Matthew 12:40
“For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.” When certain of the scribes and the Pharisees required a sign, Jesus spoke of the only sign given to an evil and adulterous generation…the sign of Jonah. Jonah 1:17 “Now the LORD had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.” Sunday School teachers have often taught with flannelgraphs and now digital images of Jonah sitting and waiting inside the belly of that great fish. Can you imagine how the eleven disciples and all those that believed and followed Jesus felt during the three days and three nights of waiting? Luke 23:56 “And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments; and rested the sabbath day according to the commandment.” All four of the Gospel records mention the preparation after Jesus Christ died. Preparation speaks of making ready or being prepared for what is ahead. They prepared for what was coming, then they waited for the miracle. What a picture of where we are, or should be, today. Luke 12:37 “Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them.” Our preparation is our salvation that we found by faith in Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 3:15 “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:” After we are prepared, we wait for His return…while He is preparing for us. John 14:1-3 “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” He is coming back…Are you prepared? 1 Corinthians 2:9 “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” May we never be ashamed to share the Gospel while we wait. Romans 1:16 “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” Bible Reading: Joshua 12-13 | Acts 13
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Matthew 27:65-66
“Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can. So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch.” After the body of Jesus was placed in the tomb which Joseph of Arimathaea had prepared, the chief priests and Pharisees were haunted by His words. Matthew 17:22-23 “And while they abode in Galilee, Jesus said unto them, The Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of men: And they shall kill him, and the third day he shall be raised again. And they were exceeding sorry.” Mark 10:33-34 “Saying, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be delivered unto the chief priests, and unto the scribes; and they shall condemn him to death, and shall deliver him to the Gentiles: And they shall mock him, and shall scourge him, and shall spit upon him, and shall kill him: and the third day he shall rise again.” Luke 9:22 “Saying, The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be slain, and be raised the third day.” John 2:19 “Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” They were desperate to do anything they possibly could to try and make sure what Jesus had prophesied did not happen. They were depending upon themselves. They even had an excuse prepared…they would blame it on the disciples stealing the body of Jesus. Many today are depending upon themselves and their good works to get to Heaven. Many even have excuses prepared, just like the Pharisees. They try to make sure that their way will be sufficient enough. John 14:6 “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” He is the Way, and the only way. Nothing that we can do in and of ourselves can atone for our sin. Only the blood of Jesus. The Pharisees tried to make sure Jesus would not raise from the dead…but He did. May today be the day you make it sure in your life. 2 Peter 1:10 “Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.” The Bible says we can know. 1 John 5:13 “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.” Make it sure today. If you are not sure, please contact us. Bible Reading: Joshua 10-11 | Acts 12 Romans 5:8
“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” This verse is quoted often. Many have memorized the 18 words. Yet, how much have we really taken in the Truth of what they describe? “But God…” Referring to the previous verses… Romans 5:6-7 “For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.” God intervened. He made a way, where there was no way. “commendeth his love” God is Love and showed His love for humanity by giving Himself in the form of His Son, Jesus Christ, to die for the ungodly. Ephesians 2:7 “That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.” “toward us” As marvelous as the other 16 words are, these two are the most amazing of them all. God loved us so much that He gave His only begotten Son for us. Nothing can separate us from the love of God because He was willing to sacrifice Himself for us. There is no greater love than that. John 15:13 “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” “in that, while we were yet sinners” We are the reason. It was our sin that was laid upon Him. Isaiah 53:6 “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.” “Christ died for us.” Every nail that pierced His body was for us. Every drop of blood He shed was for us. Every Word He said was for us. 1 John 4:9-10 “In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” God loves you so much that our words cannot describe nor can our finite minds comprehend. He simply wants us to have faith in Him. If you do not know Him personally today, please do not wait any longer. You are not promised tomorrow, or even the rest of this day. Religion will not save you. Heritage will not save you. Heaven is reserved for those who have by faith trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ and His payment for their sin. Have you rejected His gift before? Receive Him today. Bible Reading: Joshua 8-9 | Acts 11 Matthew 26:20-21
“Now when the even was come, he sat down with the twelve. And as they did eat, he said, Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.” When we suffer for His sake, the persecution we face makes us more like Jesus Christ. In between these two verses in Matthew, there is a beautiful scene of the humility and love of Christ that takes place found in John 13. After supper, Jesus took a bason of water and began to wash the feet of His disciples. The Saviour gave an the ultimate example of leadership in serving others; so much so, He even washed the feet of the one He knew would betray Him. John 13:18 “I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled, He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me.” Each disciple had to lift up his heel in order to have his foot washed, but when Judas lifted his it was against Jesus in hostility. Christ knew this was so that Scripture was fulfilled. Psalm 41:9 “Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me.” When Jesus foretold of this, the disciples began to question: Matthew 26:22 “And they were exceeding sorrowful, and began every one of them to say unto him, Lord, is it I?” Jesus knew exactly who it was. John 13:26-27 “Jesus answered, He it is, to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped it. And when he had dipped the sop, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly.” Have you felt like you have been betrayed? Take comfort in the fact that the betrayal only makes us more like Christ. In Psalm 55, David speaks of being betrayed. He even goes so far as to say they took sweet counsel together within the house of God. But David chose to call upon God for deliverance instead of getting revenge; just as Jesus chose to drink the bitter cup of betrayal because He knew a greater purpose was at hand. If you feel betrayed today, choose to respond by casting your burden upon the Lord. Psalm 55:22 “Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.” Commit them to His care today. Depend on Him to defend you. Bible Reading: Joshua 6-7 | Acts 10 John 13:1
“Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.” Throughout the New Testament we see several times where the Lord Jesus declares that His time has not yet come. At the wedding in Cana of Galilee, Jesus tells his mother: John 2:3 “Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.” When He was urged to go to the feast of the tabernacles: John 7:6 “Go ye up unto this feast: I go not up yet unto this feast; for my time is not yet full come.” Although Jesus knew what lied ahead and all that would happen in order to fulfill His purpose, He willingly waited until He knew it was time according to the will of His Father. John 12:23 “And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified.” John 12:32 “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.” John 13:1 “Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.” He knew when it was time, and what that entailed; all the while loving us unto the end. His hour was come. John 17:1-2 “These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee: As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.” He would soon travel to the Garden of Gethsemane where He would be betrayed and taken away bound by the Jews. He allowed this because His mind was set on Calvary and those He would willingly give His life for as a ransom for many. He was willing to suffer for us, are we not willing to suffer for Him? 1 Peter 4:14 “If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.” Sometimes, we forget that God is glorified when we suffer persecution. The days we are living in are what Scripture refers to as the last days. 2 Timothy 3:1,12,14-15 “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come… Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution… But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” The hour is come that we are living in harsh days, and those who live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. Yet, the hour is also come for us to continue in the things that we have learned through His Word. Will we stand upon the Truth of the Word of God regardless of the consequences here on earth? Galatians 6:9-10 “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.” Bible Reading: Joshua 4-5 | Acts 9 Acts 8:35
“Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.” We are not told exactly what Philip said in preaching Jesus unto the Eunuch that day; but we are told from what Scripture he began. Isaiah 53:7-8 “He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.” Throughout Isaiah 53, there are many references to our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Read through the entire chapter today, looking for Him. He is that tender plant. He is the root out of a dry ground. He was despised and rejected of men. He was and is acquainted with our grief. Isaiah 53:4 “Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.” He is the only One that has truly borne our griefs. He carried our sorrows. Isaiah 53:5 “But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.” Jesus was wounded for our transgressions, and bruised for our iniquities. It was our chastisement that was upon Him that day on Calvary. It is with His stripes we are healed, because each stripe He received brought forth His precious blood. Ephesians 1:7 “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;” As Philip and the Eunuch went on their way, they came unto a certain water. The Eunuch asked what hindered him from being baptized. Philip’s answer is removed from many of the modern translations today: Acts 8:37 “And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” It is our belief in Who Jesus is, and what He did for us that brings salvation. Baptism is the outward expression of what has taken place inside of us. It is a picture of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Baptism identifies us as believers in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Baptism pictures what we remember and celebrate during the week of Easter. He came. He died. He was buried. He is risen. For us. Bible Reading: Joshua 2-3 | Acts 8 John 11:25-26
“Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?” Lazarus was dead. His sisters were mourning over the loss of their brother. Mary and Martha had faith that if only Jesus had been there before Lazarus died, He could have healed him. What they did not realize was that Jesus would in fact heal their brother, but through a greater miracle. One that would bring more people unto Himself. In the storms of our lives, God rarely, if ever, answers exactly like we hoped He would. Oftentimes, He has a greater purpose that can only be brought to pass in ways that only He understands…for His ways are higher than our ways. Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, because He is the resurrection and the life. He brought Lazarus physical healing this passage, but one day later Lazarus would die physically again. Jesus is the Life, because He is the only One to have resurrected once and for all. When we believe in Him, we find life...everlasting life. John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Believing in Jesus is more than just believing He exists and is the Son of God. There is a difference in knowing about someone, and actually knowing them. Knowing of or about Jesus is religion. Knowing Jesus is about a relationship with Him. We are all asked the same question: John 11:26 “...Believest thou this?” May our response be the same as Martha’s was that day. John 11:27 “She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.” He gives life to all who believe in Him. John 5:24 “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.” Bible Reading: Joshua 1-2 | Acts 7 John 8:32
“And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” This verse is often quoted on its own; however, it is a finishing clause to the previous verse. John 8:31 “Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;” In order to know the Truth, we must continue in His Word; for He is the Word. We cannot be His disciples without first believing on Him as Saviour. The word “continue” here, refers to cleaving or holding fast to something, or in this case, Someone. John 8:31-32 “Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” There is so much to glean from the conditional promises found within the Word of God. “If…then…” If we choose to believe on Him, we are His disciples. His disciples know Him as the Truth. “…and the truth shall make you free.” The context of this chapter is Jesus Christ conversing with the group of Pharisees which wished to stone the woman caught in the act of adultery. They were convicted by their own conscience, yet not by the Word of God. John 8:36 “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” Knowing the Truth brings freedom. Bible Reading: Deuteronomy 33-34 | Acts 6 John 14:6
“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” This was Jesus’ answer to a question Thomas asked Him in the previous verse: John 14:5 “Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?” This same question is being asked today as people seek to find the way to Heaven. Thomas did not ask for a way, he asked for “the way”. There is only One Way. The first mention of the phrase “the way” is found in Genesis when Adam and Eve are driven out of the Garden of Eden. Genesis 3:24 “So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.” The tree of life is a picture of Jesus Christ. Matthew 3:3 “For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.” The first time we find “the way” in the New Testament it is also a reference to Him from Isaiah about John the Baptist bearing witness of Jesus. Jesus said…”I am the way”. In order to know the way, we must know Him. 1 John 5:20 “And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.” When we know Him, we not only know the Way, but also the Truth and the Life. This Easter season, focus on the Way. Bible Reading: Deuteronomy 31-32 | Acts 5 John 1:14
“And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” The Word was made flesh. He came as a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes, yet He was still the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Luke 1:32-33 “He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.” The Word dwelt among us. He came and was rejected by His own people, yet all who receive Him become His children. John 1:11-12 “He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:” The Word was full of grace. He came, and it is no wonder the Scripture tells us specifically that He is full of grace, for by grace we are saved. Ephesians 2:8-9 “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” The Word was full of truth. He came and was full of truth, because He is the Truth. John 17:17 “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” He was full, because God knew we are empty until we receive Him. We cannot know grace or truth without Him. Bible Reading: Deuteronomy 29-30 | Acts 4 |
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