Easter Devotion: He is RISEN! (Resurrection Sunday)

Then the disciples went back to their homes, but Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus' body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot.
They asked her, "Woman, why are you crying?" 
"They have taken my Lord away," she said, "and I don't know where they have put him."
At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus.
"Woman," he said, "why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?" Thinking he was the gardener, she said, "Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him."
Jesus said to her, "Mary." She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, "Rabboni!" (which means Teacher).
Jesus said, "Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet returned to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, 'I am returning to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.' "
Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: "I have seen the Lord!" And she told them that he had said these things to her.  John 20:10-18


Questions:
- Who was Mary Magdalene? (Jesus had cast seven demons from her-Luke 8:2, she was one of his followers and was at the cross-Mark 15:40; she saw him buried-Mark 15:47)
- Why do you think Mary stayed at the tomb after Peter and John had left?
- What do you think she felt when she realized it was Jesus who was talking to her?
- What can we learn from Mary's example?

Thoughts:
We can only imagine what Mary's thoughts were that Sunday morning upon seeing her Lord alive! She had watched Him be killed and seen His dead body placed in the tomb. While all but one of the disciples (John) didn't dare show their faces at the cross out of fear, she stayed there, supporting Jesus' mother Mary, and showing her love and dedication to Jesus up to the bitter end. And for Mary, even His death was not the end of her devotion. She risked her life to return to the tomb that Sunday morning. Jesus rewarded her faithfulness by choosing Mary, a woman who had been possessed by seven demons (we can only imagine the horror she experienced), to be the first one to see Him after He rose. Oh praise You sweet Jesus! You reveal Yourself to children and women...the ones who society so often abuses and persecutes. What a wonderful Savior we serve!

Prayer:
Sweet Jesus...how precious You are! We can't wait to see you face to face the way Mary did in the Garden. Some day, we know, You will return and take us to live with You forever. Until that day, may we live our lives with all the devotion and love of Mary Magdalene. Thank You Jesus!

Song: Christ the Lord is Risen Today

Christ the Lord is ris'n today, Alleluia!
Sons of men and angels say, Alleluia!
Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!
Sing, ye heav'ns, and earth reply, Alleluia!

Love's redeeming work is done, Alleluia!
Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia!
Death in vain forbids Him rise, Alleluia!
Christ has opened Paradise, Alleluia!

Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia!
Where, O death, is now thy sting? Alleluia!
Dying once He all doth save, Alleluia!
Where thy victory, O grave? Alleluia!

Soar we now where Christ has led, Alleluia!
Foll'wing our exalted Head, Alleluia!
Made like Him, like Him we rise, Alleluia!
Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia!

Hail the Lord of earth and heaven, Alleluia!
Praise to Thee by both be given, Alleluia!
Thee we greet triumphant now, Alleluia!
Hail the Resurrection, thou, Alleluia!

King of glory, soul of bliss, Alleluia!
Everlasing life is this, Alleluia!
Thee to know, Thy power to prove, Alleluia!
Thus to sing, and thus to love, Alleluia!

Here is a video with the lyrics and music: song

Easter Devotion: The Burial of Jesus (Day 40)

Now there was a man named Joseph, a member of the Council, a good and upright man, who had not consented to their decision and action. He came from the Judean town of Arimathea and he was waiting for the kingdom of God.

Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus' body.

Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen cloth and placed it in a tomb cut in the rock, one in which no one had yet been laid. It was Preparation Day, and the Sabbath was about to begin.

The women who had come with Jesus from Galilee followed Joseph and saw the tomb and how his body was laid in it. Then they went home and prepared spices and perfumes. But they rested on the Sabbath in obedience to the commandment.  Luke 23:50-56

The next day, the one after Preparation Day, the chief priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate.

"Sir," they said, "we remember that while he was still alive that deceiver said, 'After three days I will rise again.'

So give the order for the tomb to be made secure until the third day. Otherwise, his disciples may come and steal the body and tell the people that he has been raised from the dead. This last deception will be worse than the first."

"Take a guard," Pilate answered. "Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how."

So they went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal on the stone and posting the guard.

Matthew 27:60-66

Later, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Now Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jews. With Pilate's permission, he came and took the body away.

He was accompanied by Nicodemus, the man who earlier had visited Jesus at night. Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy‑five pounds.

Taking Jesus' body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen. This was in accordance with Jewish burial customs. John 19:38-40

Questions:

- Who was Joseph of Arimathea?

- What does this tell you about the Jewish religious leaders? (not all were against Christ)

- Can you think of another religious leader who came to believe in Jesus? (Nicodemus) read

John 19:38-40

- What did Joseph and Nicodemus do to Jesus' body? Why?

- Who was worried about Jesus' body being stolen? Why?

- How did Pilate respond to their request?

Thoughts: 

It is encouraging to read of Joseph and Nicodemus. Not every Jewish religious leader wanted to crucify Jesus. Most likely these men were not at the trial of Jesus or else their voices were drowned out by the crowd. Even though they could not prevent His death, they did what they could to provide for Jesus' burial, along with the women. In life and in death, Jesus was greatly loved by His followers. And even in death, He was feared by those who hated Him. That is why the Roman guard was posted...in case someone came to steal His body. We can only wonder at what point, before Sunday morning, Jesus left that tomb, but praise God, it is empty today!

Prayer: 

We thank You Jesus that You are alive today. Your tomb is empty and we rejoice. May we be loving, devoted followers of you like Joseph, Nicodemus and the women. We love you Jesus!

Song: Were You There?

Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
Oh sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?

Were you there when they laid Him in the tomb?
Were you there when they laid Him in the tomb?
Oh sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble
Were you there when they nailed Him to the tree?

Were you there when He rose up from the grave?
Were you there when He rose up from the grave?
Oh sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble
Were you there when He rose up from the grave?
Were you there when He rose up from the grave?

Here is a link to the song with great video from The Passion of the Christ: Were You There?

(it is in black and white but you may want to watch this first to make sure it is not too graphic for younger children)

Easter Devotion: Why is it "Good Friday?" (Day 39)

About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?"--which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"  Matthew 27:46


Thoughts: (the below article was written by Joni Erickson Tada and Steve Estes)

The face that Moses had begged to see--was forbidden to see--was slapped bloody. The thorns that God had sent to curse the earth's rebellion now twisted around his own brow.... 

"On your back with you!" One raises a mallet to sink in the spike. But the soldier's heart must continue pumping as he readies the prisoner's wrist. Someone must sustain the soldier's life minute by minute, for no man has this power on his own. Who supplies breath to his lungs? Who gives energy to his cells? Who holds his molecules together? Only by the Son do "all things hold together". The victim wills that the soldier live on--he grants the warriors continued existence. 
The man swings. 

As the man swings, the Son recalls how he and the Father first designed the medial nerve of the human forearm--the sensations it would be capable of. The design proves flawless--the nerves perform exquisitely. "Up you go!" They lift the cross. God is on display...and can scarcely breathe. 

But these pains are a mere warm up to his other and growing dread. He begins to feel a foreign sensation. Somewhere during the day an unearthly foul odor began to waft, not around his nose, but his heart. He feels dirty. Human wickedness starts to crawl upon his spotless being...The apple of his Father's eye turns brown with rot. 

His Father! He must face his Father like this! 

From heaven, the Father now rouses himself like a lion disturbed, shakes his mane, and roars against the shriveling remnant of a man hanging on a cross. Never has the Son seen the Father look at him so, never felt even the least of his hot breathe. But the roar shakes the unseen world and darkens the visible sky. The son does not recognize these eyes. 

"Son of man, why have you behaved so??" You have cheated...stolen, gossiped--murdured, envied, hated, lied. You have cursed, robbed, overspent, overeaten...disobeyed...Oh the duties you have shirked, the children you have abandoned! Who has ever so ignored the poor, so played the coward, so belittled my name?? Have you ever held your razor tongue? Who gave you the boldness to rig elections, foment revolutions...and worship demons? Does the list never end! Splitting families...acting smugly...accepting bribes. You have burned down buildings, perfected terrorist tactics, founded false religions, traded in slaves--relishing each morsel and bragging about it all! I hate, loathe, these things in you! Disgust for everything about you consumes me. Can you not feel my wrath??" 

Of course the Son is innocent. He is blamelessness itself. The Father knows this...but the divine pair have an agreement, and the unthinkable must now take place. Jesus will be treated as if personally responsible for every sin ever committed. 

The Father watches as his heart's treasure, the mirror image of himself, sinks drowning into raw, liquid sin. Jehovah's stored rage against humankind from every century explodes in a single direction. 

"Father, Father, why have you foresaken me?!" 

But heaven stops its ears. The Son stares up at the One who can not, who will not, reach down or reply. 

The Trinity had planned it. The Son endured it. The Spirit enabled him. The Father rejected the Son whom he loved. Jesus, the God-man from Nazareth, perished. The Father accepted his sacrifice for sin and was satisfied. The Rescue was accomplished. 

Questions: 

- What are your thoughts after hearing that? 

- What did Jesus have to endure?  Why?

- Why is the day that He died on the cross called Good Friday?

Prayer: 

Lord Jesus, thank You! Thank You from the bottom of our hearts for rescuing us from sin, from rebellion, from eternal separation and hell. Thank You Jesus. Help us to remember, each day, each moment, what You did for us. Help us to tell other people so that they too, can believe and be saved. May our lives count for Your glory and for Your Kingdom. 

Song: How Beautiful

How beautiful the hands that served

The wine and the bread and the sons of the earth

How beautiful the feet that walked

The long dusty roads and the hill to the cross

How beautiful, how beautiful

How beautiful is the body of Christ

How beautiful the heart that bled

That took all my sin and bore it instead

How beautiful the tender eyes

That chose to forgive and never despise

How beautiful, how beautiful

How beautiful is the body of Christ

And as He laid down His life

We offer this sacrifice

That we will live just as he died

Willing to pay the price

Willing to pay the price

How beautiful the radiant bride

Who waits for her groom with His light in her eyes

How beautiful when humble hearts give

The fruit of pure lives so that others may live

How beautiful, how beautiful

How beautiful is the body of Christ

How beautiful the feet that bring

The sound of good news and the love of the King

How beautiful the hands that serve

The wine and the bread and the sons of the earth

How beautiful, how beautiful

How beautiful is the body of Christ

Here is a video of the song: How Beautiful

Easter Devotions: Come to the Table (Day 38)

When evening came, Jesus arrived with the Twelve. While they were reclining at the table eating, he said, "I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me—one who is eating with me."

They were saddened, and one by one they said to him, "Surely not I?"

"It is one of the Twelve," he replied, "one who dips bread into the bowl with me.

The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born."

While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take it; this is my body."

Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, and they all drank from it.

"This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many," he said to them.

"I tell you the truth, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it anew in the kingdom of God."

When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.  Mark 14:17-26

Questions:

- What Jewish holiday were Jesus and His disciples celebrating?

- What did Jesus predict about one of His followers? How do you think that made Jesus feel?

- What represented Jesus body that would be crucified for our sins?

- What represented Jesus blood that would be spilled for our sins?

- What is this sharing of the bread and wine called in the Christian faith? Talk about the importance of communion. (If your children are believers, you may want to have communion with them at this time, to remember the sacrifice Jesus made for us).

Thoughts: 

"The wine and the matzot, or unleavened bread, were a very important part of the Passover celebration. Passover was the celebration of God's deliverance of the Jews from slavery in Egypt. When Jesus identified Himself with the bread and the wine, He was telling His disciples, and us, that it would be by His death that we would be delivered from sin." Ann Hibbard from Family Celebrations at Easter.

Prayer: 

Lord Jesus, thank you for the sacrifice you made on the cross for my sins. Whenever I take communion, may I be reminded of how much You love me and may I commit my life to You. I love You Jesus.

Song: Come to the Table by Michael Card

Come to the table

And savor the sight,

The wine and the bread that was broken.

And all have been welcome to come

If they might

Accept as their own these two tokens.

The bread is his body,

The wine is the blood

And the one who provides them is true.

He freely offers

We freely receive.

To accept and believe him is all we must do.

Come to the table

And taste of the glory

And savor the sorrow

He's dying tomorrow.

The hand that is breaking the bread

Soon will be broken.

And here at the table

Sit those who have loved him,

One is a traitor and one will deny,

Though he's lived his life for them all

And for all be crucified.

Come to the table he's prepared for you

The bread of forgiveness the wine of release.

Come to the table and sit down beside him.

The Saviour wants you to join in the feast.

Come to the table and see in his eyes

The love that the Father has spoken.

And know you are welcome

Whatever your crime,

Though every commandment you've broken.

For he's come to love you

And not to condemn.

And he offers a pardon of peace.

If you'll come to the table

You'll feel in your heart

The greatest forgiveness,

The greatest release

Come to the table

And taste of the glory

And savor the sorrow

He's dying tomorrow.

The hand that is breaking the bread

Soon will be broken.

And here at the table

Sit those who have loved him,

One is a traitor and one will deny,

Though he's lived his life for them all

And for all be crucified.

Come to the table he's prepared for you

The bread of forgiveness the wine of release.

Come to the table and sit down beside him.

The Saviour wants you to join in the feast.

Here is a website with the song and a great slide show: Come to the Table

Easter Devotion: A Glimpse of Heaven (Day 37)

After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands.

And they cried out in a loud voice: "Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb."

All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God,

saying: "Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen!"

Then one of the elders asked me, "These in white robes--who are they, and where did they come from?"

I answered, "Sir, you know." And he said, "These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

Therefore, "they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will spread his tent over them.

Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat upon them, nor any scorching heat.

For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes." Revelation 7:9-17

Questions:

- What is the book of Revelation about? (a vision John sees about the events going on in Heaven and on earth - some in the present, some in the future); these events seem to be taking place right now, pointing to the ongoing worship of Jesus Christ that occurs in Heaven

- How do you think John must have felt to see this worship of Christ after he had seen His crucifixion years earlier?

- How is the multitude described? Who are they?

- Who is the Lamb?

- Describe some of the things that John and we can learn about Heaven from these verses.

- What does it mean that the Lamb is their Shepherd?

Thoughts: 

Here, in Revelation, we can catch a small glimpse of what Heaven is like right now and what we can expect to see and do when we get there. It is centered on the worship of the Trinity (God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit) as we celebrate the Lamb. This will be beyond any wonderful experience we have ever had on earth because each of us was created specifically to worship God. In Heaven, we will be able to fully and completely carry out all that we were created to be. And Jesus will be at the center of it all. This is why we should do our best today, on earth, to make Jesus the center of our life. To ask Him to sit on the throne of our heart and to worship Him daily. This will bring both joy to us and to the Lord and prepare us for eternity in Heaven. Is He sitting on the throne of your life today?

Prayer: 

Lord Jesus, we so look forward to one day being in Heaven with You, worshipping You around the throne and entering ultimate joy and peace. Thank You for making a way for us. While we are here on earth, may we worship You with our lives. Show us how to do this Lord. We love You so much!

Song: Salvation Belongs to our God

Salvation belongs to our God

Who sits upon the throne

And unto the Lamb

Praise and glory, wisdom and thanks

Honor and power and strength

Be to our God forever and ever

Be to our God forever and ever

Be to our God forever and ever, Amen

And we, the redeemed shall be strong

In purpose and unity

Declaring aloud

Praise and glory, wisdom and thanks

Honor and power and strength

Here is a link with the music: Salvation belongs to our God

Easter Devotion: Free in Jesus (Day 36)

God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.  2 Corinthians 5:21

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.  2 Corinthians 8:9

You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.

Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die.

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him!

For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!

Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.  Romans 5:6-11

For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin--because anyone who has died has been freed from sin.

Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him.

For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him.

The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God.

In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.  Romans 6:6-11

Bible: read 2 Corinthians 5:21 and 8:9 first and then go to the questions

Questions:

- What did God make Jesus become for us? What do you think that means?

- What is righteousness? (right living, living a life that is pleasing to God)

- What does it mean that we will become the righteousness of God? (we can't earn righteousness, it is a gift of God through Christ)

- Read Romans 5:6-11

- What were we when Christ died for us? So did we do anything to earn His forgiveness?

- Will Jesus forgive everything we do if we ask Him?

- Read Romans 6:6-11

- What are we no longer slaves to? What does that mean?

- Will Jesus ever have to die again for our sins?

- What does it mean to be dead to sin but alive to God?

Thoughts: 

Our sin was destroyed on the cross. All the wrong things we have done or will do in the future have been destroyed. Instead of being clothed in our sin, we are clothed in Jesus' white robes of righteousness. That means that when God looks at us, He no longer sees our sin. Instead, He see Jesus' goodness. We cannot do anything to earn it. This has already been done for us. All we have to is receive God's perfect gift.

Prayer: 

Lord Jesus, I praise You and thank You for what You did on the cross. You became my sin. All the times I have been mean, or hateful, or cruel, or unloving, the times I've lied or disobeyed, You took all that sin away. Now I don't have to live under its weight but I am free to live in righteousness through You. I love You Jesus.

Song: Crucified with Christ

As I look back on what I thought was living

I'm amazed at the price I choose to pay

And to think I ignored what really mattered

Cause I thought the sacrifice would be too great

But when I finally reached the point of giving in

I found the cross was calling even then

And even though it took dying to survive

I've never felt so much alive.

Chorus

For I am crucified with Christ and yet I live

Not I but Christ that lives within me

His Cross will never ask for more than I can give

For it's not my strength but His

There's no greater sacrifice

For I am crucified with Christ and yet I live

As I hear the Savior call for daily dying

I will bow beneath the weight of Calvary

Let my hands surrender to His piercing purpose

That holds me to the cross but sets me free

I will glory in the power of the cross

The things I thought were gain I count as loss

And with His suffering I identify

And by His resurrection power I am alive

Chorus

Bridge

And I will offer all I have

So that His cross is not in vain

For I found to live is Christ

And to die is truly gain

Here is a link with the music and words: Crucified with Christ

Easter Devotion: We Are Pardoned & He Was Condemned (Day 35)

Pilate called together the chief priests, the rulers and the people,

and said to them, "You brought me this man as one who was inciting the people to rebellion. I have examined him in your presence and have found no basis for your charges against him.

Neither has Herod, for he sent him back to us; as you can see, he has done nothing to deserve death.

Therefore, I will punish him and then release him."

With one voice they cried out, "Away with this man! Release Barabbas to us!"

(Barabbas had been thrown into prison for an insurrection in the city, and for murder.)

Wanting to release Jesus, Pilate appealed to them again.

But they kept shouting, "Crucify him! Crucify him!"

For the third time he spoke to them: "Why? What crime has this man committed? I have found in him no grounds for the death penalty. Therefore I will have him punished and then release him."

But with loud shouts they insistently demanded that he be crucified, and their shouts prevailed.

So Pilate decided to grant their demand.

He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, the one they asked for, and surrendered Jesus to their will.  Luke 23:13-25

But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.

We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.  Isaiah 53:5-6

Questions:

- Who deserved to be punished? What had he done?

- Who was punished instead? What had Jesus done wrong?

- How was Jesus a substitute for Barabbas?

- How do you think Barabbas felt when he realized that he was free and someone else would die in his place.

- What can we learn from this? (read Isaiah 53:5-6)

Thoughts: 

We are all like Barabbas. We have all committed sin that has condemned us to an eternity of punishment. "All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one." Romans 3:12  We can't earn a pardon/salvation anymore than Barabbas could do anything himself to be released. All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away. Isaiah 64:6 Yet, just as with Barabbas, Jesus stepped in and took our punishment. We are pardoned and He was condemned.

Prayer: 

Lord Jesus, how can we thank You enough for what You did for us? You took our punishment, our sins, and got rid of them on the cross. We love You and want You to be our Lord and Savior. Praise You Jesus.

Song: Amazing Love

I'm forgiven because you were forsaken

I'm accepted, You were condemned

I'm alive and well

Your spirit is within me

Because you died and rose again

Amazing love, how can it be?

That you, my king. would die for me

Amazing love, I know it's true

And it's my joy to honor you

Amazing love how can it be?

That my king would die for me

Amazing love I know it's true

And it's my joy to honor you

In all I do

I honor you

You are my king

You are my king

Jesus, You are my king

Jesus, You are my king

Here is a link to the song with words: Amazing Love

Easter Devotion: A Palm Sunday in Heaven (Day 34)

The next day the great crowd that had come for the Feast heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem.
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!"
Jesus found a young donkey and sat upon it, as it is written,
"Do not be afraid, O Daughter of Zion; see, your king is coming, seated on a donkey's colt." 
At first his disciples did not understand all this. Only after Jesus was glorified did they realize that these things had been written about him and that they had done these things to him.  John 12:12-16

Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.  
Zechariah 9:9

After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. 
They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands.
And they cried out in a loud voice: 
"Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb."
All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying: 
"Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen!"  Revelation 7:9-12

Questions:
- Why was there a great crowd in Jerusalem? (they were celebrating the Feast of the Passover)
- What is Passover? (Passover is about how God had the Israelites put the blood of a lamb on their doorposts so that the Angel of Death would pass by them and not kill them)
- What part of Passover did Jesus represent?
- What part of the Old Testament did Jesus fulfill when He came riding into Jerusalem on a donkey? (read Zechariah 9:9)
- What is this special day called by the Christian Church today? (Palm Sunday) Why?
- Read Revelation 7:9-12...What similarities do you see between when Jesus came riding into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday and when we, some day in Heaven, will gather around Jesus and worship Him?
(great crowd/multitude, carrying palm branches, praising Jesus)
- How is the crowd different? (in Jerusalem - mostly Jews; in Heaven - people of every nation, tribe, people and language)

Thoughts:
As we celebrate Palm Sunday today, we should not only look back into the past, when Jesus rode into Jerusalem; but we should look forward to a day, in the future, when all those who have believed in Jesus as their Savior, throughout all of history, will stand around His throne and worship Him. But this time, there will be no Gethsemane or trials before Pilate or whippings or a cross waiting for Jesus. Instead, there will be year after year, century after century of enjoying life with our Lord and God. And praise God that there will be people in Heaven from every nation, tribe, language and people! What a joyous day that will be. May it come quickly!

Prayer:
We love you Jesus. Today, in our hearts, may we lift up palm branches and say to You:
"Hosanna!"
"Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!"
"Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb." Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen!"

Song: Salvation Belongs to our God

Salvation belongs to our God
Who sits upon the throne
And unto the Lamb
Praise and glory, wisdom and thanks
Honor and power and strength

Be to our God forever and ever
Be to our God forever and ever
Be to our God forever and ever, Amen

And we, the redeemed shall be strong
In purpose and unity
Declaring aloud
Praise and glory, wisdom and thanks
Honor and power and strength

Here is a link with the music: Salvation Belongs to our God

Easter Devotion: Easter Symbols and Their Meanings (Day 33)

In today's and the last two days' devotions, we are looking at the symbols of Easter and their meanings.

Date of Easter:
Unlike Christmas, Easter is not celebrated on the same day every year. Like Christmas, which many agree is not celebrated on the actual birth of Jesus, Easter is not celebrated on the exact date of Jesus’ death or resurrection. It is, however, celebrated at the same time of year that Jesus Christ died, the time of the Jewish Passover. The Bible states that Christ celebrated Passover with his disciples. After they ate the Passover feast they went to the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus was arrested. He was tried, condemned, and executed that same day. Three days later He rose from the dead.
Early Christians commemorated this event. The earliest recorded date of the celebration of Easter appears in the second century, but we can assume they were celebrating Easter in the church earlier than that. But even then Easter was celebrated on two different days. Jewish Christians kept Passover with a new meaning because Christ died and rose again during the Passover period. Gentile Christians, however, celebrated Easter on the Sunday after Passover because Christ rose from the dead on the first day of the week.
As time went on the confusion surrounding the date to celebrate Easter grew. In A.D. 325 a group of church leaders met in Nicea. The group, called the Council of Nicea, discussed many things including the creation of the Nicene Creed and the date to celebrate Easter. That’s why Easter is now celebrated on the Sunday following the first full moon on or after the Vernal Equinox. Because of this Easter falls between the dates of March 22 and April 25.

Palm Sunday:

On Palm Sunday, one week before Easter, Christians celebrate what is known as Christ’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey surrounded by his disciples and crowds of people who covered the road with articles of clothing and palm branches and waved palm branches while singing and praising God.
Christians traditionally go to church on Palm Sunday where palm branches are given out during the service, remembering the palm branches that were waved when Jesus entered Jerusalem.
In some parts of the world Palm Sunday is known by other names. In parts of Wales Palm Sunday is called Flowering Sunday. On this day flowers are strewn on graves and churchyards. Also in parts of England, Palm Sunday is called Spanish Sunday. This name probably comes from a sweet drink made by children consisting of Spanish licorice shaken up in a bottle of water. Another name for Palm Sunday is Fig Sunday. Those who celebrate Fig Sunday eat figs or fig pudding in remembrance of Christ’s cursing of the fig tree, an event that occurred during Passion Week.

Maundy Thursday:
Maundy Thursday is the Thursday of Holy Week. It represents the day that the Jewish Passover was celebrated.
On that day, Jesus had his last meal with his friends and followers before he was killed. This meal is now know as 'The Last Supper'. At the meal, Jesus and his friends would have followed the Jewish Passover custom of eating roast lamb and bread and drinking red wine. However, Jesus gave the bread and wine a special meaning. When they got to the part of the meal when the bread was eaten and the wine drunk, Jesus said that these would be a symbol of his body and blood to his followers to help them remember that through his death, our sins are forgiven.
Maundy comes from Latin and is the word for 'Command', this is because Jesus commanded his followers to think of him when they ate bread and drank wine. This is very important to Christians and is now remembered in the Christian service known as Communion, Mass or Eucharist. It is practiced on Maundy Thursday.

Good Friday
Good Friday is the day thought by many to be the day that Jesus Christ died on the cross for the sins of the world.
This death of this innocent man, the Son of God, is considered so horrendous that many superstitions have arisen over the years concerning things done on Good Friday. On Good Friday miners would refuse to work fearing that a disaster would occur during the following year. Blacksmiths would not work with nails because of the nails that pierced Christ’s hands and feet. Fishermen considered it an ill-omen to put out to sea on Good Friday. Clothes would not be washed on Good Friday lest they be stained with blood and lest misfortune come upon the wearers. Not all Good Friday superstitions were bad, however. Gardeners would plant their crops on Good Friday to ensure a good harvest. They believed that the soil is redeemed from Satan’s power on Good Friday only so anything planted on that day is blessed.
At one time, in Portugal and in parts of England and Europe as well, people created a straw or wooden effigy of Judas Iscariot, the man who betrayed Jesus, and paraded it through town kicking it, cursing it, and deriding it. They would finally burn the effigy to show their contempt for the man who sent the Son of God to his death.
In Spain people participate in Semana Santa processions. These nightly processions begin on Palm Sunday and end on Good Friday. Representations of Christ, Mary, and the saints are paraded through the streets accompanied by barefooted penitents called Nazarenos wearing pointed black or white hoods with eye holes cut out of them. The procession ends with saetas, mournful songs, lamenting the death of Christ and the grief of His mother.


Attending Church


Because Easter is a celebration of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, Christians all over the world attend church on Easter Sunday. For Catholics, many attend an after-midnight Mass on Easter Sunday. Other Christians will attend an Easter Sunrise service as the Bible states "Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance," John 20:1 Still others attend church later in the morning.

New Clothes:
Wearing new clothes for Easter is a custom common among many Christians. It may have originated from the old practice of having newly baptized Christians wear new white clothes for the Easter celebration. Like many other Easter symbols, the new clothes represent the new life offered through the death and Resurrection of Jesus.
Easter promenades of people in new clothes are a tradition in many European towns and villages. A person holding a cross or an Easter candle leads some of these promenades. In New York City, thousands of people stroll in the Easter Parade down Fifth Avenue to show off their new clothes following Easter services.

Feasting:
Easter Sunday is a feast day. Many Christians in Eastern Europe and those of eastern European ancestry in North America have their Easter feast blessed by a priest. The priest may go to the home, or families may take their food to church for the blessing.

Eggs and Rabbits:
Eggs and rabbits are the only familiar symbols unrelated to the Easter story.
Bunnies, Rabbits and Lambs are often associated with Easter because most babies of the animals are born in Spring around Easter time.

In Pagan times, like Eggs, Rabbits and Hares were signs of Good Luck and New Life. The Early Christians took over the meaning of New Life because it helped them remember Jesus being raised from the dead and having New Life.


Easter Bunny:
No one knows for sure what the origin of the Easter Bunny is. Some think the Easter bunny has its roots in European folklore as the sacred beast of the spring-goddess Eostre. This view, however, is not supported by the earliest known references. The Easter bunny, originally known as the Easter hare, was first mentioned in a German book written in the late 16th century. Another German book written in the 17th century further described the Easter hare as the shy, egg-laying creature we know today

The tradition of the Easter hare was brought to the United States by European immigrants where it was eventually changed to the Easter rabbit or Easter bunny. The legend of the Easter bunny has grown, and it continues to grow thanks to the Easter television specials produced by Rankin/Bass. In 1971 Here Comes Peter Cottontail, narrated by Danny Kaye, was produced based on the novel by Priscilla and Otto Friedrich entitled The Easter Bunny That Overslept. This was followed in 1977 by The Easter Bunny Is Coming To Town. In this holiday special, Fred Astaire, reprising his role of Special Delivery (S. D. for short) Kluger, tells the story of the origins of the Easter Bunny.

Much of the above information came from Customs of Easter

Easter Devotion: Easter Symbols & Their Meanings (Day 32)

Today's devotion, yesterday's devotion, as well as the devotion for tomorrow are a bit different as we look at some of the symbols of Easter to find out their meanings.

The Lamb: 
The lamb is a particularly important Easter symbol in many countries. It represents Jesus and relates His death to that of the lamb sacrificed on the first Passover. Christians traditionally refer to Jesus as "the Lamb of God." "The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" John 1:29
In many homes, a lamb-shaped cake decorates the table. Many Eastern Orthodox Christians hang pictures of the Easter lamb in their homes.

Hot Cross Buns:
Hot cross buns, now eaten throughout the Easter season, were first baked in England to be served on Good Friday. The buns have a cross of icing on the top. Some people have suggested the connection to the ancient sacramental cakes. They are generally only served during the Lenten season, preserving their Christian significance.

Easter Customs:
A number of popular customs are observed during the Easter season. The majority of Christians follows some of
these customs. Others are observed in a particular area or by a particular group.

Carnivals:
Carnivals provide opportunities for feasting and merrymaking before the solemn fast days of Lent (the 40 days before Easter). The word carnival comes from the Latin word carnelevarium, which means removal of meat. The most famous carnival is the Mardi Gras, celebrated on Shrove Tuesday, the day before Lent begins. Mardi Gras is a French term that means Fat Tuesday. It refers to the fat ox that traditionally led a procession on Shrove Tuesday in France. Carnivals often feature parades in which people wear elaborate costumes.

Easter Eggs:
Exchanging and eating Easter eggs is a popular custom in many countries. In most cases, chicken eggs are used. The eggs are hard-boiled and dyed in various colors and patterns. Many countries have their own traditional patterns. Probably the most famous Easter eggs are those designed in Ukraine, Poland and Hungary, where Christians decorate the eggs with complicated red, black, and white patterns.

In many countries, children hunt for Easter eggs hidden about the home or yard. Children in the United Kingdom, Germany, and some other countries play a game in which eggs are rolled against one another or down a hill. The egg that stays uncracked the longest wins. Since 1878, children in Washington, D.C. have been invited to roll eggs on the White House lawn.

Passion Plays:
Passion Plays dramatize the Easter story. Such plays have been performed during the Easter season since the Middle Ages. The most famous one is usually presented every 10 years in Oberammergau, in southern Germany. It
dates from 1634. In the United States, Passion Plays are performed annually in several cities.

Easter Devotion: Easter Symbols and their Meanings (Day 31)

Today's devotion as well as the devotions for the next two days are a bit different as we will look at some of the symbols of Easter to find out their meanings.

Easter:
Easton's Bible Dictionary defines Easter this way:
"originally a Saxon word (Eostre), denoting a goddess of the Saxons, in honour of whom sacrifices were offered about the time of the Passover. Hence the name came to be given to the festival of the Resurrection of Christ, which occurred at the time of the Passover." Because of the pagan link with the name Easter, some Christians have begun calling this special day, Resurrection Sunday instead.

White:
White means purity. Easton's Bible Dictionary: "A symbol of purity (2 Chr. 5:12; Ps. 51:7; Isa. 1:18; Rev. 3:18; 7:14). Our Lord, at his transfiguration, appeared in raiment "white as the light" (Matt. 17:2, etc.)."
White is also the symbol of holiness: The high priest's holy garments were made of white linen - Leviticus 16:4,32; Choir singers were arrayed in white - 2 Chronicles 5:12

Cross or Crucifix:
A crucifix is a cross with an image of Jesus' body hanging from it. It symbolizes the sacrifice Jesus made by allowing Himself to be killed. An empty cross--that is, without the figure of Christ crucified--reminds Christians of Jesus' victory over death and the new life and hope this victory brings to believers.
During the first 300 years after Christ's death, Christians feared persecution by the hostile Roman government and rarely displayed the cross in public. In the 300's, the Romans began to tolerate Christianity and crosses were widely displayed. During the early Middle Ages, Christian artists made crosses as symbols of the Christian belief in the Resurrection of Christ. Many of these crosses portrayed the risen Christ wearing priestly clothes and a royal crown. Later, Christians began to emphasize the sufferings of Jesus in crucifixes.

Rooster:
In Europe, some of the churches do not have crosses on the top but instead have roosters. This reminds worshippers of Peter's denial of Christ and how they must not deny Christ."
See Matthew 26:69-75

Candles:
Candles are burned during many Easter celebrations, especially the vigil and midnight services before Easter Sunday. Christians associate Jesus with the light from candles, calling Him "the Light of the World." Many churches extinguish candles on their altars on Good Friday to show that Jesus' light has gone out. In Roman Catholic churches, the special paschal candle is lit on Easter Sunday next to the main altar. The candle represents Jesus' return to life. The candle is often lit during the next 40 days, until it is put out on Ascension Day.

Lilies:
Easter lilies are used to decorate churches and homes. The large, pure white blossoms remind Christians of the pure new life that comes to them through the Resurrection of Jesus.
The Lily in the Bible: Lessons to trust are gathered from the Lily: Matthew 6: 28-30
Molded in the rim of the molten laver in the temple: 1 Kings 7:26 & 2 Chronicles 4:5
The principle capitals of the temple ornamented with carvings of lilies: 1 Kings 7:19,22,26
Used in a figurative sense, of the lips of the beloved: Song of Solomon 5:13

Here is a website that shows how to make paper Easter lilies out of your child's handprint: Easter Lily handprint

The information in this devotion came from Annies' home page

Easter Devotion: At the Foot of the Cross (Day 30)

"The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at Him. They said, 'He saved others; let Him save Himself if He is the Christ of God, the Chosen One.'...But all those who knew Him, including the women who had followed Him from Galilee, stood at distance, watching these things." Luke 23:35, 49

At the Foot of the Cross

by by Peggie C. Bohanon

They gathered at the Cross that day--the women who loved Him; the guards who stole from Him; the crowd who watched Him--they were all there, to worship, to weep, to mock, to scorn--and to see! They were rich and poor; wise and unlearned; tall and thin, short and plump; well-dressed and in rags--they were all there...at the foot of the Cross.
We gather at the Cross today too--the people who love Him; the wicked who hate him; the indifferent who pass by Him. We're rich and poor; wise and unlearned; tall and thin, short and plump; we're well-dressed or in well-worn garments--we are all there...and level...at the foot of the Cross.

In society, education, government and the marketplace, it is not so! In business, law, medicine and the workplace, it is not so! There are ranks and orders, castes and divides--and like it or not, we are often worlds apart. No meeting ground, no common ground...until...

We all arrive at the Cross--and there we find a different kind of ground. It's holy ground. It's level ground. We stand in awe, in reverence, in redemption, in the garments of His righteousness--OR we stand in mockery, in madness, in mankind's resistance and rejection, in the filthy rags of the unredeemed--but we're all there, all on the same level...at the foot of the Cross.

I want to stay there--to cling to that old rugged Cross; to bow and to adore the One who hangs there for me. I'm in the crowd...but yet I stand alone. I am one unique person, unlike any other in that crowd--and He sees me; He knows me; He loves me. I behold--and I bow--low...at the foot of the Cross!

Questions:
- What types of people were at the foot of Jesus' cross that day?
- What does it mean when the author says: "we are all there...all level...at the foot of the Cross?
- How can you be in the crowd yet stand alone?


Thoughts:
Life in this fallen world is not on level ground. Where your born and to whom you are born determines much about your future. Hard work and dedication can only get you so far. Look at those born as "Untouchables" or "Dalits" in India. It doesn't matter what they do, they will always be the lowest of the low. What about those sold into slavery, the orphans, the desperately poor...is the ground ever level for them? Our society rank-orders people based on many different criteria, but not so with Jesus. He said, "Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28
Jesus ate with tax collectors, with prostitutes, with the ugly and the unloved. He touched the lepers, the bleeding women, the sick and the dying. He reminded His followers, time and again, "It is not the healthy that need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but the sinners to repentance." Luke 5:31-32 Jesus welcomed everyone who was willing to listen to Him and believe what He said. And He still does today. It doesn't matter where you are from, your family background, your income level, job or what you have done...you are welcome to come to the foot of the cross and there gaze at the One who loves you so much that He was willing to take your sin, your shame, your punishment so that someday He can take you to Heaven to be with Him forever.

Prayer:
We praise You Jesus for what You have done for us. How can we ever begin to understand the price You paid and what You have saved us from. Thank you that it doesn't matter to you how this world labels us. We are loved and special in Your eyes and that is what matters. Help us to remember that the ground at the foot of the cross is level and that all are welcome. We love You, Lord Jesus.

Song: The Old Rugged Cross


On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,
The emblem of suffering and shame;
And I love that old cross where the dearest and best,
For a world of lost sinners was slain.
So I'll cherish the old rugged cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down,
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
And exchange it someday for a crown.

Oh, that old rugged cross, so despised by the world,
Has a wondrous attraction for me;
For the dear Lamb of God left His glory above,
To bear it to dark Calvary.
So I'll cherish the old rugged cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down,
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
And exchange it someday for a crown.

In the old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine
Such a wonderful beauty I see
For 'twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died
To pardon and sanctify me.
So I'll cherish the old rugged cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down,
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
And exchange it someday for a crown.

To the old rugged cross I will ever be true,
It's shame and approach gladly bear;
Then He'll call me someday to my home far away,
Where His glory forever I'll share.
So I'll cherish the old rugged cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down,
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
And exchange it someday for a crown.


Here is a video of the song with words: Old Rugged Cross