Monday

Read: Mark 11:15-17

On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple courts and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. And as he taught them, he said, “Is it not written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations? But you have made it ‘a den of robbers’.

At the beginning of Jesus' ministry, he whipped the money changers out of the temple to present himself as the Messiah. It was appropriate for him to take such authority and first cleanse the temple of those who, under the guise of being God's chief priests, made God's house one of merchandizing. It was even more appropriate at the close of His ministry, He entered the city as a king and publicly claimed authority. This was part of prophecy.

Isa 56:7 - These I will bring to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations.
Jer 7:11 - Has this house, which bears my Name, become a den of robbers to you? But I have been watching! declares the Lord.

 Why was Jesus so angry and upset with the money changers and those selling doves?

• Every Jew had to pay a temple tax of one half-shekel. This could be paid before going to Jerusalem. A month before Passover, booths were set up in the towns for early payment. After a certain date, it had to be paid at the temple. It's similar to buying tickets in advance for a lower price than buying them the day of the event for a higher price. This tax had to be paid in certain currency, although for general purposes, all kinds of currencies were equally valid in Palestine. The money changers exchanged unsuitable currency for correct currency, for a price.
• For most visits to the Temple you were required to bring an offering. Animals cost a lot less outside the Temple. All sacrificed animals had to be without blemish. The official inspectors for the Temple usually rejected anything purchased outside the Temple and would send people to one of their booths to buy an unblemished offering. A pair of doves could cost as little as 4 cents outside the Temple and as much as 75 cents inside the temple. If you only earn a penny a day, that was highway robbery. Jesus' anger was directed against those who made it impossible for simple people to worship in the House of God. In the noise and business of buying and selling, prayer was impossible.
• May our focus and attention at all times be on this amazing Saviour’s perfect sacrifice on the Cross. May we be women and men who would spend much time at the feet of the Master, seeking His face in Prayer, and out of that would come an overflow, to be the salt and light, the hands and feet of Jesus to a city, a nation and a world that so desperately needs this wonderful Saviour.

Prayer:

We praise and thank God for His love that brought salvation to mankind.

 Romans 4:25 “He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.

Hebrews 2:17 “that Christ made “propitiation for the sins of the people” and 1 John 4:10 says “in this is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.”

Pray:

• Bless the name of Jesus, worship Him where you are.
• Pray that people in your life who don’t know Jesus yet would come to acknowledge Him as King.
• Pray for revival in our city, province and nation.

Tuesday

Read: Matt. 21:18-27

When someone dies, last words matter. Sometimes we wish we could take back the last words we spoke. Sometimes we wish we had time to say more.

 We listen intently to the words of someone who is facing their own death. Their words carry weight because they have been given the opportunity to reflect on what truly matters in this life and speak accordingly. Sometimes we never get to hear the words we long to hear. Last words can be painful. Sometimes they are words we hold dearly in our hearts - written words, spoken words. They bring comfort and hope and strength. 

In John chapter 17, we have the unique opportunity to listen in on some of the last words between Jesus and His Father. He knew His journey to the cross was imminent and He would be leaving behind His disciples very soon. We sense the intimate relationship Jesus had with His Father and His desire to fulfill the mission of revealing the Father to His disciples. He longed to bring eternal life to those the Father had given Him. This gave Him great joy – a joy He wanted us to experience in full measure.

We get to listen in on his prayers for the disciples. He prayed that the Father would keep them in His name (v. 11) that He would protect them from the evil one (v. 15), that He would sanctify them in the truth (v.17), that we would all be one even as Jesus and the Father were one so that the world would know that the Father sent the Son (v.21) and that the love with which the Father loved Jesus would be in us (v.23).

What stands out to me is in verse 20 where Jesus says “I do not pray for these alone (the disciples) but for all who will ever believe and trust in Me through their message. That’s you and me! What a thought! Jesus went to the cross with you and me on His heart and in His prayers!

I encourage you to read and meditate on the prayer of Jesus in John 17. Read it in different translations. Feel the intimacy with which Jesus speaks to His Father. Feel His heart’s desire for you and me as His followers. Let these words saturate your soul.

 Prayer:

Dear Jesus, thank you that you went to the cross with me on your heart. Thank you for giving me eternal life. Thank you for coming to earth to reveal the Father. I agree with your prayer for me. Make your joy complete in me. Protect me from the evil one. Sanctify me in your truth. Remove all barriers between me and my brothers and sisters in Christ so that Your church would be unified and make You known in this world. I surrender to You. Fill me with Your love today. Amen.

Pray:

• Acknowledge Jesus’ authority and ask Him to show you any part of your life where you have not submitted to Him.
• Pray for those in government, that they would govern wisely and that they would submit to God’s authority.
• Pray for the leaders of Centre Street Church, that they would be filled with the Holy Spirit and would lead our body well.

Wednesday

Read: Matt. 26:14-25

The Wednesday of the Passion Week is sometimes called “Spy Wednesday”, in reference to Judas Iscariot's intent to betray Jesus. It is the day of betrayal, the day Judas meets with the chief priests and asks, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver him over to you?”

We are familiar with the stories of Judas, who sold out Jesus for thirty pieces of silver, and Peter, who denied Jesus three times before the rooster crowed, but there are other examples of betrayal. The disciples fall asleep in the garden while Jesus is praying to the Father to remove the cup. The chief priests and scribes falsely accuse a righteous man. Pilate and Herod put to death a man they know does not deserve crucifixion. Even the crowds call for the wrong man’s life. Mankind betrays God even when He was in our presence.

Yet, despite all the betrayals, Jesus forgives and continues to love all. Jesus cries out “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 26:34). God sends out his love despite the fact no one is worthy – the ultimate grace.

Today, let’s commit to follow Christ’s lead. We all have suffered betrayals in our life, and have betrayed too. Today we remember the One who forgives all the betrayals and extends grace and love to all. How can we, as Christ-followers, not do the same? To whom do you need to forgive and offer grace and love? Do so today.

Prayer:

That God’s will be done in our lives and in our church (CSC) as Jesus prayed in the garden of Gethsemane:

• Mathew 6:10b “…. your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven”

• Deuteronomy 29:29 “The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.

Pray:

• God listens when we pray. Tell Him about any great struggle or problem in your life.
• Ask God for healing – for someone you know or for the healing of our world. Pray for anyone who is sick or in pain.

Thursday

Read: Matt. 27:15-23

Passion week is a spiritual memorial of what happens so many years ago but still happening in our lives today. It is a week that defined the purpose of God for humanity, the purpose of God on earth and the fulfilment of prophecies. As Jesus looked at humanity, he saw people who are lost, fearful, tired of sin, sicknesses and satanic activities; he knows that the cross is the solution for all human problems and was willing to sacrifice himself for this course.

Jesus trusted God to perfect our salvation as he willingly engages in the death on the cross. Jesus demonstrated to us that “the Cross” is the answer for all human misery. Through his death and resurrection, he paid the price for our salvation. Therefore, let us focus on him and in all that he has done through his sacrifices on the cross.

This week, we affirm that:

• Our salvation is complete through His death and resurrection
• Our redemption is perfected though His sacrifices on the cross
• We are restored and established to our original creation through the cross
• Our sicknesses and pain are taken away by His cross

“And on the resurrection morning as the women got to the grave of Jesus and did not see his dead body, they were afraid and somehow confused. suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’” Then they remembered his words.” - Luke 24:1-8

We remember His word, we recognize his voice and his voice will make a difference in our lives. He said, ”Remember, I am with you each and every day until the end of the age” Mathew 28:20. 

Prayer:

Lord, help us to remember and hear your voice afresh even in the midst of our confusions and pain.

Pray:

• Barabbas was set free because of Jesus. Is there an area of your life where you would like to be set free? Tell Jesus about it.
• Pray for the persecuted church around the world, that they would stand firm in their faith and know true freedom in Christ.

Friday

Read: Matt. 27:45-56

What’s So Good about Good Friday?

Why do we call Good Friday “good,” when it is such a dark and bleak event commemorating a day of suffering and death for Jesus?

Good Friday, the Friday before Resurrection Sunday, is the day to remember the crucifixion of Jesus and His death at Calvary. Some call it Holy Friday, Great Friday, Great and Holy Friday, and Black Friday.

Good Friday is a crucial day of remembrance because it celebrates what we believe to be the most momentous weekend in the history of the world. Ever since Jesus died and was raised, Christ-followers have proclaimed the cross and resurrection of Jesus to be the decisive turning point in all of human history. Paul wrote,

"For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance; that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures" 

(1 Corinthians 15:3-4)

Notice that the Apostle Paul considered it “of first importance”.  For him, and for us, this is the essence, the part that really matters. The part that really matters is the cross. No more, no less.

On Good Friday, we remember the day Jesus willingly suffered and died as the ultimate sacrifice for our sins (1 John 1:10). Resurrection Sunday follows; the glorious celebration of the day Jesus was raised from the dead, heralding his victory over sin and death and pointing ahead to a future resurrection for all who are united to him by faith (Romans 6:5).

But why is it called "Good" Friday, instead of “Bad Friday” or that terrible day? Good Friday is entirely appropriate because the suffering and death of Jesus, as terrible as it was, marked the dramatic culmination of God’s plan to save his people from their sins.

For the gospel's good news to have meaning for us, we first have to understand the bad news of our condition as sinful people under condemnation. The good news of deliverance only makes sense once we see how we are enslaved. The law shows us how hopeless our condition is; the gospel of Jesus’ grace comes and brings us relief and salvation.

In the same way, Good Friday is “good” because as terrible as that day was, it had to happen for us to receive the joy of Resurrection Sunday. The wrath of God against sin had to be poured out on Jesus, the perfect sacrificial substitute, for forgiveness and salvation to be poured out to the nations. Without that awful day of suffering, sorrow, and shed blood on the cross, God could not be both “just and the justifier” of those who trust in Jesus (Romans 3:26).

The cross is where we see the convergence of great suffering and God’s forgiveness. The cross is where God’s demands, His righteousness, coincided with His mercy. We receive divine forgiveness, mercy, and peace because Jesus willingly took our divine punishment, the result of God’s righteousness against sin.

Good Friday marked the day when wrath and mercy met at the cross. That’s why Good Friday is so dark . . . and so Good.

Prayers:

Father, We remember today, the pain and suffering of the cross, and all that Jesus was willing to endure, so we could be set free. He paid the price, such a great sacrifice, to offer us the gift of eternal life.  Help us never to take for granted this huge gift of love on our behalf. Help us to be reminded of the cost of it all. Forgive us for being too busy, or distracted by other things, for not fully recognizing what you freely given, what you have done for us.

Thank you, Lord, that by your wounds we are healed. Thank you that because of your huge sacrifice we can live free. Thank you that sin and death have been conquered, and that Your Power is everlasting. Thank you that we can say with great hope, “It is finished…” Death has lost its sting. We praise you for you are making all things new. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Lord Jesus, be near to us and save us so that we may praise you for your deliverance. Lord God, we wait, on Friday, for the resurrection of Sunday. And sometimes our lives seem a succession of Fridays and we cannot see what is “Good.” Teach us to call upon your name. Help us to trust in you with child-like faith. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Pray:

• Take some time to meditate on the death of Jesus. He was crucified for us and for our transgressions. Thank God for the sacrifice of Jesus.
• Pray for everyone who does not know Jesus. Pray that God would remove ignorance, hardness of heart and contempt for the truth of scripture and that they would come home to the Jesus who loves them.