John 12:12-19

John 12:13 NIV — They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, “Hosanna!”

“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”

“Blessed is the king of Israel!”

Sunday we celebrated Palm Sunday in Christian churches across the world. Take a moment to imagine the scene the day Christ entered Jerusalem. Think about the sights and sounds. Imagine the excitement. What a day of rejoicing it must have been!

As we walk through this week together I encourage you to examine your response to Christ. Do you meet with him each day with excitement? Are you rejoicing as He enters into worship with you? Joy is the bookends of Holy Week. As we travel with Jesus through His last week on earth, let’s be sure to meet Him daily with praise and thanksgiving.

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for the opportunity to read and learn about Holy Week. Prepare my heart to be open for new insights and may I respond to Christ with praise and thanksgiving. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

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Let’s begin our week together by reading the scriptures that will be featured in the upcoming daily posts. Allow God to speak to you through His word.

John 12:12-19 NIV

Matthew‬ ‭6‬:‭33‬ ‭NIV — But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

In John 13:34-35 NIV Jesus said to His disciples — A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.

‭‭Mark 15 NIV

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Today is Palm Sunday and the beginning of Holy Week. Spend time praising God and worshipping the King of Kings by listening to The King Is Here by Corey Voss and Glorious Day by Passion.

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭16‬:‭24‬-‭26‬ ‭MSG — Then Jesus went to work on his disciples. “Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat; I am. Don’t run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I’ll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self. What kind of deal is it to get everything you want but lose yourself? What could you ever trade your soul for?”

Jesus has just told His disciples that He would suffer and die. In today’s key verse, He is instructing the disciples that they should take up their cross and follow Him. Did you know Jesus was about 33 when He died. This would mean that everything He accomplished in His ministry was done in three years. Think about those three valuable years spent with His disciples and how devastated they must have been to hear Jesus share that He would suffer and die.

The Message version of this verse brings to mind my word for 2025, Humble. Matthew says self-help is no help at all. Daily we try to take hold of the driver’s seat, when we should be denying ourselves and submitting to God’s Will. Jesus’ ministry was the perfect example of self-sacrifice. What do you need to surrender to God?

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for leading me to the cross. I humbly come before You, seeking Your perfect will. I surrender the driver’s seat to You. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

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‭‭Matthew‬ ‭16‬:‭17‬-‭19‬ ‭ESV‬‬ — And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

In today’s key verse, Jesus asks His disciples who they say He is. Simon Peter, who questioned Jesus on the water and who will eventually deny Jesus, responded in ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭16‬:‭16‬ NIV — Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

Jesus knows this, yet He still gives us the keys to heaven. In the song shared Sunday, Found A Love by 7 Hills Worship, the lyrics sing how God loves us so hopelessly. Thankfully we live on this side of the cross, where Jesus has already died for our sins. It is up to us how we respond to Jesus’ ministry. Will you share the good news so that others will know that love of God? Will you profess that Jesus is the Messiah?

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for loving me so hopelessly. I desire to share Your love so that everyone will know You as their personal savior. Equip me to respond to Your call. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭14‬:‭27‬-‭28‬ ‭NIV — But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.””

Jesus’ ministry started with His disciples. Jesus spoke parables to them. He performed miracles in front of them. Just before Peter walked on the water to Jesus, they witnessed Jesus feeding the 5,000, a miracle where He fed a large crowd (estimated at 5,000 men, plus women and children) with a few loaves of bread and two fish, leaving many baskets of leftovers. In reading today’s key verse, Peter still needed proof. 

Our ministry here on Earth starts with those closest to us, our children, extended family, and friends. Just like Jesus’ ministry is an example to follow, we can show others through our words and actions. Like Peter needed proof it was Jesus, people today want something tangible. Often it is those whoare closest to us that we have the hardest time ministering to. 

Our relationship with Jesus is uncomplicated. It is our Earthly relationships we tend to complicate. It is never too late to be a witness to others. What ministries are you involved in? Will you take a step of faith and walk on water?

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for my family and friends. Help me to be a witness for Your glory even when it is difficult. Equip me to walk on water toward the ministry You have for me to do. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

‭‭Luke‬ ‭3‬:‭23‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — Now Jesus himself was about thirty years old when he began his ministry. He was the son, so it was thought, of Joseph, the son of Heli.

Several weeks ago, Deborah asked some challenging questions: Did your revelation of Jesus Christ spark a new beginning for you? Reflect on your journey and your responses. Is it time for a new beginning? Have you met Jesus Christ?

Let’s take a moment to look at Jesus’ new beginning. When Jesus was about 12, He traveled to Jerusalem for the Festival of Passover. Jesus went missing for three days. When Mary and Joseph found Jesus, He acknowledged God as His father. Jesus responded to Mary and Joseph in ‭‭Luke‬ ‭2‬:‭49‬ ‭NIV‬‬ by saying — Why were you searching for me? he asked. Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?

In reading today’s key verse, Jesus’ actual ministry didn’t begin until after age 30. His ministry would last just three short years. Take a moment to think about all that Jesus accomplished with His time on Earth. Now think about your ministry. Just like Jesus knew where to find His Heavenly Father, we should desire the same for everyone. We are never too old to start a new ministry. 

Let’s pray. Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your son, who walked this Earth. Thank You for teaching us about ministry through the life of Jesus. Help me to walk in the ministry You have called me to do. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.