Because He lives…all fear is gone!

2 Timothy 1:5-10

5 I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well. 6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, 7 for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, 9 who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, 10 and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel,

We all have fears. Maybe it was fear of the dark. Fear of driving at night. Fear of being home alone. Fear of what might happen to our children. Fear of a terrorist attack. Fear of flying. Fear of snakes.

We all have fears, but our God does not want us to live in fear. Paul is writing to his protégé Timothy in our passage. Timothy has the tough task of being a young pastor leading a church in Ephesus. Paul encourages him with this truth: God did not give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control.

Many of you live under the crippling fear of what could, would, or might happen. God does not want you to be a slave to fear, but a son or daughter living in freedom!

Consider today where you are living with a spirit of fear rather than power.
What does living in power, love, and self-control actually mean for today?

Because He lives…I can face tomorrow!

Matthew 6:25-34

25 “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? 28 And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, 29 yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

34 “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

Tomorrow is scary. We do not know if a car wreck, an allergy attack, a dreaded phone call, or a plumbing problem may arise. We don’t know what tomorrow will hold, but we do know the One who holds tomorrow in His hands.

Life is troublesome, and honestly, it doesn’t get much easier. The brokenness of the earth is clear in our relationships, bodies, and governments. Sin seems to rule and reign—but there is hope!

What anxieties are you carrying today?
What worries feel overwhelming and impossible to handle?
What does Jesus teach about how to handle these anxieties?
Why is Jesus trustworthy in His wise offering?

I remind you of the kids’ praise song you learned many years back. Consider these lyrics as you reflect on the Bible reading above:

He’s got the whole world in His hands.
He’s got the whole world in His hands.
He’s got the whole world in His hands.
He’s got the whole world in His hands.

Because He lives!

“Because He Lives” (1971) was written in the midst of social upheaval, threats of war, and betrayals of national and personal trust. It was into this world, at such a time, that we were bringing our third little baby. Assassinations, drug traffic, and war monopolized the headlines. It was in the midst of this kind of uncertainty that the assurance of the Lordship of the risen Christ…
—The Gaithers

As I encourage us to engage the Word of God this week, I felt our theme should rest on the fact that Jesus is alive. This was announced by the angel at the tomb and sent shockwaves through the women, the disciples, and the greater area of Judea for years to come.

“Because He lives” moves the resurrection account from a historical fact to a personal response. Because He lives, my life looks different. What this song is declaring by all who sing it is this: I believe in the One who can conquer death itself. This changes everything!

Today, I invite you to read from John 20 as you remind yourself of that resurrection account.

John 20:1-18

20 Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. 2 So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.” 3 So Peter went out with the other disciple, and they were going toward the tomb. 4 Both of them were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 5 And stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. 6 Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there, 7 and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus' head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself. 8 Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; 9 for as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead. 10 Then the disciples went back to their homes.

11 But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb. 12 And she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet. 13 They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” 14 Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. 15 Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” 16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher). 17 Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” 18 Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”—and that he had said these things to her.

What does it mean to you that Jesus lives?
What hope, peace, confidence, or assurance do you feel when you read this truth?

Link to a phenomenal song by Ashley Lagunas reminding us what that day must have felt like for Mary Magdalene. https://youtu.be/ETV221Cj5iY

Holy Week: The Crucifixion

The Crucifixion

Slow down today.

Don’t rush this.

Read the account of the crucifixion carefully.
See what Jesus endures.
See how people respond to Him.
See the cost.

This is not just a story—it is the center of our faith.

Matthew 27:27-54

27 Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the governor's headquarters, and they gathered the whole battalion before him. 28 And they stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, 29 and twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on his head and put a reed in his right hand. And kneeling before him, they mocked him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” 30 And they spit on him and took the reed and struck him on the head. 31 And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the robe and put his own clothes on him and led him away to crucify him.

32 As they went out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name. They compelled this man to carry his cross. 33 And when they came to a place called Golgotha (which means Place of a Skull), 34 they offered him wine to drink, mixed with gall, but when he tasted it, he would not drink it. 35 And when they had crucified him, they divided his garments among them by casting lots. 36 Then they sat down and kept watch over him there. 37 And over his head they put the charge against him, which read, “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.” 38 Then two robbers were crucified with him, one on the right and one on the left. 39 And those who passed by derided him, wagging their heads 40 and saying, “You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross.” 41 So also the chief priests, with the scribes and elders, mocked him, saying, 42 “He saved others; he cannot save himself. He is the King of Israel; let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. 43 He trusts in God; let God deliver him now, if he desires him. For he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” 44 And the robbers who were crucified with him also reviled him in the same way.

45 Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour. 46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”47 And some of the bystanders, hearing it, said, “This man is calling Elijah.” 48 And one of them at once ran and took a sponge, filled it with sour wine, and put it on a reed and gave it to him to drink. 49 But the others said, “Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to save him.” 50 And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit.

51 And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split. 52 The tombs also were opened. And many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised, 53 and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many.54 When the centurion and those who were with him, keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were filled with awe and said, “Truly this was the Son of God!”

Jesus is mocked. Beaten. Stripped. Crowned with thorns.

He is led to Golgotha and nailed to a cross.

The crowd watches and mocks: “He saved others; he cannot save himself.”

But that is exactly the point.

He would not save Himself—so that He could save us.

Darkness falls over the land. And then Jesus cries out: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

He bears the weight of sin.
He experiences the separation we deserve.

And then—He gives up His spirit.

At that moment, everything changes.

Reflection

What do you feel as you read this account?
Grief? Gratitude? Awe?

Response

Talk to God honestly about what this means to you.

Thank Him.
Worship Him.
Sit quietly before Him.

And ask Him to never let your heart graduate from the gospel.

Worship

Take a few minutes to listen to Man of Sorrows - https://youtu.be/trymV0sZds4?si=q3YBd5DZr_lQiDSM

Let it give you words to respond in praise.

Holy Week: The “Trial”

Jesus on Trial

Matthew 27:11-26

11 Now Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus said, “You have said so.” 12 But when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he gave no answer. 13 Then Pilate said to him, “Do you not hear how many things they testify against you?” 14 But he gave him no answer, not even to a single charge, so that the governor was greatly amazed.

15 Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to release for the crowd any one prisoner whom they wanted. 16 And they had then a notorious prisoner called Barabbas. 17 So when they had gathered, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release for you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?” 18 For he knew that it was out of envy that they had delivered him up. 19 Besides, while he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent word to him, “Have nothing to do with that righteous man, for I have suffered much because of him today in a dream.”20 Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus. 21 The governor again said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release for you?” And they said, “Barabbas.” 22 Pilate said to them, “Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” They all said, “Let him be crucified!” 23 And he said, “Why, what evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Let him be crucified!”

24 So when Pilate saw that he was gaining nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man's blood; see to it yourselves.” 25 And all the people answered, “His blood be on us and on our children!” 26 Then he released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, delivered him to be crucified.

This trial is a sham.

Jesus stands before the governor—accused, questioned, and condemned.
Yet He offers almost no defense.

“He gave him no answer… so that the governor was greatly amazed.”

The charges are false. The verdict is predetermined. The outcome is unjust.

Even Pilate sees it.
He recognizes the envy behind the accusations.
He even receives a warning from his wife: “Have nothing to do with that righteous man.”

And yet—he still gives in.

Then comes the moment of decision. Pilate offers the crowd a choice:

Jesus—the innocent one.
Or Barabbas—a known criminal.

The response is shocking.

“Barabbas.”

Days earlier, crowds cried out, “Hosanna!”
Now they shout, “Crucify Him!”

Even when Pilate pushes back—“What evil has he done?”—No answer is given, only louder shouts of “Crucify Him!”

Pilate tries to distance himself.

He washes his hands.
He declares himself innocent. But he is not.

Jesus is condemned and Barabbas is free.
The guilty is released.
The innocent is punished.

Reflection

It’s easy to look at the crowd and wonder:

How could they do this?
How could they turn so quickly?

But we are not as different as we think.

We are all susceptible to influence. To pressure. To going along instead of standing firm.

Sometimes it’s not loud rebellion—it’s quiet compromise.

Where are you being shaped more by the crowd than by Christ?
Where are you tempted to go along instead of stand out?