Take a journey through the Stations of the Cross; the path of Jesus, as he made his way to his own
crucifixion. From the Last Supper with his disciples to his resurrection on Easter morning, take this
journey and visualize, feel, contemplate, and pray as the Spirit leads. You will be blessed.
You may come in as often as you wish. Complete the journey once or many times. Don’t hurry
through, take your time. Take time to BE with Jesus. Take time to immerse yourself in this journey.
Be open to what the Lord has in store for you.
May the love of Christ Jesus pour over you as you experience the Stations of the Cross.
NOTE: “Jesus is Laid in the Tomb” will be in the prayer room on the lower level. We encourage you to use the
stairs from the stage area . If you are unable to do stairs, please use the chair lift on the north entry side.
Station of the Cross Scripture Devotion
Verses Written by
1 The Last Supper
Matthew 26:26-30 Betty Samson
2 Jesus Prays in Gethsemane Matthew 26:36-46 Marlys Popma
3 Jesus Before the Sanhedrin Matthew 26:57-68 Aaron Groves
4 Peter Denies Jesus Matthew 26:69-75 Mike Brobst
5 Jesus is Sentenced to Death Matthew 27:15-26 Kim Brobst
6 The Crowning with Thorns Matthew 27:27-31 Eloise Froah
7 Simon of Cyrene Carries the Cross of Jesus Matthew 27:32 Jeremy Masterson
8 The Crucifixion: Golgotha Matthew 27:33-34 Dana Sereg
9 The Crucifixion: Jesus is Nailed to the Cross Matthew 27:35-38 Bonnie Claussen
10 The Crucifixion: The People Mock Jesus Matthew 27:39-44 Nicole Burdess
11 The Crucifixion: The Repentant Thief Luke 23:39-43 Susan Hoffert
12 Jesus Death on the Cross Matthew 27:45-56 Kacy Snyder
13 Jesus is Laid in the Tomb Matthew 27:57-61 Greg & Kathy Birky
14 Jesus is Risen Matthew 28 Jessica Hugg
15 Self-Reflection
The Last Supper Matthew 26:26-30 (NLT)
26 As they were eating, Jesus took some bread and blessed it. Then he broke it in
pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, “Take this and eat it, for this is my body.”
27 And he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. He gave it to them and
said, “Each of you drink from it, 28 for this is my blood, which confirms the
covenant between God and his people. It is poured out as a sacrifice to forgive the
sins of many. 29 Mark my words—I will not drink wine again until the day I drink it
new with you in my Father’s Kingdom.”
30 Then they sang a hymn and went out to the Mount of Olives.
Many things were going on during Jesus’ last supper with his disciples. Luke’s account talks
about a dispute among a few of them as to who would be the greatest. Jesus had just told
them he was having his last meal with them before His death and they were arguing as to
who would be greatest in His Kingdom. Jesus knew the biggest event ever in history was
about to take place and His disciples still had not grasped the significance of what He was
saying. Jesus’ last hours were before them and he was giving them the message about his
death and resurrection. The “last supper” was all about what had been prophesied. It is all
coming to pass, right before their eyes and Jesus tenderly gives them a gift to remember
Him by; the bread, representing His body and the wine representing His blood.
Each time, we come before the communion table we “do this in remembrance” of what
Jesus did for us on the cross. We give thanks to God for sending Jesus Christ, His beloved
Son, to die in our place as a sacrifice for OUR sin. Jesus’ gift of salvation is free to anyone
who believes in Him as their personal Lord and Savior.
What do you think? We have all sinned and deserve God’s judgement. Jesus loves us so
much that He died for our sin. Have you asked Jesus to come into your heart? Do you need
a Savior? If Jesus is in your heart, how do you come before the Communion table?
Jesus Prays in Gethsemane Matthew 26:36-46 (NLT)
36 Then Jesus went with them to the olive grove called Gethsemane, and he said, “Sit here while I
go over there to pray.” 37 He took Peter and Zebedee’s two sons, James and John, and he became
anguished and distressed. 38 He told them, “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death.
Stay here and keep watch with me.”
39 He went on a little farther and bowed with his face to the ground, praying, “My Father! If it is
possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.”
40 Then he returned to the disciples and found them asleep. He said to Peter, “Couldn’t you watch
with me even one hour? 41 Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the
spirit is willing, but the body is weak!”
42 Then Jesus left them a second time and prayed, “My Father! If this cup cannot be taken away
unless I drink it, your will be done.” 43 When he returned to them again, he found them sleeping,
for they couldn’t keep their eyes open.
44 So he went to pray a third time, saying the same things again. 45 Then he came to the disciples
and said, “Go ahead and sleep. Have your rest. But look—the time has come. The Son of Man is
betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 Up, let’s be going. Look, my betrayer is here!”
Isaiah 53:3 says that Jesus was “a man of sorrow, acquainted with grief.” We see this in his lonely
experience at the Garden of Gethsemane. The path Jesus took on the way to His death was filled
with sorrow and grief, both mental and physical.
Jesus took His three most beloved disciple friends to Gethsemane to pray with Him as he suffered
through the agony of His impending death. Yet these three friends let Him down. They couldn’t
even stay awake to pray with Him as He suffered.
Jesus’ grief at the garden was so intense that his sweat fell to the ground like great drops of blood.
What agony, what loneliness, what love. We don’t know what tomorrow will hold, but Jesus did.
This sinless son of God knew that he would soon suffer even greater suffering. And He did this all
for you and for me.
There is no suffering, no betrayal that we will ever endure that is near to the mental anguish that
Jesus suffered that night. Jesus totally and freely understood the term, “not my will but Your will
be done.” As His children, may we grip His suffering in our souls and to pray, “not my will but Your
will be done.”
Jesus Before the Sanhedrin Matthew 26:57-68 (NLT)
57 Then the people who had arrested Jesus led him to the home of Caiaphas, the high priest, where
the teachers of religious law and the elders had gathered. 58 Meanwhile, Peter followed him at a dis-
tance and came to the high priest’s courtyard. He went in and sat with the guards and waited to see
how it would all end. 59 Inside, the leading priests and the entire high council were trying to find
witnesses who would lie about Jesus, so they could put him to death. 60 But even though they found
many who agreed to give false witness, they could not use anyone’s testimony. Finally, two men
came forward 61 who declared, “This man said, ‘I am able to destroy the Temple of God and rebuild
it in three days.’” 62 Then the high priest stood up and said to Jesus, “Well, aren’t you going to an-
swer these charges? What do you have to say for yourself?” 63 But Jesus remained silent. Then the
high priest said to him, “I demand in the name of the living God—tell us if you are the Messiah,
the Son of God.” 64 Jesus replied, “You have said it. And in the future you will see the Son of Man
seated in the place of power at God’s right hand and coming on the clouds of heaven.” 65 Then the
high priest tore his clothing to show his horror and said, “Blasphemy! Why do we need other
witnesses? You have all heard his blasphemy. 66 What is your verdict?” “Guilty!” they shouted. “He
deserves to die!” 67 Then they began to spit in Jesus’ face and beat him with their fists. And some
slapped him, 68 jeering, “Prophesy to us, you Messiah! Who hit you that time?”
Imagine being brought before a judge and a jury that hated you, despised you, and wanted to see
you put to death, even before they’ve heard the evidence. It doesn’t seem fair, does it? This is
what Jesus was up against when He was brought before the Sanhedrin Council after his arrest.
The Sanhedrin Council was made up of priests and high ranking officials of the Jewish faith and they
were growing increasingly upset with Jesus’ ministry and His claim to be the Son of God. The council
saw Jesus as a threat to their religion and instead of taking the time to listen to His message and
His teachings, they made assumptions. In their court, Jesus was guilty with no chance of innocence.
How often do we as Christians play judge and jury before even taking the time to talk or listen to
someone. We think we know enough about a person to assume they are no good, or not worth
our time, essentially judging them without facts. Even worse, we sometimes judge someone by
the way they look. When we do this, we are acting just like the Sanhedrin council. We are making
assumptions, judging people without taking the time to listen to their story. As Christians, Jesus
commands us to love others, to go out and seek the lost and the broken, to walk alongside them,
not judge them. Jesus made a way for all people and we should leave the judging to the only
perfect Judge, our God the Father.
Peter Denies Jesus Matthew 26:69-75 (NLT)
69 Meanwhile, Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. A servant girl came over and said to him,
“You were one of those with Jesus the Galilean.”
70 But Peter denied it in front of everyone. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said.
71 Later, out by the gate, another servant girl noticed him and said to those standing around,
“This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.”
72 Again Peter denied it, this time with an oath. “I don’t even know the man,” he said.
73 A little later some of the other bystanders came over to Peter and said, “You must be
one of them; we can tell by your Galilean accent.”
74 Peter swore, “A curse on me if I’m lying—I don’t know the man!”
And immediately the rooster crowed.
75 Suddenly, Jesus’ words flashed through Peter’s mind: “Before the rooster crows, you will
deny three times that you even know me.” And he went away, weeping bitterly.
Peter denied Jesus three times. Jesus spoke to Peter in Luke 22:34 saying “I tell you, Peter,
before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know Me.” Later that
night, the inevitable happened; Jesus’ prophesy about Peter came to pass. Two servant
girls spoke the convicting words, “you were with Jesus of Galilee.” Later a group of people
gave the third conviction saying, “surely you are one of them; your accent gives you away.”
Then the rooster crowed.
One part of our transforming journey is recognizing and receiving conviction. Conviction is
one of the most beautiful gifts that God offers us. Yes, conviction is a gift. Twice God used
servant girls to convict, then a group of people; in the end He used His servant the rooster,
to convict His servant Peter. It is through conviction that God transforms his followers.
Are you seeking conviction? Who are you willing to receive it from? Your employees?
Your family? Your Supervisor or co-workers? Would you receive conviction from some-
one outside your close relationships, or, how about from a chicken? Peter was convicted,
it took two servant girls, a group of men around a fire, and rooster, but, God did convict
him, and it softened his heart. And, Peter was transformed. Ask God to convict you so
that you will be transformed.
Jesus is Sentenced to Death Matthew 27:15-26 (NLT)
15 Now it was the governor’s custom each year during the Passover celebration to release one
prisoner to the crowd—anyone they wanted. 16 This year there was a notorious prisoner, a man
named Barabbas. 17 As the crowds gathered before Pilate’s house that morning, he asked them,
“Which one do you want me to release to you—Barabbas, or Jesus who is called the Messiah?”
18 (He knew very well that the religious leaders had arrested Jesus out of envy.) 19 Just then, as
Pilate was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent him this message: “Leave that innocent man
alone. I suffered through a terrible nightmare about him last night.” 20 Meanwhile, the leading
priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas to be released and for Jesus to be
put to death. 21 So the governor asked again, “Which of these two do you want me to release to
you?” The crowd shouted back, “Barabbas!” 22 Pilate responded, “Then what should I do with
Jesus who is called the Messiah?” They shouted back, “Crucify him!”
23 “Why?” Pilate demanded. “What crime has he committed?” But the mob roared even louder,
“Crucify him!” 24 Pilate saw that he wasn’t getting anywhere and that a riot was developing.
So he sent for a bowl of water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of
this man’s blood. The responsibility is yours!” 25 And all the people yelled back, “We will take re-
sponsibility for his death—we and our children!” 26 So Pilate released Barabbas to them. He ordered
Jesus flogged with a lead-tipped whip, then turned him over to the Roman soldiers to be crucified.
Dear Lord,
As we come today may we realize that a faultless man, you Jesus, was betrayed by his own people.
A man who never sinned, humble, a man who even though was found innocent, was found guilty
and suffered greatly. I can’t imagine what you went through when you were flogged/scourged,
beaten and then hung on a cross to die. May we feel your pain when we think about the flogging
that you took for us – to be beaten with a whip that had several cords of leather thongs which
were weighted with jagged pieces of bone or metal. The bones or metal on the ends would attach
to the skin and rip it. I just want to cry out for you Jesus! My heart is pained and may it break for
you oh Lord, for you died and suffered for our sins to set us free. May we not take our freedom
lightly as we suffer for the sake of your name as we proclaim your gospel to the world. Equip us to
fight the schemes of the devil by taking the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is
the word of God, praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit to the end with all
perseverance and supplication. Convict us oh Lord and bring us to repentance so that we may draw
closer to you. - In your precious name, Jesus, we pray. Amen
The Crowning with Thorns Matthew 27:27-31 (NLT)
27 Some of the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into their headquarters and called
out the entire regiment. 28 They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him.
29 They wove thorn branches into a crown and put it on his head, and they
placed a reed stick in his right hand as a scepter. Then they knelt before him
in mockery and taunted, “Hail! King of the Jews!” 30 And they spit on him
and grabbed the stick and struck him on the head with it. 31 When they were
finally tired of mocking him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes
on him again. Then they led him away to be crucified.
“Hail, King of the Jews”; what irony that your crown would be a thorny crown
of suffering. I see your face, Jesus, with drops of blood coming from the
pierced skin on your head and face where the thorns have dug deep. I try to
imagine the anguish you endured through the physical pain and emotional
hurt from the soldiers mocking your name. You endured all of this for me a
sinner, so that I can one day be in your kingdom sitting at the feet of your
throne; O King of Kings. Thank you Jesus, for wearing the crown of thorns so
“at the name of Jesus every knee should bow …and every tongue confess that
Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father”; so I come to you in praise
and adoration for you have showed that even through suffering I have the
promise of eternal life with a loving and faithful God.
Simon of Cyrene Carries the Cross of Jesus Matthew 27:32 (NLT)
32 Along the way, they came across a man named Simon, who was from
Cyrene, and the soldiers forced him to carry Jesus’ cross.
We come to a moment in which the journey of two men collide. One making
his way into the city of Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover, the moment in
which his people experienced the freedom and delivery from their bondage.
One man, the Son of Man, cast out of the city condemned; so that all of man-
kind can be set free from the bondage of their sins.
The man Simon of Cyrene a “passerby” chosen out of the crowd one of many
compelled made to serve the authority of the government. As he would find
out he would be called serving the king of kings, and the Lord of lords. Step
into this moment sharing the passion of our Christ, the burdens as he carried
the cross as the sacrificial lamb for our sins. Walk along in this moment see
into the eyes of His truth, feel the cleansing stain of His blood; and experience
the freedom of your chains removed in Him for all of eternity. Deny yourself
take up your cross and follow him.
The Crucifixion: Golgotha Matthew 27:33-34 (NLT)
33 And they went out to a place called Golgotha
(which means “Place of the Skull”).
34 The soldiers gave Jesus wine mixed with bitter gall,
but when he had tasted it, he refused to drink it.
Dear Lord,
I have died to the law, so that I may live for you. I no longer have life
without you, Jesus. I am so thankful that you live in me, Lord. I live my life by
faith in the Son of God. Jesus loved me so much, that he gave himself for me.
I will never set aside the grace of God. Thank you for your mercy every day.
Thank you for your patience and long suffering. Thank you for dying for me,
so that I may live in eternity with you, Jesus.
In Jesus' Name I Pray,
Amen
The Crucifixion: Jesus is Nailed to the Cross Matthew 27:35-38 (NLT)
35 After they had nailed him to the cross, the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throw-
ing dice. 36 Then they sat around and kept guard as he hung there. 37 A sign was fas-
tened above Jesus’ head, announcing the charge against him. It read: “This is Jesus, the
King of the Jews.” 38 Two revolutionaries were crucified with him, one on his right and
one on his left.
Envision as the guards very roughly threw Me on the lumber of the cross, as they
hammered the stakes into My hands & feet; the pain was searing. I was humiliated by
My nakedness and physically beaten to the brink of death. My eyes were swollen from
the beatings. I heard the jeers of the crowd and the sobbing of my followers. I could
smell My own stench and taste My own blood. Every fiber of My body hurt, every piece
of flesh was torn or bruised, but My thoughts were not focused on My pain…
My thoughts were focused on you.
I went through all of this for you. I took your punishment for sin and became your
sacrifice for atonement with God. I died in your stead, so you would not have to face
that torment of hell. I endured it all because I want you to spend an eternity with Me.
I love you, more than words can say. There was no other way. I would do it all again
if I had to but the beautiful part is, it is finished!
As you follow Me, please live like my sacrifice is enough. Live in the freedom and the
power that My act on the cross purchased for you. I believe that you were worth it all.
Are you willing to pick up your cross and follow Me? Just as My mind was focused on
you and spurred Me on to endure the cross, when you focus your mind on Me, I will
empower you to endure any cross you may be called to bear.
The Crucifixion: The People Mock Jesus Matthew 27:39-44 (NLT)
39 The people passing by shouted abuse, shaking their heads in mockery. 40 “Look at you now!”
they yelled at him. “You said you were going to destroy the Temple and rebuild it in three
days. Well then, if you are the Son of God, save yourself and come down from the cross!”
41 The leading priests, the teachers of religious law, and the elders also mocked Jesus. 42 “He
saved others,” they scoffed, “but he can’t save himself! So he is the King of Israel, is he? Let
him come down from the cross right now, and we will believe in him! 43 He trusted God, so
let God rescue him now if he wants him! For he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’”
44 Even the revolutionaries who were crucified with him ridiculed him in the same way.
I was undone as I heard my own voice, I too was a scoffer, hurling
insults at my Savior. I told myself I wasn’t worthy, good enough,
smart enough, I wasn’t enough of anything. I hurled these insults
in the face of my Savior, the very one who bore the weight of every
single sin before me, and after me. The very sin that separated me
from my Lord, he took from me. And he called me Worthy, Good
Enough, Smart Enough, I am Enough. You are Enough, through the
saving blood of Jesus Christ.
2 Corinthians 12:9 - Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best
in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of
Christ can work through me.
Jesus took every ounce of who we are apart from HIM, and he laid that to rest in his
crucifixion and resurrection. He took those insults and called to you: come out of pain,
shame, fear, embarrassment and come to Me. I will make you enough. He is enough
for you, and today my prayer is that you would open your heart to His invitation to
no longer be a scoffer but to be a believer in his saving grace.
The Crucifixion: The Repentant Thief Luke 23:39-43 (NLT)
39 One of the criminals hanging beside him scoffed, “So you’re the Messiah, are you?
Prove it by saving yourself—and us, too, while you’re at it!”
40 But the other criminal protested, “Don’t you fear God even when you have been
sentenced to die? 41 We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man hasn’t done anything
wrong.” 42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.”
43 And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
This is it? My life. My days have come to this? Laboring between breaths—knowing my
sins, brought me here. Hanging beside the One, who claims He can save. Like the others,
I mocked the man; No one can save me. Then this Jesus glances over, looking kindly into
me. His eyes so filled with pain, seem as if to recognize me. Surely not.—If he only knew.
"Weep for yourselves," He'd warned the women wailing along the road, "for the days are
coming…" Yet, then He petitioned heaven, "Father, forgive…" those ones nailing us to our
trees. Might He possibly have spoken truth? With all my strength, I push myself up, steal-
ing another breath. I grow weary—so weary with my efforts—to save—my—own—self.
The sun's circle ebbs away, casting its strange light—as if heaven itself weeps, His death
within sight. No one wails for my own. If this is all, ah, I've wasted so much—A king? On a
cross?—Could it be? "Do you not see?" I cried out to the other thief. "We're getting what
our deeds deserve, but this man's done nothing wrong.—Jesus," I utter, my strength near
gone. Already He looks my way. "Remember me when You come into Your kingdom,"
I plead, a pitiful faith offered with what breath remains. "Truly," Jesus assures me, as He
shares in my pain, "today you will be with me in Paradise." And though death's dark
shadow crosses over in its attempt to blot out the sun, I'll rest in the promise of this One.
I'll soon live in the light of the Son.
Jesus’ Death on the Cross Matthew 27:45-56 (NLT)
45 At noon, darkness fell across the whole land until three o’clock. 46 At about three o’clock, Jesus
called out with a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” which means “My God, my God, why
have you abandoned me?” 47 Some of the bystanders misunderstood and thought he was calling for
the prophet Elijah. 48 One of them ran and filled a sponge with sour wine, holding it up to him on a
reed stick so he could drink. 49 But the rest said, “Wait! Let’s see whether Elijah comes to save him.”
50 Then Jesus shouted out again, and he released his spirit. 51 At that moment the curtain in the
sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook, rocks split apart,
52 and tombs opened. The bodies of many godly men and women who had died were raised from
the dead. 53 They left the cemetery after Jesus’ resurrection, went into the holy city of Jerusalem,
and appeared to many people. 54 The Roman officer and the other soldiers at the crucifixion were
terrified by the earthquake and all that had happened. They said, “This man truly was the Son of
God!” 55 And many women who had come from Galilee with Jesus to care for him were watching
from a distance. 56 Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary (the mother of James and Joseph),
and the mother of James and John, the sons of Zebedee.
“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
We are all aware of the excruciating physical pain involved with the crucifixion and death of Jesus.
Have you have ever considered the emotional and psychological pain he endured while he was
temporarily cut off from fellowship with his Heavenly Father? Enough for him to cry out, and then
receive no response. Keep in mind that he remained completely silent while being repeatedly
mocked- but cried out loudly at the unimaginable absence of his Father. Literal and internal dark-
ness fell for three hours while he poured out his blood for our sins. All while he bore the human
response to guilt for each and every sin. Felt our deserved suffering. Saw our faces. Saw YOUR face.
Not only did he feel the guilt of our sins, but he received God’s wrath and fury on our behalf.
ALONE. Even his disciples had deserted him at this point. In his human flesh, I can’t help but won-
der did it feel like it would never end? Did he have any idea how long it would last? My heart sighs
in relief and I rejoice at the thought of hearing Jesus finally say, “It is Finished”. In his power, he
releases his Spirit to the Father. I can’t even fathom the love and joy involved in that moment be-
tween the Father and Son. At this point the veil is torn, from top to bottom. It’s no longer needed.
There is no longer separation. Our sins placed on Jesus. His righteousness is placed on us.
Dear Heavenly Father (be encouraged to pray Jehovah-Jireh, “the Lord will provide”)
Thank you for providing the only sacrifice capable of bearing and redeeming my sins and the sins of
this world. I am thankful Lord that I do not have to fear because you have redeemed me, just as you
spoke to Jacob. You have summoned me by name, I am yours. You are my Savior. Thank you for
claiming me on the cross. Thank you for the work and transformation you are doing in me. Bring me
into awareness of my sins Lord so that I may honor you by turning away from them. I ask this in
your strength and power because I cannot do it in my own flesh. All of this I lift through the power
in the name of your son, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Jesus is Laid in the Tomb Matthew 27:57-61 (NLT)
57 As evening approached, Joseph, a rich man from Arimathea who had become a
follower of Jesus, 58 went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. And Pilate issued an
order to release it to him. 59 Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a long sheet of
clean linen cloth. 60 He placed it in his own new tomb, which had been carved out
of the rock. Then he rolled a great stone across the entrance and left. 61 Both Mary
Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting across from the tomb and watching.
As we ponder the events of the past few days in Jerusalem, we begin to focus on the
late afternoon of the day of our Savior's death. Joseph of Arimathea, a honored mem-
ber of the Pharisee's and also a closet disciple of our Lord, with Pilate's permission,
obtained Jesus' lifeless body and along with Nicodemus prepared the body for the
tomb and placed it in his own newly hewn tomb in a garden near his home and sealed
the entrance with a large stone.
Joseph risked his own life to go to Pilate for Jesus' body. Take a few moments to re-
flect on what you are holding onto that prevents you from following Jesus. What of
this world has a hold on you??? It could be anything that you value more highly than
Jesus. Jesus, I confess to you that I am not putting You first in my life. I need Your help
to work through this and let everything go that You are first in my life. Jesus, help me
to identify and change my mind about who you are and who I am in You. Lord, you
sacrificed Your life by allowing Father to separate Himself from you in order to pay for
my sins. I can't imagine being separated from you so I must have Your help.
I pray this in your name, Jesus, my King. Amen
Jesus is Risen Matthew 28 (NLT)
Early on Sunday morning, as the new day was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went
out to visit the tomb. Suddenly there was a great earthquake! For an angel of the Lord came down
from heaven, rolled aside the stone, and sat on it. His face shone like lightning, and his clothing was
as white as snow. The guards shook with fear when they saw him, and they fell into a dead faint.
Then the angel spoke to the women. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I know you are looking for Jesus,
who was crucified. He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen. Come,
see where his body was lying. And now, go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the
dead, and he is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there. Remember what I have told
you.” The women ran quickly from the tomb. They were very frightened but also filled with great
joy, and they rushed to give the disciples the angel’s message. And as they went, Jesus met them and
greeted them. And they ran to him, grasped his feet, and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them,
“Don’t be afraid! Go tell my brothers to leave for Galilee, and they will see me there.”
As the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the city and told the leading priests
what had happened. A meeting with the elders was called, and they decided to give the soldiers a
large bribe. They told the soldiers, “You must say, ‘Jesus’ disciples came during the night while we
were sleeping, and they stole his body.’ If the governor hears about it, we’ll stand up for you so you
won’t get in trouble.” So the guards accepted the bribe and said what they were told to say. Their
story spread widely among the Jews, and they still tell it today.
Then the eleven disciples left for Galilee, going to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go.
When they saw him, they worshiped him—but some of them doubted! Jesus came and told his
disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples
of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach
these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you
always, even to the end of the age.”
JESUS IS RISEN!!! Can you imagine the shock and hope and confusion and relief and joy those
close to Him must have felt upon hearing this amazing (too-good-to-be-true-but-it-really-is) news?!
This passage of scripture holds one of the most awe-inspiring true stories of the entire Bible. The
words of the angel “He is not here, He has risen just as He said,” and the subsequent testimonies
of personal conversations and interactions with the risen Lord were powerful. So powerful, in fact,
that they moved a small group of followers to GO and spread the Good News of these events to
anyone who would listen, despite heavy obstacles - a process that is ongoing and growing over
2000 years later! The disciples and other followers were so compelled by what they had seen and
heard that they couldn’t help but act. They told His story and lived out the truths they had come
to know so intimately and believe so fully. Their shock and joy changed into action and passion that
literally changed the world.
As we look at the passage in Matthew 28, it is interesting to note the vast number of action words
written or spoken by the author, the angels, the women, the guards, the followers, and ultimately
the risen Jesus himself. At the end of the passage we find the Great Commission, a direct “call to
action” straight from the breath of our risen Lord of Heaven’s Armies. He is clearly calling us to not
sit passively in the knowledge we’ve been given but to “GO” and make disciples and baptize and
teach and obey with the beautiful comfort that He will be with us as we do.
After encountering the LIVING Jesus Christ, how can we sit still and pretend that nothing has
changed? What impossible thing is now possible? What “dead thing” in your life can the Lord bring
back to fullness and grow into something beautiful? Who can be welcomed and loved despite the
mistakes of their “dead” past? How can we step out in active faith to reach a dying world? Is there
a neighbor/friend/enemy/stranger/refugee/orphan/widow/pastor/teammate that you could show
an act of kindness toward in the name of Jesus? These actions don’t have to be huge but maybe
they can/should be! Just take a step in faith and see where it takes you. The risen Christ promises
to be with you as you go.