Category: Daily Prayer

Our scripture today is John 20:1-18.

Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!” So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in. Then Simon Peter came along behind him and went straight into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, as well as the cloth that had been wrapped around Jesus’ head. The cloth was still lying in its place, separate from the linen. Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed. (They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.) Then the disciples went back to where they were staying. Now Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot. They asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?” “They have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I don’t know where they have put him.” At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus. He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?” Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.” Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”). Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them that he had said these things to her.
John 20:1-18

Resurrection is a word we don’t use a lot in everyday conversation. The dictionary tells us it means “the rising of Christ from the dead or the rising again to life of all the human dead before the final judgment” (Merriam-Webster.com). That’s a weighty definition and an even heavier concept for us.

Yet Jesus told us exactly what it meant and how it would happen. He told us about His death and resurrection (Matthew 16:21, Mark 8:31, Luke 9:22) and ours (John 6:40). The disciples were often confused by these teachings and we still find it difficult to understand.

The beauty of Christ’s promise to us is that we don’t need to have a complete understanding; only to believe in Him and His never-ending love for us. Sometimes our overwhelming desire to know gets in the way of our faith. Jesus said “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” (John 14:1-4). As long as we put our faith in Him, He will return for us. Alleluia, Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!

Holy Lord, on this the day of Resurrection, we rejoice with all creation at Your victory over death. May we love each other as You first loved us, and go in Your name to make disciples of all the world. Amen.

Our scripture for today is John 19:38-42.

Later, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Now Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jewish leaders. With Pilate’s permission, he came and took the body away. He was accompanied by Nicodemus, the man who earlier had visited Jesus at night. Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds. Taking Jesus’ body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen. This was in accordance with Jewish burial customs. At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had ever been laid. Because it was the Jewish day of Preparation and since the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.
John 19:38-42

Jesus is laid to rest not by His disciples or family but by two men we know little about before this. Joseph of Arimathea is mentioned in all four Gospel accounts of the burial (Matt. 27:57, Mark 15:43, Luke 23:50 and today’s reading). Nicodemus appears only in the Gospel of John, but is mentioned in chapter 3 as the Pharisee who came to Jesus by night and was taught about being born again. We meet him again in John 7:50 where as a member of the Sanhedrin (the Jewish ruling council) he reminds fellow members they must hear Jesus before they judge Him.

They take Jesus’ body and prepare it for burial according to Jewish customs, and place it in the garden tomb. This is where we find ourselves on Holy Saturday, watching and waiting. The disciples were hiding in fear after Jesus’ death, which is why a wealthy man and a Pharisee, both secret disciples, take responsibility to care for His body.

Today we are also “in hiding” to curtail the spread of the virus that is rampant around us. Like the disciples that day, we can’t all gather together as we’d like. However, we know the love of Jesus, demonstrated by His willingness to go to the cross for us. Let us continue to watch and wait, out of love for Him and each other.

Loving Lord, we are amazed at what You have done for us, deeming us worthy of Your sacrifice. May we wait patiently for the joy that will come, when we can tell the world of Your power and glory, and Your love poured out for us. Amen.

Our scripture for Good Friday is John 18:1-19:42, a long passage that is difficult to read or hear, because it documents our failure as humans to accept Christ when He came for us. It tells of His suffering and death in order to save us from our sin and our ungratefulness. I encourage you to read it today to be aware of the seriousness of our wrongdoing and the righteous sacrifice Christ offered for us.

Now it’s easy to say “we weren’t there, it wasn’t us” but if we are truthful with ourselves and each other, we know that we are as guilty as those who watched. When we have not cared for the last, the least and the lost among us, we have abandoned Him. When we have not shared His love in the world, we have cried “Crucify Him!” and when we do not follow His teachings, we follow the jeering crowd to Calvary.

Jesus knows our weakness and even in His torment, He asks “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). We can’t forgive each other for petty offenses, but Christ forgave the sin of the whole world! May we weep with those at the foot of the cross, knowing the One who loved us best has died for us.

Lord Jesus, we are sorry for the evil we do. Help us to see that You have freed us from sin and it no longer holds us. By Your love, we have been saved. Amen.

Our scripture for today is John 13:1-17.

It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” “No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.” “Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!” Jesus answered, “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.” For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean. When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.
John 13:1-17

In this passage, Peter initially objects to Jesus washing his feet. He doesn’t understand why the one of whom he testified “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16) would lower Himself in this way. As Jesus explains, he then cries “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!”

Peter could be the poster child for us all. He is reluctant at first, but afterwards he is over enthusiastic. How often are we like Peter, hot and cold? We see other examples of this in his behavior – walking on the water to Christ but then sinking, declaring he would follow Jesus anywhere and then denying Him.

Jesus sometimes chided Peter and others with the gentle rebuke “Oh ye of little faith” (Matthew 8:26), telling them that they must grow in faith to see the promise He offers and understand the sacrifice He would make for us. May we hear and obey His call to grow as children of God and share our living faith with all the world.

Gracious God, in Your love and mercy You sent Jesus to save Your rebellious children. Help us to be the faithful followers You created us to be! Amen.

Our scripture today is John 13:21-32.

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. When he was gone, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man is glorified and God is glorified in him. If God is glorified in him, God will glorify the Son in himself, and will glorify him at once.
John 13:21-32

Jesus cares for His friends so much, He goes ahead with the Passover celebration with them even though He knows the betrayal is coming. Jesus is so focused on obeying God’s will, He is willing to endure the suffering that lies ahead. Even facing denial, pain and death, Jesus does what He has been called to do.

We are called by God for His purpose in the world as well. We know that along the way we may encounter the same obstacles Jesus did – disappointment, rejection, hurt. God doesn’t want these things for us, but because we live in a world broken by sin, they will occur.

God doesn’t promise we won’t be challenged by the world, but He does promise to be with us when it comes. Our trials may be different but His love for all of us is the same forever. As He was with Jesus through the ordeal of His final week on earth, He will be with us.

Loving Lord, our hope is in You. Help us to endure when we are confronted by evil, knowing and doing Your will in spite of the tests we face. Amen.

Our scripture for today is John 12:20-36.

Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the festival. They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request. “Sir,” they said, “we would like to see Jesus.” Philip went to tell Andrew; Andrew and Philip in turn told Jesus. Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me. “Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name!” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.” The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to him. Jesus said, “This voice was for your benefit, not mine. Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die. The crowd spoke up, “We have heard from the Law that the Messiah will remain forever, so how can you say, ‘The Son of Man must be lifted up’? Who is this ‘Son of Man’?” Then Jesus told them, “You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. Whoever walks in the dark does not know where they are going. Believe in the light while you have the light, so that you may become children of light.” When he had finished speaking, Jesus left and hid himself from them.
John 12:20-36

Jesus continues to prepare His disciples (and us) for the time when we will no longer see Him. He uses the analogy of light and darkness to urge us to listen and learn so that we may become “children of light”. Jesus calls us all to be His light in an often dark world.

He also teaches that His death is like planting a seed, that from it love and salvation may be shared with all the world like an abundant crop. He encourages us to value the promise of salvation above all things, even life itself. When we testify to His truth, we continue to bear fruit for His kingdom.

Through His faithful obedience, God is glorified. We must be true to God’s word if we desire to follow Him and be blessed to eternal life. May we reflect the light of His love to all we meet.

Loving Lord, our understanding is feeble but You teach us gently, making Your way clear before us. May we walk in Your light all our lives and help make the world ready for Your return. Amen.

During Holy Week we will read the passage from the Gospel appointed for each day. Our scripture for today is John 12:1-11.

Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages. ” 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. “Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.” Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews found out that Jesus was there and came, not only because of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well, for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and believing in him.
John 12:1-11

The last week of His life on earth was an eventful one, as Jesus prepared Himself and those around Him for what was to come. His friend Mary poured perfume on His feet, anointing Him as if for death. Even this act of worship was not without controversy as Judas protested the extravagance.

Jesus responds with the announcement that He would not always be with them. There are still those who don’t know what is to happen, or refuse to believe it. Do we fail to realize the sacrifice Christ made for us, focusing instead on what we want?

During this Holy Week, may we be fully aware of His saving grace for us and the life of servitude He chose to prove His love. Consider your relationship with Christ and what it is He asks of you. Let us all be mindful of His call on our lives.

Everlasting Lord, help us to see the path You have for us, even when it is difficult. Show us Your will and may it be done, now and forever. Amen.