Category Archives: Holy Week Series

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REVISITED: SON OF GOD: Easter Sunday

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Read 1 Corinthians 15:1-10

ALSO IN SCRIPTURE
“Mary Magdalene found the disciples and told them, ‘I have seen the Lord!’ Then she gave them His message.” (John 20:18 NLT)

Image: AI-generated using Adobe Firefly and customized by the author. Used with the devotional “SON OF GOD: Easter Sunday” at Life-Giving Water Devotions.

Happy Easter Sunday! This is the day to which all of the previous days and devotions of Holy Week have been pointing to. This is the day when the power of God was fully displayed in the body of Jesus of Nazareth. It’s not enough that he lived the life of a prophet. It’s not enough that he lived the life of one who had compassion on the “least of these.” It’s not enough that he held to his beliefs even unto death. It’s certainly not enough that he bore his cross and died on it. For if that is how the life of the Son of God ended, if that is the end of the story, then what hope is there that evil will ever be overcome?

If the Jesus movement were to die with him at his death, then he would go down in history as just another poor peasant who dared to defy the powers that be and paid the ultimate price for it. What’s more, his teachings would go down as nice but unrealistic. His miracles would go down as nothing more than magic tricks, and his claims of divinity would go down as nothing more than an egotistical delusion. Yet, the story did not end there; rather, on the third day following his passion and death, the Son of God was resurrected from the tomb. What’s more, his resurrection was experienced by countless people, at least 513 people according to the Apostle Paul who was writing about 24-27 years after Christ’s death and resurrection.

The resurrection is not about a dead body becoming resuscitated back to life. The resurrection isn’t about faith that goes against reason, nor is it about believing in something ludicrous that cannot be seen or experienced. If it were about those things, no one would have believed Paul or the countless others who preached the resurrection of the Son of God to others. In fact, Paul would have never believed it either were it merely about belief in what cannot be seen or experienced. What’s important to note is that belief in the resurrection of Christ is not about blind faith, but about an experiential faith. The question is not about whether or not the Son of God resurrected from the dead, the question is about whether or not you have witnessed the resurrected Son of God, and whether or not you have experienced that resurrection in your life as well.

Whether you are celebrating Easter Sunday or not, ask yourself this question, have you experienced the miracle of the resurrection? If not, why not? Perhaps it is because you have not died to anything or, if you have, perhaps it is because you have not let that experience go. I can tell you that I have experienced both the risen Son of God in my life, and I have experienced the miracle of the resurrection too. But what I have experienced can only intrigue you, if that. You need to open yourself to experiencing it too. I pray that on this Easter Sunday, the power of the resurrected SON manifests itself in you and that you are aware and open to it. If you are, NOTHING will ever be the same again.

THOUGHT OF THE DAY
“People have been told so often that resurrection is just a metaphor, and means Jesus died and was glorified – in other words, he went to Heaven, whatever that means. And they’ve never realized that the word ‘resurrection’ simply didn’t mean that.” – N.T. Wright

PRAYER
Lord, reveal your resurrected self to me and a produce in me the resurrected life. Amen.

Devotional, Holy Week Series, Previous Post

REVISITED: SON OF GOD: Holy Saturday

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Read Matthew 27:62-66

ALSO IN SCRIPTURE
“’Go out and stand before Me on the mountain,’ the LORD told him. And as Elijah stood there, the LORD passed by, and a mighty windstorm hit the mountain. It was such a terrible blast that the rocks were torn loose, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake there was a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire there was the sound of a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave.” (1 Kings 19:11-13a NLT)

Image: AI-generated using Adobe Firefly and customized by the author in Photoshop. Used with the devotional “SON OF GOD: Holy Saturday” at Life-Giving Water Devotions.

Today is Holy Saturday, which is the day in between Jesus’ death and his resurrection. It is on this day that his disciples sat in hiding. It is on this day that the uncertainty of death hung over them like a shroud, clouding them with the fear of the unknown and paralyzing them in that fear. They had followed Jesus for three long years and had invested all of their hopes and expectations in him. Now he was dead, gone, and the silence of the tomb echoed in their psyche about as loudly as a shrill scream in the night.

On the flip side, the powers that be that opposed Jesus were scrambling to keep the silence from becoming to uncertain. Caiaphas and other religious leaders were holding a meeting with the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate, regarding what they were going to do with this dead trouble maker named Jesus. The religious leaders were claiming that his disciples might come and snatch the body in order to make false claims about some sort of bodily resurrection. Out of fear that the body might disappear, they all decided that it would be best if guards were posted at the tomb to ensure that nothing happened to the body.” These men, too, were disturbed by the silence of the tomb, for they were afraid it might remain silent. So they did everything they could to ensure that it would.

The silence of death and the tomb affects each of us in many different ways. It seems so final, yet so uncertain, and we are left feeling not only loss by a sense of hopelessness. And I need not be talking about the physical death of any one person, but death in the broader sense. Throughout life, aspects of our lives die off. We come to identify ourselves one way, or another, and for a season that identification endures; however, there comes a point when that identity, that aspect, that part of us dies off and we are with a tremendous sense of loss and of fear. Who are we? How do we respond to this particular loss? Do we, like the disciples, hide in the shadows afraid of what lies next? Or do we, like the religious and political leaders of Jesus’ day, place guard over the tomb to make sure nothing is out of our control?

Both of the above questions are pathways that we can take? Both seek to hang onto whatever control we have left. Paralysis and overreaction are on the opposite side of the same coin of control. However, there is a third option. We need not hide in the shadows or overreact in some outlandish way or through some sort of crazy power grab; rather, we have the option of letting go. We have the option of allowing the silence of the tomb to speak for itself. We have the option of letting go of control and allowing God to work resurrection in our lives. The reality is that no matter what we do, whether we hide in the shadows or stand guard over the tomb, that stone will be bursting forth with or without us. The question is not “if”, but “when.” When the Son of God sparks resurrection in your life, will be open to it or will you let it pass you by? The silence of the tomb gives you ample time to reflect on that very question. May that reflection be rich in the darkness and the silence of the tomb.

THOUGHT OF THE DAY
“No one wants to die. Even people who want to go to heaven don’t want to die to get there. And yet death is the destination we all share. No one has ever escaped it. And that is as it should be, because Death is very likely the single best invention of Life. It is Life’s change agent. It clears out the old to make way for the new.” – Steve Jobs

PRAYER
Lord, prepare me for the death in life, and for the death of life, for I know that all ends are the beginnings of something new. Amen.

Devotional, Holy Week Series, Previous Post

REVISITED: SON OF GOD: Good Friday

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Read John 19

ALSO IN SCRIPTURE
When the Roman officer who stood facing Him [heard His cry and] saw how He had died, he exclaimed, “This man truly was the Son of God!” (Mark 15:39 NLT)

Image: AI-generated using Adobe Firefly and customized by the author. Used with the devotional “SON OF GOD: Good Friday” at Life-Giving Water Devotions.

Up until now, it might not be clear why I entitled this series of Holy Week devotions, “Son of God.” I mean, sure, I am writing about Jesus of Nazareth who is known by billions of Christians to be the “Son of God.” That much is self-evident; and sure, I am writing about the activities, suffering and death of “the Son of God” because it is Holy Week and that is when billions of Christians celebrate the last days of Christ. But, other than that, why entitle this SON OF GOD?

What most people don’t realize is that the title, “Son of God”, was not held exclusively by Jesus during his lifetime. There was another person who was known to the world at the time as son of god and his name was Tiberius Caesar, just as Augustus Caesar was before him. Because Julius Caesar was divinized following his assassination, Augustus (whose birth name was Octavian) took on the title divi filius, aka son of the divine one, aka son of god. When Tiberius succeeded Augustus, he took on the same title, as did the Caesars that followed him. And, honestly, who was going to argue with them. They were truly the most powerful men in the known world and to argue their divinity with them was to order your own death.

When Jesus’ followers, and later the Gospel writers, started hailing the peasant carpenter from Nazareth as “the Son of God,” this instantly put him in immediate competition with Caesar, who did not take kindly to such competition. What’s more, Jesus wasn’t being called the equivalent of divi filius; rather, he was being called the equivalent of Dei Filius, which put him above the son of a deified mortal and made him the Son of the immortal God. Also, this Jesus claimed that being the Son of God meant conquering people with love and truth, as opposed to Caesar’s way of conquering people with fear and force. It was on this day, nearly 2,000 years ago, that this peasant Nazarene came face to face with the Roman Empire. It was on this day, nearly 2,000 years ago, that the Son of God challenged another son of god. It was on this day, nearly 2,000 years ago, that LOVE and brute force crossed paths in such a dramatic way that the world would never forget it. While brute force may have won the battle, three days later it totally lost the war!

On this Good Friday, we are being called by the Son of God to reflect on the ways we oppose walking the path of LOVE. How often have we tried to force our way on others? How often have we put ourselves above the Son of God through our thoughts and through our actions? Christ is calling us to search our hearts and our souls. The Son of God is calling us to acknowledge his Sonship, his divinity, and his Lordship over our lives. The Son of God is calling us to abandon our ways for his ways, and he is calling us, at all costs, to return to the pathway of LOVE. While this is not always easy, it is what the Son of God calls us to do and his death on the cross is a reminder to us all of the extent to which he was willing to go in order to see that pathway through. The Christ on the cross is waiting for us to join him in his mission.

THOUGHT OF THE DAY
“For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give His life as a ransom for many.” – Jesus of Nazareth (Mark 10:45 NLT)

PRAYER
Lord, precious Son of God, thank you for your sacrifice. Stir up in me a sacrificial love that reaches far and wide to those in need around me. Amen.

Devotional, Holy Week Series, Previous Post

REVISITED: SON OF GOD: Maundy Thursday

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Read John 13:21-30

ALSO IN SCRIPTURE
For the Son of Man must die, as the Scriptures declared long ago. But how terrible it will be for the one who betrays Him. It would be far better for that man if he had never been born!” (Mark 14:21 NLT)

Image: AI-generated using Adobe Firefly and customized by the author. Used with the devotional “SON OF GOD: Maundy Thursday” at Life-Giving Water Devotions.

Have you ever read the story of Jesus’ betrayal in the Gospels? Have you ever noticed the sentiment conveyed about Judas, the one who betrayed Jesus? Have you ever noticed that as you read through the Gospels chronologically in the order they were written (Mark, Matthew, Luke and John), that there is a progression from cold to seething despise in the representation of Judas and his final act of betrayal? In Mark and Matthew, Judas’ actions are more or less presented in a very “matter of fact” way. Judas decides to betray Jesus, for which no reason is given, and he gets paid for the betrayal. In Luke, the author writes that “Satan entered Judas Iscariot” which led him to go to the high priests. In John, Jesus calls Judas “a devil” (John 6:70) and Judas was possessed by Satan, who entered him following eating the bread at the Last Supper (John 13:26).

Since the moment he decided to betray Jesus, Judas has certainly gone down in infamy. He has been forever remembered as the man who betrayed the prince of peace. What sort of man would do such a thing? How could he have possibly even thought that betraying Jesus is a good thing? These questions, and more, to this day remain unanswered. We’ll never know why Judas did what he did. It is easy to understand why a growing number of Christians, from the Gospel writers onward, came to despise him for betraying our Lord. Yet, the ironic part is while we hold Judas accountable (perhaps more than accountable) for his actions, we give the other disciples a complete pass. After all, while Judas actively betrayed Jesus, didn’t the others betray him too? Which one of them stood by Jesus’ side in his time of need? They all deserted, they all fled, they all abandoned him…and in some sense…they all betrayed him.

Yet all of the Gospel accounts are consistent on one thing, if not on their view of Judas himself. They are all consistent on the fact that Judas was welcome at the table of grace, on the fact that Judas was welcome to share in the last supper, but a Jesus who was well aware of his deceit. While we’ll never know what was in Jesus’ mind at the time, it is consistent with his teaching on not judging, and loving even one’s enemies. In fact, Judas wasn’t an enemy at all, he was a friend and he was a trusted confidant of Jesus’. Yet, instead of reacting negatively toward Judas, Jesus pitied him and made room for him at the Last Supper. I would like to believe that Jesus wished that Judas would be able to forgive himself and eventually rejoin the disciples in spreading the Gospel message; however, I also believe that Jesus knew that Judas would never be able to.

The question for us, out of all of this, is how far are you willing to take Jesus’ command to love? By his very example, Jesus showed us that he wasn’t being hypothetical or theoretical in his calling for us to love our neighbor as ourselves, including our enemies. How far are you willing to go in your love of others? Will you love others, including your enemies, even if it comes at a great personal cost? Today’s challenge, as we approach the Lord’s table of grace at the Last Supper, is to reflect on your call LOVE OTHERS, just as Christ has loved you. Will you follow Jesus in living a life of LOVE, or will you abandon him and his cause for your own comfort and safety? The choice is, ultimately, up to you.

THOUGHT OF THE DAY
“If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.” – Jesus of Nazareth (Matthew 5:46-48 NLT)

PRAYER
Lord, help me to open myself up to your love and help me grow to be a person who more fully loves others, even those who I would otherwise consider to be my enemies. Amen.

Devotional, Holy Week Series, Previous Post

REVISITED: SON OF GOD: Holy Wednesday

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Read Luke 20:41-21:4

ALSO IN SCRIPTURE
Every day Jesus went to the Temple to teach, and each evening He returned to spend the night on the Mount of Olives. The crowds gathered at the Temple early each morning to hear Him. (Luke 21:37-38 NLT)

Image: AI-generated by ChatGPT (OpenAI) and customized by the author in Photoshop. Used with the devotional “SON OF GOD: Holy Tuesday” at Life-Giving Water Devotions.

When looking at Holy Week and trying to match what Jesus did according to the Gospels and trying to match it with each day of that week is a not as easy as one would think. We know that on Palm Sunday, a week before his resurrection, Jesus entered the city of Jerusalem on a donkey, surrounded by an energized crowd. We know that on that same day he went into the Temple. We know that the next day he went into the Temple as well. Depending on which Gospel you read, he either “cleansed the Temple” on Palm Sunday or on Holy Monday. We can guess that either Monday night or Tuesday night Jesus’ feet were anointed with expensive perfume.

We know that on Thursday night Jesus sat down with his disciples for the Passover Meal. We know that on that same very night he was betrayed and brought to the high priest’s house. We know that by Friday morning he had been found guilty of blasphemy and brought to Pontius Pilate to be tried for treason. It was on Friday that Jesus was eventually nailed to the cross and crucified. It was on Friday that Jesus died. From Friday afternoon to Saturday, Jesus was laid to rest in the tomb, and we all know what happens on Easter Sunday.

But what about Holy Wednesday? What happened on that day? The Scripture isn’t real clear. According to Luke, Jesus went to the Temple every day during Holy Week, to worship, to pray, and to teach. Every day, Jesus came to the Temple in order that he could speak truth to power and stand up for the people that the power was crushing. Every day, Jesus brought truth to those who did not want to hear it, for it meant that they would have to change their ways and start living according to the plan of God rather than their own plan. They would not have it. Every day Jesus came to them temple, he met opposition, derision, and people trying to trap him at every turn.

While we cannot know exactly what the Son of God did on Holy Wednesday, we have every reason to believe that Jesus was in that Temple speaking truth to power. We Christians believe, in light of Christian Scripture, that our very bodies are Temples that are meant to be kept holy and pure. We are meant to act as living sanctuaries, bringing hope, healing, and wholeness to those in desperate need of it. The Son of God is within that Temple, this very Holy Wednesday, speaking truth to power. Will you listen to his cry for justice, mercy and humility? Will you align your plan with God’s plan? Or will you oppose, deride and ignore Jesus’ cry? Sit in silence and reflect on the Son of God’s call for change upon your life and allow Holy Wednesday be the day you begin to rebuild your Temple in God’s image.

THOUGHT OF THE DAY
“Don’t you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you? God will destroy anyone who destroys this temple. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.“ – The Apostle Paul of Tarsus (1 Corinthians 3:16-17 NLT)

PRAYER
Lord, I realize that I am to be a pure and holy Temple, and that I am called to bear witness to the hope, healing and wholeness of God. Create in me a clean heart, O Lord, and renew a right spirit within me. Amen.

Devotional, Holy Week Series, Previous Post

REVISITED: SON OF GOD: Palm Sunday

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Read Mark 1:1-11

ALSO IN SCRIPTURE
“The crowds were saying, “This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee.” Then Jesus entered the temple and drove out all who were selling and buying in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves. He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer’; but you are making it a den of robbers.” The blind and the lame came to him in the temple, and he cured them.” (Matthew 21:11-14 NRSV)

Image: AI-generated using Adobe Firefly and customized by the author. Used with the devotional “SON OF GOD: Palm Sunday” at Life-Giving Water Devotions.

The mob rules, does it not? We all know about “mob mentality” and how it is really a force to be reckoned with. We have seen on the news how people in mobs can do some crazy, scary and unimaginable things. I instantly think of Beauty and the Beast, when Belle magically shows her fellow villagers the beast through her enchanted mirror. Once the villagers see him, once they lay eyes on him, terror over comes them. Seizing the moment, Gaston pulls out his sword and begins to sway the crowd to follow him in killing the beast. Of course, Gaston is successful and they do, indeed, take up arms and follow him.

When we think of Palm Sunday, we see such a fickle crowd. They were looking for a hero, for anyone, to come along and claim the role of Messiah. So, when Jesus comes (intentionally and prophetically) riding in on a donkey, the crowd was there and ready to hail him as king. “Hosanna, hosanna!” The crowd roared with excitement, “Blessed is the One who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna, hosanna!” But was it the Lord they were praising, or was it their idea of the Lord? Without being too critical or judgmental, they had good reason to hope for their idea of the Lord. After centuries of subjugation and oppression, they were longing for God to come and liberate them.

This “king”, however, was not going to live up to their hopes and expectations; rather, this “king” was going to ride into the city, head to the Temple and start turning stuff, quite literally, upside down. Jesus’ first move as the crowd-proclaimed “king” was to go into the heart of Jewish worship and call out the religious leaders of his day and age. This is a far cry from the anti-Roman Messiah that everyone was hoping for. That’s not to say Jesus was pro-Roman. No, not at all. He was pro-Jewish without a shadow of a doubt and it was from that passion for his people, and his God, that Jesus acted out in anger toward a temple and its leadership. As a result, the fickle mob changed its opinion of this Jesus and went from proclaiming him “king” to handing him over to Pontius Pilate as a criminal and a traitor.

We too, like the Temple, get corrupted by the surrounding world and its influences. We may be the church, we may be Christ’s community of faith, we may be proclaiming Jesus to be the Son of God; however, does Jesus meet up to our hopes and expectations? Will Jesus come in and champion our “Christian” cause, will he love our theology, and uphold our rigorous doctrines? Or, like he did in the temple, will Christ come and start turning stuff upside down in a fit of cleansing anger? This holy week, let us be challenged to not be a part of the fickle crowd; rather, let us begin to reflect on who we are and what Christ is calling us to be. Let the things that need cleansing be purged from us, and let the Christ who would be king reign in our hearts forever.

THOUGHT OF THE DAY
“A [person] who wants to lead the orchestra must turn his back on the crowd.” – Max Lucado

PRAYER
Lord, give me the strength to turn my heart over to you regardless of what the “crowd” is shouting. Turn the tables in my temple so that I may see the need to change and so that I may act accordingly. Amen.

Devotional, Holy Week Series

PASSION: Embracing Resurrection Life

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Read John 20:1-18

ALSO IN SCRIPTURE
“But in fact, Christ has been raised from the dead. He is the first of a great harvest of all who have died” (1 Corinthians 15:20 NLT).

“For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives” (Romans 6:4 NLT).

On Easter Sunday, as we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, let us delve into the profound message encapsulated in Casting Crowns’ poignant lyrics, “If We Are the Body.” The song challenges us to consider the authenticity of our faith and the extent to which we embody the love and life of Christ in our actions.

Imagine the scene at the tomb on that first Easter morning. Mary Magdalene arrives in the early hours, her heart heavy with grief. But as she nears the tomb, she finds the stone rolled away and the tomb empty. In her confusion and distress, she encounters the risen Jesus. In this encounter, Mary experiences a profound transformation—from despair to joy, from doubt to faith, from death to life.

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is not merely a historical event; it is the heartbeat of the Christian faith. It is the ultimate demonstration of God’s power over sin and death, and it signifies the birth of new life for all who believe. Just as Jesus conquered the grave, we too are called to live in the power of his resurrection.

Casting Crowns’ lyrics remind us that if we are truly the body of Christ, we must be His hands and feet in the world. Our lives should reflect His love, His compassion, and His grace. We are called to be agents of reconciliation, bearers of hope, and instruments of peace in a broken and hurting world.

But how often do we fall short of this calling? How often do we allow fear, selfishness, and complacency to hinder us from fully embracing resurrection life? The reality is that we cannot truly live into the Easter message if we remain bound by the trappings of sin and self-centeredness.

Yet, there is hope. Just as Jesus called Mary by name and transformed her sorrow into joy, He calls each of us to experience the reality of His resurrection in our lives. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we are empowered to live victoriously, to love extravagantly, and to serve sacrificially.

To truly live into Jesus’ resurrection, let us actively seek ways to embody His love and life in our daily lives. Let us extend forgiveness to those who have wronged us, offer compassion to the marginalized and oppressed, share the hope of the gospel with those who are lost, and live lives of gratitude and generosity. By doing so, our words and actions will bear witness to the transformative power of Christ’s resurrection in our lives and in the world around us.

THOUGHT OF THE DAY
As we celebrate Easter, let us not only rejoice in the resurrection of Jesus but also commit to embodying His love and life in all that we do.

PRAYER
Dear Lord, thank you for the miracle of Easter and the hope it brings. Help us to live as true reflections of your resurrection power, sharing your love and grace with everyone we meet. Amen.

Devotion written by Rev. Todd R. Lattig with the assistance of ChatGPT, an AI language model developed by OpenAI.

Devotional, Holy Week Series

PASSION: The Silent Await

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Read Matthew 27:57-66

ALSO IN SCRIPTURE
“Afterward Joseph of Arimathea, who had been a secret disciple of Jesus (because he feared the Jewish leaders), asked Pilate for permission to take down Jesus’ body. When Pilate gave permission, Joseph came and took the body away” (John 19:38 NLT).

Imagine the profound silence that enveloped the disciples on this day. The Sabbath hung heavy with the weight of grief and uncertainty. Just yesterday, they had witnessed their beloved Rabbi, their long-awaited Messiah, brutally crucified. The echoes of hammer blows still resonated in their hearts, mingling with the painful memories of his anguished cries and the darkness that shrouded the land.

Their leader, Jesus, was now entombed in a borrowed sepulcher, sealed by the authority of Rome. The disciples found themselves scattered, hiding in the shadows, trembling with fear and disbelief. Each breath felt labored, burdened by the weight of shattered dreams and shattered hopes. What was left for them now? Where could they turn in the wake of such devastation?

Physically, they were no doubt exhausted from the emotional turmoil of the previous days. Their bodies, once energized by the fervor of their mission, now felt drained and weak. They likely huddled together, seeking solace in each other’s presence, yet unable to escape the gnawing ache of loss that consumed them.

Utter confusion mingled with their physical exhaustion. Holy Saturday, for the disciples, wasn’t just a day of mourning; it was a day of hiding. Fear gripped their hearts as they remembered the fate of their beloved Teacher. They knew that they could be next—accused as accomplices of Jesus, hunted down by the same authorities that had orchestrated His death. The safety of their own lives was uncertain, and their faith was shaken to its core.

In the silence of Holy Saturday, they grappled with the darkness of doubt and the shadows of uncertainty. The promises of their Lord echoed faintly in their minds, drowned out by the clamor of fear and despair. What did it all mean? How could they make sense of the shattered pieces of their faith?

But even in the midst of their darkest hour, something miraculous was unfolding. Unbeknownst to them, as they cowered in fear and uncertainty, God was at work. The grave could not contain the One who held the keys to life and death. In the quiet stillness of the tomb, a victory was being won that would echo throughout eternity.

For us today, Holy Saturday serves as a poignant reminder of the times when we, too, find ourselves in the shadows of uncertainty and doubt. When the trials of life threaten to overwhelm us and the silence of God seems deafening, may we remember that Easter morning is just around the corner. In the silence of Holy Saturday, faith finds its deepest roots, and hope springs eternal.

THOUGHT OF THE DAY
In the silence of Holy Saturday, faith finds its deepest roots.

PRAYER
Dear Lord, in the midst of uncertainty and doubt, help me to trust in Your promises. May I find hope in the darkness, knowing that You are always at work, even when I cannot see. Give me the strength to persevere through the trials of life, knowing that Easter morning is coming. Amen.

Devotion written by Rev. Todd R. Lattig with the assistance of ChatGPT, an AI language model developed by OpenAI.

Devotional, Holy Week Series

PASSION: Cross Out, Love In

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Read John 19:16-30

ALSO IN SCRIPTURE
“But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed” (Isaiah 53:5 NLT).

As the sky darkened and the crowd murmured, Jesus, bearing the weight of the cross, walked the Via Dolorosa. His steps echoed the cries of the suffering, the brokenness of humanity reflected in His pain. Along the path, Simon of Cyrene was pressed into service to carry the cross, a poignant reminder of how we, too, are called to share in Christ’s burden.

The journey to Golgotha, laden with symbolism and significance, mirrors the journey of salvation. Jesus, the sinless Lamb of God, willingly takes on the sins of the world, exemplifying the sacrificial system of the Old Testament. Simon of Cyrene, compelled to bear the cross, illustrates the communal aspect of Christ’s suffering, inviting believers to participate in the work of redemption.

Picture the scene: the clatter of nails, the wrenching cries, and the voice of Jesus, resonating with profound mercy, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” These words, spoken amidst agony, reveal the heart of God’s redemptive plan. In Christ’s suffering, we find forgiveness and grace. His blood, shed for us, washes away our sin.

Jesus’ prayer for forgiveness unveils the essence of His mission—to reconcile humanity with God. Despite the cruelty inflicted upon Him, Jesus intercedes for His persecutors, embodying the divine love that seeks the restoration of all creation. This act challenges believers to extend forgiveness and compassion, even in the face of adversity.

Through the eyes of the Roman soldiers, we witness the seamless robe gambled for, a symbol of human indifference to the divine. Yet, in that very act, prophecy was fulfilled, and God’s sovereign hand was at work, orchestrating redemption even in the darkest hour.

The soldiers’ casting of lots fulfills the prophecy in Psalm 22:18, underscoring the divine sovereignty over human events. Despite the soldiers’ callousness, God’s providence ensures that every detail aligns with His redemptive plan. This underscores the theme of divine sovereignty amidst human agency, emphasizing God’s ability to bring about good even in the midst of evil.

At the foot of the cross, Mary, the mother of Jesus, stood, her heart pierced with sorrow. Here, we encounter the depths of human anguish and the promise of hope. In Jesus’ words to John, “Behold your mother,” and to Mary, “Woman, behold your son,” we see the formation of a new family—the family of believers bound together by the blood of Christ.

Jesus’ words to Mary and John signify the establishment of a new familial bond within the community of believers. In entrusting Mary to John’s care, Jesus not only ensures His mother’s well-being but also symbolizes the spiritual kinship among believers. This underscores the communal nature of faith and the responsibility to care for one another as members of God’s family.

The cry of dereliction, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” echoes through the ages, encapsulating the profound mystery of atonement. In Christ’s abandonment, we find our reconciliation with God. His sacrifice bridges the chasm between heaven and earth, offering us a path to restoration and eternal life.

Jesus’ cry of abandonment echoes Psalm 22:1, emphasizing His identification with human suffering and separation from God. In this moment, Christ experiences the full weight of sin and its consequences, bearing the divine wrath on behalf of humanity. Through His sacrifice, Jesus provides a way for humanity to be reconciled with God, exemplifying the depth of divine love and the extent of redemption available through Him.

Good Friday invites believers to contemplate the depth of Christ’s sacrifice and respond with gratitude and devotion. We are called to embrace the forgiveness and grace extended to us through His death, living lives transformed by His love. Furthermore, we are challenged to embody Christ-like forgiveness and compassion, extending grace to others as we have received it ourselves.

Reach Out: Today, reach out to someone you’ve been holding a grudge against or someone who has wronged you. Extend forgiveness and seek reconciliation, reflecting Christ’s love in your actions.

Serve: Just as Simon of Cyrene was pressed into service to help Jesus carry the cross, look for opportunities to serve others, especially those burdened by suffering or pain. Your acts of kindness can be a tangible expression of Christ’s love.

Reflect on Grace: Take time to reflect on the depth of God’s grace displayed on the cross. Allow the reality of Christ’s sacrifice to transform your heart and mind, renewing your commitment to live a life worthy of the gospel.

THOUGHT OF THE DAY
Good Friday is not merely a day of sorrow but a day of profound grace. It is the day when heaven stooped low to meet humanity in its brokenness, offering redemption through the sacrifice of Christ.

PRAYER
Lord Jesus, as I reflect on your sacrifice this Good Friday, let me never forget your love. Help me embrace your grace and live transformed. Amen.

Devotion written by Rev. Todd R. Lattig with the assistance of ChatGPT, an AI language model developed by OpenAI.

Devotional, Holy Week Series

PASSION: Remember

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Read Luke 22:7-20

ALSO IN SCRIPTURE
“’This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.’ In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.’ For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes” (1 Corinthians 11:24-26 NLT)

holy communion composition

Enter into the intimate setting of the upper room on that poignant Holy Thursday evening, where Jesus, surrounded by His beloved disciples, prepares to share a final meal before His impending sacrifice. The room is hushed, the mood solemn, as Jesus, fully aware of what lies ahead, sets in motion a series of profound acts that will echo through the ages.

As the disciples recline at the table, their hearts heavy with anticipation and uncertainty, Jesus rises from His place of honor, His eyes filled with love and compassion. With deliberate steps, He moves toward a basin of water and a towel, symbols of humility and servanthood.

One by one, Jesus kneels before His disciples, tenderly washing their dusty feet, a task reserved for the lowliest of servants. His hands, strong and gentle, move with purpose, cleansing away the grime of the journey and the weight of the world’s burdens. Peter, ever impulsive, protests, but Jesus, with unwavering resolve, insists, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.”

In this profound act of humility and love, Jesus sets the tone for the evening, laying bare the essence of His mission on earth. By washing the feet of His disciples, He demonstrates the radical nature of His kingdom – one founded not on power or prestige but on love and selflessness.

Having washed their feet, Jesus returns to the table, His heart heavy yet steadfast in purpose. Taking bread, He blesses it and breaks it, offering it to His disciples with the words, “This is my body given for you.” Then, He takes the cup, a symbol of the new covenant sealed in His blood, and shares it with them, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, poured out for you.”

In these simple yet profound gestures lies the heart of Christian communion. Jesus, in His sacrificial love, invites His followers to partake in a tangible remembrance of His impending sacrifice. Through the bread and wine, believers are united with Christ, sharing in His death and resurrection, and becoming participants in the new covenant of grace.

The Last Supper account in Luke 22:7-20 encapsulates pivotal moments in the life and ministry of Jesus. Through the act of washing the disciples’ feet and the institution of the Eucharist, Jesus establishes foundational practices for His followers. His washing of their feet exemplifies radical humility and servant leadership, while the sharing of bread and wine becomes a tangible means of remembering and participating in His sacrificial death and resurrection.

The Last Supper challenges believers to emulate the humility, love, and sacrificial service modeled by Jesus. It invites us to participate fully in the sacramental life of the Church, particularly in the celebration of the Eucharist, where we remember and partake in Christ’s sacrifice for our redemption. Additionally, it calls us to embrace a paradigm of servant leadership in our interactions with others, following the example set by Jesus Himself.

As we reflect on the events of this Holy Thursday, let us enter into the sacred account of the Last Supper with hearts open to its profound significance. May we partake in the Eucharist with reverence and gratitude, embracing the call to embody Christ’s sacrificial love in our own lives.

THOUGHT OF THE DAY
The Last Supper invites us to embrace the sacrificial love of Christ and to live out its implications in our daily lives, embodying humility, service, and love for one another.

PRAYER
Dear Lord, as I remember the Last Supper, deepen my understanding of Your sacrificial love. Help me mirror Your humility and selflessness in my relationships. Amen.

Devotion written by Rev. Todd R. Lattig with the assistance of ChatGPT, an AI language model developed by OpenAI.