Easter Devotional Guide for 2006

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As a Believer, it is easy for me to read the Christmas story with Easter in mind. I know that the purpose in God sending His only Son to earth was fulfilled at Calvary and the empty tomb. I also must stop to consider what those who walked side by side with Jesus saw as His purpose. They did not have the benefit I have of knowing the “rest of the story”. Certainly they had prophesy of what was to come, but if I lived then, would I have seen it? Would you?

The Jews desperately needed a political Savior to overthrow the Roman government and reclaim Israel. Undoubtedly, many people recognized that there was something different about Jesus. He had what it took to be the savior they had envisioned. So, as He entered Jerusalem that day, some in the crowd threw down clothing for Jesus and others waved palm branches. They waved them as the Romans would have, as a symbol of victory.

However, there is a second meaning which is much more telling. According to the Septuagint translation, the palm represented Paradise. As the people received Jesus, they shouted “Hosanna!” which literally means “save us!” While the people celebrated a political Savior, they could not relaized that His purpose was to be their spiritual Savior. Praise God, Jesus knew and never wavered from the purpose of His path.

Today, we are often guilty of the same thing. We welcome Christ’s blessings in our lives, but we want little to do with “the fellowhip of His suffering”. (Phil. 3:10-11) Yet through our everyday life, God conforms us into the image of His dear Son. (Rom. 8:28-29) Like the crowds that cried out for Jesus in Jerusalem, we too often look to Jesus to be the Savior we want Him to be. As we seek to do the Lord’s will, may we always be aware of who Jesus truly needs to be in our lives.

Many have taken the opportunity to watch the motion picture The Passion of the Christ. I remember how its representation of Christ’s death caused my heart to stir. Though there were so many angles to the story, it was the first time I ever considered Mary’s point of view. In the film, Mary watched as her own Son fell beneath the weight of the cross. Her memory recalled that same Son, as a toddler, stumble as He walked along. She remembered casting aside her work and racing to care for the young boy.

Within today’s passage, we find that Mary was no longer Jesus’ mother. Jesus, who now must attend to heavenly matters, has given earthly care of His mother to the beloved disciple John. This was the day Simeon spoke of back at the temple. (Luke 2:34-35) This was the time Jesus warned her would come. (John 2:1-4) Could it be that the angel Gabriel was wrong after all? (Luke 1:26-33) Nevertheless, it did not end there. Praise be to God! Mary would return to the borrowed tomb to find it empty, and receive the wonderful news of His resurrection from angelic messengers. (Matthew 28:5-7) Even after Christ’s assent into heaven, Mary was in the upper room where she became the most favored woman in all of history, holding God within her – twice! (Acts 1:14 ; 2:1) Can you picture Mary on the day the Comforter came? I wonder if she recognized that same precious “baby kick” she had felt almost thirty-five years earlier. I can envision her astonishment when the Holy Spirit indwelt her, and with elation she exclaimed to everyone in the room, “THAT’S HIM!” Just as Mary before us, every believer in Christ has a joyous treasure within, which no one can ever take away. Hallelujah!

Reflect and discuss the emotion you would have felt if you were in Mary’s shoes, during the following events:
1. Jesus’ journey to Golgotha
2. Jesus nailed to the cross
3. Jesus gives John charge to take Mary as his mother
4. Jesus’ burial
5. Jesus’ resurrection

The Bible is sometimes like a television show that takes place all in one day, but is watched over a series of weeks. We tend to lose track of timelines, and relationships between people. Today’s Scripture passage takes place some twenty-one years before Christ’s death and resurrection, but there are many facets of the story that we may have never connected with what we know today as “passion week”.

First, we see that this story takes place during the same time of year, Passover (2:41-42). Second, it is fascinating to note how long it took for Mary and Joseph to find Jesus – three days (2:46). Wow, what foreshadow! The Bible tells us that after three days Mary and others would seek Jesus at the tomb. He would not be there, for He was raised from the dead (Luke 24:1-7). Finally, did you ever stop to consider who Jesus conversed with in the temple? Depending on your Bible translation, they are identified as teachers of the Law (Rabbis), the council (members of the Sanhedrin), or doctors (Jewish theologians). Jesus may well have been speaking to some noteworthy people - Nicodemus, Caiaphas, Joseph of Arimathea, Gamaliel, and a young student named Saul of Tarsus. (While Bible commentators express different opinions of who was actually there that day in the temple, we know that each person would eventually cross paths with Jesus, who is the Christ.)

Have you taken time to meet Jesus? Have you received this Savior, who can cleanse you from your unrighteousness, and save you from a literal, eternal hell? We will all meet Jesus, whether in this life, or in the next. You have but one choice. You must bow now, or bow later. (Romans 14:9, 11-12)

Find each Bible character from today’s devotional and discuss their reaction to Jesus:
- Nicodemus - John 3:1-21 & 19:39-40
- Caiaphas – Matthew 26:57-67
- Joseph of Arimathea – Mark 15:42-46; Luke 23:50-53
- Gamaliel – Acts 5:33-42
- Saul of Tarsus – Acts 22:1-16

Try to remember the worst person you ever met. There may be few who would fit the following description: Convicted Felon; Anarchist (i.e., Absalom); Murderer (i.e., Saul of Tarsus); Traitor (i.e., Judas Iscariot); Terrorist (i.e., September 11th); Thief (i.e., the Devil). These are words used in various Biblical translations to describe one guy – Barabbas. This is one gentleman I would not want to meet, especially in a dark alley. We find in Scripture that the Roman leader Pontius Pilate buckles under the pressure and gives an angry mob of people the ultimate choice – Jesus the Christ or Barabbas. Barabbas is released, and our Lord Jesus is scourged and sent to be crucified. This is a dramatic picture of the redemption that would take place for all mankind in just a few short hours.

Barabbas was one of those characters found in Scripture, whose name began with “Bar-“. Remember blind Bartimeus? His name means “Son of Timeus”. There is also that famous disciple Simon Bar-Jonah, whose name means “Simon son of Jonah”, but you know him better as Peter. Barabbas’ name was incredibly unique, because the word Barabbas actually consists of two words: “Bar” meaning “son of” and “Abbas” or “Abba” meaning “father”. We are not told in Scripture of Barabbas’ father. I believe the Bible has a perfectly good reason for this. Christ did not die to redeem only one person, who had a particular name, but for all mankind. Barabbas was a son of the same father to whom all of us are connected – Adam ( Romans 5:14 ). Our father’s sin was passed to us through every generation ( Romans 5:12 ). Jesus was sacrificed on the cross of Calvary for your sins, and for mine ( Romans 5:6-10 ). The Bible would never again mention the name “Barabbas”; while in contrast, the lovely name of Jesus endures through His tragic death, glorious resurrection, and for all eternity. Jesus Christ Lives Forevermore! Amen!

Have you ever thought for a moment, “Why did Jesus have to die on a Cross”? Shouldn’t Jesus have done this differently? We know that there must be shedding of blood for remission of sins ( Hebrews 9:22 ), but surely there was a “simpler” way to die. In reality, this was the only way Jesus could die. This is the way He promised he would die. As we read today’s Scripture passage, we find the prophecy of Christ’s death on the cross given to the children of Israel while they were still captives in the land of Egypt. Through proper placement of a lamb’s blood on the doorway, the Lord would pass over the home, and the first-born son would be spared. Let us notice where the blood was to be placed ( Exodus 12-22 ). The blood was to be applied at the lintel, and on the right and left door post. But how is this prophecy? The Bible tells us that the Passover lamb was to be slaughtered and its blood was to be “in the basin”. Today, one would understand a basin to be a bowl or a pan for collecting liquids. But the KJV and Darby translations of Scripture clarify the meaning of the command given by God. We see in the same verse, the Hebrew word* translated “bason”** instead of “basin”. A bason is defined as a “sill or door-keeper “. It would be what we know today as the threshold of a doorway. (See illustration) Through this command we see the promise in the four points of the cross, the crown of thorns on Christ’s brow, the nails in each hand, and the nail through his feet. This is why Christ had to die on a cross. It was for you Christ died, exactly the way He promised. Take time today to reflect once again on the perfected promises of our loving, merciful God, who gave Himself for the sins of all mankind.

Illustrate the placement of the blood by attaching small pieces of red paper to a doorway in your home. Discuss with your family how the placement of the blood foreshadowed Christ’s shed blood on the cross.

* - - (caph)
** - (Strong’s Concordance #05592)

Almost two thousand years ago today, the world was at its darkest. Mary weeps over her promised son. Hope is lost. Judas’ lifeless body now swings from a hangman’s noose. (Matt. 27:4-6) Sin has conquered. The grave is victorious. Death has won. Satan’s ultimate goal is now in sight. His conquest is now complete, for the Son of God is dead. What unbelievable shame and regret, that God would allow Satan to gain the upper hand. How foolish the followers of the Christ must feel. I can hear Satan laughing. He’s dancing a little two step. He’s probably going to throw the biggest party ever seen.

Satan did it all. He worked the crowd. He whispered in ears, “Crucify Him”. He tempted, lied to, and finally possessed Judas Iscariot to betray Jesus for thirty pieces of silver. He accompanied the mob to the garden of Gethsemane to lay hands on Jesus to be falsely accused, beaten, and given over to Roman oppressors. He called the shots every time the Roman soldiers flogged Jesus with the cat of nine tails, and counted out loud. He snickered as they spat on him, and plucked Jesus’ beard. He mocked as they nailed Christ to the cross. (Matt. 27:39-40) Now Satan watches as they bury the very Son of God within the tomb hewn from His own creation.

Satan, you no good devil, I have only one thing to say to you, “Thanks!” You are now the biggest sucker to ever walk this planet earth. God let you go, and you did everything just as He planned. I know you think Jesus is dead, but I guess you forgot. Jesus said in three days He would be back. (John 2:18-20; Matt. 12:40) I guess you forgot that God cannot lie. (Romans 3:4; Titus 1:2) Don’t worry, it won’t be long now, Sunday’s coming. Just wait…you’ll see.

So many times in our lives God gives gifts which are “exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think”. Consider the story of the wise men. While angels trumpeted Jesus’ birth, and Israel’s promised Messiah lay in a manger, wise men followed a star from the East. A star’s journey which resembled a previously mentioned fire in the Old Testament.* These wise men would be the first Gentiles, yes Gentiles, to see the embodied plan of mankind’s eternal salvation, in the form of a baby. While we may debate the time frame of their arrival, the wise men could have traveled up to two years before final arrival at the house of the Christ child. What is most remarkable about the wise men is how God used them to finance the Messiah’s flight into Egypt by bringing gifts to a poor, and likely impoverished set of newlyweds.** (Phil. 4:19)

There are, of course the gifts themselves. The Bible tells us that the Magi presented gifts of myrrh, frankincense, and gold to the Christ child. Were these gifts by chance? Absolutely not, for once more we see God’s plan in an unlikely place. First of all, the gift of myrrh foretells of the day that Christ would give His life as a ransom for many upon the cross of Calvary. (Mark 15:22-23) Second, there was given to Jesus the gift of frankincense in foreshadow of His burial. This was a spice used in many sacrificial practices of the Jewish temple. (Lev. 2:1-3) According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, frankincense was also used in ancient times for the process of embalming. Finally, Jesus was presented with the gift of gold.*** This most precious of metals reserved for the forging of a kingly crown, is a precious reminder of the promise of Christ’s triumphant resurrection as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. The wise men may have never fully realized their role within the Scriptural record. But through their example we see the Gospel, which has been “made known to all nations”.

* Compare Luke 2:9-10 & Exodus 13:20-22
** Compare Leviticus 12 & Luke2:23-24

Today’s verses astound me as some of the most thrilling words within the Biblical record of Christ’s resurrection. We find Simon Peter and John have arrived at the empty tomb on Easter morning. There are no Roman guards, no angelic messengers, and no sign of Jesus. John saw and believed, while Peter saw the empty tomb and took time to investigate the surroundings. (Isn’t that just like us? We often must figure everything out in order for it to be true.) The tomb not only contained the linen clothes, but that little clue: the handkerchief. In those days, it was used to cover the head of the deceased for proper burial preservation. But someone had actually taken the time to fold the cloth, and set it in “a place by itself”.

There is common etiquette which originates from eastern culture and is still used today, at dinner tables all around the world. Once a guest begins to partake in the duties of dinner, there are two choices for placement of one’s napkin. If the meal is complete the napkin should be removed from the lap and placed to the left of one’s plate without being folded. This is a sign to the host that the meal has been satisfyingly concluded. If there is need for interruption during the meal, the napkin is to be folded and placed either to the left of the plate, or in one’s chair. This action informs all attendants that you must go for now, but you will return soon to finish the dinner.

On the glorious morning of our Savior’s resurrection, he left us a sign that he had not yet completed His duties. A folded cloth promises us that Jesus is no longer dead, but alive and coming again. All who are believers will meet Jesus someday very soon. Then He will return to earth, not as a Lamb, but as the Lion. Christ has died; Christ has risen; Christ will come again. All Hail King Jesus!

Demonstrate today’s illustration next time you eat-out, taking time to tell someone the story of Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection.

*** See Revelation 1:12-16; Revelation 14:14