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April 17th, 2025
Luke 23: 50-56
The Burial of Jesus
(Matthew 27.57-61; Mark 15.42-47; John 19.38-42)
50-51There was a man named Joseph from Arimathea, a town in Judea. He was a good and honorable man, who was waiting for the coming of the Kingdom of God. Although he was a member of the Council, he had not agreed with their decision and action. 52He went into the presence of Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. 53Then he took the body down, wrapped it in a linen sheet, and placed it in a tomb which had been dug out of solid rock and which had never been used. 54It was Friday, and the Sabbath was about to begin.
55The women who had followed Jesus from Galilee went with Joseph and saw the tomb and how Jesus' body was placed in it. 56 Then they went back home and prepared the spices and perfumes for the body.
On the Sabbath they rested, as the Law commanded.
(Matthew 27.57-61; Mark 15.42-47; John 19.38-42)
50-51There was a man named Joseph from Arimathea, a town in Judea. He was a good and honorable man, who was waiting for the coming of the Kingdom of God. Although he was a member of the Council, he had not agreed with their decision and action. 52He went into the presence of Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. 53Then he took the body down, wrapped it in a linen sheet, and placed it in a tomb which had been dug out of solid rock and which had never been used. 54It was Friday, and the Sabbath was about to begin.
55The women who had followed Jesus from Galilee went with Joseph and saw the tomb and how Jesus' body was placed in it. 56 Then they went back home and prepared the spices and perfumes for the body.
On the Sabbath they rested, as the Law commanded.
https://www.bible.com/bible/69/LUK.23.GNTD
Morning Prayer
Dear God,we are thankful that Joseph Arimathea respected and honored Jesus enough to want Jesus to have a proper burial. Lord, we are touched by Joseph's love and care of Jesus. Lord, we love and adore your son, Jesus, as well. We give honor, glory, and praise to your holy name. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.
April 16th, 2025
Luke 23: 44-48
The Death of Jesus
(Matthew 27.45-56; Mark 15.33-41; John 19.28-30)
44-45 It was about twelve o'clock when the sun stopped shining and darkness covered the whole country until three o'clock; and the curtain hanging in the Temple was torn in two. 46 Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Father! In your hands I place my spirit!” He said this and died.
47The army officer saw what had happened, and he praised God, saying, “Certainly he was a good man!”
48When the people who had gathered there to watch the spectacle saw what happened, they all went back home, beating their breasts in sorrow. 49 All those who knew Jesus personally, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance to watch.
(Matthew 27.45-56; Mark 15.33-41; John 19.28-30)
44-45 It was about twelve o'clock when the sun stopped shining and darkness covered the whole country until three o'clock; and the curtain hanging in the Temple was torn in two. 46 Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Father! In your hands I place my spirit!” He said this and died.
47The army officer saw what had happened, and he praised God, saying, “Certainly he was a good man!”
48When the people who had gathered there to watch the spectacle saw what happened, they all went back home, beating their breasts in sorrow. 49 All those who knew Jesus personally, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance to watch.
https://www.bible.com/bible/69/LUK.23.GNTD
Morning Prayer
Dear God, it looks like the crowd regretted not believing that Jesus was your son when they saw the spectacle that followed Jesus' death. Lord, may we always have faith in you and Jesus. Lord, we cannot see you, but we still believe you're real, and we have faith in you. Lord, we also believe that Jesus is our Savior and that he is your son. We give honor, glory, and praise to your holy name. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.
April 15th. 2025
Luke 23: 23-43
32Two other men, both of them criminals, were also led out to be put to death with Jesus. 33When they came to the place called “The Skull,” they crucified Jesus there, and the two criminals, one on his right and the other on his left. 34 Jesus said, “Forgive them, Father! They don't know what they are doing.”
They divided his clothes among themselves by throwing dice. 35 The people stood there watching while the Jewish leaders made fun of him: “He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Messiah whom God has chosen!”
36 The soldiers also made fun of him: they came up to him and offered him cheap wine, 37and said, “Save yourself if you are the king of the Jews!”
38Above him were written these words: “This is the King of the Jews.”
39One of the criminals hanging there hurled insults at him: “Aren't you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”
40The other one, however, rebuked him, saying, “Don't you fear God? You received the same sentence he did. 41Ours, however, is only right, because we are getting what we deserve for what we did; but he has done no wrong.” 42And he said to Jesus, “Remember me, Jesus, when you come as King!”
43Jesus said to him, “I promise you that today you will be in Paradise with me.”
They divided his clothes among themselves by throwing dice. 35 The people stood there watching while the Jewish leaders made fun of him: “He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Messiah whom God has chosen!”
36 The soldiers also made fun of him: they came up to him and offered him cheap wine, 37and said, “Save yourself if you are the king of the Jews!”
38Above him were written these words: “This is the King of the Jews.”
39One of the criminals hanging there hurled insults at him: “Aren't you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”
40The other one, however, rebuked him, saying, “Don't you fear God? You received the same sentence he did. 41Ours, however, is only right, because we are getting what we deserve for what we did; but he has done no wrong.” 42And he said to Jesus, “Remember me, Jesus, when you come as King!”
43Jesus said to him, “I promise you that today you will be in Paradise with me.”
https://www.bible.com/bible/69/LUK.23.GNTD
Morning Prayer
Dear God, what a horrible death Jesus suffered so we could be forgiven of our sins and have eternal life one day. Lord, there is no greater love than a person laying down their life for you. Lord, we are so thankful for Jesus' sacrifice on the cross so we could find our way back to you. We give honor, glory, and praise to your holy name. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.
April 14th, 2025
Luke 22: 13-25
Jesus Is Sentenced to Death
(Matthew 27.15-26; Mark 15.6-15; John 18.39—19.16)
13Pilate called together the chief priests, the leaders, and the people, 14and said to them, “You brought this man to me and said that he was misleading the people. Now, I have examined him here in your presence, and I have not found him guilty of any of the crimes you accuse him of. 15Nor did Herod find him guilty, for he sent him back to us. There is nothing this man has done to deserve death. 16So I will have him whipped and let him go.”
18The whole crowd cried out, “Kill him! Set Barabbas free for us!” ( 19Barabbas had been put in prison for a riot that had taken place in the city, and for murder.)
20Pilate wanted to set Jesus free, so he appealed to the crowd again. 21But they shouted back, “Crucify him! Crucify him!”
22Pilate said to them the third time, “But what crime has he committed? I cannot find anything he has done to deserve death! I will have him whipped and set him free.”
23But they kept on shouting at the top of their voices that Jesus should be crucified, and finally their shouting succeeded. 24So Pilate passed the sentence on Jesus that they were asking for. 25He set free the man they wanted, the one who had been put in prison for riot and murder, and he handed Jesus over for them to do as they wished.
(Matthew 27.15-26; Mark 15.6-15; John 18.39—19.16)
13Pilate called together the chief priests, the leaders, and the people, 14and said to them, “You brought this man to me and said that he was misleading the people. Now, I have examined him here in your presence, and I have not found him guilty of any of the crimes you accuse him of. 15Nor did Herod find him guilty, for he sent him back to us. There is nothing this man has done to deserve death. 16So I will have him whipped and let him go.”
18The whole crowd cried out, “Kill him! Set Barabbas free for us!” ( 19Barabbas had been put in prison for a riot that had taken place in the city, and for murder.)
20Pilate wanted to set Jesus free, so he appealed to the crowd again. 21But they shouted back, “Crucify him! Crucify him!”
22Pilate said to them the third time, “But what crime has he committed? I cannot find anything he has done to deserve death! I will have him whipped and set him free.”
23But they kept on shouting at the top of their voices that Jesus should be crucified, and finally their shouting succeeded. 24So Pilate passed the sentence on Jesus that they were asking for. 25He set free the man they wanted, the one who had been put in prison for riot and murder, and he handed Jesus over for them to do as they wished.
https://www.bible.com/bible/69/LUK.23.GNTD
Morning Prayer
Dear God, how quickly the crowd had gone from praising Jesus when he had entered Jerusalem on a donkey to wanting him crucified. Lord, Pontius Pilate wanted to do the right thing by setting Jesus free because he hadn't committed any crime, but he gave into the pressure of the crowd because he probably feared riots. Lord, we are saddened by the cruelty of the crowd towards Jesus. Lord, let us always remember Jesus' great sacrifice on the cross for us. Lord, we are thankful for the life and ministry of Jesus. We give honor, glory, and praise to your holy name. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.
