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Where were you on 9/11?

There are moments in history that change everything.

• Pearl Harbor
• Rosa Parks sitting in the front of the bus
• The first Christmas morning

At the time, they may not look like much. To the people who witness them, they can even seem like defeat. But later, we come to see that everything turned on that moment.

Good Friday is one of those moments.

Jesus is led outside the city. He has been arrested, tried (unjustly), mocked, and beaten. Now He is nailed to a cross between two criminals. The crowds watch. Some mock Him. Others simply stand by, unsure of what to make of it all.

From the outside, it looks like the end.

• Another man condemned.
• Another life taken.
• Another failed hope.

But this is not a failure.

This is the very reason Jesus came.

Everything throughout this week has been leading to this moment. Every step toward Jerusalem, every word He spoke, every confrontation in the temple—all of it has been moving toward the cross.

Because here, Jesus does what no one else can do.

He takes the place of sinners, bears their sin, endures judgment, and suffers hell.

This is not just suffering. It is substitution.

Jesus is not dying for His own wrongdoing. He has none. He is dying for the sins of the world. He is carrying guilt that does not belong to Him so that forgiveness can be given to those who do not deserve it.

That includes you.

It is easy to think of the cross as something that happened long ago, something we observe from a distance. But Scripture brings it closer than that.

Jesus goes to the cross for you, for your forgiveness.

And even in the middle of His suffering, we see what He is accomplishing. He shows us right there on the cross. 

• He speaks words of forgiveness.
• He promises paradise to the criminal beside Him.
• He entrusts Himself to the Father.

This is not defeat. This is salvation.

When Jesus dies, it may look like everything has ended. But in reality, everything has been accomplished.

This, along with the resurrection, is the most significant moment in the history of all creation. Everything turns on Jesus’ death and resurrection. This is also the most significant moment for you. This moment, along with the moment you received it through faith, changed the eternal course of your life.

Let’s pray…

Heavenly Father,

We thank You for the cross of Your Son, Jesus Christ. In His suffering and death, You have accomplished our salvation. Help us to see what He has done for us and to trust in the forgiveness He has won. Keep us in that faith and lead us to live in the hope of what He has accomplished.

Amen.

As part of your devotion time, I encourage you to also pray for at least some of the following:

• Your family
• Your local church
• Your pastor
• Some of your fellow church members
• The people on your B.L.E.S.S. list
• Your country and her leaders
• Your community

After praying for these people, you may want to finish your devotion time with the Lord’s Prayer…

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. They will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory, forever and every. Amen.

What are the most significant memories you have?

There are moments in life that take on deeper meaning over time.

At the time, they may seem important or not, but it’s only later—after everything unfolds—that you begin to understand just how significant they were.

That is what is happening for the disciples on this night.

They are gathered with Jesus to celebrate the Passover, a meal they had known since childhood. It was a reminder of how God delivered His people from slavery in Egypt. Every part of the meal pointed back to that moment of rescue and salvation.

But this time, something changes.

Jesus takes the bread, gives thanks, and breaks it. Then He gives it to them with words they have never heard before. He does the same with the cup.

In that moment, He connects this familiar meal to something entirely new.

The disciples don’t yet understand what He means. How could they? The cross is still ahead of them. The suffering, the death, and the resurrection have not yet taken place. They are receiving something for which the meaning will only become clear in the days to come.

But Jesus knows exactly what He is doing.

He is preparing them for what is about to happen, and He is also giving them something they will continue to receive after it happens.

Because this is not just a meal for that night.

It is a gift for His people.

In it, Jesus gives the very thing He is about to accomplish on the cross. He gives His body and His blood for the forgiveness of sins. This is not simply a reminder of what He will do. It is His way of delivering that forgiveness to His people over and over again.

And He gives it personally.

He does not say, “given for many” in a distant or abstract way. He gives it to those sitting at the table. And through His Word, He gives it to you.

That is what makes this moment so powerful.

Jesus does not wait for His disciples to fully understand. He does not wait for them to prove themselves. He gives them what they need, knowing what lies ahead.

You may not completely understand how Jesus gives us His body and blood in the bread and wine. I don’t think any of us do. He doesn’t wait for you to prove yourself, just be repentant and believe. He then gives you exactly what you need. 

• Forgiveness.
• Life.
• Salvation.

All of it comes from Him, not just as a remembrance, but as a gift right then. If you ever wonder whether you are forgiven, ask yourself, “Did I tasted the bread and drink the wine?” God gave you forgiveness when you did.

As Holy Week continues, we move closer to the cross, where Jesus will accomplish everything necessary for our salvation. But here, before that moment arrives, He is already placing its benefits into the hands of His people.

That is still what He does.

Let’s pray…

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for the gift of Your Son, who gives us His body and blood for the forgiveness of our sins. Help us to receive this gift with faith and to trust in what Jesus has done for us. Strengthen us through His grace and keep us in that forgiveness.

Amen.

As part of your devotion time, I encourage you to also pray for at least some of the following:

• Your family
• Your local church
• Your pastor
• Some of your fellow church members
• The people on your B.L.E.S.S. list
• Your country and her leaders
• Your community

After praying for these people, you may want to finish your devotion time with the Lord’s Prayer…

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. They will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory, forever and every. Amen.

What is your greatest temptation?

During Holy Week, Jesus spends much of His time teaching in the temple. The crowds are listening, the religious leaders are opposing Him, and everything is moving toward the cross.

In the middle of all of this, Jesus turns His attention to something that may seem almost ordinary.

He tells His disciples to watch themselves.

At first, that might not sound all that significant, especially compared to everything else happening that week. But Jesus is addressing something very real—something that doesn’t happen all at once, but slowly over time.

It is easy for our hearts to become weighed down.

Not only by obvious sin, but by the ordinary pressures of life. Responsibilities, worries, distractions, and even good things can begin to crowd out what matters most. We don’t usually notice it happening.

We don’t have time to pray one day. We forget to read the Bible another. Soon, a week goes by—and then a month. There’s no clear moment when we decide to drift. It just happens little by little. From, there we tend to lower are guard against sin little by little.

That’s what Jesus is warning about.

He is not only preparing His disciples for what is about to happen in Jerusalem. He is preparing them for life after His death and resurrection. A life where they will need to remain watchful, not because they can control the future, but because they can so easily lose sight of Him.

This warning is not just for them.

It is for us.

We know how quickly our attention can shift. We know how easily our faith can become something we assume rather than something we actively receive from God’s Word.

And yet, Jesus does not simply say, “Watch yourselves,” and leave it there.

He tells them to pray.

To remain connected to God.

To stay near to Him.

Because the goal is not just awareness. The goal is to be ready—to stand before the Son of Man. And that raises an important question.

How can we be ready?

Not by trying harder to stay focused or by relying on our own discipline or awareness.

We are ready because of what Jesus is doing during this very week.

As He speaks these words, He is already on His way to the cross. He is going to carry sin, face judgment, and accomplish salvation. He is doing what we cannot do for ourselves.

• Through Him, we are forgiven.
• Through Him, we are made clean.
• Through Him, we are able to stand before God without fear.

So, to “watch ourselves” is not to live in anxiety or uncertainty. It is to remain in Christ—to continue receiving what He gives through His Word and sacraments and promises. We live a life of repentance and faith in His promised forgiveness and grace. Elsewhere in the Bible, it’s referred to as abiding in Jesus or walking in the Spirit.

As Holy Week continues, Jesus is drawing closer to the cross.

And through that cross, He is preparing you to stand before Him without fear, holy and righteous through Him.

Let’s pray…

Heavenly Father,

We confess how easily we become distracted and lose sight of You. Keep us watchful, not by our own strength, but by keeping us in Your Word and in the forgiveness of Jesus. Help us to remain near to Him and to trust in what He has done for us.

Amen.

As part of your devotion time, I encourage you to also pray for at least some of the following:

• Your family
• Your local church
• Your pastor
• Some of your fellow church members
• The people on your B.L.E.S.S. list
• Your country and her leaders
• Your community

After praying for these people, you may want to finish your devotion time with the Lord’s Prayer…

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. They will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory, forever and every. Amen.

Early in my ministry, I remember sitting in a meeting where a decision needed to be made. There were a lot of opinions in the room, and at one point someone finally asked,

“Who actually has the authority to decide this?”

That question changed the tone of the conversation. Because once authority is clear, everything else falls into place.

That’s the question the religious leaders bring to Jesus during Holy Week.

By this point, Jesus has entered Jerusalem, been welcomed by the crowds, and cleansed the temple. He is teaching openly, and people are listening. The leaders see what is happening, and they are not pleased.

So they confront Him.

“By what authority are you doing these things?”

It sounds like a reasonable question. But it’s not really an honest one.

They are not trying to understand Jesus. They are trying to trap Him. If He claims authority from God, they can accuse Him. If He avoids the question, they can discredit Him.

Jesus responds by asking them a question in return—about John the Baptist.

And suddenly, they are the ones on the spot.

They begin to reason among themselves. If they say John’s authority was from God, then why didn’t they believe him? If they say it was from man, the people will turn against them.

So they answer:

“We don’t know.”

Not because they don’t have enough information. But because they are unwilling to accept the answer. And that’s the real issue.

The problem is not a lack of evidence. The problem is a refusal to believe.

That question—“By what authority?”—still matters.

Not just for them.

For you.

Who is Jesus?

Is He just a teacher?
A moral example?
A religious figure among many?

Or is He the One who speaks with the authority of God?

Because if Jesus has authority, then His Word is not optional.

• It is truth.
• It shapes what we believe.
• It shapes how we live.

That can be uncomfortable.

Like the religious leaders, we can be tempted to keep control. To listen when it suits us. To ignore what challenges us.

They wanted to have the authority, but Jesus is one with all authority in heaven and in earth.

But the One who stood taught the temple that day is not just claiming authority.

He is about to use it.

Not to condemn. But to save.

Jesus has the authority to lay down His life—and the authority to take it up again. He has the authority to forgive sins. He has the authority to open the kingdom of God.

And He uses that authority for you.

As we continue through Holy Week, we see that Jesus’ authority leads Him to the cross and then raises Him from the dead.

And it’s by His authority and His sacrifice, that your sins are forgiven and you have eternal life in Him.

Let’s pray…

Heavenly Father,

Your Son speaks with authority, yet we often resist His Word. Forgive us for the times we question or ignore what He has said. Give us faith to trust in Jesus, to listen to His Word, and to follow Him. Thank You that He used His authority to save us. Help us to always remember that His authority also means every promise He has made will be fulfilled.

Amen.

As part of your devotion time, I encourage you to also pray for at least some of the following:

• Your family
• Your local church
• Your pastor
• Some of your fellow church members
• The people on your B.L.E.S.S. list
• Your country and her leaders
• Your community

After praying for these people, you may want to finish your devotion time with the Lord’s Prayer…

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. They will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory, forever and every. Amen.

What do you expect when you walk into a church?

Most of the churches I have gone into have an entry way, a small area for people to greet each other, and sanctuary for worship. They are places of joy and reverence.

However, I remember walking into one mega-church that was quite different. There was a bookstore and a literal Starbucks. The worship space was more like a concert venue. I’m not saying that’s wrong per se, but it is different than I expected.

Jump back to Jesus’ day, and the temple was supposed to be a place of worship and prayer. A place where people came to receive God’s gifts—to hear His Word, offer sacrifices, and be reminded of His promises.

But that’s not what Jesus finds. Instead, He finds buying and selling.

He finds a place that no longer reflects what it was meant to be. And He responds.

Jesus drives out those who were selling. He says that God’s house is meant to be a house of prayer—but they had turned it into something else.

This is not a small moment. This is Jesus exercising His authority.

He is not just teaching anymore. He is confronting.

Why?

Because this matters. Worship matters. What happens in God’s house matters.

The temple was not meant to be a place centered on human activity. It certainly wasn’t a place to take advantage of people financially, as was happening. It was meant to be centered on God as a place of prayer and worship.

And yet, something had gone wrong.

Before we look too quickly at the people in the temple, it’s worth asking:

What about us?

It’s easy for our focus to shift.

• We can go through the motions.
• We can get distracted.
• We can be more concerned about appearances than worship.

Even our hearts can become cluttered and Law hits us between the eyes. Yes, we remembered the Sabbath, but we are also supposed to keep it holy.

Thankfully, Jesus cleansing the temple isn’t the end of the story. The same Jesus, who had authority over HIS temple, also has authority over life, death, and judgment, and He’s on His way to the cross to destroy death, forgive sins, and give life.

He is not just coming to correct outward behavior. He is coming to cleanse something much deeper. He is coming to cleanse you and your heart.

Through His death and resurrection, Jesus removes sin.

In fact, the New Testament tells us something incredible.

Through Christ, we become God’s temple.

“Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?” – 1 Corinthians 3:16

As we walk through this Holy Week, we are reminded that Jesus does not ignore sin. He confronts it. He paid the penalty for it. And He cleanses us of it.

That is what He is doing as He continues toward the cross.

Let’s pray…

Heavenly Father,

We confess that our hearts are often distracted and turned away from You. Cleanse us through Your Son, Jesus Christ. Restore us and draw us back to You. Help us to hear Your Word, to trust in Your promises, and to live as Your people through the forgiveness we have in Christ.

Amen.

As part of your devotion time, I encourage you to also pray for at least some of the following:

• Your family
• Your local church
• Your pastor
• Some of your fellow church members
• The people on your B.L.E.S.S. list
• Your country and her leaders
• Your community

After praying for these people, you may want to finish your devotion time with the Lord’s Prayer…

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. They will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory, forever and every. Amen.

Have you ever expected something to go one way…only to have it turn out completely different?

Maybe it was a date or a job or a visit to the doctor. I’m not saying that it had to be negative. Maybe you expected it to go badly, but it went amazingly well.

That happens a lot in life. And it happened when Jesus entered Jerusalem.

As Jesus approaches the city, everything starts to look like a royal arrival.

• There is preparation.
• There is excitement.
• There is celebration.

People spread their cloaks on the road and praise God with loud voices. They rejoice as Jesus comes into the city. It looks like a king is arriving. And He is, but not the kind of king they expected.

The people were looking for a king who would bring political freedom and establish power and control with Israel on top.

But Jesus’ kingdom is not of this world. He did not come to take a throne in Jerusalem.

He came to take up a cross.

That’s easy for us to see now. But at the time, many didn’t understand. The signs were already there, though, on Palm Sunday.

Jesus came as a King who comes in humility on a donkey, a beast of burden and animal traditionally associated with peace.

Jesus came to sacrifice and save. That’s why He rides into Jerusalem the way He does; not in power and force, but in gentleness.

Jesus’ victory will not come through strength of arms. It will come through suffering and sacrifice. He defeats the enemies of Satan, sin, and death by dying on the cross.

Unlike earthly kings, King Jesus didn’t demand gold from his people. He came to give forgiveness, life, and salvation.

Everything He does as He enters Jerusalem is leading to that moment where He will lay down His life for the world.

That is your King. He is a King you can trust with your life and everything you have.

As we finish this first part of our journey and enter into Palm Sunday, we join the voices of those who praised Him.

But we do so knowing something they did not yet fully see. We know where this road leads.

The coming of the long-promised Messiah and King of the Jews didn’t go the way Israel expected. It ended up being so much better, not just overcoming earthly armies, but death itself and not just lasting a life-time but for all eternity.

Let’s pray…

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for sending Your Son, our King, who came in humility to save us. Help us to see Him clearly and to trust in Him as our Savior. As we enter into this Holy Week, prepare our hearts to remember His sacrifice and to rejoice in the salvation He has won for us.

Amen.

As part of your devotion time, I encourage you to also pray for at least some of the following:

• Your family
• Your local church
• Your pastor
• Some of your fellow church members
• The people on your B.L.E.S.S. list
• Your country and her leaders
• Your community

After praying for these people, you may want to finish your devotion time with the Lord’s Prayer…

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. They will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory, forever and every. Amen.

Have you ever been sure you understood something—only to realize later that you didn’t?

I can remember more than one test in school where I thought I understood the subject matter, but my grade said I didn’t.

Many of you are no longer in school, though. Maybe you’ve experienced this in a relationship where you thought you know what was going on only to discover there was much you had missed.

It’s easy to think we see clearly…when we don’t.

In this passage, Jesus tells His disciples exactly what is about to happen in Jerusalem.

He tells them He will be mocked, mistreated, killed, and on the third day, He will rise. He lays it all out clearly. We read that think,

“There it is. that’s exactly what’s about to happen. Spoiler alert!”

But the disciples don’t understand. Luke tells us this was hidden from them. They heard the words, but they didn’t see what it meant.

Then, right after this, Jesus meets a blind man.

The man cannot see physically. He sits by the road, begging. But when he hears that Jesus is passing by, he cries out,

“Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

Notice, the people told him, Jesus of Nazareth is passing by. But the blind man calls Jesus, “Son of David,” a name for the Messiah. He believes Jesus is the Messiah. Others try to silence him, but he keeps calling out.

Then, Jesus stops. He calls the man to Himself. He restores his sight. And the man begins to follow Him, glorifying God.

There’s something important happening here.

The disciples can physically see—but they do not yet understand.

The blind man cannot see—but he recognizes who Jesus is.

Who is truly seeing? That question matters for us, too.

It’s possible to be around Jesus, to hear His Word, go to church, and know the stories—and still not truly see. We can have information, but miss who Jesus truly is.

Do you see Jesus as the Messiah and savior? Do you see Jesus as your savior?

Seeing Jesus clearly is not something we accomplish on our own. It is something God gives. Just as Jesus opened the eyes of the blind man, He opens our eyes to see Him.

If you can’t see Jesus as the Son of God who took away your sins on the cross, pray and ask God to show you, to create faith.

Because Jesus is not just walking toward suffering. He is walking toward the cross to accomplish your salvation.

The blind man cried out,

“Have mercy on me!”

And Jesus answered.

Cry out to Jesus!

He answers. He opens our eyes. He saves.

As we continue walking with Jesus toward Jerusalem, may we begin to see more clearly and believe.

Let’s pray…

Heavenly Father,

We confess that we do not always see clearly. Open our eyes through Your Word and Spirit to see Jesus as our Savior. Give us faith to trust in Him and to follow Him. Like the blind man, lead us to cry out for mercy and to receive the grace You freely give.

Amen.

As part of your devotion time, I encourage you to also pray for at least some of the following:

• Your family
• Your local church
• Your pastor
• Some of your fellow church members
• The people on your B.L.E.S.S. list
• Your country and her leaders
• Your community

After praying for these people, you may want to finish your devotion time with the Lord’s Prayer…

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. They will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory, forever and every. Amen.

Have you ever wanted to help someone—but they wouldn’t let you?

• Maybe it was a friend making destructive choice.
• Maybe it was a family member who kept pushing you away.
• Maybe it was someone who needed help, but refused to receive it.

That can be one of the hardest things to experience. You care and want what is good for them. But they won’t have it.

In this passage, Jesus speaks about Jerusalem.

Jerusalem was the center of God’s people—the place of the temple where God had promised to dwell among His people. And yet, it was also the place that rejected the prophets God sent to call His people back to Him.

And now, it is the place that will reject Jesus.

As Jesus continues His journey toward the cross, He speaks with deep sorrow. He longs to gather His people.

He describes Himself like a hen gathering her chicks under her wings—a picture of protection, care, and safety.

That is His desire.

To gather.
To protect.
To save.

But then come some of the saddest words.

“They were not willing.”

Jesus is not indifferent. He is not distant. He longs for His people to come to Him. That shows us something important about the heart of God.

God does not delight in judgment nor does He desire the death of the sinner. Rather, God…

“desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.” – 1 Timothy 2:4-6

Yet at the same time, this passage also shows the reality of rejection. People resist God. Israel resisted God. They refuse the very One who came to save them.

And still…Jesus keeps going.

Even knowing that Jerusalem will reject Him, He continues toward it.

Why?

Because His love is greater than their rejection and His mission is greater than their resistance.

“God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” – Romans 5:8

That includes you.

There are times when we resist God’s Word and go our own way, yet Jesus does not turn away. He continues toward the cross…For you.

He goes to accomplish forgiveness for sinners—sinners who wander, who resist, who fall short.

And through Him, there is still an invitation. He is still gathering His people to find refuge in Him.

As we continue this journey with Jesus, we see not only His determination, but His heart—and it’s full of compassion.

Let’s pray…

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for Your compassion and patience toward us. We confess that we do not always listen or follow as we should. Yet You continue to call us back through Your Word. Draw us to Your Son, Jesus, and gather us under His care. Help us to trust in Him and to find our refuge in His saving work.

Amen.

As part of your devotion time, I encourage you to also pray for at least some of the following:

• Your family
• Your local church
• Your pastor
• Some of your fellow church members
• The people on your B.L.E.S.S. list
• Your country and her leaders
• Your community

After praying for these people, you may want to finish your devotion time with the Lord’s Prayer…

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. They will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory, forever and every. Amen.

Will only a few be saved?

This is the question someone asked Jesus. It’s an interesting question. It’s also a question that can feel a bit distant or theoretical.

But Jesus doesn’t answer it in a distant or theoretical way. Instead, He makes it personal. He tells them to strive to enter through the narrow door. He tells you to strive to enter through the narrow door.

That changes everything.

The question is no longer, “What about others?”

The question becomes, “What about me?”

Jesus makes it clear that entering the kingdom of God is not something to take lightly or assume will just happen automatically. The door is narrow—not because God desires to keep people out, but because there is only one way in.

And that way is Jesus.

It can be tempting to think there are many paths to God. The world often tells us that as long as we are sincere, as long as we try to be good people, everything will work out. Some say, we all worship the same God, just in different ways. But Jesus says otherwise.

“Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” – John 14:6

There is one way.

One Savior.

One door.

That can feel uncomfortable. It challenges our assumptions. It forces us to examine what we are trusting in. Are we trusting in ourselves—our goodness, our effort
or our intentions? Are we trusting another “god”?

Or are we trusting in Jesus?

Because the narrow door is not something we open by our own strength. It is opened to us through Christ.

Jesus is the One who is on the road to Jerusalem. He is walking toward the cross, where He will do what we could never do—pay for our sins and open the way to eternal life. Only Jesus could do it.

There was a Christian song that was popular a while back that asked,

“Would you take the place of this Man? Would you take the nails from His hands?”

No! Absolutely not. Not because I’m not willing to sacrifice (though I’d probably struggle at that, too), but because it wouldn’t do any good, either for me or for others. Anyone could die on a cross, but only for Jesus did that death bring salvation for mankind.

He is the door.

Through His death and resurrection, the kingdom of God is opened to sinners. We don’t earn our way in. We believe in the one who brings us in. We receive, as a gift, what He has done.

As we continue walking with Jesus toward Jerusalem, we are reminded that this journey is not just something we observe. It is something we are part of.

Because the One walking toward the cross is making a way for you.

Let’s pray…

Heavenly Father,

We confess that we are often tempted to trust in ourselves, others, and the world instead of Your Son. Thank You for sending Jesus, who is the way to life and salvation. Give us faith us to trust in Him alone and keep us firm in that faith as we follow Him. Help us to enter through the narrow door and to rest in the salvation He has won for us.

Amen.

As part of your devotion time, I encourage you to also pray for at least some of the following:

• Your family
• Your local church
• Your pastor
• Some of your fellow church members
• The people on your B.L.E.S.S. list
• Your country and her leaders
• Your community

After praying for these people, you may want to finish your devotion time with the Lord’s Prayer…

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. They will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory, forever and every. Amen.

Have you ever started something and then realized it was harder than you expected?

Maybe it was a job, a project, or a commitment you made. At first, it seemed manageable. But once you got into it, you realized it would require more time, more effort, and more sacrifice than you originally thought.

I find that this is true for so many things in life. I think organizing the closet will take an hour or two. Then, 5 hours later, I’m only half-way through.

Sometimes following Jesus can feel that way.

In this passage, several people come to Jesus and express a desire to follow Him. That sounds like a good thing. But Jesus responds in a way that may seem surprising.

He doesn’t make it sound easy.

• He speaks about uncertainty.
• He speaks about priorities.
• He speaks about commitment.

Why?

Because following Jesus is not casual or easy.

It is not something we add on to the rest of our lives when it’s convenient. It is not just one priority among many. Following Jesus is a reordering of everything.

Jesus is helping them—and us—understand what it means to truly follow Him. He is not trying to push people away. He is calling them to see the reality.

To follow Jesus means:

Putting Him above comfort, convenience, and even above the most important relationships in our lives. In Luke 14:26, Jesus said,

“If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.”

He’s not saying to despise your family. He’s saying that you put Him first in all things, even if that means going against what your family says, the traditions you have, or even what the “safest” path for your life may appear to be.

That can sound overwhelming. And in many ways, it is.

Left to ourselves, we do not follow Jesus perfectly. Our hearts are divided. We want to follow Him, but we also want to hold on to control, security, comfort, and the things of this world.

That’s where the Gospel comes in. Because the good news is not that we have perfectly followed Jesus. The good news is that Jesus has perfectly followed the will of His Father—for us.

As we saw yesterday, Jesus set His face toward Jerusalem. He did not turn back. He did not hesitate. He did not get distracted. He endured pain, mockery, and injustice. He continued forward all the way to the cross to accomplish our salvation. And through Him, we are forgiven.

That changes how we hear His call.

We are not trying to earn His love by following Him perfectly. We already have His love through what He has done for us. Now, as forgiven children of God, we follow Him.

Following Jesus is costly. But it is also life-giving. Because the One we follow is the One who gave His life for us. Or, as Peter put it,

“Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.” – John 6:68

Let’s pray…

Heavenly Father,

Following Your Son is not always easy. We confess that our hearts are often divided and that we do not always put You first. Thank You for sending Jesus, who faithfully followed Your will all the way to the cross for us. Forgive us, strengthen our faith, and help us to follow Him with trust and perseverance.

Amen.

As part of your devotion time, I encourage you to also pray for at least some of the following:

• Your family
• Your local church
• Your pastor
• Some of your fellow church members
• The people on your B.L.E.S.S. list
• Your country and her leaders
• Your community

After praying for these people, you may want to finish your devotion time with the Lord’s Prayer…

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. They will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory, forever and every. Amen.