a warning to us to protect our hearts. Satan cannot overcome us or exhibit control over us…unless we let him.

Respond:
Have you left the door to your heart open and allowed Satan to enter? Do you have a secret sin that you’ve kept hidden in your heart? You must bring it into the light. You must repent and allow God to cleanse you. You must trust that Jesus forgives instantly and completely.

Pray:
Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of Your amazing grace! Help me to walk in the light and not let my sin hide in the darkness. Help me to protect my heart from the evil one, and may I desire You alone, God. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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Verses:

'Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. “It is written,” he said to them, “ ‘My house will be called a house of prayer,’ but you are making it ‘a den of robbers.’ ” '

Matthew 21:12

'“In your anger do not sin” : Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, '

Ephesians 4:26

'So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. '

John 2:15

Devotional:

Have you ever felt the urge to act out in anger? Maybe someone cuts you off in traffic, and you want to honk, brake-check them, or give them a piece of your mind? Or perhaps someone disrespects you, and everything in you wants to respond in frustration? In moments like these, have you ever wondered if anger itself is a sin?

Thankfully, Scripture provides clarity. Ephesians 4:26 tells us to not sin in our anger. This means anger itself isn’t wrong, but how we respond to it can be. Jesus, our perfect example, shows us how to handle anger righteously.

In Matthew 21:12-13, Jesus enters the temple and sees corruption. People who traveled long distances to worship couldn’t bring their own sacrifices, so they were forced to buy them at the temple. But the merchants and money changers were exploiting them by charging unfair currency exchange rates and overpricing sacrificial animals. Instead of serving God’s people, they were taking advantage of them.

Jesus was justifiably angry, but He didn’t react impulsively. John 2:15 tells us He paused and took the time to make a whip of cords before taking action. This wasn’t an uncontrolled outburst—it was a deliberate response. He drove out the money changers, overturned tables, and restored the temple to what it was meant to be: a house of prayer. His anger was not sinful because it was rooted in justice and love for His Father’s house.

Reflect:
When anger rises, what’s your response? Do you lash out or do you take time to cool down? If someone cuts you off in traffic, instead of reacting, pray for their safety. If someone disrespects you or treats you unfairly, pause and ask God for wisdom in how to respond. Jesus was passionate, but He remained in control.

Respond:
Pause. Pray. Let anger become an opportunity to reflect Christ’s character. When frustration comes, take a step back and allow God to guide your response. Just as Jesus took time before acting, so should we.

Pray:
Lord Jesus, help me stay focused on You when I feel angry. In those moments, shift my anger into prayer for that person who upset me. They are sons and daughters of Yours and I need to mirror You in all I do. Thank You for bringing this to the forefront of my mind. I love You, Jesus. In Your name, amen.

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Verses:

'After Jesus had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. As he approached Bethphage and Bethany at the hill called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it.’ ” Those who were sent ahead went and found it just as he had told them. As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, “Why are you untying the colt?” They replied, “The Lord needs it.” They brought it to Jesus, threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it. As he went along, people spread their cloaks on the road. When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen: “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!” “I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.” '

Luke 19:28

'As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.” This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: “Say to Daughter Zion, ‘See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’ ” The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest heaven!” When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?” The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.” '

Matthew 21:1

'Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. '

Zechariah 9:9

'Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, '

Romans 8:1

'But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. '

Romans 5:8

Devotional:

Picture this in your mind: the day had come. Jesus stands resolute as He is walking towards Jerusalem. He knows what lies ahead of Him. Word begins to spread, and people are leaving their homes and businesses to come see this man, Jesus of Nazareth. Prophecy in Zechariah 9:9 is fulfilled as Jesus is seated on the back of a donkey’s colt, which no one had ever sat upon, and has begun riding into town. People began shouting and crying aloud “Hosanna in the highest!” Individuals began taking their jackets off and laying them on the ground and when they ran out of jackets, they cut palm branches to lay down. The path was laid for the triumphal entrance of Jesus.

The people were excited to see Jesus arrive! The entire town was in an uproar over these events. They were expecting that Jesus would come in and conquer their enemies, overthrow Rome, free them from Roman occupation, and elevate the Jews above all others. However, just a few short days later, the crowds would turn on Him and shout, "Crucify Him!" So where does that leave us?

Reflect:
How do we, today, knowing the events of the past respond to what has happened? What can we take away? It is important for us to remember that we do the same things that those in the crowd did, whenever we choose to sin over believing the promises of God. We say with our mouths "Hosanna in the highest," and we lay our jackets down, but then we choose to sin against Him, doing the very thing that would send Him to the Cross, which paid our sin debt in full.

Respond:
This week, as we lead up to Easter, I want to challenge you. Not to feel guilt and shame, because there is now no condemnation for those in Jesus Christ, but to truly understand what Jesus did for us on the cross. He knew while He was seated on that donkey the sin you, I, and the whole world would do. Even then, “while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” In those moments where you want to sin, are tempted to sin, remember what Jesus did for us. Call out His Name and begin reading the Bible. Jesus loves us so much that He died for us, so let’s live for Him.

Pray:
Lord Jesus, thank You for what You did on the cross for us. Dying in our place, taking our sin debt, and freeing us from the slavery of sin. Let the words of our heart match the actions of our lives. Let us know who we are in You and reflect that in every moment of our lives. We love You, Jesus, and it’s in Your Name we pray, amen.

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Verses:

' “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.'

John 15:1

'I will sing for the one I love a song about his vineyard: My loved one had a vineyard on a fertile hillside. He dug it up and cleared it of stones and planted it with the choicest vines. He built a watchtower in it and cut out a winepress as well. Then he looked for a crop of good grapes, but it yielded only bad fruit. “Now you dwellers in Jerusalem and people of Judah, judge between me and my vineyard. What more could have been done for my vineyard than I have done for it? When I looked for good grapes, why did it yield only bad? Now I will tell you what I am going to do to my vineyard: I will take away its hedge, and it will be destroyed; I will break down its wall, and it will be trampled. I will make it a wasteland, neither pruned nor cultivated, and briers and thorns will grow there. I will command the clouds not to rain on it.” The vineyard of the Lord Almighty is the nation of Israel, and the people of Judah are the vines he delighted in. And he looked for justice, but saw bloodshed; for righteousness, but heard cries of distress. '

Isaiah 5:1

'But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. '

Galatians 5:22

Devotional:

Throughout the Old Testament, God referred to the people of Israel as His beloved vineyard. Unfortunately, although God provided everything the Jewish nation needed to bear good fruit, for one reason or another they only produced wild grapes (see Isaiah 5:1-7). As a result, when people read about the vine, it was almost always done so under the banner of failure, and it was almost always followed by a pronouncement of God’s judgment. And yet, Jesus uses this term to refer to Himself. Jesus said, "I am the true Vine". So, what did Jesus mean?

With one statement Jesus was saying, I have come to do what you could not do. I have come so that you might produce the kind of fruitfulness that pleases God. Through My death I will bring life. Through My Spirit I will give direction. And through My presence you will become the branches that bear much fruit in the world! But here’s the secret to a fruitful life: you cannot thrive spiritually without a strong connection to the Vine.

Reflect:
How often are we like Israel, trying to produce fruit on our own, striving in our own strength to be patient, loving, or self-controlled? But, when we disconnect from the true source, we wither spiritually. Jesus reminds us that apart from Him, we can do nothing. True spiritual growth comes not from effort alone, but from abiding in Him—staying close through His Word, seeking Him in prayer, and walking in obedience. The more we abide in Him, the more we reflect His love, joy, peace, and goodness to the world around us.

Respond:
Today, take time to evaluate: are you abiding in Jesus or relying on your own strength? What one step will you take today to stay connected to the true Vine, so that He will sustain you, strengthen you, and help you produce lasting fruit for His glory?

Pray:
Lord, help me abide in You daily. Keep me connected to Your presence so I may bear fruit that glorifies You. Prune what is not of You and fill me with Your life-giving Spirit. Amen.

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Verses:

'Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.” Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.” Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves. Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it. '

John 14:5

' “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God ; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.” Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. '

John 14:1

Devotional:

Life is full of choices. Every day, we make decisions; some of the decisions are small, and some are big and life-changing. But when it comes to eternity, Jesus makes it simple. In John 14, Thomas asks Jesus how they can know the way to where He is going. Jesus responds with one of the most powerful statements in Scripture: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

It is important to note that Jesus doesn’t say He knows the way but affirms He is the way. He doesn’t say that he speaks the truth; He confirms that He is the truth. And He doesn’t just offer a lifestyle but affirms that He is life itself. In a world full of paths, opinions, and distractions, Jesus makes it clear: only one road leads to God, and it goes through Him.

Jesus’ declaration that He is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6) isn’t always well received. Many people want to believe that all spiritual paths ultimately lead to the same destination and that sincerity and hard work are enough to reach heaven. Others prefer to rely on their own understanding, assuming they can determine the path to salvation on their own. The flaw in this thinking is that Jesus did not present Himself as just one of many possible ways to God—He declared that He is the only way. God didn’t leave humanity to wonder or figure it out alone; He made the way clear by giving us Jesus.

Reflect:
Do you ever struggle with the idea that Jesus is the only way? Do you ever find yourself trying to navigate life independently instead of fully trusting Him? How does Jesus’ claim challenge those ideas?

Respond:
Take time today to read and reflect on John 14:1-6. Ask God to deepen your confidence in Jesus as the way, the truth, and the life. If there are areas where you’ve been relying on yourself instead of Him, confess those. And if you know someone searching for truth, pray for the courage to share Jesus with them.

Pray:
Jesus, You are the way, the truth, and the life. Forgive me when I try to figure things out independently instead of trusting You completely. Thank You for making the way to the Father clear. Help me to follow You fully and boldly and share Your truth with others. Amen.

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Verses:

'Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; '

John 11:25

'O God, why have you rejected us forever? Why does your anger smolder against the sheep of your pasture? '

Psalms 74:1

Devotional:

Have you ever been so desperate in prayer and wondered, “God, where are You? When will You answer? When will You show up?" Well, if so, you are in familiar territory with anyone who’s walked closely with God. There’s even a chapter in the Bible dedicated to this. Psalm 74 poses this question, “Where are you God?” The answer is: God is closer than you can imagine!

In John 11, Jesus is sent a message from some close friends, Mary and Martha. Their brother Lazarus was near death, and he needed Jesus to show up ASAP! When Jesus hears of the family emergency, He actually takes two extra days before heading their way. By the time Jesus gets there it was too late; Lazarus was dead.

Everyone, including Mary and Martha were brokenhearted. They said to Jesus, “If You’d been here sooner, our brother wouldn’t have died.” Which is a nice way of saying, "Where were You when we needed You? You’re too late!" Jesus responded to Mary, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die.” Little did everyone know, in His absence, Jesus was closer than they could imagine and He would be glorified in this. He raises Lazarus back to life and if Jesus had been there sooner, He wouldn't have been able to perform this resurrection miracle which was also a prelude to conquering death once and for all with His own resurrection!

One of the most famous paintings of all time is Michealangelo’s The Creation of Man. In this painting, God is portrayed coming down from heaven with all His glory and the angels. Adam is reaching out to God with a lazy looking arm; it looks like he’s barely trying. Point being, you are not the one pursuing God, God has been pursing you. He offers you everlasting life if you choose to believe.

Reflect:
What’s your greatest disappointment in life? Do you struggle to trust God when your prayers aren’t answered? When was the last time God showed up in a surprising way?

Respond:
How can you help someone who is struggling or hurting this week?

Pray:
God, I’m in desperately in need of your grace. Help me to see you at work in my life, especially when I’m waiting on You or when I'm hurting. I know You have power over life and death and Your time and in Your way is always perfect. Help me trust You more today in Jesus' name, amen.

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Verses:

'Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. '

John 10:7

'I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. '

John 10:9

Devotional:

Jesus’ statement, “I am the gate,” indicates that He is the only way to salvation. This imagery of Jesus as a gate comes from a shepherd’s practice of guarding the entrance to a sheepfold by laying in the doorway as a gate. Just as a shepherd protects the sheep, Jesus safeguards His followers from danger. Through His sacrifice, He has provided us with forgiveness and grace. Through Jesus alone, we find freedom, guidance, and eternal security.

Entering through Christ means trusting in His perfect sacrifice on the cross, receiving His grace, obeying His words, and walking in His love. The world offers many different paths, but only through Jesus can we inherit eternal life. Jesus invites all to enter through Him, promising rest, provision, and salvation to those who believe in Him.

Reflect:
Have you allowed Jesus to guide your life? Is He the gate for you? Will you enter through the gate and trust in its protection? Just as sheep could only enter the safety of the pen through the gate, Jesus is the only way to eternal life with God.

Respond:
In this life, we will face many struggles. Jesus wants to be your protection as you follow Him. Ask God to help you understand the truth of Jesus’ "I Am" statement: “I am the gate” more deeply today.

Pray:
God, thank You for Your protection and guidance in my life. Thank You for being the gate for me, the only way I can be saved. Thank You for Your grace and forgiveness. Guide me to share this Good News with others so that everyone can find the forgiveness You offer to all. Help me to trust fully in You as my protection and the leader of my life. Amen.

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Verse:

'When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” '

John 8:12

Devotional:

Michael Jordan is arguably the greatest basketball player to ever play in the NBA. However, when he was a sophomore, he was cut from his high school basketball team and was encouraged to pursue other paths because he was only 5’10” and skinny. It’s crazy to imagine, that the people around him were so distracted by his height and weight that they missed the “future” greatest basketball player in the world!

There are many distractions in life that can cloud our vision of God. Even in Jesus’ time on Earth, people were so distracted by their issues, that most of them missed the fact that God was literally right in front of them. On one occasion while speaking to the religious leaders, Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” God understands there are many things in this life that will compete for your attention and will attempt to distract you from Him. However, Jesus wants you to know that He’s in the middle of your situation. You can trust Him. He’s got things under control. When you put your trust in Jesus, He will not only guide you but will light up the darkness in this life so you can navigate successfully. So don’t miss what God is doing, don't get distracted by what seems to be (like those who discounted Michael Jordan). Stay focused on Jesus, who is the Light of the World. He shines bright and will never let you down.

Reflect:
How do you know you can trust God? Why does Jesus say He’s “the light of the world”? What distracts you from God? How can you be a light for Jesus to those around you?

Respond:
Ask God to help you to not lose sight of him through all circumstances.

Pray:
Heavenly Father, help me never lose sight of what You are doing in my life, and in the lives of those I love. Help me shine Your light in the darkness. Don’t let me be distracted from what You desire to do in me and through me. Thank You for using me to do Your will. In Jesus' name, amen.

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Verses:

'When they found him on the other side of the lake, they asked him, “Rabbi, when did you get here?” Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw the signs I performed but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.” Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?” Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.” So they asked him, “What sign then will you give that we may see it and believe you? What will you do? Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written: ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’ ” Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” “Sir,” they said, “always give us this bread.” Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. But as I told you, you have seen me and still you do not believe. All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all those he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.” '

John 6:25

Devotional:

Have you ever had an empty feeling? Maybe it was an empty stomach, and you needed some food. Then again, your empty feeling could be something more significant, perhaps an emptiness physically, emotionally, or spiritually. No matter who we are, we all search for the cure to our emptiness. We chase success, relationships, or comfort; we often feel empty and long for something more. That’s precisely what Jesus was getting at when He said, “I am the Bread of Life. Whoever comes to Me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in Me will never be thirsty.” He wasn’t just talking about physical hunger; He was talking about the deeper longing inside every human heart: the craving for purpose, peace, and real life.

Look at it this way: the people had just witnessed a miracle—Jesus fed over five thousand with a few loaves and fish. But instead of seeing the sign for what it was, they just wanted more bread. Jesus wasn’t there to be their personal food truck—He was there to give them something so much better: Himself.

Let’s be honest. We all crave something. We chase after success, relationships, approval, comfort—you name it. But no matter how much we get, it never fills us up. Jesus makes it clear: Only He can satisfy the hunger in our souls. He’s not just another thing to add to our lives—He is life.

Reflect:
What are you feeding your soul? Are you looking to Jesus daily for satisfaction, or are you trying to fill yourself with temporary things? Have you ever found yourself spiritually hungry, even though good things surround you? What would it look like for you to truly depend on Jesus as the Bread of Life?

Respond:
Take a minute and be honest with yourself. What’s competing with Jesus for first place in your heart? Spend time in John 6:25-40, and ask God to show you where you’ve been settling for lesser things. Then, make a decision—today—to seek Him first.

Pray:
Jesus, I know nothing in this world will ever truly satisfy me except You. Forgive me for chasing after things that leave me empty. Teach me to come to You first, to trust You completely, and to find my fulfillment in You alone. You are the Bread of Life—I don’t want to settle for anything less. Amen.

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Verses:

'If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. '

Romans 10:9

'You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. '

James 2:19

Devotional:

In Houston, Texas, there is a professional football team known as the Houston Texans. The Texans' quarterback is a man named C.J. Stroud. I can tell you many facts about who C.J. is. I can tell you about his completion rate, how many yards he throws per game on average, and if he threw any interceptions at a specific game.

In fact, you could look these things up for yourself on the internet and see the exact same information that I am looking at right now. However, if I were to go to high five him as if I knew him, he would look at me like I had lost my mind. “I have no idea who you are,” he would say. He would be right because we have no relationship whatsoever. I know about him, but I don't know him. There is a difference.

You see, in the same way, just because someone may read facts about Jesus in the Bible, it doesn’t mean they have a relationship with Him. Knowing Who Jesus is by just reading the Bible, or going to church, does not mean we have an actual relationship with Him.

Reflect:
Romans 10:9 clearly says, “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” Think back to the moment you were saved. Can you remember the time and place it occurred? When you look back to that moment you can have confidence that you are saved, and at one point started that relationship with Jesus. Maybe, on the flip side, you are realizing now that you may know about Jesus but don't have a relationship with Him yet. You thought that you believed and that was the end of it. James 2:19 says, “You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.”

Respond:
So where do we go from here? If you haven’t made Jesus Christ your Lord and Savior, let that relationship begin today. Romans 10:9 shows us how: confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead. If you started that relationship with Him today, or many years ago, it is going to take work on your end getting to know Him more and more. You are already doing a great job by diving into these devotionals. Don’t be someone who thinks they are friends with a famous athlete just because you know some things about them. Don't be someone who thinks they are a follower of Jesus because they know things about Jesus. Being saved means you have accepted a vibrant relationship with Jesus and you can work on that relationship every day by talking to God through prayer, reading His word to get to know Him better, and worshiping Him with your words and actions.

Pray:
Lord, thank You for today. I want to desperately have a deeper relationship with You! I want to know You more and truly grow in Your Word to be a better follower of You, Jesus. I love You and can’t wait to grow more in my relationship with You. In Jesus' name, amen.

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Verses:

'My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries of anguish? My God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer, by night, but I find no rest. Yet you are enthroned as the Holy One; you are the one Israel praises. In you our ancestors put their trust; they trusted and you delivered them. To you they cried out and were saved; in you they trusted and were not put to shame. But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by everyone, despised by the people. All who see me mock me; they hurl insults, shaking their heads. “He trusts in the Lord ,” they say, “let the Lord rescue him. Let him deliver him, since he delights in him.” Yet you brought me out of the womb; you made me trust in you, even at my mother’s breast. From birth I was cast on you; from my mother’s womb you have been my God. Do not be far from me, for trouble is near and there is no one to help. Many bulls surround me; strong bulls of Bashan encircle me. Roaring lions that tear their prey open their mouths wide against me. I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint. My heart has turned to wax; it has melted within me. My mouth is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth; you lay me in the dust of death. Dogs surround me, a pack of villains encircles me; they pierce my hands and my feet. All my bones are on display; people stare and gloat over me. They divide my clothes among them and cast lots for my garment. But you, Lord , do not be far from me. You are my strength; come quickly to help me. '

Psalms 22:1

'When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots. And sitting down, they kept watch over him there. Above his head they placed the written charge against him: this is jesus, the king of the jews . Two rebels were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left. Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, “You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!” In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him. “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! He’s the king of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’ ” In the same way the rebels who were crucified with him also heaped insults on him. From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land. About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” ). '

Matthew 27:35

'I will declare your name to my people; in the assembly I will praise you. You who fear the Lord , praise him! All you descendants of Jacob, honor him! Revere him, all you descendants of Israel! For he has not despised or scorned the suffering of the afflicted one; he has not hidden his face from him but has listened to his cry for help. From you comes the theme of my praise in the great assembly; before those who fear you I will fulfill my vows. The poor will eat and be satisfied; those who seek the Lord will praise him— may your hearts live forever! All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the Lord , and all the families of the nations will bow down before him, for dominion belongs to the Lord and he rules over the nations. All the rich of the earth will feast and worship; all who go down to the dust will kneel before him— those who cannot keep themselves alive. Posterity will serve him; future generations will be told about the Lord. They will proclaim his righteousness, declaring to a people yet unborn: He has done it!'

Psalms 22:22

Devotional:

Are you a big-picture person or a detail-oriented type of person? Some people just want the summarized version of the book, project, or event while others want a full-length description including all the particulars. Some people get energized thinking about the overall goals and long-term vision. Others get energized working through the day-to-day specific aspects of the task. Because God didn’t want anyone to miss out on His perfect plan of redemption, He gave us both the big picture as well as the precise details of how the world would be saved.

During His crucifixion, Jesus referenced this plan when He cried out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Hanging on the cross, Jesus could hardly breathe, let alone quote the full-length passage. However, with the few words He could manage, Jesus was directing people to Psalm 22. What’s amazing is David penned these words roughly one thousand years before Christ's birth or even Rome's invention of crucifixion. And yet Psalm 22 provides a detailed description of exactly how the Messiah would die and that is recorded in Matthew 27.

In the prophecy of Psalm 22, verse 2 we are told day would turn to night. In verse 7 we are told Jesus would be mocked. Verse 15 tells us of His extreme thirst. Verses 16 and 17 tell us His hands and feet would be pierced, but no bone would be broken. Then in verse 18 we are told his garments would be divided by casting lots. That said, Psalm 22 also provides a message of incredible hope.

The second half of the 22nd Psalm encourages us that people all over the globe will turn to the Lord. More importantly, we are promised all who seek the Lord will live forever because of His righteous sacrifice.

Reflect:
Jesus lived a perfect life and yet voluntarily took on the punishment for our sins. Jesus was willing to be separated from the Father, so that as we place our faith in Him and the sacrifice He made on the cross, we will never again be separated from God.

Respond:
Whether you are a big-picture or detailed-oriented person, all of us must decide what we will do with the reality of Jesus' crucifixion. Jesus died so that you might live. If you have never accepted the free gift of salvation Jesus offers, prayerfully read through Psalm 22 and thank Jesus for His great sacrifice.

Pray:
Lord, thank You for revealing your plan to save the world through Psalm 22. Help me to never take your sacrifice for granted. Give me boldness to share the hope I have with others who don’t yet know You.

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Verses:

'He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem. '

Isaiah 53:3

'The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; '

Psalms 118:22

'He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. '

John 1:11

'Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: “ ‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes’ ? '

Matthew 21:42

'Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots. '

Luke 23:34

Devotional:

Have you ever given a gift that you knew held great value, but the person receiving it didn’t truly appreciate it? I can only imagine how God must have felt when Israel rejected Jesus, His Son. Of course, Isaiah had prophesied Jesus’ rejection long before He came, and in Psalms 118 the phrase “the stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone” became a phrase often repeated in the New Testament to describe the rejection of Jesus by His own people.

Jesus Himself used that line in speaking to the chief priests and the Pharisees, and the Apostle Peter used it on two other occasions describing Israel’s rejection of Jesus. Imagine that: the greatest gift of the greatest value, and the people He came to save said, “No thanks.” Of course, God knew this would happen and that Jesus’ path would be marked with rejection, sorrow and pain. Yet He endured it all for us. On the cross, He even asked the Father to forgive the people for their rejection of Him. The rejected stone became our Cornerstone, and the Truth on which we build our foundation.

Reflect:
In today’s world, we still see people rejecting Jesus and His gift of salvation. Even after countless discoveries of historical evidence, and endless testimonies of lives being changed, families being restored, and supernatural victories, many people still say, “No thanks.” Are we, as Christ followers, able to face their rejections and view them through a lens of grace? Are we compelled to offer the same prayer as Jesus in Luke 23:34, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing,” or are our hearts hardened by their rejection of Jesus?

Respond:
Who do you have in your circle of friends or even in your family who has rejected Jesus and the gift of salvation? Are you afraid to speak to them about it? Have you given up praying for them to receive it? Even to the point of His death, Jesus never gave up on the people who rejected Him. As Christ followers, we should be willing to do the same.

Pray:
Father, we thank You for the gift of salvation, and we are so grateful for the pain You endured to offer it to us. Help us to remain vigilant in praying for those we know who have rejected You and Your message. Help us to never lose our heart for the lost. In Your name I pray. Amen.

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Verses:

'Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the nations, by the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan— '

Isaiah 9:1

'Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali— '

Matthew 4:13

'In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. There was a man sent from God whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. '

John 1:1

'Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. But as I told you, you have seen me and still you do not believe. All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all those he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.” '

John 6:35

Devotional:

When Jesus walked through Galilee, He wasn’t just a teacher or a prophet; He was the very presence of God among His people. John 1:14 says, “The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son, Who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” In Galilee, Jesus revealed who He was, not just in words, but in action.

In John 2, He performed His first miracle in Cana, turning water into wine, showing His power over creation. In John 4, He spoke with the Samaritan woman at the well, revealing Himself as the Messiah, the source of Living Water. Jesus took the time to help the woman at the well truly experience His forgiveness. Additionally, throughout his time in Galilee, we see Jesus showing His greatness as He fed the five thousand and healed the blind man. These actions no doubt prove His power and that He is the son of God, honoring Galilee like it was said in Isaiah 9.

Throughout Jesus’ ministry in Galilee, He didn’t just preach, He changed lives. He healed the sick, fed the hungry, and offered hope to a world that needed Him. But more than that, He invited people to believe in Him, to follow Him, and to experience eternal life. Who was Jesus? He was, and is, the Son of God, the Savior who brings light to the darkness.

Reflect:
How do you see Jesus? Do you think of Him as a good teacher, a miracle worker, or do you recognize Him as the Son of God who came to save you? Think about the moments in Jesus’ ministry in Galilee—what stands out to you? How has Jesus brought light into your life?

Respond:
Take time today to meditate on who Jesus is. Read John 1:1-14 and John 6:35-40. Ask God to reveal to you a deeper understanding of Jesus. Take the time to consider how you can use your actions today to help someone else know Christ.

Pray:
Lord Jesus, you are more than just a good teacher or a healer—you are the Son of God. Thank You for showing us who You genuinely are throughout ministry in Galilee. Jesus, thank You also for showing us grace and truth. Help me to see You more clearly, to trust You more fully, and to follow You more courageously. Allow me to be filled with Your love so I may share it with others so they may know You. Amen.

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Verses:

'“The days are coming,” declares the Lord , “when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, a King who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land. In his days Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety. This is the name by which he will be called: The Lord Our Righteous Savior. '

Jeremiah 23:5

'This is the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah the son of David, the son of Abraham: '

Matthew 1:1

Devotional:

The plan for Jesus to come to Earth was in place from before the beginning of time. It wasn’t an option of last resort. It was the only plan.

In Jeremiah 23, we see the promise of God that the Messiah is going to come from the family of King David. If you take the time to track David’s family line all the way down to the birth of Jesus, you are going to see that it is a very ordinary family. There were some awesome people and some very messy people. But the promise of God was going to come true, no matter what. Our failures and sins as humans do not change God or His unconditional promises.

The only option for real, true forgiveness was Jesus. His death and resurrection made it possible for all of humanity to have a personal relationship with God. And He came through an earthly family that was messy at times along the way.

If your family is messy at times, welcome to real life! No matter how messy it gets, God can bring great things out of you and your family. No one from your family will be the Messiah, that job is already taken. But God can restore what is broken. He can bring prodigals home.
He can bring forgiveness through you to people who desperately need it.

Reflect:
No matter how messy family can get at times, God’s character and unconditional promises are not changed. You can absolutely count on Him!

Respond:
Are there areas or people in your family that you have given up on? Start to pray over them again and watch what God can do in the middle of our mess!

Pray:
Father God, You know the mess that this life can be sometimes. Thank You that You love us, even when life is messy. Use me to bring forgiveness and grace into the difficult moments in my family. Thank You that You are unchanged by the activity of human beings. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

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Verses:

'“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.” '

Micah 5:2

'After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem '

Matthew 2:1

Devotion:

Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem was not an accident at all; in fact, it was a fulfillment of God’s perfect & divine plan. Micah 5:2 was written hundreds of years before Jesus' birth and foretold of this event happening in Bethlehem.

Bethlehem was a humble town and was chosen as the birthplace of the Messiah. When Jesus was born there, as recorded in Matthew 2:1, it was another amazing confirmation that God keeps His promises. Jesus did not come to earth with wealth or power. Rather, He came in humility. His birthplace is a reminder to us that God works through the unexpected, using what seems insignificant to accomplish His great purposes and promises.

Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem is a fact that points to His divine identity and mission. Jesus is the long-awaited Ruler, bringing hope, peace, and salvation to you, to me, to all. Just as Bethlehem was chosen to welcome the Savior, our hearts need to also make room for Him.

Reflect:
Jesus’ humble birth in Bethlehem was both a fulfillment of prophecy and an amazing example of our Savior’s humility as he took on human form and was born in a lowly manger. Have you made space in your heart for Jesus, the promised King? Do you recognize God’s faithfulness in fulfilling His promises?

Respond:
Jesus came here to earth in humility so that we might ultimately know His love and salvation. Have you asked God to help you trust His plans, even when they seem unexpected or different than you may have chosen?

Pray:
God, thank You for fulfilling Your promise and sending Jesus to be born in Bethlehem. Thank You for using the humble and unexpected to accomplish Your perfect plan. Help me to trust in Your faithfulness and make room for Jesus in my heart each day. Lord, use me on this earth for your Kingdom work. Help me make Your name known to all. Let my life reflect the hope and salvation that you bring. Amen.

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Verses:
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. Isaiah 7:14

Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. Matthew 1:18-20

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God. Luke 1:26-35

Devotional:
There is no other name above Jesus Christ. As we look to answer the question “Who is Jesus?” we must begin with the Old Testament prophecies about the coming Messiah, our Savior. Perhaps the prophecy that Jesus fulfilled that is most central to the Christian faith is found in Isaiah 7:14, which foretold that "God with us" would be born of a virgin. Jesus is the only man who ever lived who entered the world this way, because Jesus was more than just a man – He was also God. His name, Immanuel, given to Him in the Isaiah 7:14 prophecy is translated as “God with us.” Jesus is born of a virgin, both 100% human and 100% God.

The virgin birth is what allowed Jesus to exist without a sin nature and, therefore, live a sinless life. Ever since Adam and Eve, when original sin entered the Garden of Eden, children have inherited a sin nature from their parents. But Jesus, being without a sin nature, is what allows Him to be the perfect lamb, or the perfect sacrifice for mankind, for all of us. Only a perfect lamb could pay the price for the sins of the entire world.

In addition, Jesus being both God and man is what allows Him to bridge the gap between a sinful people and a perfect God. Had Jesus not been born of a virgin, we would have no possible hope of reaching God. The virgin birth is key to Jesus being more than a man.

Reflect:
In our lives we follow many men and women in leadership positions: parents, bosses, elected leaders, people of great influence, etc. But no one deserves our full devotion like Jesus does because they are just men. They have a sin nature. They make mistakes. They fall short. At some point, every single one of them will disappoint us because they’re human. Following Jesus is different because He is the only one who will never fall, and the only one who will never fail to do what is best for you according to His will.

Respond:
Jesus came to this earth to be “God with us,” Immanuel. And He has invited each of us to accept His invitation to let Him into our hearts and to give Him His rightful place in our lives. We follow Him because we can trust Him. We trust Him because He is God.

Pray:
Lord, thank You for the gift of Your love and Your sacrifice. Help me to not allow the distractions of this world camouflage Who You really are: the God who has come to us. Help me follow You in every area of my life. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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Starting on March 31st, we will be praying for the 21 days before Easter! Campus Pastors have written prayers and devotionals that will be sent out daily so that we may prepare our hearts and our ONE's hearts for Easter.

For the next 21 days a new devotional will appear here every day, or you can also follow along in the YouVersion app by clicking here.

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