REFLECTION

The disciples were celebrating the Passover with Jesus. When the hour came, they reclined around a table, drank from the cup, and ate of the bread. Afterward, a dispute arose among them when Jesus told them one would betray him. They began to argue about who is the greatest among them.

In Luke 22:26,27, Jesus says, "...the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves."

RESPONSE

Jesus said, "This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me." Likewise, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you." Pray as you remember the sacrifice. We must daily choose to empty ourselves and be filled with His presence so that we, too, can pour ourselves out to serve the community God has given us! Greater is the one!

REFLECTION

Luke chapter 22 tells us that Jesus went to the garden at the Mount of Olives to pray "as usual." While there, Jesus tells his disciples to "pray that you will not fall into temptation." Later, however, He finds them asleep and says to them, "Get up and pray." (Luke 22:46)

RESPONSE

Sometimes, we "fall asleep" in our prayer life. Possibly putting it on our "to-do" list that, quite frankly, we almost never get done. I love, though, the thought of Jesus in prayer "as usual." He is always connected in prayer to His Father, the Father. As Christians, our prayer time, our time alone with our heavenly Father, should not just be a priority in our lives. It should BE our life. Every action and reaction should be filtered through Christ.

Pray now about your temptation to "prioritize" Christ in your life and surrender your calendar.

REFLECTION

Jesus was arrested after Judas' kiss betrayed him on the accusation of leading a rebellion. Mark 14:53 says, "They took Jesus to the high priest…" and verse 55 goes on to tell us "...the whole Sanhedrin were looking for evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death, but they did not find any. Many testified falsely, but their statements did not agree." Jesus remained silent until the high priest asked him in verse 61, "Are you the Christ?" Jesus replied, "I am". They did not want to punish him to death, considering there was not enough evidence. However, as a custom during the Feast, they would allow the release of one prisoner, so they let the public decide between him and a criminal named Barabbas. The crowd chose to release the criminal, shouting to crucify Jesus. So Pilot did.

RESPONSE

Pray for our local judicial system, which makes so many crucial decisions for our community every day. Then, pray about the different characteristics of this story that we portray or have the opportunity to at some point in our lives.

First, pray about betrayal. At some time, have we been like Judas and betrayed Christ through action or lack thereof? When have we been the crowd, failing to give others the benefit of the doubt and passing judgment too quickly? What about a time when you were the victim… and others treated you unfairly? How did you react to that?

If we will/have surrendered all to Christ, we too can be SET FREE in Christ. Like Barabbas, we are set free even in our sin and shame! In our prayer time now, we thank you, Jesus, for showing us your grace and mercy every day… please show us how to give this as well as we receive it!

REFLECTION

Before Jesus was put on trial, Peter was warned that he would deny knowing him. In John 13:37, Peter told Jesus, "I will lay down my life for you," but Jesus replied, "Will you really lay down your life for me? I tell you the truth, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times". While Jesus was on trial, we saw this while Peter withdrew and hid in the back near the guards around the campfire so that he could stay warm.

RESPONSE

Will we choose to live a comfortable, easy, never offensive life? Never speaking the name of Jesus to simply avoid conflict? Will we choose to lay our own life (comfort, desires, calendars, etc) down in order to bring glory to the one who gave his entire life for us?

In John 13:34, Jesus commands us to "Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

Pray now that we can choose daily to lay down our lives for the cause of Christ.

REFLECTION

Jesus was taken to the place where they would execute him beside criminals. In Luke 23:34, Jesus pleads, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they are doing." The people stood there, watching and mocking him while he was crucified on the cross.

RESPONSE

Today, the same can be true. People will still be found standing and watching, mocking Christians around them. Some Christians will even be put to death for their faith. Jesus gives hope to the believer by saying (in verse 43), "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise!"

Pray for the persecuted Christians to keep their minds focused on Christ. Pray also for the ones standing and mocking the persecutors. Pray that their hearts will be softened to hear the truth about freedom in Christ!

Pray about how you would/will react when someone confronts you about your faith.

REFLECTION

In John 19, we see two very distinguished men coming to prepare Jesus' body for burial with incredible care and very expensive spices. In verse 40, it tells us that "they wrapped it ( his body), with the spices, in strips of linen." This took delicate care and much time. They placed his body in a brand-new tomb located in a garden near the site of the crucifixion.

RESPONSE

Take a moment and think of someone who recently or in the past has taken the time to delicately prepare you for your walk with Christ.

Spend time in prayer thanking God for caring enough to send someone hand-picked just for you, and pray that the Holy Spirit will lead you to others that you can now do the same for!

REFLECTION

Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and said that the stone had been removed from the entrance. She found Peter and another disciple, and they ran back to the tomb together. John 20:6,7 lets us know that Peter "arrived and went into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, as well as the burial cloth that had been around Jesus head."

RESPONSE

Jesus has conquered death! His death, burial, and resurrection have resurrected us from our sins! He alone has given us a way to have a relationship with the Father! Our sins are now covered by the blood that he poured out for us on the cross. The old law has been fulfilled, and a new covenant has been born! We are no longer a slave to sin but a child of God!

Pray now that you can let go of the weight of your sin and brokenness. Lay your burdens down. By his wounds, we are healed, and we are free. It is finished!

REFLECTION

From the first moment, humanity was in desperate need of something to believe in. But the draw away from the path of righteousness blossomed darkness within every heart.

Like wars leaving destruction. Like women and girls being trafficked into slavery. Like floods and tornados. Like families in poverty, living paycheck to paycheck, leaving families hungry, job loss, adultery, divorce, addiction, loneliness, depression, and suicide.....

But there is good news today! Because WE have the opportunity to believe. We believe in God the Father, Jesus Christ- His birth, His death, and NOW… we can boldly proclaim that................. HE IS ALIVE!

He will come again! And if you profess that He is your Lord and Savior, you will be raised with Him one day. Because of the cross, His light is now in you, and you can now shine that light to the whole world and HELP PEOPLE FIND AND FOLLOW JESUS.

RESPONSE

Pray that you can take the light that only comes from Jesus out into the world. Darkness lives there but we are commanded to Go and make disciples.

If you don't have a Church home, please consider joining us on Easter. If you call Connect Church home, we can't wait to worship with you on Easter Sunday. Invite your family, friends, and strangers. Go and be a light in the darkness!