John 20 
 
19 That Sunday evening the disciples were meeting behind locked doors because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders. Suddenly, Jesus was standing there among them! “Peace be with you,” he said. 20 As he spoke, he showed them the wounds in his hands and his side. They were filled with joy when they saw the Lord! 21 Again he said, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.” 22 Then he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive anyone’s sins, they are forgiven. If you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”

We made it! It is Sunday. The tomb was empty, and Jesus is gone. Angels have appeared and reminded all his followers about the things he said would happen. They still don’t know what to believe. They still don’t understand that the scriptures have spoken about these events way beforehand. They are no longer scattered, but even though they have gathered together there is still paralyzing fear among them. 
 
A long week followed by a long confusing day, then suddenly Jesus appears. 
All their hopes are confirmed. Their fears are relieved. Their faith is renewed. 
 
Of course, if we’re still paying attention, the story doesn’t end here. Jesus completed his mission, but now he’s coMISSIONing his disciples to continue the work with the Holy Spirit. Already modeling how it was to be sent on a mission, he now sends his disciples on the same mission. A mission with the Holy Spirit for the forgiveness of people. 
 
Easter Sunday is a celebration but also a reminder to participate in the mission.

Prayer:
Our God who is in heaven and also with us, you have defeated death. Give us life. Give us courage. And give us hope so that we may go and share to all your goodness. 

Matthew 27

62 The next day, on the Sabbath, the leading priests and Pharisees went to see Pilate. 63 They told him, “Sir, we remember what that deceiver once said while he was still alive: ‘After three days I will rise from the dead.’ 64 So we request that you seal the tomb until the third day. This will prevent his disciples from coming and stealing his body and then telling everyone he was raised from the dead! If that happens, we’ll be worse off than we were at first.” 65 Pilate replied, “Take guards and secure it the best you can.” 66 So they sealed the tomb and posted guards to protect it.

​It comes by many names. Some know it as “Holy Saturday”; others refer to it as “Great Saturday”; “Silent Saturday”; “Hallelujah Saturday”; and a couple others. My personal favorite is: The Great Sabbath. 
 
The controversy is far from over. So, as a leader of men, Pilate uses his authority to order guards for the tomb of Jesus to prevent more unrest in the town. 
In addition, after all that has taken place in the past 48+ hours (which I’m sure no one really slept), the followers of Jesus are physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually exhausted. 
 
Now it is the Sabbath. So, rest. Tomorrow will be the start of a brand new period of human history. But today, rest. 

Prayer:
God, I rest in you. Amen.

John 19 
 
28 Jesus knew that his mission was now finished, and to fulfill Scripture he said, “I am thirsty.” 29 A jar of sour wine was sitting there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put it on a hyssop branch, and held it up to his lips. 30 When Jesus had tasted it, he said, “It is finished!” Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. 31 It was the day of preparation, and the Jewish leaders didn’t want the bodies hanging there the next day, which was the Sabbath (and a very special Sabbath, because it was Passover week). So they asked Pilate to hasten their deaths by ordering that their legs be broken. Then their bodies could be taken down. 32 So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the two men crucified with Jesus. 33 But when they came to Jesus, they saw that he was already dead, so they didn’t break his legs. 34 One of the soldiers, however, pierced his side with a spear, and immediately blood and water flowed out.35 (This report is from an eyewitness giving an accurate account. He speaks the truth so that you also may continue to believe.) 36 These things happened in fulfillment of the Scriptures that say, “Not one of his bones will be broken,” 37 and “They will look on the one they pierced.”

​Remember when the week started? Jesus does. Perhaps at this point the smell of the nard is long gone; now covered by all the dirt, spit, and blood. The streets that were full of cheers become full of mocking. The group of friends he came into to town with are now all scattered and scared. There is an uproar going all throughout the town. It seems like there are surprises at every turn; but Jesus is not surprised.
 
There are hundreds of prophecies that are fulfilled by Jesus’ ministry. He knew exactly what he came to do. His ministries of preaching, healing, miracles, and traveling all over the region, were supposed to lead him right to this place and this very moment. On this tree. In between these two criminals. Suffering through: torture, public humiliation, verbal abuse, watching his friends go through trauma, hearing lies about himself, and the list goes on. It was all supposed to lead him right here. 
 
And now it is done. Because of Jesus, and only Jesus, we are saved. "It is finished."

Prayer:
​Jesus, you are enough. Amen.

John 18

33 Then Pilate went back into his headquarters and called for Jesus to be brought to him. “Are you the king of the Jews?” he asked him. 34 Jesus replied, “Is this your own question, or did others tell you about me?” 35 “Am I a Jew?” Pilate retorted. “Your own people and their leading priests brought you to me for trial. Why? What have you done?” 36 Jesus answered, “My Kingdom is not an earthly kingdom. If it were, my followers would fight to keep me from being handed over to the Jewish leaders. But my Kingdom is not of this world.” 37 Pilate said, “So you are a king?” Jesus responded, “You say I am a king. Actually, I was born and came into the world to testify to the truth. All who love the truth recognize that what I say is true.” 38 “What is truth?” Pilate asked. Then he went out again to the people and told them, “He is not guilty of any crime. 39 But you have a custom of asking me to release one prisoner each year at Passover. Would you like me to release this ‘King of the Jews’?” 40 But they shouted back, “No! Not this man. We want Barabbas!” (Barabbas was a revolutionary.)

​Pilate has a lot of concerns because of the uproar in the streets, but he has no idea that he’s going to be a part of a historic trial. In front of him is clear that this is just a human man who isn’t even powerful enough to challenge his Roman rule over their people and land. He claims full authority over Jesus. But his conversation with Jesus leads him to question everything. It is one of the most fundamental questions of all time: “What is truth?”
 
On this Good Friday, when you consider all of the things you can see with your eyes, touch with your hands, and understand with your worldview; reconsider how real any of it actually is in comparison the promises of God. 
 
We know all about riots in the streets, but are we listening to the still small voice of God? 
We know all about authorities that are over us, but are we aware of sovereignty of the Kingdom of God?
We know all about the pressures of making big decisions, but do we know how easy it was for God to chose us?
We know all about the people are chosen over us, but do we choose Jesus daily?

Prayer:
The truth is that I am Barabbas. I am an enemy of God, and the world chooses me as their own. But God, you have chosen to surrender to the cross that belongs to me so that I can be with you. Teach me how to choose you, Jesus. 

John 18
 
After saying these things, Jesus crossed the Kidron Valley with his disciples and entered a grove of olive trees. 2 Judas, the betrayer, knew this place, because Jesus had often gone there with his disciples. 3 The leading priests and Pharisees had given Judas a contingent of Roman soldiers and Temple guards to accompany him. Now with blazing torches, lanterns, and weapons, they arrived at the olive grove. 4 Jesus fully realized all that was going to happen to him, so he stepped forward to meet them. “Who are you looking for?” he asked. 5 “Jesus the Nazarene,” they replied. “I AM he,” Jesus said. (Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them.) 6 As Jesus said “I am he,” they all drew back and fell to the ground! 7 Once more he asked them, “Who are you looking for?” And again they replied, “Jesus the Nazarene.” 8 “I told you that I am he,” Jesus said. “And since I am the one you want, let these others go.” 9 He did this to fulfill is own statement: “I did not lose a single one of those you have given me.”  10 Then Simon Peter drew a sword and slashed off the right ear of Malchus, the high priest’s slave. 11 But Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword back into its sheath. Shall I not drink from the cup of suffering the Father has given me?”

​There are many sequences of the events taking place while Jesus is praying through the night and also when Judas arrives with Temple guards and Roman soldiers. All of it should reveal to us more of who God is.  
One of the major details in this event is when Jesus makes one of several “I AM” statements. When they asked for Jesus the Nazarene, he replies, “I AM he,” and everyone who was there fell to the ground. The scriptures declare that “at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth” (Phil 2:10). 
 
It is almost confounding that in the moment when Jesus says, “I AM” and EVERYONE falls before him, that they are still able to proceed and arrest him. However, it is a familiar sight because we all are guilty of turning our backs on Jesus every day even after encountering him. 
 
Prayer:
(John 15:5-8)
Jesus, help me remain in you. May I bear much fruit as one of your disciples. 

John 12

Before the Passover celebration, Jesus knew that his hour had come to leave this world and return to his Father. He had loved his disciples during his ministry on earth, and now he loved them to the very end. 2 It was time for supper, and the devil had already prompted Judas, son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had given him authority over everything and that he had come from God and would return to God. 4 So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, 5 and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him. 6 When Jesus came to Simon Peter, Peter said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” 7 Jesus replied, “You don’t understand now what I am doing, but someday you will.” 8 “No,” Peter protested, “you will never ever wash my feet!” Jesus replied, “Unless I wash you, you won’t belong to me.” 9 Simon Peter exclaimed, “Then wash my hands and head as well, Lord, not just my feet!” 10 Jesus replied, “A person who has bathed all over does not need to wash, except for the feet, to be entirely clean. And you disciples are clean, but not all of you.” 11 For Jesus knew who would betray him. That is what he meant when he said, “Not all of you are clean.” 12 After washing their feet, he put on his robe again and sat down and asked, “Do you understand what I was doing? 13 You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right, because that’s what I am. 14 And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. 15 I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you. 16 I tell you the truth, slaves are not greater than their master. Nor is the messenger more important than the one who sends the message. 17 Now that you know these things, God will bless you for doing them.

In Jesus’ final hours before getting arrested, he had dinner with his disciples and shared with them a lot of very important things. Before he began to teach about these things, he led them in an example that they should follow and teach future disciples to also follow. From the first three verses in John chapter 12 he is clear about three things that Jesus knew before he began: 1.) his time was coming to an end, 2.) Judas already decided to betray him, and 3.) the Father had given him all authority over everything. 
This detail should further amplify the level of love and humility that Jesus shows in this moment. Knowing that he had been betrayed while having authority over everything, instead of addressing Judas in judgement, Jesus decides to use this moment to wash each and every one of their feet. Peter becomes so uncomfortable that he protested, but Jesus wouldn’t have it any other way. 
 
Our God is not a God who is out to get us at every turn and dangle our sin in front of us; but models for us the kind of love and devotion that saves. For us it’s such a dirty and uncomfortable thing, but for Jesus it was his main purpose. “Now that you know these things, God will bless you for doing them.”

Prayer:
​Jesus, teach us how to love others even when we know about their failures. 

Luke 22
 
The Festival of Unleavened Bread, which is also called Passover, was approaching. 2 The leading priests and teachers of religious law were plotting how to kill Jesus, but they were afraid of the people’s reaction.
3 Then Satan entered into Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve disciples, 4 and he went to the leading priests and captains of the Temple guard to discuss the best way to betray Jesus to them. 5 They were delighted, and they promised to give him money. 6 So he agreed and began looking for an opportunity to betray Jesus so they could arrest him when the crowds weren’t around.

The scriptures don’t say exactly if Judas had any personal motives to betray Jesus, but here we see that it was when Satan entered into him that he went to go make the deal with the leading priests. We also know that he later regretted those actions (Matt. 27:3-4), but he didn’t bring it back to God; only to people who couldn’t give him salvation. 
As we progress through this week, each day is getting darker and darker, and in just a couple of days the whole town will turn upside down; but it starts here with one of his closest friends. 
 
Many consider that the hardest part of the week is when Jesus starts to be physically tortured; however, I would suggest that it is here in the secret, personal, and dark places that we betray him where some of the deepest wounds are inflicted. The betrayal of a friend. It is a tendency that is not too different from our own; after all, the Bible says that we were "enemies" of God (Romans 5:10).

​Judas’ betrayal was worth 30 pieces of silver; what is the price for yours?

Prayer:
God, how much you consider our failures in your sacrifice. We don't just fail in our morals, but also in our relationship with you. Teach us to know that you don't want to just save our behavior but also our relationship with you. Show us how to come back to you even when we've failed.

Matthew 26
6 Meanwhile, Jesus was in Bethany at the home of Simon, a man who had previously had leprosy. 7 While he was eating, a woman came in with a beautiful alabaster jar of expensive perfume and poured it over his head.
8 The disciples were indignant when they saw this. “What a waste!” they said. 9 “It could have been sold for a high price and the money given to the poor.”
10 But Jesus, aware of this, replied, “Why criticize this woman for doing such a good thing to me? 11 You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me. 12 She has poured this perfume on me to prepare my body for burial. 13 I tell you the truth, wherever the Good News is preached throughout the world, this woman’s deed will be remembered and discussed.”

Just days before Jesus entered the city, he and the disciples stopped in Bethany (about 2 miles outside of Jerusalem) to visit with some friends. Though it had been days since then, Jesus was another step closer to the cross. I imagine that this preparation is still with him. I’m sure that he can still smell the rich fragrance of the nard. 

At that time, no one really knew what was significant about the moment, but Jesus made it very clear: he was getting ready to be buried. It was their custom in their day to prepare a body by wrapping it up in long sheets of linen and covering it with perfume oils (John 19:39-40). This preparation is so significant that Jesus makes it clear that this woman who had anointed Jesus at the dinner would be remembered for all time because of the part that she plays in this story.

As they continue into the week, preparing for all of the days of Passover celebration, I’m sure that the smell of nard followed them the whole way.

Prayer: 
Jesus, as we enter into a holy and significant time of remembrance, fill up all of our senses. Occupy all of our actions. Captivate all of our thoughts and consciousness. Make your presence known among us in all of our day. 

John 12
12 The next day, the news that Jesus was on the way to Jerusalem swept through the city. A large crowd of Passover visitors 13 took palm branches and went down the road to meet him. They shouted, 
“Praise God! 
Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord!
Hail to the King of Israel!”
14 Jesus found a young donkey and rode on it, fulfilling the prophecy that said:
15 “Don’t be afraid, people of Jerusalem. 
Look, your King is coming,
    riding on a donkey’s colt.”
16 His disciples didn’t understand at the time that this was a fulfillment of prophecy. But after Jesus entered into his glory, they remembered what had happened and realized that these things had been written about him.
17 Many in the crowd had seen Jesus call Lazarus from the tomb, raising him from the dead, and they were telling othersabout it. 18 That was the reason so many went out to meet him—because they had heard about this miraculous sign.19 Then the Pharisees said to each other, “There’s nothing we can do. Look, everyone has gone after him!

​It is the beginning of Holy Week. Let’s celebrate and remember all the events that took place. I imagine being there and seeing all the palm branches being set down before Jesus like they would do for the arrival of a king. He fully embraces this moment of triumph knowing that just days later, likely in the same streets, he walks through it again with a criminal’s cross. Jesus shows humility when he enters the city, and he shows humility when he leaves. 
 
Many times we want to celebrate the good times, but we scatter when the hard times come. I pray that today, as we remember Palm Sunday, that we hold on to the reality that it’s only the beginning of the week, BUT, no matter what is going to come, it is still God’s week. 

Prayer:
Lord, you are God of ALL moments. The moments we feel tall, and the ones when we're brought low. Remind us that you are with us through all moments. Teach us to be humble in moments of triumph riding on a donkey's colt.