Matthew 21:1-11

As we read this gospel, we see Zechariah’s prophecy fulfilled. Jesus' triumphal entry to the city was remarkable in so many ways. His ministry and popularity were coming to an end with such an exuberant entry. People lay down their coats and palm branches like rolling out a red carpet for a celebrity.

Most of the gospels mention the colt, but Matthew mentions the donkey and the colt. Jesus trusted God’s preparation in providing him with what he needed to fulfil the prophecy. His entry came with such humility and dignity. All the city was moved by his arrival. Jesus ultimately knew of his fate, but he still entered in such a public, triumphal way without fear, without hesitation and with God supplying him with all he needed.

This Palm Sunday, reflect on things that may be holding you back from the will of God. Is there anything that you're held back from due to fear? Spend some time reflecting on how God has supplied you with what you need.

• Written by Bobbi Lee

John 2:13-22

Picture this scene in your mind……can you? Can you imagine Jesus, a man of love, peace and comfort, getting so angry and upset? It feels like a scene you might see in a soap or Netflix series doesn’t it, rather than something the Messiah, the Son of God would do.

But this is the point. It is meant to provoke, meant to startle, meant to make people think. It is meant to call out the sins that were going on in the temple between the market traders and the people - fraud, greed, selfishness - and restore the Father’s house into a house of prayer. As Jesus says in Matthew’s account of this story; ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you make it a den of robbers.”

Jesus then has everyone’s attention and makes the point He has come to Earth to make: He is the new temple, the place where God dwells on Earth. No longer will God only be accessible in the Holy of Holy’s, the innermost place in the temple where the High Priest went once every year (see Good Friday for more info). Instead, Jesus is God and He dwells on Earth, and He, through the events of Holy Week, has come to restore humanity. Clearing the temple is a small preview of what is to come as Jesus wipes the tables away, and scatters sin out of the people, in an act of restoration.

Today, as you consider this scene, give those things to God you are not proud of, those thoughts and actions you want God to wipe from you in an act of restoration. Confession and repent (say sorry), in the knowledge that God promises to wipe us clean.

• Written by Simon Renison

Matthew 26:6-13

In this remarkable account, we see a woman who offers everything to Jesus. It is no coincidence that this story is sandwiched between the chief priests and elders plotting to kill Jesus and Judas’ agreement to betray Jesus. We are supposed to see the stark contrast of responses to his ministry. Some respond with evil, but this woman responds with love. 

This woman, who from John’s Gospel we know is Mary the sister of Lazarus, pours out what would have been a precious family heirloom, worth a year’s wages on Jesus’ head.

On the one hand, Judas makes a reasonable argument about the gift being used to help the poor, but as we read, his heart is all wrong. Mary’s heart is right. She prioritises Jesus and gives him everything she has.  Our starting point has to be a life poured out in worship to Jesus. Only then do we know how loved we are, and are equipped to do his work. 

When Jesus says, “The poor you will always have with you”’ (v.11), he isn’t suggesting that we shouldn’t help the poor, he is calling us to recognise that without starting with giving him everything, we start from the wrong place. 

Jesus also recognises that this moment is part of the preparation for his death. It points us back to the myrrh given to Jesus by the Magi.  

Today, take some time to worship Jesus and ask him which areas of your life you need to give to him again. As we prepare to remember his death, let’s remember that, like Mary, we need to realise that Jesus is worth absolutely everything. 

• Written by John Lisle

John 13:1-17

John 13 begins with Jesus washing the disciples' feet before the last supper. Jesus shows the most extraordinary love and instructs the disciples to do the same. During these times, people would usually wash their own feet, or a slave would do this, but Jesus voluntarily did this for his disciples. He was the true servant.

This was not seen as a weakness but as strength, humbleness, and complete devotion to his disciples. This divine love, even in the face of betrayal, he knew was coming from Judas. It’s a reminder that we are called to love one enough, to serve one another, but also to be humble.

Today, think about where you can show love where it's least expected in your community. How can you serve and show love in the community? Thank God and reflect on the times you have been shown this divine love. 

• Written by Bobbi Lee

Matthew 26:17-30

This is a passage of two halves, one of destruction, and one of restoration. Jesus names that one of His disciples, the 12 men who have journeyed with Him, seen His miracles, heard Him teach, and who ultimately become the leaders of the first church, will betray Him, handing Jesus over to destruction. Maybe you have experienced a similar feeling, a feeling of being let down by a loved one? A feeling a betrayal? Take some time now to give that to Jesus, name the hurt, name the pain and ask God to give your heart peace.

If you read on from here, you know this betrayal, this act of destruction, isn’t the end. Jesus, in the second half of this passage, enacts His restoration plan, which people have remembered for 2000 years since. The act of Jesus giving up His body, broken for humanity, and His blood shed for the forgiveness of our sins, to save us and make us whole. You may have heard this called ‘Communion’ or ‘The Eucharist’.

Today, or in the coming days, could you share a meal with someone? Whilst you have that meal remember these words of Jesus as you ‘break bread’ together (this doesn’t literally need to be bread - but as you eat together, you are sharing in the act of remembrance around a table).

As you do, thank God for the sacrifice He made for us so that we can live life to the full now and for eternity.

• Written by Simon Renison

Mark 15:33-38

This is one of the most moving parts of the Gospel.  In this famous dialogue of Jesus’ last moments, we read that Jesus cries, ‘“Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”)’ (v34). For this one moment, in all of history, God the Father and God The Son are separated. 

An eternal relationship of the greatest intimacy and love is broken on our behalf, and my behalf and YOUR behalf. This is how much Jesus loves you, that he would take what we deserve (separation from God) upon himself, that we could be brought into a relationship with him. As Jesus dies, the temple curtain is torn in two from top to bottom.

For reference, the temple curtain was 60ft high, 30ft wide and 4 inches thick. From top to bottom, this is an impossible feat without God. This curtain separated the people from God, and God from the people. With its tearing, we are shown that we can come to God freely but also that God has come to us.

This Good Friday, reflect on God’s great love for you, shown in Jesus Christ. You are so so loved. Spend some time thanking God for what Jesus did on the Cross. 

• Written by John Lisle

Matthew 27:62-66

At face value, Jesus’ mission looks like a failure at this point, and the people that spoke out against him are going to every possible length to make sure that nobody moves his body to claim his resurrection. I wonder how the disciples and the wider community of Jesus’ followers must have felt at this point.

They were undoubtedly grieving, probably scared that they would be next in line to be arrested but must have been wondering why this supposed messiah, who they had given everything up for had lost. It must have felt like death had won. Sometimes in life, we can feel this way. Indeed sometimes people are out to get us because we follow Jesus. At other times, it seems like the systems of death in the world are winning.

Take some time today to sit with these difficult feelings or difficult people in your life and offer them to God in prayer. You might find praying a Psalm of Lament (e.g.) helpful at this time.

• Written by John Lisle

Luke 24:1-12

Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Christ is risen indeed, Hallelujah! 

Jesus has done it! Jesus has taken all of our sins, all that stuff that separates us and God, and, through His death and resurrection (Jesus coming back to life), has restored us and secured for us eternal life with God. 

COME ON! How good is that!! This act of Jesus wasn’t just for 2000 years ago when Jesus was on Earth and then subsequently appeared to His disciples, proving His resurrection and the fulfilment of all He foretold - No! It is for us as well, as Jesus has defeated death once and for all, and this promise of salvation lasts forever, for those who turn to Jesus, repent and say YES to Him. 

Today is a celebration. It’s a party. A time to gather together and give thanks! So take some time to be joyful in God’s presence! 

Also, take note of who is on your mind today who doesn’t know of the joy it is to believe and trust in Jesus Christ. Could you drop them a phone call or a message? Share with them the true Easter message - that Easter is about new life with Jesus. 

• Written by Simon Renison