THE DAY OF GOD'S FAVOR

Holy Saturday

ISAIAH 61:1-2 (ABP)
I've been possesed by GOD’s spirit, who has commisioned me to proclaim the year of GOD’s favor—the day when he is vindicated and those in mourning are comforted.

LUKE 23:43 (CEB)
Jesus replied, “I assure you that today you will be with me in paradise.”

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Even from the cross, Jesus was comforting those who mourned over their sins—truly a time of God's favor. 

DAILY FODDER
Why is mourning associated repentance in the Bible? 

PRAYER
Merciful Savior, thank you for taking my sin to the cross where it was crucified. It truly was a day of your favor. As I enter into the mourning surrounding your death, show me how to mourn over my sins so that through repentance I might come to experience the forgiveness declared at the cross. It's all a bit overwhelming but I know that tommorrow is Sunday. Amen. 

THE LORD’S PRAYER (ABP)
Our Father in Heaven,
     we hold your name in the highest regard.
Please come and establish your reign here on earth
     so that everything that happens here will align
     with what is happening in heaven.

Give us enough food for today.

Forgive us our wrongdoing,
     and we’ll forgive those who have wronged us.
Shield us from the trials and temptations that come our way.
Lastly, we pray that you will protect us from all forms of evil. Amen.

PRINCE OF PEACE

Good Friday

ISAIAH 9:6 (CEB)
He will be named
   Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
   Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.

2 CORINTHIANS 5:19 (CEB)
God was reconciling the world to himself through Christ, by not counting people’s sins against them. He has trusted us with this message of reconciliation.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
The Savior who died for us is the Prince of Peace, reconciling the world to God.

DAILY FODDER
What are the many implications of following Jesus as the Prince of Peace?

PRAYER
Jesus, this is the day we remember your death on the cross. This dreadful death was for the sins of the whole world.  My song today is one of sorrowful thanks, for you reconciled me to be at peace with God. Jesus, your life paid the price, and you won the victory over death. I praise you. Amen. (Daily Texts, Ground Up Grace edition)

THE LORD’S PRAYER (ABP)
Our Father in Heaven,
     we hold your name in the highest regard.
Please come and establish your reign here on earth
     so that everything that happens here will align
     with what is happening in heaven.

Give us enough food for today.

Forgive us our wrongdoing,
     and we’ll forgive those who have wronged us.
Shield us from the trials and temptations that come our way.
Lastly, we pray that you will protect us from all forms of evil. Amen.

FOLLOW SUIT

Maundy Thursday

PSALM 73:23 (ABP)
   I'm always here for you, holding your hand.

LUKE 22:42-43 (NTFE)
   “Father,” (Jesus) said, “if you wish it—please take this cup away from me! But it must be your will, not mine.”
   An angel appeared to him from heaven, strengthening him.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
   As God was there for Jesus in his critical moment he is there for all of us. 

DAILY FODDER
   The Thursday before Good Friday is called Maundy Thursday. The English word maundy can be traced to the Middle English and Old French term mandé (also the origin of the English word "mandate"). On the night of his betrayal Jesus said to his disciples "I'm giving you a new mandate. You're to love each other in the same way I've loved you..." That is, as God the Father was there for Jesus, and Jesus was there for us, so are we to be there for each other.

PRAYER
   Dear Savior, on this day I remember how you bravely suffered and died on our behalf. As I share in the bread and cup today I recognize that you included me in your sacrifice to save the world from sin and eternal death. As the Father strengthened you, I'm asking you for the strength to follow suit and stand faithful with you—no matter what. Amen. 

THE LORD’S PRAYER (ABP)
Our Father in Heaven,
     we hold your name in the highest regard.
Please come and establish your reign here on earth
     so that everything that happens here will align
     with what is happening in heaven.

Give us enough food for today.

Forgive us our wrongdoing,
     and we’ll forgive those who have wronged us.
Shield us from the trials and temptations that come our way.
Lastly, we pray that you will protect us from all forms of evil. Amen.

DEATH REVERSED

PSALM 103:15-17 (CEB)
The days of a human life are like grass:
   they bloom like a wildflower;
   but when the wind blows through it, it’s gone;
   even the ground where it stood doesn’t remember it.
But the Lord’s faithful love is from forever ago to forever from now
   for those who honor him.
And God’s righteousness reaches to the grandchildren...

1 CORINTHIANS 15:53 (MSG)
In the resurrection scheme of things, this has to happen: everything perishable taken off the shelves and replaced by the imperishable, this mortal replaced by the immortal.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
The resurrection scheme defines both our hope for the future and how we live in the present.

DAILY FODDER
If death is not the final word, how does that change today?

PRAYER
Lord God, there is no end to your faithful love. Even death is but a small bump in the road. Forgive my anxiety over the future. Help me to live and take risks that are based on the resurrection hope we share. I believe that because of Jesus' victory over death, my decaying body will eventually give way to a new decay-proof body. Amen.

THE LORD’S PRAYER (ABP)
Our Father in Heaven,
     we hold your name in the highest regard.
Please come and establish your reign here on earth
     so that everything that happens here will align
     with what is happening in heaven.

Give us enough food for today.

Forgive us our wrongdoing,
     and we’ll forgive those who have wronged us.
Shield us from the trials and temptations that come our way.
Lastly, we pray that you will protect us from all forms of evil. Amen.