CHRIST IS RISEN!

Easter Sunday

PSALM 3:5 (NLT)

I lay down and slept,

yet I woke up in safety,

for the LORD was watching over me.

MARK 16:9-10 (NLT)
After Jesus rose from the dead early on Sunday morning, the first person who saw him was Mary Magdalene, the woman from whom he had cast out seven demons. She went to the disciples, who were grieving and weeping, and told them what had happened.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Christ is risen!

DAILY FODDER
The good news of Easter is such that the first witness of the resurrection is a woman who had been plagued by demon possession -- very much a socially fringe person -- not a celebrity or even an admired ordinary person. Can you imagine how that conversation with the grieving disciples flowed? Why does Jesus choose a woman like Mary to be the first witness?

PRAYER
Risen Christ, we join with those who are marching over graves, blowing their horns, and proclaiming your victory. Death is the loser. You're the winner! Help me to align my life with yours so that I can live as an Easter person today, tomorrow, and every day through all eternity. I want to tell someone today that you've risen and that new life has begun. Amen.

THE LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your Name, your Kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen.

LIFELINE

PSALM 40:2 (ABP)
God pulled me out of that awful lifeless pit filled with the muck and mire of despair. He then set me on solid ground and gave me a steady arm to hold onto so I could walk on.

1 PETER 3:18-19 (CEV)
Christ died once for our sins.
An innocent person died
     for those who are guilty.
Christ did this
     to bring you to God,
     when his body
     was put to death
     and his spirit
     was made alive.
Christ then preached to the spirits that were being kept in prison.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Christ is the lifeline that God is using to pull us back to life.

DAILY FODDER
Even before his resurrection Christ was busy generating new life for those who were already dead. How does this change the way that you'll celebrate Easter tomorrow?

"I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit
and born of the virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again..."
(from the Apostles' Creed)

PRAYER
Christ Jesus, it's not Easter, yet, but the victory is already yours. You offer life to all who are dead because of sin. Thank you that despair is losing its grip on us and your lifeline is firmly in hand. We're grateful that you have taken on the dirty task of rescuing us. And I'm warming up my voice to sing "alleluia!" tomorrow. Amen.

THE LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your Name, your Kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen.

"GOOD" FRIDAY

Good Friday

PSALM 34:8 (MSG)

Open your mouth and taste,

open your eyes and see—

how good God is.

Blessed are you who run to him.

LUKE 23:42-43 (ABP)
   Then one of the criminals being crucified beside Jesus said to him, “Remember me when your kingdom comes into power!”
   Jesus replied, “Certainly, today you'll be at peace and rest with me.”

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Even the criminal could see the good that the cross was producing.

DAILY FODDER
How can we call something so painful and shameful "good"?

PRAYER
Jesus, thank you for the assurance that I am safe in you. I taste your forgiveness and I am relieved. How wonderful you are to receive me into your Kingdom without constraints. I regret that it was at your most desolate moment that you considered me. Thank you for making me secure. Show me who needs your message today. Amen. (Daily Texts, Ground Up Grace edition)

THE LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your Name, your Kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen.

REMEMBER

Maundy Thursday

GENESIS 8:22 (MSG)

For as long as Earth lasts,

planting and harvest, cold and heat,

summer and winter, day and night

will never stop.”

LUKE 22:19-20 (CEV)
   Jesus took some bread in his hands and gave thanks for it. He broke the bread and handed it to his apostles. Then he said, “This is my body, which is given for you. Eat this as a way of remembering me!”
   After the meal he took another cup of wine in his hands. Then he said, “This is my blood. It is poured out for you, and with it God makes his new agreement.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
As time goes by make sure you remember what Christ has done on your behalf.

DAILY FODDER
Why does Jesus think it is necessary to command a sacramental act as a way to get his followers to remember him? How could they possibly forget? Unpack what it means to "remember."

PRAYER
Jesus, we remember what you did on the night when you shared a special meal with the disciples – the night on which you were betrayed. We remember and we thank you for sacrificing your life so that you could break the back of death and betrayal. Help us to live so much in that moment that it starts to define our lives. I want your new covenant to be written all over my life as a witness to your faithfulness and salvation. Amen.

THE LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your Name, your Kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen.