Theme: Temptation – Luke 4:1-13

Temptation is defined as a desire to do something wrong–and for the believer it often represents the entrypoint into sin. Yet every human being faces temptations on a daily basis, and even Jesus was tempted for 40 days in the desert. So how do we reconcile our mandate to be Christ’s witnesses to the world with the fact that the world we live in is filled with temptations? We look to our Savior. Jesus himself journeyed through a 40 day period of temptation, YET He overcame. He hasn’t called us to walk into anything He himself hasn’t overcome–but we again see glorious redemption and power through Jesus’ example.

As you read Luke 4 this week, ponder the words of Paul to the Corinthians that, “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13, ESV). Jesus hasn’t left you to be tempted alone, but walks alongside you in your struggles. Reflect on how you’ve been tempted to fall into the grip of sin, and how the Lord might be providing you a ‘way of escape’. Invite Him into your struggles. He’s not looking for perfectionism or legalism, but hearts that seek fully after Him even in the messes of everyday life.

Theme: Forgiveness  – Ephesians 4:31-32

One of the hallmarks of our Christian faith is the idea of forgiveness. Forgiveness starts with God. In fact, Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 56 states in regards to forgiveness, “…that God, because of Christ’s satisfaction, will no longer remember any of my sins or my sinful nature which I need to struggle against all my life. Rather, by his grace God grants me the righteousness of Christ that I may never come into judgment.” God embodies forgiveness. He grants us the righteousness of Christ, the wretched sinners that we are. What an encouraging and freeing thought!

Yet, when we talk about forgiving our brothers, sisters, and neighbors, we often forget the freeing gift already imparted to us through ‘Christ’s satisfaction.’ We struggle to willingly release those who have wronged and hurt us, wanting to hold onto grudges and secretly seek revenge or harm to come to them. We compartmentalize the forgiveness we have freely received from God, yet withhold forgiveness to others. This week as you wrestle with Paul’s words to the Ephesians to release that bitterness or grudge you hold against your ‘neighbor’, be encouraged that the hard work of forgiveness comes with God’s grace and His promise. Take time to receive His free gift of forgiveness afresh, and allow Him to cleanse your own heart “…forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:32b, ESV)

Theme: Jesus the Perfecter of our Faith  – Hebrews 12:1-3, 28

How many times have you been tempted to control your life’s circumstances? If we’re honest with ourselves, we fall into this trap often! We aim to reach a certain level of education, obtain a certain monetary value, find the perfect family, purchase the perfect car or home. The list is endless. Yet the writer of Hebrews reminds us of an important truth. Jesus is the ONLY perfecter of our faith. We can’t perfect or control our lives, though we often try. Instead, we are to “lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus.” (Hebrews 12:1-2, ESV).

Did you catch that? The key to it all is Jesus. We look to HIM, who is the ‘founder and perfecter of our faith’. In joy, He endured the cross on our behalf. This week as you ponder what it means for Jesus to be the perfecter of your faith, remember that He saw the JOY set before Him because He knew the outcome. “Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken.” (Hebrews 12:28, ESV). We serve a God that cannot be shaken. We can walk into the uncertainties of life with JOY, knowing that this unshakable kingdom was bought through the blood of Jesus for us. Invite Christ to be your joy this week, and worship Him as the founder and perfecter of your faith.

Theme: God’s Love – Lamentations 3:21-24

The book of Lamentations is a gift to the body of Christ. Real, emotional, visceral–it is a poetic lament for the people of God showing the anguished response to the destruction of Jerusalem. We hear the agony in the people of God. “She weeps bitterly in the night…she has none to comfort her.” (Lamentations 1:2, ESV) Grief. Pain. Agony. Destruction. We’ve likely all experienced grief, depression, despair, and anguish like the people of God. Yet the story doesn’t end there. Tucked into the middle of the book, God’s resounding love abounds. “But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end.” (Lamentations 3:21-22, ESV)

God’s love for you is steadfast. God’s love for you never ceases. This is God’s covenant love for you. It never gives up on you. It never stops pursuing you. This love is who God is. Let that resounding truth sink in. God loves you! This week as you press into what it means that God’s mercies for your life never come to an end, ask yourself if you believe the depth of God’s love for you. Remind yourself that you are never alone and worship the Lord for His faithfulness!

Theme: Waiting on God – Isaiah 40:27-31

Building on the previous weeks, we’ve meditated on the assurance of God’s deep and glorious love for us, as well as Christ’s call for us–that Jesus is the founder and perfecter of our faith. As we journey in our walk with the Lord, we’re sure to encounter seasons of waiting. We press into prayer wondering if our prayers are uttered in vain. We wait for that miracle or that proverbial answer–whether it be healing, restored relationships, opportunities, direction, salvation for loved ones, or freedom. Our hearts echo the cry of Israel in Isaiah, wondering is “…my way hidden from the LORD, and my right is disregarded by my God?” (Isaiah 40:27b, ESV) The prophet gently reminds us and calls us back to the truth of who God is. “Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.” (Isaiah 40:28, ESV) 

We serve a God who is everlasting and creator. All of creation has his imprint. Isaiah further encourages us about the nature of God. We learn that he never grows faint or weary. His wisdom and understanding is so vast that it is unsearchable! Furthermore, those who choose to trust in Him, to wait upon Him, and to obey in their season of wait are given hope, “for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faith.” (Isaiah 40:31, ESV). This week as you approach God in prayer, gently remind yourself about the truths of who God is. When you feel weary in the waiting, remember to refocus on the unsearchable, everlasting God we serve and allow Him to give you strength.

Theme: Suffering – Matt. 26:36-56

Suffering happens to all of us. No human being has ever escaped suffering, thanks to sin entering this world. Affliction. Adversity. Hardship. Torture. Distress. Disease. Death. Let’s face it, there is no sugarcoating the realities of the suffering we encounter daily on earth–we can’t escape the fact that we live in a very broken, fallen world. But while “…sin increased…” in the world, once again God had a rescue plan in place, “…grace abounded all the more.” (Romans 5:20, ESV). That gift of grace came in the form of Jesus, who willingly suffered in our place.

How do we know he suffered? As Christ knew of his coming death and betrayal, Matthew records some comforting words for us. Jesus said to Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death.” (Matthew 26:38, ESV). Jesus even goes one step further and asks his Heavenly Father to remove this cup from him. The implication is clear. The suffering Christ was about to endure felt too great, even for Him. Yet, knowing the plan God had set into motion since the beginning of time, we are left with these profound words from Christ, “…nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” (Matthew 26:39, ESV). Jesus willingly entered into suffering for you. He willingly took all your punishment. He willingly endured the cross and death, so that you could have life everlasting.

The irony is even at his remarkable willingness, we see in verse 56 that all his disciples left him. How discouraging! In Christ’s weakest moments, his friends had abandoned him. As incomprehensible as this can be, we see Jesus in his full humanity here, suffering as none that came before him nor as any that have come after. In fact, the reason why we so often state from the Apostle’s Creed that ‘He descended into hell’ is “to assure me during attacks of deepest dread and temptation that Christ, my Lord, by suffering unspeakable anguish, pain, and terror of soul, on the cross but also earlier, has delivered me from hellish anguish and torment.” (Heidelberg Catechism, Q&A 44). 

Here, we see Christ’s true divinity at work. Only Christ could fully atone for our sins. Only through his suffering, the death of the only Son of God, could we be delivered from eternal condemnation. As you meditate on the suffering of Christ this Holy Week, allow Christ to enter into your suffering with you. He knows what you’re going through. He will never abandon you. Ask him to give you comfort and peace as you face your trials, and rest securely in the fact that Jesus will never forsake you!

Theme: Salvation – Colosians 1:13-14

Here, at the culmination of our Lenten season, we come to celebrate the most glorious of all outcomes. As Jesus entered the domain of darkness through death on the cross, God had a plan of rescue, redemption, and salvation from the beginning of time. God, in His glorious provision, wonder, and majesty, orchestrated a way for us to be reunited with Him after the great chasm created by sin. Satan tried to separate us from God, but his plan ultimately failed. He underestimated the power of God and God’s great mercy for His people. God always had a plan for you and for me. And that plan had a name. Jesus. 

Looking at what the cross represents, we are confronted with the weight of our own sin and how far that sin has kept us from such a holy God. How can such a holy God draw near to a people filled with shame, wrong-doings, and the stench of sin that refuses to relent? How can we ever be redeemed? Only through God’s beloved Son, Jesus. 

Jesus died and defeated death. In fact Paul encourages the Romans that “We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him.” (Romans 6:9, ESV) Because of his resurrection, Jesus Christ canceled the power of death on your life. Jesus atoned for every wrong-doing you committed, are committing, and will commit. As Paul explains, we are united with Christ not only in his death, but also in His resurrection. What this means is that as we turn to Christ, as we fix our eyes heavenward on Jesus, and believe in His death and resurrection for us, we always have salvation, hope, redemption, and life with God. What good news we have in receiving and knowing Jesus’ free gift of salvation! 

Easter truly is a celebratory moment. It’s a time to take stock of where you are in our relationship with the Lord. Maybe you’ve struggled to truly believe in His saving grace, or maybe this is your first time hearing the good news of His salvation message. Maybe you’ve been knocked down one too many times in life and feel hopeless. Or maybe you’ve been walking with the Lord for a season and sense Him calling you into areas of service or ministry outside of your comfort zone. Regardless of where you find yourself today, Jesus is beckoning you to come. Come walk alongside Him in the greatest journey you will ever have. Come experience life filled with an unshakeable peace and JOY that withstands the toughest of storms. Come and follow the only one who can save us from death, because He overcame it. Come and experience the freedom found only in life with Jesus.