Pastor Stephen Dedman

Tag: grace

Silent Saturday

Encouragement

And the women who had come with Him from Galilee followed after, and they observed the tomb and how His body was laid. Then they returned and prepared spices and fragrant oils. And they rested on the Sabbath according to the commandment.
‭‭Luke‬ ‭23‬:‭55‬-‭56‬

The sun was starting to set and they took Jesus off the cross and placed His body in a tomb that was carved out of the rock. They placed a heavy stone in front to keep anyone from entering in and stealing the body.

Saturday was the Sabbath. According to the law there was to be no work and no traveling. It was a day set aside to rest. The body of Jesus laid in rest and it was a silent, mournful Saturday.

The hours couldn’t pass fast enough. The women were anxious to get back to the tomb and anoint the body of Jesus with oils and spices. They were planning to prepare His body for final resting.

So what happened to Jesus when He died a sinner’s death? Jesus said in Matthew 12:40, “For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.”

We also know that Jesus told the thief on the cross that he would be with Him in Paradise that same day. We will get our answers when we see Jesus face to face.

Are you anxiously waiting to see Jesus? Do you spend your days expecting Him to sound the trumpet and to see Him coming in the clouds? He is coming soon!

Pray

Lord, I know You are coming to get Your bride very soon. Help me to be ready and to share the good news with others. Thank You for conquering sin and death so I can have eternal life.

Holy Wednesday

Encouragement

Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver Him to you?” And they counted out to him thirty pieces of silver.
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭26‬:‭14‬-‭15‬

After a long day of teaching and speaking in the temple on Tuesday, Jesus must have rested on Wednesday. Each evening He and the disciples journeyed to Bethany.

There is not much Scripture referring to events on Wednesday except the fact that Judas conspired with the chief priests and sought opportunity to turn Jesus in to the authorities.

Judas was used by Satan to betray Jesus and he paid the price for it. We know that after Judas did what he did, he went outside the city and hung himself.

Satan still tries to use people to do his work. We must be careful that we are not led astray by Satan. Even the smallest opportunity Satan can get he will try to get you to do evil things. We all must be aware.

We can overcome the devil and his evil schemes by staying rooted and established in a close walk with the Lord. However, we must always be on guard. Satan will seek and devour when we least expect it.

We have the power to overcome the devil and any temptation we face. In the name of Jesus we have all authority to rebuke Satan and temptation. Just call on the name of Jesus.

Pray

Lord, I call on You to guide and protect me today. Keep me from evil and give me strength to overcome the devil. I seek righteousness and holiness today.

The Triumphal Entry

Encouragement

The next day a great multitude that had come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, took branches of palm trees and went out to meet Him, and cried out: “Hosanna! ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’ The King of Israel!”
‭‭John‬ ‭12‬:‭12‬-‭13‬ ‭

Today begins Passion Week. On Palm Sunday, Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a young donkey that had never been ridden. This was prophesied in Zechariah 9:9 which says, “Rejoice, O people of Zion! Shout in triumph, O people of Jerusalem! Look, your king is coming to you. He is righteous and victorious, yet he is humble, riding on a donkey— riding on a donkey’s colt.” (NLT)

As Jesus entered Jerusalem, He was greeted by a multitude of people who rejoiced at His presence. His entry was unexpected as He entered as a humble king. The people were expecting their king to come and conquer Rome and give them freedom and peace.

Sadly, these same people who were singing praise to the king were shouting, “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!” on Friday. They wanted a Messiah to bless them with power and glory instantly. They didn’t realize that indeed He was the Christ.

When Jesus comes back in the Second Coming at the end of the seven-year Tribulation, He will be riding on a white horse symbolizing His kingship. He came as a humble servant the first time but when He returns in the Millennium Reign, He is the righteous Judge and King. He comes to conquer.

Humility is a sign of being like Jesus. We must humble ourselves before the Lord and set the example of humility to others. We must serve others like Jesus did. We must treat others like Jesus did. We must be the picture of Jesus that others see.

What can you do today for others to see that you serve Jesus? Surprisingly, when we humble ourselves we lift up others who need to be encouraged. Be a blessing to someone today.

Pray

Lord, help me to put others before myself. I sing praises to You as You are my Lord and Savior. Let my life be a blessing to others.