Scripture Reading — John 20:19-23He breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”— John 20:22Dead people don’t breathe. And they surely don’t breathe life that flows into others!Just a few days earlier, Jesus had “breathed his last” (Luke 23:46), and everyone around him had assumed that was
Scripture Reading — Luke 24:13-35Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight.— Luke 24:31I often wish I could see better.I wish I could see Jesus face-to-face.I wish I could see God’s will for a decision I have to make.I wish I could see God’s power so cl
Scripture Reading — Isaiah 35:1-10; John 20:11-18He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?”— John 20:15In Isaiah 35 God gives his people a vision of a fully restored creation. His glory will appear, and a desert will turn into a lush, blossoming garden. A “Way of Holin
Scripture Reading — Luke 24:1-8, 36-48“He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you. . . .”— Luke 24:6I remember walking up to the Grand Canyon in Arizona for the very first time. I thought I knew what to expect since I had heard so much about the Grand Canyon. But then I stepped out of th
Scripture Reading — Luke 23:50-56There was a man named Joseph . . . and he himself was waiting for the kingdom of God.— Luke 23:50-51There seems to be a lot of waiting in Scripture. Abraham and Sarah waited for a promised child (Genesis 12-18).The Israelites waited for many years to be freed from sl
Scripture Reading — Luke 23:44-49It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, for the sun stopped shining.— Luke 23:44-45What do you think of when you hear the word “darkness”?Children often think of darkness as scary, and when they grow up most of them
Scripture Reading — Mark 14:12-26“Take it; this is my body.” . . . and . . . “This is my blood of the covenant . . . poured out for many.”— Mark 14:22-24The Jews of Jesus’ day often told stories from their history. And every year at this time they told the ancient story that is referred to in today’
Scripture Reading — John 3:1-21Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”— John 3:3In today’s text Jesus’ words baffled and amazed Nicodemus the Pharisee:• To experience fully what God is doing, you must be born again.• This rebirth, like yo
Scripture Reading — Matthew 21:18-27“If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”— Matthew 21:22God shows his faithfulness by responding to the prayers of his people.In our reading today, a fig tree that does not bear fruit receives judgment from Jesus. The religious leaders ask
Scripture Reading — Matthew 21:12-17Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there.— Matthew 21:12Jesus entered Jerusalem and was cheered as a king—but not for long.In the next scene, Jesus went to the temple courts in Jerusalem. And as he looked around, he becam
Scripture Reading — Matthew 21:1-11This took place to fulfill what was spoken . . . “‘See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a . . . colt, the foal of a donkey.’”— Matthew 21:4-5God reveals his faithfulness over time. We might not see it right away, for the Lord’s ways are not our ways, a
Scripture Reading — Psalm 145:1-21One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts.— Psalm 145:4In this month’s devotions we have been looking back on what the Lord—the faithful God—has done. We are also approaching Holy Week, when we remember the finished work of Jesus C
