worldwide health crisis due to COVID€¦ · Sunday, April 5th, 2020 Focus: Triumphal Entry...

As you begin this Passion Week Devotional Guide, we are all acutely aware of the current

worldwide health crisis due to COVID-19. Please dedicate some time this week to

specifically pray over the suggestions below related to the areas directly impacted

by COVID-19. May God bring healing to our world as we join together in prayer.

• Pray for safety for first responders, public servants and essential service workers.

• Pray for those affected by the corona virus (small businesses, newly unemployed,

individuals who have the virus and need healing, etc... )

• Pray that world leaders are compassionate in their management of the virus.

• Pray that Christians stay encouraged by their faith while corporate worship is suspended.

• Pray for peace in communities and families while people are sheltering in place.

• Pray that the peace of God would rule, and that we can be witnesses to our community.

• Pray that people don't act out of fear or prejudice, but remember that God has this.

• Pray for hearts to be prepared for Easter and the path of salvation Jesus provided with His

sacrifice.

Welcome to the Passion Week Devotional Guide. It is our prayer that as you

work through this guide you will encounter the grace and love of God in a fresh

and transforming way; and that your commitment to Christ will be richly

deepened as you reflect on Christ’ journey to the cross. Additionally, we pray that

as you journey through this guide you will do so with intentionality, allowing your

relationship with God to be strengthened as you encounter His Word.

Those connected to a Lifegroup, please reach out to others in your group to

have a shared experience this week by having conversions around and processing

through the Passion Week Devotional Guide together each day. If you are not yet

connected to a Lifegroup, consider creating a new Lifegroup by asking family

members or friends to take this journey to the cross along with you. There is much

joy and enrichment in walking together through this Passion Week. Be intentional

to connect with others and watch God bring new insight.

Finally, our prayer is that you will be empowered through this week’s

experience to passionately and courageously share the that your contribution to

the mission of Christ will abundantly increase and grow!

God bless you greatly as you journey this week!

-The FBC Pastoral Staff

The events of the Days of

the Week of Jesus’ Passion

Sunday, April 5th, 2020

Focus: Triumphal Entry Scripture Reading: Luke 19:28-44,

Matthew 21:1-11

Reflection:

Passion Week has begun, and it begins with triumph and celebration – Jesus rides

into Jerusalem on a donkey as the awaited and promised Messiah, fulfilling what

had been prophesied long ago (see Zechariah 9:9, Daniel 9:25-26, and Psalm

118:21-29). Yet, at the same time, the Pharisees watching are not so celebratory,

they want Jesus to “rebuke” the disciples – but instead, Jesus rebukes them for not

recognizing “God’s coming” to them. This day begins a week for Jesus that will be

marked by weeping, anguish, pain and suffering – but a week that will conclude in

victory! As I think about the experience of Passion Week, I am reminded of the

words of John of the Cross –“To get to the pleasure you have not, you must go by

a way you enjoy not.”

Questions:

1. Imagine yourself there, seeing Jesus entering in - on the simplicity and humility

of a donkey – would you have recognized this entrance as “God’s coming”? Why

or why not?

2. Re-read Luke 19:40. Have there been times when you have kept quiet when

you should have praised God? How did this make you feel?

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3. What do you learn about Jesus (i.e., His character or the way He ministers) from

today’s Scripture?

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4. How can you put into practice today’s teaching? What is God calling you to do

as a result of today’s reading?

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Prayer: Think of the people “joyfully praising God in loud voices” as Jesus rode

into Jerusalem. Today, you spend time in prayer praising God too for who He is

and what He has done in your life. You could begin this prayer by praying

Luke 19:38 from today’s devotion. Let your heart magnify Him for He is worthy.

Monday, April 6th, 2020

Focus: Jesus at the Temple Scripture Reading: Matthew 21:12-17

Reflection:

To understand why Jesus was put on the cross on Friday you must understand

what happened on Monday and Tuesday. For the Pharisees (conservative, radical

Jews) and the Sadducees (liberal, wealthy Jews) to agree on anything would take

an act of God. What Jesus did on this Monday provided that act. Essentially, what

happens is this: The people who were selling animals and exchanging money were

taking advantage of people who had come into the temple to worship God. They

were telling the people that their sacrifices were not good enough or acceptable to

God, so they needed to buy “better” sacrifices. It was a scam against people’s de-

sire to worship God! So Jesus came, knocked over tables, spoke the truth, and

cleansed the temple from the lies and hypocrisy.

Questions:

1. On this day of the Passion Week, Jesus begins to assert His authority. How

have you allowed Jesus to assert His authority in your life?

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2. What areas of your life do you try to keep God out of?

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3. As you read this passage, what is the passion you see in Jesus?

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Prayer: We see from this passage that Jesus demonstrated anger over the misuse

of God’s house. People were selling in the Temple for selfish gain rather than

allowing it to be a place of worship. Their sin was the problem. Today, use the

time in prayer to confess your sins to God. Come humbly, yet boldly, knowing

that “He is faithful an just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all

unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

Tuesday, April 7th, 2020

Focus: Jesus—The Son of God Scripture Reading: Matthew 22:41-45

Reflection:

The Tuesday of Passion Week was heavy with activity, most of which was

conversation and debate. The tension between Jesus and the religious leaders had

mounted to an unprecedented degree. Two days earlier Jesus was welcomed into

Jerusalem as King and now the religious leaders are plotting to kill Him. This

begs the question—what exactly did Jesus do or say on Tuesday that finally

rocked the boat enough to make the religious leaders decide to go through with

killing him? The answer is found in what Jesus taught about Himself. Jesus wasn’t

just claiming to be a good guy with some helpful teachings, and He wasn’t

claiming to be a new prophet that was starting a new religion. Rather, He was

claiming that He was the Christ, the Promised Messiah to Israel and the whole

world. This is exactly what we see in Matthew 22. Jesus, in this passage and

throughout His entire ministry, was claiming that the Promised Messiah who

would reign on the throne of David forever was indeed not merely a son of David,

but the very Son of God. More than that, Jesus was claiming to be that Son.

Simply put, Jesus was reading the Old Testament as autobiography, and He was

telling everyone, including these religious leaders, that He was the Promised

Messiah, the Son of God.

Questions:

1. If you were there, do you think that you would have believed that Jesus was

who He was claiming to be? Why?

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2. Some of the religious leaders believed that Jesus was the Son of God, yet would

not put their faith in Him and follow Him? Have you ever felt like this?

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3. Has there ever been a time that you wanted to ask God a question, but didn’t

because you were afraid of what the answer might be? What was the question?

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Prayer: Reflect in quietness for a few minutes about what it means for Jesus to be

the promised Messiah and Lord of your life. Let your prayers flow from this time

of reflection; pray and ask God for His strength through the Holy Spirit to give up

control over the areas of our life that you still need to submit to God as Lord of

your life. Allow Him to truly be Lord, not Lord only where you allow.

Wednesday, April 8th, 2020

Focus: Day of Silence Scripture Reading: Matthew 26:1-16

Reflection:

So what was Jesus doing on the Wednesday of Passion Week? The Scriptures say

nothing about His activity on that day, but the behavior of Jesus on Tuesday even-

ing and then again on Thursday would indicate that Wednesday would have been

a busy day and a day of preparation. Jesus was preparing a Passover meal that

would forever change history, but he had to do it in secret so that Judas wouldn’t

know the time or location. The Sadducees and Pharisees had to organize the San-

hedrin and get a band (about 600 men) of Roman soldiers together to go and arrest

Jesus. There was much preparation that needed to happen on this day.

Even when we can’t read what He’s doing, Jesus is still working on behalf of

those He loves. Even when we can’t see what He’s doing, Jesus is still working on

our behalf. Even when we can’t hear Him, Jesus is speaking to us through the

truths we know from the Scriptures.

Questions:

1. As we approach the day Jesus is put to death on a cross for our sins, how are

you preparing your heart and mind?

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2. Wednesday is a silent day. Is being silent and listening to God something you

value? How?

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3.What causes you to be busy and miss your quiet time with God?

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Prayer: Silence is a spiritual discipline. It can very difficult to quiet our minds and

“be still” before God. Today during prayer time, set a timer and sit in quiet before

God for 3 minutes. It may not sound like much time, although it is enough to

successfully manage for the first time practicing silence. If you need, place a note

pad and pen next to you to jot down your thoughts that keep coming up in order to

leave them and return to silence.

Thursday, April 9th, 2020

Focus: Jesus Washes the Disciples Feet Scripture Reading: John 13:1-26

Reflection:

In Exodus 11 and 12 we read of the first Passover for God’s Old Testament

people. There we see the blood of a lamb applied to the doorposts of each Jewish

home. Doing so would prevent the death angel from entering their home, thus

saving each of their lives. Jesus gathered with His disciples to celebrate this

Passover and establish a new covenant. In the midst of the Last Supper we have a

powerful and moving portrait of Jesus washing His disciples’ feet. Our Scripture

today reveals the true servant-heartedness of Jesus – a way of life that we as His

followers are called to demonstrate.

Questions:

1. If you were one of the disciples sitting at the table with Jesus that night, how

would you have responded to Jesus’ act of washing your feet?

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2. Re-read John 13:17. How are you blessed by following Jesus’ example?

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3. What does knowing that Jesus washed Judas’ feet, a disciple He knew was

going to betray Him, reveal about the character of Jesus?

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Prayer: In prayer today, ask God to give you names of people and ways that you

can serve them in practical ways just as Jesus served His disciples by humbling

Himself to kneel and wash their feet. You could also incorporate in this prayer

time a foot washing service in your own home by kneeling and humbly washing

the feet of your spouse, children, parents. Praying out loud for them as you wash

their feet. This can be a powerful experience for both you and for the person(s)

whose feet you are washing.

Friday, April 10th, 2020

Focus: Jesus Crucified Scripture Reading: Mark 15:1-39

Reflection:

We come now to the darkest day in history – the day of Christ’s crucifixion. Prior

to being crucified, Jesus had to endure six trials, persistent mocking and multiple

whippings – it was a day marked by perpetual and persistent suffering for Him.

On the day that Jesus died, darkness fell upon the earth. God himself had died.

The Bible says in John 15:13 (NLT), “There is no greater love than to lay down

one’s life for one’s friends.” How great is God’s love for us? For Jesus chose to

lay down His life to save ours. He paid the debt of our sin that we could not pay.

Questions:

1. Have you ever been rejected by someone? How did that make you feel?

Knowing that Jesus Himself was rejected. Does this help you connect more

meaningfully with Him?

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2. How are you challenged in your faith or walk with God as a result of today’s

passage? Why is it challenging for you?

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3. Identify some of the things Jesus endured for you on that “Good Friday” so

long ago?

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Prayer: Search online for the song “How Deep the Father’s Love For Us” by

Selah, the lyrics are listed below, and listen to the words. Let it wash over you and

give great thanksgiving to Jesus for His magnificent sacrifice and best gift to you.

How deep the Father's love for us

How vast beyond all measure

That He should give His only Son

To make a wretch His treasure

How great the pain of searing loss

The Father turns His face away

As wounds which mar the Chosen One

Bring many sons to glory

Behold the man upon a cross

My sin upon His shoulders

Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice

Call out among the scoffers

It was my sin that held Him there

Until it was accomplished

His dying breath has brought me life

I know that it is finished

How Deep the Father's Love for Us

I will not boast in anything

No gifts, no power, no wisdom

But I will boast in Jesus Christ

His death and resurrection

Why should I gain from His reward?

I cannot give an answer

But this I know with all my heart

His wounds have paid my ransom

Why should I gain from His reward?

I cannot give an answer

But this I know with all my heart

His wounds have paid my ransom

Saturday, April 11th, 2020

Focus: Securing the Tomb Scripture Reading: Matthew 27:62-66

Reflection:

Saturday was a quiet day. Not much activity is recorded in Scripture concerning

this day. One of the activities that occurred was the securing of Jesus’ tomb. It was

sealed, and a guard was posted at the tomb at the request of the chief priests and

Pharisees. No matter what the world puts before us or sends our way, nothing will

prevent the will of God from being done in our lives if we surrender to Him. In

today’s culture we focus on the resurrection and often lose sight of Saturday. It is

that in-between place where hope seems lost because of what we see and what we

don’t understand. Saturday was a day of loss, a day of grief and mourning.

Questions:

1. What are some times in your life when you felt like there was no hope?

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2. Do you ever doubt if God will remove or can remove the “stones” in your life?

Why do you doubt?

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3. How can you develop greater hope in your life? What markers will help you

identify that greater hope is developing in your life?

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Prayer: In preparation for your prayer time today, name the fears and anxieties

related to your answer to question #1 in today’s devotional guide. Now that you

have recognized your fears, give them to God in prayer by admitting your fears

and asking God to replace them with hope and courage. Remembering that God

“has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love and

self-discipline” (2 Timothy 1:7).

Sunday, April 12th, 2020

Focus: He Is Alive! Scripture Reading: Luke 24:1-49

Reflection:

After a week filled with pain, suffering and anguish we arrive at Resurrection

Sunday – the day in which death and Satan are defeated! In our Scripture reading

for today we are given a detailed account of what transpired on this glorious day.

The events of this week, culminating in the death and resurrection of Jesus, set the

stage for the greatest rescue mission that has and will ever occur – the salvation of

people’s lives. And we, as followers of Christ, have been called to participate in

that mission of preaching in His name the message of repentance and forgiveness.

What an awesome privilege this is!!

Questions:

1. Re-read Luke 24:49. Do you feel you have been clothed with the Holy Spirit?

Why or why not? What can you do to be filled more fully with God’s power (see

Eph. 5:15-21)?

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3. How does Jesus’ sacrifice for you and His resurrection affect your

understanding of forgiveness?

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4. What has been most impactful from this week of devotions relating to the

Passion Week? How will you remember and apply this to your life moving

forward?

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Prayer: Who are you currently sharing the message of repentance and forgiveness

with? Spend some time today praying for that person/those people. That they

would surrender their lives to the life restoring love of Jesus. If you are not

currently sharing with anyone, begin to pray that God would lead you to that

person He wants you to share the life-transforming message of God’s grace and

love. It is the hope of the world.

worldwide health crisis due to COVID€¦ · Sunday, April 5th, 2020 Focus: Triumphal Entry...

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