2 DAY ONE: APRIL 1, 2019 Introduction to Walking with Jesus Steve Vaughan, Executive Pastor Adult Ministries and Missions Romans 8:31-39 One thing I can say is an absolute in my life is that Easter and the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ makes me exceedingly happy and full of joy. When I wake up on Easter morning, it is different than every other morning of the year. There is expectation, not for an event about to happen, but for the privilege and joy of celebrating the most glorious event that has ever occurred in history. I literally cannot wait for the first person who comes up to me and proclaims, “He is risen!” just so I can loudly and proudly proclaim, “He has risen indeed!” Actually, I am not sure why we don’t do this all of the time and every day. It is exhilarating! Those simple words remind us of the reality that we find ourselves. As believers, we are loved, redeemed, and sanctified through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It reminds us of Paul’s words in Romans 8, “we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Imagine if we truly lived every day of our lives living out this truth, living in the joy and expectation of who we have become, and now are, through the person of Jesus Christ. This is why we celebrate Easter. This is why we align our lives in obedience to Jesus Christ. This is why we walk in a manner worthy of the Lord. Over the next 21 days leading up to Easter, we hope these daily devotions will begin to prepare your heart and guide your life to help you understand this reality and live victoriously and joyfully daily. We pray that wherever you are in your journey with Jesus Christ that we would come alongside one another to explore the teachings about Jesus the Messiah from both the Old and New Testaments as we walk with Jesus in his last days leading to his crucifixion on the cross, his glorious resurrection, and the promises available to all who would believe in Him. He is risen! He is risen indeed!

3 DAY TWO: APRIL 2, 2019 Christmas and Easter: Galatians 3:13-14 Why We Need Both Jerry Thornton, Executive Pastor of Administration

Red, green, gold, blue, and silver cover the floor. It is Christmas morning and all over the world floors are covered with paper and ribbon. Families and friends, adults and children exchange gifts. Christmas is all about giving. As parents, we shower our children with gifts and at the same time, try to teach our children about giving. We help them realize the joy and responsibility of giving back resources that we have been blessed with. A few short months later, children receive baskets filled with eggs and candy with no expectation to give anything back. Easter is all about receiving. Giving and receiving are important concepts that we, as Christians, must come to terms with. They are foundational within our faith. At Christmas, Jesus was given to us. John 3:16 tells us that God loves us so much that He “gave”. But even within the birth narrative of Jesus, we see the Magi giving back. Christmas teaches us that there is a joy and responsibility in giving. But Easter teaches us that part of being a Christian is about receiving. The Book of Romans teaches us that we receive forgiveness, reconciliation, provision, grace, and adoption into God’s family, all through Jesus. Because of Easter, the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, we receive eternal life with Christ. This is not something we could ever earn or receive on our own. It is a gift from God. When we give, most of us seek to give good gifts. We seek out needs and desires of the one receiving our gifts. God knew our greatest need was life. But he doesn’t want just any life for us. He gives us abundant life. So many times it is easier to give than to receive. When we receive we are acknowledging our need. Don’t let the paper and ribbons of Christmas morning, or the baskets of eggs and candy of Easter distract us from the real gifts we have received from God.

4 DAY THREE: APRIL 3, 2019 The Blood of Bulls and Goats Jason Pamblanco, Executive Pastor of Worship and Teaching Lev. 4:20, 26, 31, 35; 5:10, 13, 15, 18; 6:7; Pastor Marty was teaching at Etch-Ed a few weeks ago and he said 19:22 that he tells the college students, “Deuteronomy is where Bible reading Romans 3:21- 26 plans go to die.” This light-hearted jab at our discipline to read through the Old Testament should also to serve to motivate Christians to do a better job of trying to comprehend the Old Testament and how it relates to the New Testament. The Bible (Old and New Testament) is a Christian book. We should not neglect or gloss quickly over two thirds of God’s Revelation to us. For a moment, let’s soak in the numerous passages of Leviticus before us. The list gives us a common theme: The blood of a sacrifice was offered by a priest, for the atonement of the sins of the people of God. God made it clear through the sacrificial system that a mediator and shed blood was necessary for the forgiveness of sins. But the repetitious nature of the Old Testament sacrificial system seemed to indicate that the atonement or covering for sin needed to be reestablished on an ongoing basis. This perpetual sacrificing, coupled with other Old Testament revelation, is what led the true people of God to understand there would be a once-for-all sacrifice made by Messiah to come, which would fulfill or complete the atoning work prefigured in animal sacrifice. This is what Paul explains in Romans 3:21-26. Christ’s work on the cross was made as mediator between God and man (remember the temple curtain being torn), and His blood was a propitiation (the satisfying of God’s wrath) for our sins. Paul says that this (Christ’s sacrifice) was to show God’s righteousness because in His divine forbearance He had passed over former sins. You see – the blood of bulls and goats never truly saved the Old Testament saints – it simply was a covering by which God passed over the sins of those whose true faith was in the promised Messiah to come and not in their own righteousness. In God’s patience, He permitted the blood of animal sacrifices to be a temporary cover and passed over former sins for a time. Today, I want to challenge Thomasville Road Baptist Church to be a people that are committed to growing in our understanding of all of Scripture (even the parts that detail the Old Testament sacrificial system). Paul said Scripture is all useful (2 Tim. 3:16-17). So will you recommit to your Bible reading plan? Will you see Christ in the pages of the Old Testament? His prefigured death, burial and resurrection are there for you to reflect upon and live by.

5 DAY FOUR: APRIL 4, 2019 A Better Way Hebrews 10:1-14 Courtney Vinson, Associate Pastor of Worship

We all have those chores in our lives that just never seem to end . . . for me, it’s dishes. How frustrating it is, after you’ve just spent what feels like forever up to your elbows in bubbles, and you finally get that last dish dried and into the cabinet, you need to use that clean fork. Now your beautifully empty sink starts to fill up again! I find myself thinking, “there HAS to be a better way!” Now try to take this frustration and put yourself into the sandals of a Jew during the time frame of the Old Testament. Except in this scenario, the repetitive frustration, that feeling of “there HAS to be a better way,” applies to their acceptance into God’s presence! The stakes are much higher, but the frustration is still the same. Can you imagine what it would be like to actually attempt to keep the Law of Moses? There were lots of cleanliness regulations that were simply beyond the control of most people. For instance (back to modern day), I found a dead lizard when I was cleaning off my porch the other day and accidently touched it while I was pulling out the pot it was in . . . whoops, unclean! (Lev. 11:30) What about the joyful birth of my little boy? I’m so excited and want to express my thanks to God for his safe arrival . . . but wait, I’m unclean now for the next week. Oh, and he’s a boy, so there’s an extra month in there until I’m allowed back into the sanctuary. (Lev. 12:2-4) Thankfully, God provided the Israelites a way to purify themselves, to make atonement for these things that blatantly or inadvertently separated them from God. But still, “there HAS to be a better way!” That’s where Jesus comes into the picture, and oh how glad we are that He did! Hebrews 10:1 tells us that since the law “has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near.” God gave the sacrificial system partly to put the longing in our hearts for that better way. And Hebrews 10:14 tells us that “by a single offering (Jesus) has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.” How does He do this? “Through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” (Heb. 10:10) Our longing has been satisfied and so much more exceeded because Christ IS the better way. Deeper: Spend some time in prayer thanking God that He did provide a better way for us through Jesus.

6 DAY FIVE: APRIL 5, 2019 From Desperation to Praise Kevin C. Hall, Youth Pastor Psalm 22

The Old Testament points us to Jesus from the beginning of Genesis all the way to Malachi. We see God’s love for His creation, the Fall, and His plan for redeeming humankind throughout the entire Old Testament. Reading these Old Testament pages, we learn history, poetry, wisdom, and prophecy. I will leave these topics for another day, but today we want to consider some prophecy found within Psalms 22. Every time I read passages from the Old Testament, I am reminded of my seminary professor saying to me, “always read the Old Testament in light of the New Testament.” It was true then, and it is still true today. As you read Psalm 22, you get a sense of what the writer, David, is feeling. Have you ever wondered if God has forsaken you during your struggles? Then you have some of the same feelings David, and all of us, have experienced. David asks in verse 1, “Why are you so far from me . . . ?” As he continues, you realize David knows the answer to his question, God is, close, very close! In verse 12 and the following verses we realize that David has been overtaken by his enemies and they have hurt him badly. He says, “I am poured out like water, and all of my bones are out of joint and my heart is like wax.” He tells us “my strength is dried up.” David has been deeply hurt. We see he is desperate for God! He realizes He must rely upon God for restoration and recovery. It is here, in his desperation, we see a change of heart. He is reminded of God’s promises and awesome works. He begins to do something unheard of when someone is in a desperate situation. He begins to praise God and encourage others to do the same. His heart moves from one of desperation to one of praise. He encourages all “who fear Him, praise Him!” (v23) and all those “who seek Him shall praise Him!” (v26). What about you today? Are you in a situation that seems impossible, like no one cares? Do you feel overwhelmed, pushed down, or pushed around by those around you, or by your own sin? Realize, like David, that God is close. He has not forsaken you. Turn to Him in your desperation. Allow Him to transform your heart from one of hurt, pain, and suffering to a heart loudly, and thankfully praising God for His daily provision. Praise God! Most likely those around you will not understand, but oh, what a witness you will be for your Savior, your Redeemer!

7 DAY SIX: APRIL 6, 2019 Plugged In Isaiah 53:4-5 Jennie Georges, Pastor of Children’s Ministries

Every night we plug in our cell phone device in anticipation of using it the next day. What happens when our device doesn’t get fully charged? We begin racing the clock before our phone runs out of a charge, looking for a way to “juice it up!” Maybe we walk around with power cords, just in case, waiting for the opportunity to be connected. Where does your relationship with Christ fall? Are you fully charged, or are you on the brink of depletion? Just like you plug in your device nightly, we must study God’s Word daily. If you do this as you are going through a situation, then you will be able to recall God’s Word and apply it to your life. Being a Christian is about what you believe, and how you live it. The prophecy about Jesus in Isaiah 53:4-5 describes how the coming Messiah would be afflicted, oppressed and significantly suffer for our iniquities. When you go through difficult times - the loss of a loved one, the loss of your job, sickness, addiction, or family conflicts - hold fast to your faith, knowing that Jesus understands and is with you. The life of a disciple is incomplete without Christ. Jesus took on your pain and punishments so that you may have peace. Are you spending time in prayer, reading the Word, being mindful of your actions and being Christ-centered? Jesus knew what He was getting into when he began His ministry. Isaiah 53 made it very clear. Jesus was whipped and bruised for our transgressions. He paid the cost for our sin as He hung on the cross. Without the crucifixion, there would not be a resurrection. Sometimes struggles are the gateway to strengthen our faith. It cost Jesus His life so that we have the gift of eternal life. Jesus submitted to the Father’s will and suffered on the cross so that we may be saved. The cost of living a life without Christ is too high. Prayer: Father God, please guide me as I deal with life’s troubles. Help me “plug in” to You daily and spend time in Your presence. Help me hold fast to my faith and remind me that You are with me. Amen.

8 DAY SEVEN: APRIL 7, 2019 United by Tearing in Two Josh Blight Matthew 27: 51-53

Separation is one of those words that always seems to have a negative feel or connotation because that word is often associated with pain. Most separation involves hurt and heartache. In life we see separation in marriage by divorce, separation of kids from parents due to brokenness, separation of loved ones by death, and separation of relationships from painful actions. In many ways, the pain of separation is all around us. One separation that we often forget, is the first separation ever known. In the beginning Adam and Eve disobeyed God, and their sin caused them to be cast out of the garden. They were no longer able to walk with God. This separation from God has carried on to all people. We are all separated from God because of sin. Scripture verses such as Isaiah 59:2, Romans 3:23, 6:23 and 1 John 1:8 remind us of our sin problem. We tend to forget that our separation from God is one that is full of pain. Our sin causes incredible pain and brokenness in our lives. However, God was not satisfied with the separation between us and Him. He desired to heal the pain from our separation so much that He sent Jesus to this world so that we could have the rich full relationship with Him that He desires. One of the best pictures we see in scripture of God restoring that separation between us is found in Jesus’ crucifixion narrative. In Matthew 27:51-53, Jesus has just died, and the earth is reacting to his death. The rocks split, the ground shook, the tombs were opened, and people were raised from the dead. But there is one more detail I want us to notice. It says the curtain of the Temple was torn in two. This is an incredible detail, because this thick curtain was what separated everyone from the Holy of Holies, the place where God was to dwell in the temple. Simply put, this curtain was the symbol of God’s separation from people. Now with that in mind, think back to Matthew 27:51. The tearing of the veil upon Jesus’s death is an incredible visual of how God is once again able to be with us because of Jesus’s perfect sacrifice. I want you to dwell on that today. What an amazing reality! Because of Jesus’s saving work on the cross, God is with you each and every day. At church, work, or school - God is with you. In good times or bad - God is with you. Every day and always – God is with you. Challenge: Let this reality affect all that you do and all the challenges you face. Lastly, let this reality affect the way you worship your Savior.

9 DAY EIGHT: APRIL 8, 2019 “You Didn’t Have to be There” John 20:24-29 Marty Sloan, College and Young Adult Pastor

We have all been a part of those discussions. You just saw one of the funniest things, or you just did one of the craziest things. It was so amazing you have a hard time expressing it in words. But you just have to - you have to describe it to your close friends because they would want to know. So, you try to explain this amazing experience to the best of your ability. You stumble over your words and make wild hand gestures because you are so excited. And all you get in return is a smile or an obligatory “ok.” “What! Don’t you get how awesome that was?” is your reply in a cracking voice. And you’re left with nothing to say except “Guess you had to be there.” We see this kind of picture in John 20. On that first Easter all the disciples were gathered together. They were in a locked room because they were afraid of the Jews. At the same time, I am sure there was a buzz. Had Jesus risen? Mary Magdalene said she spoke to Him. Peter and John had seen the empty tomb. I am sure it was an exciting but nervous time. And Jesus appeared! What? That is crazy! Everyone in the room sees the resurrected Jesus. Everyone but Thomas. Here is this amazing event - an event that will stay with them for the rest of their lives. An event we know they couldn’t contain so they had to share it with everyone. They were beyond excited! They tried to explain it to Thomas and he doubted, “I don’t believe you.” “What?!” Later when Jesus appears to Thomas and proves that He is alive, Thomas’ only response is, “My Lord and my God!” Thomas acknowledges in one statement that Jesus is fully man and fully God! The man he walked beside, the man he listened to, the man that was his friend and teacher, the man he saw die on a cross, is also God!! Even though this is one of those wonderful mysteries (Jesus fully man and fully God), I think in our finite minds we understand Jesus was fully God. This Easter we must also remember that He was fully man. A man who got hungry, a man who got angry, a man who cried at His friend’s death, a man who prayed for His friends and for us. A man who was the perfect sacrifice, who died on a cross, who showed His great love for us by laying down his life for us! That’s exciting, and we didn’t have to be there!

10 DAY NINE: APRIL 9, 2019 The Miracles of Jesus Hunter Dennison, Youth Associate John 2:1-12 John 4:46-54 When I was a little kid, I loved asking questions. While I thought it was John 6:1-15 fun, it may or may not have been incredibly annoying to my parents and teachers. The worst part is that my favorite question was “Why?” Yes . . . I was that kid! My parents quickly learned that they could quickly diffuse the situation with a short, “Just because!” It turns out my wife, Elizabeth, was the same way. I always laugh when she tells the story when her four-year-old self threw a temper tantrum in the car seat because no one could tell her why the sky was blue! In her mind, they were holding back information, when the reality was, they simply could not explain it to her. We are both older now, but we still love to ask questions. There are plenty of times when I’m reading a story from the life of Jesus and I think to myself, “Why!?” For instance, ‘Why did Jesus turn water into wine?’ and, ‘Why did He heal the official’s son?’ or even, ‘Why did He multiply a few loaves and fish to feed thousands of people?’ Of course there are perfectly good answers to all of these questions that come from studying the passage in its context. These answers provide deep insights that help us in our Christian life. I do wonder however, if part of the answer is simply – just because. I wonder if each miracle was His way of demonstrating His authority over all things in heaven and on earth. To put it another way, that He could do anything. Today many of us still have questions. Admittedly they’re a little more complex than “Why the sky is blue?”, but the fact remains that Jesus has authority over all things. While it’s tempting to think He is withholding information from us, the truth is that is He isn’t. He simply wants us to learn to trust Him without having all the answers. The challenge today is to submit to the authority of Jesus. In other words, to let go of the idea of control and wait for Him to provide a solution to whatever obstacle may be in your way. Going Deeper: What in your life are you not placing under the authority of Jesus?

11 DAY TEN: APRIL 10, 2019 Linked In: A.D. 30 Version John 1:35-42 Shelley Todd Ph.D., Director of Counseling

I love stories of how people meet and get connected. It always amazes me how chance encounters can lead to wonderful friendships. I met my best friend because her first cousin invited me to Night of Joy and she was going too. You never know where an introduction can lead. John’s gospel gives us a close-up of the beginning of the ministry of Jesus. Many people were following John the Baptist, listening to him preach, and being baptized by him. One day two young men were with John when he saw Jesus and proclaimed Him “The Lamb of God.” Intrigued, they turned and followed Jesus. Jesus noticed them and invited them to the place He was staying. They spent the rest of the day with Him, and Andrew came away convinced Jesus was the Messiah. Andrew was so impacted by this meeting he had to share the good news. Simon, his brother, was Andrew’s first choice. Going to Simon, he declared, “We have found the Messiah.” I don’t know how much it took for Andrew to convince Simon to come and meet Jesus, but the end result was Andrew bringing Jesus and Simon together. Jesus, looking at Simon, declared he should be known as Cephas (Peter). From that meeting a great friendship was born, and Peter became a leader among the disciples of Jesus. I’ve often wondered what Andrew thought about the outcome of his introduction. Peter became a spokesman among the disciples and the few glimpses we get of Andrew, he’s doing what he does best, connecting people. God doesn’t call many of us to be “Peters”, but most of us can be “Andrews.” The main qualifications are an interest in spiritual things, awareness of people who are seeking (or needing help), and willingness to make connections/introductions. A song I sang in high school says, “Andrew told his brother, have you told yours?” Is there someone in your life you could be an Andrew for today? Can you help them connect into the family of God? Action plan: 1. Be thankful. If the person who introduced you to Christ is still in your life, take a moment to get in contact with them and say thank you. 2. Ask God to show you someone you can connect into His family.

12 DAY ELEVEN: APRIL 11, 2019 Loving the Outcast Sarah Wolford, Child and Adolescent Counselor John 4:7-26

Jesus’ encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well can teach us so much about how to interact with those around us who may feel as though they are outcast or forgotten. • Jesus made a conscious decision to talk to the woman at the well when he could have talked to anyone else (v.9). Jews and Samaritans hated each other and avoided each other if possible. How many times have we consciously chosen to recognize and talk to the “outcast” in our place of work, school, or church environments? The woman at the well did not expect the Messiah to speak to her and give of His time. When we talk directly to those deemed “outcast” in our community, we act in the Christ-like manner Jesus calls us to. • The kindness Jesus showed the woman inspired her to ask important questions (v. 11). Did you know that by simply displaying kindness to another person, you plant the seeds of curiosity about important faith- based matters? “Are you greater than our Father Jacob?”— God was certainly working in this woman’s heart! • Jesus knew this woman’s personal problems and pain, and did not shame or blame her for it (v. 16-18). When we get to know those who are outcast from society, we learn of their sin, sorrow and pain. That’s why it is so important to first work on their heart and point them to truth, cry and pray with and for them, and encourage them to seek Christ and the freedom that comes from knowing Him. • Be prepared to be questioned by those around you who don’t understand (v. 27). The disciples did not expect Jesus to be so warm and welcoming to a woman, much less an outcast in Samaria. We too should not be shocked when others notice our outreach to the lost. Focus on your mission of kindness and care towards those to whom you seek to share Christ. • The woman believed! This is proof that taking time for the lost may lead to their salvation (v. 28). Although we may not see everyone we care for come to Christ, we can hold the hope that we are at least planting valuable seeds of curiosity, and conviction. Pray: Pray for one person God wants you to focus on. Then, take them out for coffee and lunch. Text them, call them, and reach out often. Pray for that person for as long as the Lord leads you.

13 DAY TWELVE: APRIL 12, 2019 Precious Promises John 14:1-31 Rachel Graham, Church Development Coordinator

We’ve been singing a new song recently in church called “One Day” by Matt Redman. One of the verses says, One day You’ll make sense of it all, Jesus One day every question resolved Every anxious thought left behind / No more fear When we all get to heaven / What a day of rejoicing that will be When we all see Jesus / We’ll sing and shout the victory I love that song! It makes me think of my mom who passed away from Alzheimer’s five years ago. I miss her so much, but because of her faith in Jesus and His promises, I know I will see her again. During the Passover meal Jesus washed the disciples’ feet then predicted His betrayal and Peter’s denial. Wait – what? Betrayal and denial? Amid what was probably their anxiety and confusion in that moment, Jesus offered four promises to them (and us) in chapter 14. First, Jesus promised that He is preparing a PLACE (v. 1-4). He describes heaven as his Father’s house where He will not only prepare a place for us, but also return and take us to be there with Him forever. When Thomas honestly admitted he didn’t understand, Jesus promised that His upcoming sacrificial death and resurrection is the PROVISION for us to restore our relationship with God (v. 6). No one can come to God except through Jesus. Keeping a list of religious rules or trying to be a good person won’t work. Jesus also promised God would send a PERSON, the Holy Spirit, as a Counselor to guide, teach and remind us of God’s truth (v. 16-17, 26). The Greek word used here for Counselor is paráklētos made up of two words meaning “a legal advocate who is close-beside”. While Jesus’ physical presence would no longer be with the disciples, the Holy Spirit would be with them always as they continued to spread the gospel. Finally, Jesus promised to give them His PEACE (v. 27). It wouldn’t be the temporary peace the world offers based on circumstances. He specifically tells them not to be troubled (the Greek word means “agitated or stirred up”) or afraid (the Greek word means “timid, cowardly, living in dread”). I’m sure there were many times over the years that the disciples had plenty of reasons to feel troubled, but they could cling to the promises Jesus gave them. Deeper: As you prepare your heart for Easter this year, remember and take comfort in the same promises Jesus gave his disciples in John 14. Is there someone in your life who also needs to know who Jesus is and the promises available to all who believe?

14 DAY THIRTEEN: APRIL 13, 2019 Lavish Love Sheila Helms, Academy of the Arts Director Mark 14:1-9 John 12:1-7 The Scriptures declare God’s immense love for us over and over again. John 15:9-17 One of my personal favorites is found in 1 John 3:1 (NIV). “How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!” Webster’s dictionary defines the word lavish as “to expend or give in great amounts or without limit”. This is certainly a fitting description of God’s love! God told Jeremiah, “I have loved you with an everlasting love…” (Jer 31:3). Indeed, without limit! How do we respond to such love? The Gospels tell the story of a woman who came to Jesus while he was visiting in the home of Simon, the leper. John identifies her as Mary, the sister of Lazarus. She brought an alabaster jar filled with expensive perfume and poured it on Jesus, wiping his feet with her hair. Some of the disciples reacted with criticism, suggesting that the perfume could have been sold and the money given to help the poor. Jesus defended her, explaining that she was preparing him for burial. In Mark’s account, Jesus says “she has done a beautiful thing,” and he commends her because “she did what she could.” He even went on to say that she should be remembered for what she had done. It was an act of love, lavished on her Lord. I am reminded of a song entitled “Pour My Love on You,” which was recorded by Phillips, Craig & Dean a number of years ago. It contains these lyrics: “ . . . if praise is like perfume, I’ll lavish mine on You — ‘til every drop is gone. I’ll pour my love on You.” These words gripped me and also brought to light a personal application for the story of the woman anointing Jesus. What is my perfume? Do I lavish it until the fragrance “fills the house” and “every drop is gone” – or do I hold back? Am I doing what I can? Meditation: I encourage you to spend some time meditating on God’s love for you today. I pray that your response, and mine, would be to love others “in great amounts” (John 15:12, 17) and to love the Lord “without limit” (Mark 12:30).

15 DAY FOURTEEN: APRIL 14, 2019 Palm Sunday John 12:12-19 Josh Blight, Pastor of Outreach and Member Development

Palm Sunday (the Sunday before Jesus’s Crucifixion on Good Friday and Jesus’ resurrection on Easter) is famous for Jesus’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Take note of the crowd in this account. As Jesus rode in on the colt, the crowd laid down their cloaks and palm branches in His path and shouted about the coming king. At first glance, I always saw this as a positive thing. I had never really taken the time to think about what the crowd was shouting. However, when I took a closer look at it in light of the Jewish expectations of the Messiah being a warrior king to restore the Kingdom of David in a literal sense, I realized they believed Jesus was coming to overthrow Rome and make Israel an important, powerful, and wealthy kingdom in the center of the known world again. With hindsight, we know this was obviously not the case. We may even wonder why they thought that. How did they not understand that Jesus was focused on providing salvation to all who believe? Before we are too hard on them, I think we can make the same mistake in misunderstanding God’s promises. For them, they mistook God’s promise to restore Israel and to bring about a Messiah to usher in God’s kingdom, as God restoring an earthly kingdom to prominence. We can make this same mistake when it comes to God promising to provide for us and to work all things for our good, by believing that God is going to provide in such a way that we have a very comfortable lifestyle and never experience serious hardship. For example, God promises to meet our basic needs, but this does not necessarily mean a nice house, new car, and a yearly vacation. He may bless us with such things or He may call us to sell everything. The key principle to understand is this: God’s promises are not there for our luxury and our pleasure. The people of Israel wanted to experience the comfort and wealth of an important Israeli kingdom. Instead, God wanted a spiritual kingdom full of redeemed people through His salvation. Let us not look at God’s promises as something to capitalize on for our own selfish gain. Instead, let us look at them as a way of experiencing the goodness and perfection of God as we surrender our life to be a tool used by Him to impact the world around us. Challenge: Are we going to be disappointed with God when His plan for us does not give us all we have dreamed about? Or, are we going to place our desires aside, and trust that God’s plan for us is better; one that is full of joy from experiencing His perfection and goodness?

16 DAY FIFTEEN: APRIL 15, 2019 Pure and Undefiled Emily Shoemaker and Logan Nelson, Youth Ministry Associates John 2:13-25 Isaiah 56:7 In Jesus’ three-year ministry, He is seen in almost all situations to Matthew 22:36-40 be healing people, forgiving wrongs, and seeking out those in need of grace. So it seems very strange to come across a passage that appears to show Him unleashing wrath on the people he came to save. In order to understand this account, it is important to first understand the very foundations of Jesus’ life and ministry which he summed up in two commands: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” In Jesus’ actions that day in the temple, it is clear that, as much as He loved His neighbors, He first and foremost was devoted to the Father and to His Glory. Even from his childhood, Jesus understood the temple to be a place of devotion and prayer to God (Luke 2:41-49). His devotion to His Father produced in Him a righteous anger at the sight of the abuse happening in His Father’s house. This anger led Jesus to act out against the abuse. So, Jesus being fully God, and having complete authority over His temple and over His people, corrected the abuse, returning the temple to “a house of prayer for all peoples”, as it was always meant to be. As followers of Jesus, we should be constantly striving to emulate Jesus in every area of our lives which means that we must ensure that our personal devotions are focused on God alone. This is an internal and daily struggle, but it is one that we must not allow to falter. Because for every individual who accepts Christ’s free gift of salvation, the Spirit dwells within us which is why we must make sure that His temple remains pure and undefiled. And, as we strive individually to keep ourselves pure and acceptable to God, we ensure that the church, the body of Christ, remains clean as well. Prayer: Father, help us have a pure devotion to you every day and to lay down our sin before you. Remind us that you died and rose again, for our redemption and your glory. Amen.

17 DAY SIXTEEN: APRIL 16, 2019 Serving Others John 13:1-20 Alicia Westcott, Children’s Curriculum and Ministry Coordinator Nicole Curtis, Preschool Director

I (Nicole) asked my preschooler one day to help me assist someone that dropped an armful of papers on the ground. She asked “Why?” My instinctual parental response was the classic “Because I told you so”. But then I began to think about that response. Did I help this individual because someone told me to? To lift myself up? To hear the thanks from this person so that I feel better about myself? This was a learning moment for my child, and for myself. That service can be “because it’s the right thing to do”, but without the intentionality of connecting with the individual to further the Kingdom of God, it’s pointless. This person becomes just another individual in a world of millions, instead of someone desperately sought after. Service is an opportunity to bridge gaps, and to show the love of Christ through us. In this passage Jesus is shown as a servant washing the feet of the disciples. Jesus, who was there when the world began (John 1:1), the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end (Rev 1:8), washed the feet of those He was teaching. He came to earth and “made himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant.” (Phil. 2:7) If the Lord of All was a servant, and we are striving to live a Christ- like life, then we too should be servants. Jesus did not have to serve, but He did. Jesus had all the power and authority to command all He desired, but He served humbly. Therefore, none of us is above an act of service. The question is, why do you serve? Do you serve for the recognition? Do you serve so that you feel good about what you’ve done? Or do you serve so others will glorify God? Do you really serve God instead of men? There are many ways to serve, and while most are beneficial to the church or an organization, our main purpose should be serving God and helping to grow the Kingdom of God. Matthew 5:16 states, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” When we serve, it is not so that people will think highly of us, or so we can feel good about ourselves. It is so that we can point others to God - to the only One who can save them.

18 DAY SEVENTEEN: APRIL 17, 2019 The Last Supper Brooks Miley, Internationals Ministry Associate Luke 22: 14-23

Being very young and growing up in the church, I can remember certain Sunday services when I would walk in and see the nice linen tables with bright gold dishes presented in front of the stage. I can also remember being upset because this was a service, that for some reason, I couldn’t partake in eating of the bread and drinking of the juice. I would be sitting in the pew and watch as the dish would pass over me. My father, seeing the discontentment on my face, would lean down and say “When you truly understand what we are doing, you then can partake”. I can remember the first Sunday after my confession of faith and baptism, that I got to take my first Lord’s Supper. I was so excited! I pictured myself being seated amongst Jesus and his disciples, taking the bread and cup of juice and thinking “This is You, Jesus. This is what You did”. When I entered college, the college pastor had set up a Seder one Sunday morning. It was then that I realized the Lord’s Supper was derived from the Last Supper, which was derived from the Passover. The breakdown of the Passover meal, what each item and act symbolized captivated me. The bitter herbs, the unleavened bread and four cups of wine, each have specific meaning and recognition of what God did, and what He will do. Not only was the Last Supper the last meal Jesus shared with His disciples, but it was also the last Passover in God’s eyes. (Wiersbe Commentary) Going back to verse 15, Jesus explains how glad He is to eat this meal, proclaiming that He soon will suffer, and from this point forward not partake in the drinking and eating (Luke 22: 16, 18.) Why? (here comes that little girl, first communion excitement) Because the next feast will be the “messianic banquet”, the “kingdom feasts”. It is the feast we read about in Isaiah 25:6, Matthew 8:11, Luke 13:29 and numerous other scriptures pointing to the return of Christ. Communion, taking the Lord’s Supper, is so much more than an intimate act remembering the sacrificial death Jesus offered on the cross. It is the assembly of His people, His church, celebrating and anticipating His arrival. Jesus gathered with those He loved. He revealed to them the purchase of redemption, and then He shared with them the glory that goes beyond the cross. I still picture myself standing before Jesus when I take communion. I acknowledge that it was His body given, His blood poured out, “This is You, Jesus. This is what You did, and this is what You will do.” What a glorious God we serve!

19 DAY EIGHTEEN: APRIL 18, 2019 Garden of Gethsemane Matthew 26:36-46 Mark 14:32-42 Eric Sever, Pastoral Care Associate Luke 22:39-46 How many times do we go the Lord and ask Him to get us out of a situation? How often do we beg Him to do what we want, especially if it keeps us from experiencing pain? How often do we willingly accept His response, even if it is not what we asked for? We all go through things that we don’t want to experience. It might be an illness, the death of a loved one, or any number of other tragedies. We sometimes want to know why God doesn’t help us out and make the situation better, or just get us out of the mess we are in. And going a little farther He fell on His face and prayed, saying “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.” (Matt. 26:39) The image in my head of this verse is so powerful it gives me chills. Imagining Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, on His knees, asking the Father for help, and accepting the Father’s will over His own amazes me. Jesus did not make any demands. He did not complain. He did not try and explain why He didn’t deserve what was going to happen to Him. He did not say how unfair the situation was. He did nothing that we would do if we were in that predicament. What a wonderful example of how we should face adversity in our own lives. As we meditate on these passages, we should really focus on how Christ handled this situation. He went off to a spot where He could be alone and fell on His face and prayed. In Luke 22:44, we learn He prayed so hard His “sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.” What a powerful image. He prayed honestly to God. He prayed humbly to God. And He prayed repeatedly to God. My prayer for us as a church, and as individuals, would be that we use this model every time we pray. Not just when the tough stuff comes. Accepting His will over our own is much easier when we are honest and humble before the One who is in control of everything.

20 DAY NINETEEN: APRIL 19, 2019 Good Friday? Steve Vaughan, Executive Pastor Adult Ministries and Missions Luke 23:44-46

Good Friday is what we call it, but what was so good about that particular Friday? Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Messiah was falsely accused, tried, flogged, battered, and had a crown of thorns beaten onto His head. He was stripped, mocked, pierced with a spear, nailed to a cross, and for the first time in His existence, forsaken and fully separated from His Father, God. We call it the crucifixion, but it was an execution. None of this describes the name we use to commemorate this day, Good Friday. But that is only if you look at all of this through human eyes. When we look at it through the lens of Jesus Christ, we see the depth of the actual reality that was taking place. In His last words, Jesus proclaimed His ultimate purpose. “Father, into your hands I commit myself” It was a proclamation of what His death satisfied. It was a proclamation of the hope that those who would believe and trust in Jesus Christ would gain for eternity. Calvin Miller wrote, “In our years of walking with Jesus, many of our steps must be taken in the dark, in times of great uncertainty. But that last step we experience is a step we need not fear to take. The last step will always be in the light. The dying time is the time for spending those seven words: ‘Into Your hands I entrust my spirit.’ . . . those who can use these words understand why Jesus died. They have ascertained the confidence Jesus placed in His heavenly Father—the certainty he sensed when He closed His eyes for the final time. This is the greatest part of the Gospel. It is to publish Jesus’ dying words as the hope of every heart.” All the suffering Jesus endured that day, the pain, the humiliation and His death had a purpose. And, it was for us. We celebrate that day as Good Friday, because it brought forgiveness of our sin, life, restoration of our relationship with God, and eternity with God. We did nothing, yet we received everything. Romans 10:9 states, “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” When we put our faith in Jesus Christ as our Lord, and as the One who saves us from our sin, a really bad Friday turns into Good Friday. So we can approach even death with confidence, speaking the last words of Jesus, “Father into Your hands I commit Myself.”

21 DAY TWENTY: APRIL 20, 2019 Waiting When Things Seem Hopeless Romans 8:31-39 Jerry Thornton, Executive Pastor of Administration

It was Saturday evening, and all seemed lost. The hopes, dreams, and promises they had received from their leader all seemed to be gone. How could they have missed it? How could everything they saw and experienced be all for not? Should they have fought for him? Should they have avoided the garden? Should they have followed him in the first place? Everything seemed hopeless. They had spent the last few years following him. When they first met Him, they all thought there was something different about Him. First, it was His countenance, then how He taught, then the miracles. They were asked to leave everything and follow Him, and they did. They were convinced that He was the Messiah, the promised one, who would free Israel from its bondage establishing a reign that would last forever, and bring peace to the world. But now Jesus had been crucified and was now dead. Most of them had fled and were hiding, fearing they too may be in peril. They may be next. Afraid, disillusioned, hurt, and defeated. This was Saturday. Jesus had healed the sick, fed thousands and even brought dead people back to life. But what now? Everything seemed lost. There was a memory of Jesus telling them that He had to suffer and die. Did this mean they had to die and be raised together? This is not what they expected. This is not what they wanted. What a difference a day will make for the disciples! We have all had times in our life where we doubted, when all seemed lost. Don’t forget that Sunday is coming. Jesus defeated death and lives today. When all seems hopeless, it’s not! Jesus did not fail the disciples, and He will not fail you!

22 DAY TWENTY-ONE: APRIL 21, 2019 The Resurrection and Holiness Jason Pamblanco, Executive Pastor of Worship and Teaching Romans 6:1-14

Many of you will find yourselves reading this devotional on Easter Sunday, 2019. Perhaps you are even dressed up with the rest of your family enjoying ham at grandma’s house and enjoying a relaxing afternoon thumbing through social media posts of all the other beautifully dressed up families you know. Sometimes the joy of family, the pomp of Easter attire and the savor of brown sugar-glazed ham, can overshadow the gravity of what Easter is all about – the resurrection of Jesus Christ. To be charitable, if you are actually reading this devotion, you have powered through the good things of Easter Sunday and settled yourself for a moment to feast on the better things of God’s Word. The feast before you today is one on which you could dine daily for the rest of your days and never deplete the delicacies of death-defeating deftness. Translation – FEAST ON THIS: If we have been united with Him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with Him in a resurrection like his. Paul tells the Christian that his or her baptism is the key to unlocking a powerful understanding of our victorious position over sin. What else can your burial (pictured by being immersed in the water) mean except that you have died with Christ! And what else can your coming up out of the water signify except your resurrection to NEW LIFE! On Easter Sunday we often spend a lot of energy and focus on Jesus’ resurrection from the dead – as we should. But Paul tells us that Christ’s resurrection is a guarantee for each person who has placed their faith in Jesus that they have been set free from sin and will live forever. Paul’s conclusion to the theological understanding of death, burial and resurrection is found in verses 12-14. Because the Christian has died with Christ, and has found new life in him – sin should not reign in your body. Your body belongs to GOD and your members should serve His righteous purposes. So before you lay your head down for an afternoon nap – pause to pray and thank God for new life – a life of holiness that is a guaranteed sign of a person that has been brought from death to life. We have been buried therefore with Him by baptism into death, in order that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life!

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