Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. . .I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.”
John 10:7,9

The Real Entrance

The first words of Psalm 23 are pretty famous: “The Lord is my shepherd.” If I take those words seriously and want to get close to the Lord, I need to enter his sheep pen and know where the gate is.

The last words of Psalm 23 are also pretty famous: “I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” If I take those words seriously and want to be in the mansion of the Lord forever, I need to know where the door is.

Psalm 23 was written by David, a man who started out as a shepherd and ended up as a king. At first he lived outside with sheep, but at the end of his life he lived in a palace. The words of the psalm reflect his journey.

Jesus was a descendant of David. When he was born, his mother placed him in a manger—a place where animals were fed. His life followed the pattern of his ancestor, David. Now he lives in the glory of heaven, and he invites me to join him there.

He explains how I can get to heaven. Thinking of sheep, he calls himself the gate. Thinking of a king’s palace, he calls himself the door. In either expression, he means to say that believing in him is the only way to get to heaven, to dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

I have approached places where it is hard to identify the real entrance, and it’s frustrating. Thankfully, that’s not the case when it comes to entering heaven. Jesus identifies himself as the only real entrance to a relationship with God and an eternity in heaven.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, guide me safely to a close relationship with you and to an eternal home in heaven. Amen.

It was not with perishable things . . . that you were redeemed.
1 Peter 1:18

Perishable Things

In the corner of a museum in Springfield, Illinois, there is a special room where people enter quietly. In that room is a clear glass case. The case has special lighting. The interior of the case keeps a specific temperature and level of humidity. All of this technology is necessary because of what the case contains. Inside that case is Abraham Lincoln’s stovepipe hat.

As you view this hat, there are two features that may jump out at you. One is that, on the hat’s brim, you can see wear marks from the first two fingers of Mr. Lincoln’s right hand from all the times he tipped his hat in greeting or held it steady in a stiff wind.

The second feature is more sobering. It is the simple fact that the hat looks old. For all the efforts to preserve the hat’s condition, the passage of time has still made its impact. With age has come deterioration. As time goes on, the deterioration will continue.

Deterioration does not just strike famous hats of former presidents, of course. Everything in this sinful, fallen world deteriorates. Everything wears out. Everything is perishable.

And so when God chose to buy us back from the curse of our sin, the payment price could not be something perishable. It could not be something of fleeting, temporary value. That’s why God sent his Son.

As a result, God’s forgiveness of your sins will not deteriorate. The peace you possess in Christ will not expire. The Lord’s promises to you will never perish. Not because of a museum’s preservation technology but because of the perfect life, death, and resurrection of the Son of God.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, because of Jesus, your promises to me will never perish. In troubled times, comfort me with this truth. Amen.

When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”
Luke 24:30-32

Restored Hope

On the first Easter evening, two of Jesus’ disciples were traveling to a town called Emmaus. They were sad because Jesus had been killed. Suddenly, the risen Jesus joined them. But they did not recognize him. As Jesus explained to them that everything that had happened was part of God’s plan, they felt increasingly hopeful. Maybe, just maybe, the women who had seen the empty tomb were right. Maybe Jesus really was alive.

Then they got to Emmaus and persuaded their traveling companion to stay with them for the evening. As they sat down to eat, Jesus took bread and broke it, just as he had done a few days earlier when he celebrated the Passover with his disciples. At that moment, the eyes of the two disciples were opened. They recognized Jesus. They could see for sure that Jesus was alive. Their hope that Jesus was the Messiah was restored!

It is highly unlikely that any of us in this life will have the privilege of recognizing Jesus as he sits across from us at the dinner table. In this life, we may not see the risen Jesus with our own eyes. But we have his words which show us how he fulfilled all of God’s plan for our salvation. We have the eyewitness testimony of these two disciples and so many others who did see the risen Jesus with their own eyes. Our hearts burn within us as we hear this testimony that Jesus is alive. And based on all that testimony, our hope is restored.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, by your resurrection you have restored my hope. Help me always to trust in you. Amen.

“In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see Jesus.”
Luke 24:22-24

Unbelievable Hope

Two of Jesus’ disciples were walking toward a town called Emmaus on Easter evening. The risen Jesus joined them, but they did not recognize him. As they walked and talked, the two disciples shared with Jesus what had happened earlier that morning. And it was unbelievable. Some of the women who had been followers of Jesus went to his tomb to complete the burial of his body. But instead of finding Jesus’s corpse lying in the tomb, they found two angels who told them that Jesus was alive. Two of the other disciples also went to Jesus’s tomb and found things just as the women had said. Jesus’s body wasn’t there.

How could this be? Dead bodies don’t just get up and walk out of their tombs, do they? Could the women be correct in saying that Jesus was alive? It all was too much to believe.

Those two disciples were not the only people who struggle with unbelievable news from God. Perhaps you struggle to believe God when he tells you, “[I] will remember [your] sins no more” (Jeremiah 31:34). Or maybe you can’t conceive of how these words of Jesus can be true: “The one who believes in me will live, even though they die” (John 11:25). Perhaps you find it unbelievable that the glory God has in store for those who believe in him far outweighs the weight of trouble we must carry in this life (Romans 8:18).

What those two disciples found unbelievable was true. Jesus was alive! In fact, the proof of Jesus’s resurrection was walking right beside them. They just didn’t realize it yet. In the same way, God’s unbelievable promises to us are always true. When God, who knows all things, tells us that he no longer remembers our sins, he means it. In Jesus, he has forgiven all our sins. Jesus, who rose from the dead, will indeed give eternal life to all who believe in him. And the glory that awaits God’s people makes all the trouble we went through to get there not even worth considering. What seems unbelievable is real with God, for with God all things are possible.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, strengthen my faith so that I may always trust your unbelievable promises. Amen.

For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.
1 Peter 1:18,19

A Sense of Worth

“You like me! Right now, you like me!” gasped Sally Fields at the Oscars in 1985. She longed to know she was worth something. You and I long for the same, a sense of worth.

But as we see our selfish behavior, our broken relationships, our failed goals and dreams, how do we often feel? Perhaps worthless, or worth little?

God says, “you were redeemed . . . with the precious blood of Christ.” How much does God think you’re worth? God thinks you’re worth the blood of Jesus!

Think about it. Something’s value is always determined by what someone is willing to pay for it. Take, for example, a 1909 Honus Wagner baseball card. Though it’s really just a piece of cardboard, in July 2000, it became worth a million dollars! Why? Because that’s what someone paid for it.

So, what did God pay for you? He paid the blood of Jesus for you. Proving what? Proving that God thinks you’re priceless! Proving that God likes you! Yes, right now! And that he’ll keep on liking you, forever!

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, I marvel that you were willing to pay the price for my sins, even though it cost you your precious blood. Thank you. Amen.

Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
1 Peter 1:8,9

Joy in What We Don’t See

A week after he died, Jesus appeared to his disciple, Thomas, and said, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” For Thomas, seeing was believing. The proof of Jesus’ resurrection gave him peace and joy.

But we weren’t there in that room with the disciples. We haven’t seen the risen Jesus with our own eyes. How can we have the same peace, joy, and hope as those disciples?

As a person enters hospice care, waiting for the day they will breathe their last, all they can see coming is death. As a family stands at the graveside of a loved one before the urn or casket is lowered into the ground, all they can see is death. Irreversible, unchangeable death. That is if they see only with the eyes of their bodies and their reason.

But things aren’t always what they seem. When Jesus cried, “It is finished,” on the cross, it looked like all hope was finished. Any chance of him being the promised Savior was over. But the empty tomb on Easter morning proved that wasn’t the case. When Jesus’ friends went to his tomb that morning, what they didn’t see brought them hope. What they didn’t see was the body of Jesus. That’s because he was alive.

And he still lives. Because he lives, you can rejoice, even in the face of struggles. You can be confident, even in the face of death. You can be sure that because his grave is empty, yours will be empty one day too. You can trust that through Jesus’ dying and rising in your place, your guilt has been removed. Your salvation has been won. Eternal life with your God and Savior is yours. Let that truth fill you with joy that can’t be put into words.

Prayer:
Jesus, though I haven’t seen you with my own eyes, I believe that you live. And because you live, I know that I will too. Let this news fill me with joy in life and in death. Amen.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
1 Peter 1:3

A Living Hope

Peter was a fiercely loyal follower of Jesus. Or at least he wanted to be. Peter promised Jesus, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” But just hours later, he called down curses on himself as he denied ever knowing Jesus not once but three times.

His denial of Jesus proved he wasn’t as strong as he claimed to be. How could he ever be sure of anything again? How could he ever find hope again?

Years later, Peter wrote, “He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” Peter and his friend John had run to the tomb on Easter morning after the women reported that it was empty. Later that day, Peter saw Jesus alive, and he was filled with “an inexpressible and glorious joy.” Peter’s fear, grief, and despair turned to peace, joy, and hope.

What struggles have you faced in your life? What burdens are you carrying on your heart today? Does the loss of a loved one have you feeling empty and alone? Does your own failing health cripple you with confusion and uncertainty? Does the fear of what the future may hold have you worried and afraid? Find hope and peace where Peter found it. Easter hope. Living hope.

Jesus keeps his promises. He died for our doubts and worries and rose to prove that they are forgiven. Grief, shame, and guilt are gone. Life with Jesus is ours!

Prayer:
Jesus, when life leaves me hopeless, give me living hope through your resurrection from the dead. Amen.

On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!”
John 20:19

Peace be with you!

Fear can be absolutely paralyzing, can’t it? I have a fear of heights. If I am someplace where my mind tells me I could fall and be seriously injured or die, my heart begins to race, and I can hardly move an inch. Maybe you’ve experienced the same thing. Or maybe for you, it is a fear of spiders or snakes, public speaking, water, or tight spaces. It doesn’t matter whether the danger is real or not. Fear paralyzes us.

Jesus’ disciples were terrified. They had seen him tied up and taken away by his enemies. Some of them were there when they killed him. They watched the life drain out of his body and saw him take his last breath. What Jesus’ enemies did to him was so brutal, so hateful, so final. What would stop them from doing the same thing to them?

So they hid, locked behind closed doors. They hid even after they heard reports that Jesus was alive. They didn’t believe the news. Fear paralyzed them. They lacked proof. They lacked peace.

Suddenly, Jesus was standing right in front of them. And the first thing Jesus said was, “Peace be with you.” It was his promise that they had nothing to fear, because everything was right between them and God. He would not hold their fears against them. He would not curse them for their confusion or damn them for their doubts. Those things were forgiven. They were left there on the cross when Jesus died.

The risen Jesus says the same thing to you. “Peace be with you. Your fears and failures are forgiven. I was condemned and cut off from God’s love so that you will not be. I am alive as proof that God has accepted my life as payment for your guilt. Everything is good between you and me, between you and God.” With the proof that he is alive, Jesus gives the gift of peace to fearful hearts.

Prayer:
Risen Savior, when guilt, shame, and uncertainty try to fill me with fear, let your resurrection bring me peace. Amen.

Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The LORD, the LORD, is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. In that day you will say: “Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name.”
Isaiah 12:2-4

With Joy Give Thanks

When I think of drawing water out of a well, I usually don’t associate that with joy. I’ve never actually done it myself, but it looks hard. A gallon of milk gets heavy very quickly if I decide to not use a shopping cart. In comparison, pulling the dead weight of a ten-gallon bucket of water out of the ground doesn’t sound like a lot of fun; that sounds like work. Hard work!

But the prophet Isaiah tells us that we will draw water with joy. He tells us about a well that is not a burden to draw from. It’s the well of salvation. From the well of salvation, we draw water that brings real and lasting joy. That’s because we are drawing living water. We draw the life-giving water of God’s Word.

Do you ever go a day without drinking water? It’s pretty hard to do, especially if you are outside spending time in the sun. You need water, and you would never think of going without it for very long. But sometimes we treat the living water of God’s Word as if it is somehow less important, less needed. Sometimes we go days and weeks without stopping at the well of God’s Word for a nourishing drink. Often, we treat our bodies with more care than our souls.

But there is a treatment for that sin. It’s the living water. Go back to the well of God’s Word and receive forgiveness. Drink up a tall glass of his grace. Drink deeply from it, and be refreshed with the satisfaction that the living water God offers is your salvation. Trust in him and do not be afraid because of everything Jesus has accomplished for you by his life, death, and resurrection. Through your Savior, you will spend eternity with your Lord in the glories of heaven. There you will sing with Isaiah. There you will say every day with a praise-filled heart and voice: “Give thanks to the LORD.”

Prayer:
Thank you, Lord, for refreshing my soul through these moments in your Word. As you care for my physical needs, support me in my spiritual journey, until I join you in paradise. Amen.

[Jesus] appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.
1 Corinthians 15:5-8

The Life-Changing Resurrection

After Jesus’ death on Good Friday, his disciples were scattered and scared for their lives. Their leader was dead. Their enemies held all the power. It was only a matter of time until this following of Jesus fell apart.

But that never happened. And instead of dissolving, the Jesus following slowly grew. The disciples of Jesus came out of hiding and started boldly teaching about Jesus. A skeptic of Jesus became the leader of the church in Jerusalem. And someone who tried to imprison and kill the followers of Jesus turned into the greatest missionary for Jesus. What happened?

Jesus appeared to them. Not beaten, battered, and broken, but alive and well. Jesus had been dead. He was executed by professional Roman soldiers. But he rose from the dead and started showing people that he held the keys to death.

Jesus’ change from death to life changed the people who witnessed him alive. Fear turned into confidence. Doubt turned into faith. Persecution turned into the right kind of zeal. Jesus’ resurrection from the grave was life-changing.

It still is. Jesus’ resurrection means we have a sure hope of eternal life. It means that because Jesus went through death and came out alive on the other side, we will too. It means that whatever this world throws at us, Jesus will get us through it. It means that Jesus is who he says he is and will keep all his promises. It means he is your Savior from sin. That is life-changing!

Prayer: (Christian Worship: Hymnal: – 440)
So let us keep the festival to which the Lord invites us; Christ is himself the joy of all, the sun that warms and lights us. Now his grace to us imparts eternal sunshine to our hearts; the night of sin is ended. Alleluia, alleluia! Amen.

Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”
Matthew 28:9,10

Don’t Be Afraid

It’s hard to imagine everything those women felt on that first Easter morning. Heading to the tomb, perhaps they felt lonely and lost without their leader, Jesus. Disappointed and depressed by what happened three days earlier. But after seeing the angel and the empty tomb, perhaps amazement and confusion replaced those other emotions. One emotion we know they felt, though, was fear.

Frightened by the angel. Overwhelmed by the empty tomb. Startled by Jesus’ sudden appearance. Jesus spoke to the women’s fear immediately after greeting them, “Do not be afraid.”

Jesus didn’t just mean not to be afraid at the sight of him now, but also not to be afraid of what he would do now that he was alive again. Jesus gave the women a mission to be messengers to the disciples. Remarkably, He called the disciples his brothers. He didn’t call them cowardly traitors who had deserted him but brothers. You see, Jesus’ disciples had turned their backs on Jesus during his arrest and crucifixion.

And, just as remarkably, Jesus calls us his brothers and sisters even though we have often turned our backs on him when we have lived the way we want rather than the way he wants. But, you see, the whole reason Jesus went to the cross was for those sins. Because of God’s great grace, Jesus didn’t rise to deliver retribution or revenge. He rose as an assurance of sins forgiven and death defeated.

The living Son of God has made full payment for sin so that he can call us his brothers and sisters. We are rescued from the punishment we deserve. Death is defeated. We do not need to be afraid!

Prayer: (Christian Worship: Hymnal: – 440)
Christ Jesus, God’s own Son, came down, his people to deliver; destroying sin, he took the crown from death’s pale brow forever. Stripped of pow’r, no more it reigns; an empty form alone remains; its sting is lost forever. Alleluia, alleluia! Amen.

What I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve.
1 Corinthians 15:3-5

Of First Importance

What is of first importance in your life? Is it your job? Or maybe your family? Is it your bank account because you are trying to save enough money to retire comfortably? Or could it be your smartphone? Is it your favorite sports team? Is it God?

We know God should be of first importance in life, but sadly we don’t always show God that he is of first importance. We often place too much importance on other things in this world.

Thankfully, the Lord did not follow suit. In sending Jesus to live and die in our place, God demonstrated that we are of first importance to him. In raising Jesus from the dead, God showed, once and for all, that our eternal salvation was his top priority. Because Jesus lived, died, and rose again, you and I are forgiven and trusting Jesus as our Savior; we, too, shall rise to live forever in heaven.

In our Bible reading for today, the apostle Paul reminds us that, for the Christian, there is nothing more important than the saving work of Jesus. Easter provides a wonderful opportunity to refocus and thank God for what is most important.

But let’s not just make God the most important thing in our lives on Easter Sunday. Moved and motivated by the love of Jesus, let’s demonstrate just how important our Lord is to us. Let’s give him the best of our time, talents, and treasures. Let his love for us reflect in our lives for the entire world to see!

Prayer:
Dear Lord, forgive me for the times when I short-change you in my life. Thank you for sending Jesus to live, die, and rise for me. Help me to reflect your love in all that I say and do. Fill me with Easter joy, every day! Amen.

Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, “Woman, here is your son,” and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home. Later, knowing that everything had been finished . . . Jesus said, “I am thirsty” . . . When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.”
John 19:25-28,30

A Greater Type of King Who Was the Perfect Sacrifice

“It is finished.” Quite honestly, I’m about to say that. This is the fifth consecutive devotion I have authored, and in 288 more words I’m going to close out my computer and say, “It is finished!”

Finishing a project is satisfying. It’s one thing to be finished, but it’s another thing for it to be done well or to be done perfectly. I really won’t be finished in 288 words (241 now). I will go back and look over the devotions I’ve written. I’ll find typos, bad grammar, and lack of flow. Then I’ll edit before I submit. All that for a project that just took a few days to complete.

When Jesus said, ‘It is finished!’ it wasn’t just an exhaustive, “Whew, I’m glad I’m done with that!” It was an emphatic, “It’s done. Everything that needed to be done has been done, and it’s perfect. No edits. No adjustments. It’s perfect!”

Jesus didn’t just die to take away our sins. He also lived to give us his perfection. For thirty-three years, Jesus faced endless temptations. And for thirty-three years, he was perfect, right to the very end. One of the last things Jesus did before bowing his head and dying was taking care of his mother. He kept the fourth commandment perfectly. He told Mary, “Woman, here is your son,” and his disciple, “Here is your mother.” Jesus was perfect. Which means he didn’t have to die. Yet, he did anyway. Why? So he could be our perfect substitute.

This devotion is intended to be read on the day we observe Jesus’ death. As we ponder Jesus’ perfect sacrifice, cherish that it’s not just a “good” Friday, but it was a “perfect” Friday.

Prayer:
Thank you, Jesus, for being the perfect sacrifice. Amen.

The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest heaven!”
Matthew 21:9

A Greater Type of King Who Saves Us

Did the crowd understand the significance of their own words? We’re not sure. Did the crowd understand the true nature of Jesus’ kingdom? We’re not sure. But as we stand on the Palm Sunday road two millennia later, it really doesn’t matter if they understood what they shouted. The question is, do we?

I grew up in a church where twice a month we sang, “Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna in the highest! Blessed is he, blessed is he, blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” Even though I may not have fully understood what I was singing as a little boy, the words I sang were giving testimony that Jesus is the Savior. Hosanna literally means, “Lord, save us.” This is why Jesus came to earth and why he marched into Jerusalem on a day we call Palm Sunday. He came to seek and to save what was lost. He came to seek and save you.

When the crowd shouted those words that day, it was a plea, “Lord, save us.” From our perspective, it’s a word of praise, knowing that Jesus answered the plea. He didn’t just march into Jerusalem as king. Five days after Jesus rode into Jerusalem, he marched to a cross where he did save us from our sins. And on the following Sunday, on Easter morning, he marched out of the grave to prove that he had saved us from death. And that’s what makes him a greater type of king: He’s a King who saves us.

Prayer:
Dear Savior King, as I find myself in the middle of holy week, help me to pause and consider why you did what you did; you came into this world to save me. For that I give you thanks and praise. Hosanna! Amen.

When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?” The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”
Matthew 21:10,11

A Greater Type of King

It’s uncomfortable. The person that called you wasn’t in your contacts. No name appeared when the phone rang, just a number. After you answer with a hesitant, “Hello?” the other party begins talking to you rather comfortably as if you should know them, but you don’t. You finally interrupt and ask, “Who is this?”

That was the question of the day in Jerusalem. The people that lined the streets to welcome Jesus on Palm Sunday knew him. He was already in their “Contacts” list. But not everyone in the city knew him. And for those who didn’t know him, it was uncomfortable. They were “stirred.” And so they asked, “Who is this?”

The crowds who knew him answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet…” That is no small thing to say about Jesus, and it is one of many ways that shows Jesus to be a greater type of king. When we see someone march into town with a lot of fanfare as a king, we may expect them to make a lot of demands. “Fetch me this. Get me that.” Or if the person is a stereotypical king, we may expect them to issue a decree or give some kind of edict.

But who is this Jesus? He’s not someone who comes making demands for himself. He’s not one who comes with a list of edicts. No, he’s a prophet, someone whose concern is to proclaim God’s Word. Not an opinion or a tweet but the very Word of God.

As you read this devotion, appreciate that Jesus is still acting as “the prophet.” Right now, as you meditate on God’s Word, Jesus’ concern is for you to know what God says. He wants you to hear about the seriousness of your sin. But he also wants you to hear about God’s solution to your sin, and that solution is Jesus, a greater type of king who meets all of your greater needs.

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, thank you for being the prophet and showing me God’s Word today. Amen.