Welcome to Son Rise
Note from Jesus Dear Follower and Friend, Let there be light. And light flashed into being. (Genesis 1:3) Yes, I was there the very first time light drove away the darkness at creation. In fact, I AM the living Word Who brought creation into existence (John 1:1-5; Colossians 1:16). You shouldn’t be surprised that I was there for the great rising of the sun on that Sunday after my crucifixion. Just as I, Jesus the Christ and Son of God, was slain as the Passover Lamb for the sins of the world, I triumphed over the grave to end death’s hold over you. I AM the Lord of creation and I am the Lord of Resurrection Sunday. You may call it Easter, yet for heaven’s angels, that resurrection morning was Son Rise. This event is the great day of victory for each of you who has placed your faith in Me. The power of sin and death was defeated. Broken hearts with shattered dreams were suddenly jubilant. With Son Rise, they were joyously stitched together with unconquerable hope realizing that I AM forever victorious over the power of sin, hell, and the grave. I know you will have hard days, dark days, that are too long and feel hopeless. So as you read the verses below, I want you to notice that Mary Magdalene twice calls Me her Lord even though she thinks that death still holds Me. So, on your days that are too long and feel hopeless, I want you to hang onto faith like Mary did. Call out to Me as your Lord. Trust Me as your Lord. Hang on to Me as Lord even when there appears to be no reason to keep holding onto faith in Me. Sooner or later, like for Mary, there will be Son Rise! That is the promise of Resurrection Sunday. That is the assurance that Mary Magdalene’s example of faith can give you. Rejoice today, but not just today. Every sunrise is a reminder that death cannot hold you when you are in My life-giving grip. Every cemetery sorrow is but a temporary parting for those touched by My grace. Remember this: the grave cannot hold those who have put their faith in Me as Lord. With Me, there is always the promise of Son Rise! Verses to Live Death is the horror that hell has used to enslave humanity. When you see the broken heart of My mother, Mary, as she watches Me die, please know I came to bring hope to such pain. When you see Peter devastated by his betrayal as I faced death, please know I came to remove such shame. When you see Mary Magdalene touched first by My powerful grace when I cast out the demons oppressing her and then confused and broken by My death, please know that I am Lord of life and of the assurance that hope triumphs over death. When you see the sunrise, remember Me and remember Son Rise. I bring light to darkness, hope to despair, healing to brokenness, and, most of all, life to death. Hear these words and remember, Son Rise! Near the place He [Jesus] was crucified, there was a garden with a newly prepared tomb. Because it was the day of preparation, they [Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus] arranged to lay Jesus in this tomb so they could rest on the Sabbath. Before the sun had risen on Sunday morning, Mary Magdalene made a trip to the tomb where His body was laid to rest. In the darkness, she discovered the covering had been rolled away. She darted out of the garden to find Simon Peter and the dearly loved disciple to deliver this startling news. Mary Magdalene: They have taken the body of our Lord, and we cannot find Him! Together, they all departed for the tomb to see for themselves. They began to run, and Peter could not keep up. The beloved disciple arrived first but did not go in. There was no corpse in the tomb, only the linens and cloths He was wrapped in. When Simon Peter finally arrived, he went into the tomb and observed the same: the cloth that covered His face appeared to have been folded carefully and placed, not with the linen cloths, but to the side. After Peter pointed this out, the other disciple (who had arrived long before Peter) also entered the tomb; and based on what he saw, faith began to well up inside him! Before this moment, none of them understood the Scriptures and why He must be raised from the dead. Then they all went to their homes. Mary, however, stood outside the tomb sobbing, crying, and kneeling at its entrance. As she cried, two heavenly messengers appeared before her sitting where Jesus’ head and feet had been laid. Heavenly Messengers: Dear woman, why are you weeping? Mary Magdalene: They have taken away my Lord, and I cannot find Him. After uttering these words, she turned around to see Jesus standing before her, but she did not recognize Him. Jesus: Dear woman, why are you sobbing? Who is it you are looking for? She still had no idea Who it was before her. Thinking He was the gardener, she muttered: Mary Magdalene: Sir, if you are the one who carried Him away, then tell me where He is and I will retrieve Him. Jesus: Mary! Mary Magdalene (turning to Jesus and speaking in Hebrew): Rabboni, my Teacher! Jesus: Mary, you cannot hold Me. I must rise above this world to be with My Father, Who is also your Father; My God, Who is also your God. Go tell this to all My brothers. Mary Magdalene obeyed and went directly to His disciples. Mary Magdalene (announcing to the disciples): I have seen the Lord… (John 19:41-42; John 20:1-18) Response in Prayer Almighty God — so high and exalted, yet so near — I praise You and thank You for Your power,
Today’s Verse – John 3:30
He must become greater; I must become less. —John 3:30 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… This ultimate formula for greatness did not take many words for John the Baptist to articulate. What’s your formula? Paul told the Galatians that they needed a similar approach to greatness: Christ must be formed in them (Galatians 4:19). He told the Colossians that he expended every ounce of energy God supplied to have them become mature in their complete and perfect in their conformity to Jesus (Colossians 1:28-29). Paul told the Corinthians the Spirit was transforming them to become like Jesus with ever-increasing likeness as they pursued Jesus as LORD (2 Corinthians 3:18). Most importantly, Jesus the goal of any of his faithful followers, his disciples, should be to become like him, their Teacher and Lord (Luke 6:40). So, don’t you think that maybe this is the essential formula for your life? Jesus must become greater in us as what we selfishly want becomes less! My Prayer… Dear Father in heaven, in my heart, and in my life, may Jesus become more significant and I become less because I know less of me, and more of Jesus living through me will be far more than I could ever be without him! In Jesus’ name, I ask this. Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
‘Better Off Just Leaving Him Alive’
Note from Jesus Dear Seeker, On the day after My death and while My body was still in the grave, Pilate received a request from the chief priests and the Pharisees: So please order someone to secure the tomb for at least three days. Otherwise His disciples might sneak in and steal his body away, and then claim that He has been raised from the dead. If the chief priests and Pharisees had just known the realities of the situation, they would have realized how unnecessary their request was. My disciples were scared they would be the next to die. They hid from the authorities behind locked doors (John 20:19). They weren’t going to steal My body. They were hoping to stay alive through Passover. If they survived, then they could begin trying to figure out what to do next! The concern about their stealing My body was ludicrous. Even more absurd was the posting of a guard at the tomb of someone who is dead. If the deceased can make himself alive again, you have a lot bigger problem than a few guards at the entrance of a tomb could ever handle! As My body lay still in the grave, those who crucified Me were about to provide part of the validation that their greatest fears would be realized. What were those fears? Matthew’s words capture them powerfully. If My disciples believed that I was raised from the dead, then these religious leaders “would have been better off just leaving Him [Me] alive.” A wonder-working Messiah was hard enough to oppose. How do you stop people who truly believe their Messiah had been unmercifully and brutally executed but then was raised from the dead by the power of God? As you now know nearly two thousand years later, you can’t stop such “resurrection-believing” people! All the schemes, plots, and machinations exerted to kill Me would very shortly prove to be futile. In fact, all those efforts would only strengthen the foundation of My disciples’ faith once they were convinced that I had been raised! After they had seen Me alive following My resurrection, their faith would push them out of their fear into a bold passion. Once they ate with Me, their resurrected Lord, their conviction that I lived would stir them to turn the world upside down with My message of grace. These religious leaders and their soldiers could no longer threaten them into silence once they had touched My wounds — wounds on My head, hands, feet, and side — where I had been pierced by the thorns, the nails, and a spear. These religious leaders would have their worst fears realized. Once My disciples believed in My resurrection and the empty tomb, they proved to be unstoppable! So when all seemed lost for My little band of followers, those who killed Me were still afraid of Me. You are reading this because you know what happens next: these religious leaders have their worst fears realized. Death could not stop Me or My influence or My triumph over the grave. All their politics, false religion, lying, deception, and even guards couldn’t keep My body locked in that tomb and held by the power of death. Soon, after a brief respite while My body would lie motionless and lifeless in the grave, the religious leaders would again have to deal with Me, the Lord of heaven and earth and conqueror of death. Verses to Live The Bible has many little glimpses of holy irony as humans try to oppose the plan and power of the Lord — Father, Son, and Spirit. The second Psalm is a powerful testimony about the futility of human scheming in opposition to the will of the Father (Psalm 2:1-12). I especially love the first verse: “Why are the people making plans to pursue their own vacant and empty greatness?” The frantic scheming by those who put Me to death proved futile as My resurrection demonstrated. So as you read the words below, recall how ridiculous this scheming proved to be. The next day, which is the day after the Preparation Day, the chief priests and the Pharisees went together to Pilate. They reminded him that when Jesus was alive He had claimed that He would be raised from the dead after three days. Chief Priests and Pharisees: So please order someone to secure the tomb for at least three days. Otherwise His disciples might sneak in and steal His body away, and then claim that He has been raised from the dead. If that happens, then we would have been better off just leaving Him alive. Pilate: You have a guard. Go and secure the grave. So they went to the tomb, sealed the stone in its mouth, and left the guard to keep watch. (Matthew 27:62-66) Response in Prayer O Father, when death closes in on those whom I love and who are Jesus’ disciples, please help Me believe! Help Me believe, O Lord, that the power that was present to bring life to Jesus’ dead body will come with grace and power to raise those I love. The distance between burial and resurrection seems like a long wait from our perspective on earth. So during the long wait till reunion with those of us who live on this side of the grave, I ask for faith to believe that the resurrection is coming. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen. ‘A Year with Jesus’ is written by Phil Ware. © 1998-2024, Heartlight, Inc. ‘A Year with Jesus‘ is part of the Heartlight Network.All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from The Voice™. © 2008 by Ecclesia Bible Society. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Today’s Verse – John 3:28-29
[John the Baptist said when asked if he was the Christ, the Messiah:] “I am not the Christ but am sent ahead of him. The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete.” —John 3:28-29 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… John the Baptist is an incredible example of a servant. He lived his life for one central and controlling purpose — to prepare others to recognize, welcome, and follow Jesus Christ as Messiah and LORD. Can you think of a greater purpose for your life? Let’s live so that when our last days approach, we can also say, “That joy is mine, and it is now complete,” because we have prepared the way for Jesus to enter the hearts of those we love and will leave behind when our life is over. The following ToGather video was originally used on Sunday, March 29, 2020, during social distancing practices when many could not assemble. We hope this ToGather video is a blessing! Video Commentary… ToGather Worship Guide | More ToGather Videos My Prayer… Holy and Righteous Father, please use me to prepare others to know and to receive Christ Jesus as Messiah and LORD. In his name, the name of Jesus of Nazareth, I pray. Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
‘Father, Forgive Them’
Note from Jesus Dear Child of God, Few things are more difficult for My beloved followers to read than the account of My crucifixion. In the verses below, this is what you will find: I was crucified as a criminal, among criminals. As I died, the soldiers at the foot of My naked and battered body gambled to see who could take home my clothes. The religious authorities who were supposed to support My faith and give Me comfort, mocked Me. Calloused soldiers joined in mocking Me and teasing Me with sour wine for My parched throat and My dehydrated body. Soldiers mocked My identity as King of the Jews and then challenged Me to free myself. The soldiers nailed an inscription at the top of My cross. The inscription said “This is the King of the Jews!” and was intended as derision and sarcasm. It was written in the three primary languages of the region. One dying criminal joined in the derision, mocking, and ridicule. Darkness descended and “the curtain of the temple was torn in two.” With all that was going on that was awful and sub-human, notice the touches of grace that redeem this story into a message of hope, mercy, love, forgiveness, and redemption: My prayer of forgiveness for those murdering Me: “Father, forgive them.” My promise to the believing criminal crucified with Me: “I promise you that this very day you will be with Me in paradise.” The Centurion’s words of faith after seeing everything that happened at the cross: “No doubt, this man must have been innocent.” Joseph of Arimathea, “a good and fair man,” who had objected to the plans and actions of the other religious leaders, asked Pilate for My body and gave Me a proper burial. The women, the only group that stayed with Me through the whole ordeal of My passion, made preparations to complete My proper burial after the Sabbath had passed. Some of you who read this are going through your own time of testing. You find yourself in what feels like deepest darkness. You could be facing this darkness because of your own mistakes. You could be facing this darkness because of what others have done to you. You could even be facing this darkness because you have to say goodbye to someone incredibly precious to you, and you wonder why your miracle never came. The Father put My cross in the middle of such deep darkness so that you could know with certainty this important truth: there is not a place I won’t go to reach you and share the Father’s love with you. The cross was a Roman tool of subjugation — to put fear into the hearts of people. It was designed to be a tool of public humiliation and, at this time, was reserved for only the worst of crimes and the lowest of criminals. Crucifixion was dehumanizing. Use of crucifixion was awful. My cross was awful — awful for Me and awful for the Father. My cross was Satan’s apparent moment of triumph and hell’s greatest moment of delight. Some of you feel that is where you live right now — at that intersection of Awful-to-God and Hell’s-Delight. You see no end, no answer, no hope, and no one to save you. That’s one reason My crucifixion is so important. It is a reminder that I chose to share that horrible address — the intersection of Awful-to-God and Hell’s-Delight — with you to redeem you out of that place with My grace. The cross reminds you that I know your sense of pain, isolation, rejection, and misery. I endured these things so that you could know that you are not alone when you find yourself in such awful and hellish circumstances. At the same time, the touches of grace in this awful scene provide you with a reminder that in the worst of places, where you meet inhumanity and hell’s fury, God’s grace steps in and redeems the worst of messes even in the deepest darkness. Forgiveness is given. Grace is extended. Faith is declared. Kindness is shown. Faithfulness is demonstrated. Such is the power of My cross — the cross I bore so you could know that there is never a place My love won’t go to find you and bring you safely back to the Father. Verses to Live The verses below show some of the horrors of My crucifixion but also reveal touches of grace that remind you why I endured this awful and humiliating death. Please don’t forget that what happened at the cross was more than just a bunch of angry people killing the Messiah from heaven. The events recounted here are the story of the greatest grace ever shown. I gave Myself as a sacrificial offering for the sin of the world — for your sin — so that you can be forgiven and reconciled back to the Father! Jesus wasn’t the only one being crucified that day. There were two others, criminals, who were also being led to their execution. When they came to the place known as “The Skull,” they crucified Jesus there, in the company of criminals, one to the right of Jesus and the other to His left. Jesus: Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they’re doing. Meanwhile, they were drawing lots to see who would win Jesus’ clothing. The crowd of people stood, watching. Authorities (mocking Jesus): So He was supposed to rescue others, was He? He was supposed to be God’s Anointed, the Liberating King? Let’s see Him start by liberating Himself! The soldiers joined in the mockery. First, they pretended to offer Him a soothing drink — but it was sour wine. Soldiers: Hey, if You’re the King of the Jews, why don’t You free Yourself! Even the inscription they placed over Him was intended to mock Him — “This is the King of the Jews!” This was written in Greek, Latin, and Hebrew. One of
Today’s Verse – Deuteronomy 3:28
[God told Moses to look at the Promised Land, since he was not going to cross this Jordan, then God said:] “Commission Joshua, and encourage and strengthen him, for he will lead this people across and will cause them to inherit the land that you will see.” —Deuteronomy 3:28 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Moses led the people of Israel out of Egypt and in the wilderness but did not get to enter into the Promised Land because of his sin. Yet, for all those years, thankfully, Moses nurtured and prepared the person who would do what he was not allowed to do: lead Israel victoriously into the Promised Land. Joshua was Israel’s new leader for this critical part of the journey and had been groomed, prepared, and shown how to lead by Moses. Joshua is our reminder that we need to be investing in someone who can do what we cannot or will not be able to do! Who are you training, molding, encouraging, motivating, equipping, affirming, and calling to do what you won’t be able to do? What successor do you have to extend the trajectory of your dreams? Who is your Joshua? My Prayer… Holy and Righteous God, please lead me to those with whom you want me to share my life and pass on your faith heritage. Please open my eyes to see them. Please give me the strength to live honestly and courageously before them and do all I can to prepare them. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
Carrying My Cross
Note from Jesus Dear Friend, The verses below give you some of the details about the horrendous way I was treated during My journey to Golgotha. You see hatred in action. You see a mob that had been manipulated into a frenzy. You see the people in that mob lose their ability to think clearly and act fairly. You also see people in abject sorrow, “shrieking and wailing in grief.” In addition, pay attention to My ominous words of warning at the end of these events. I also want you to notice one small touch of grace in the horrific circumstances that I faced. This touch of grace shows up in the midst of an awful, violent, and out-of-control set of brutalities. These brutalities were fueled by the hate and fear of religious leaders determined to kill Me. What is that touch of grace? Simon of Cyrene is chosen to help Me carry My cross to Golgotha. This touch of grace came after a night of no sleep, unceasing ridicule, bitter mockery, being slapped, being spit upon, being beaten, being scourged, being paraded before leaders, being rejected by the mob, and being sentenced to death by Pilate. I had to carry My cross to the place of My execution, but I was exhausted and physically weak. So I was given someone to help Me by carrying My cross. I had been forsaken by My closest followers. Judas betrayed Me. Peter denied Me. The rest abandoned Me. In the end, I was given someone to help Me carry My cross the last part of the way to Golgotha. Out of this well of deep misery inflicted upon Me, I was given the grace of someone to help Me carry My burden. Over the years, My disciples in different parts of the world have seen Simon as a reminder of how important it is to lift the burden of those who are dying. Others have seen Simon as a great image of someone who picks up his cross and helps Me in My mission. Who is someone that needs you to help carry his or her burdens? Verses to Live You are about to read about the ridicule I faced and the scorn I bore on the way to the cross. This disrespect was part of the price I paid to communicate the Father’s love to you. I hope you will be moved to choose to honor Me and Simon, who helped Me by carrying My cross. I want you to commit to carrying My cross. You can do this by joining Me in My mission to reach the hearts of unbelievers. One possible way to do that is to help ease the burden of someone who is dying. In the horror of what happens in life, may you be Simon to someone who needs help with life’s burdens! So the whole council [the Sanhedrin] got up and took Jesus to Pilate. They brought accusations against Him. Sanhedrin: We have observed this man leading our nation astray. He even forbade us to pay our taxes to Caesar. He claims to be the Anointed One and a King Himself. Pilate: Are You the King of the Jews? Jesus: It’s as you say. Pilate (to the chief priest and crowd): I find this man guilty of no crime. Sanhedrin (growing more intense): He has been stirring up discontent among the people all over Judea. He started up in Galilee, and now He’s brought His brand of trouble all the way to Jerusalem! Pilate: Just a minute. Is this man a Galilean? When Pilate learned that Jesus was indeed Galilean — which meant He was officially under Herod’s jurisdiction — Pilate sent Him over to Herod, who was currently in Jerusalem. Herod was fascinated to meet Jesus for he had heard about Him for a long time. He was hoping he might be treated to a miracle or two. He interrogated Jesus for quite a while, but Jesus remained silent, refusing to answer his questions. Meanwhile, the chief priests and religious scholars had plenty to say — angrily hurling accusations at Jesus. Eventually, Herod and his soldiers began to insult Jesus, mocking and degrading Him. They put expensive clothing on Him and sent Him back to Pilate. This ended a long-standing rift between Herod and Pilate; they became friends from that day forward. Pilate assembled the chief priests and other Jewish authorities. Pilate: You presented this man to me as a rabble-rouser, but I examined Him in your presence and found Him not guilty of the charges you have leveled against Him. Herod also examined Him and released Him to my custody. So He hasn’t done anything deserving the death penalty. I’ll see to it that He is properly whipped and then let Him go. It was the custom for Pilate to set one prisoner free during the holiday festivities. Crowd (all shouting at once): Away with this man! Free Barabbas instead! Barabbas had been imprisoned after being convicted of an insurrection he had led in Jerusalem. He had also committed murder. Pilate argued with them, wishing he could release Jesus, but they wouldn’t be silenced. Crowd (shouting): Crucify Him! Crucify Him! Pilate (countering a third time): Why? What has He done that is so evil? I have found in Him no offense worthy of capital punishment. As I said, I will punish Him and then release Him. But they would not relent. They shouted louder and louder that He should be crucified, and eventually Pilate capitulated. So he pronounced the punishment they demanded. He released the rebel and murderer Barabbas — the insurrectionist they had pleaded for in His place — and he handed Jesus over to them to do with as they desired. On the way to the place of crucifixion, they pulled a man from the crowd — his name was Simon of Cyrene, a person from the countryside who happened to be entering the city at that moment. They put
Today’s Verse – Romans 3:27-28
Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. On what principle? On that of observing the law? No, but on that of faith. For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law. —Romans 3:27-28 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… God’s salvation leaves us no room for boasting. We couldn’t live up to the righteous demands of the law. We couldn’t live up to the character of God. When we were broken and sinful, God bought our salvation by sending Jesus for us and having him pay the debt of our sins (Romans 5:6-11). We have nothing to boast about except the overwhelmingly generous grace of God and the incredible sacrificial love of our Savior, Jesus. My Prayer… Thank you, Father, for redeeming me from the righteous judgment of the law. Thank you, Jesus, for paying my debt for sin. Thank you, Holy Spirit, for cleansing me, making me holy, and living inside me. Thank you, God, for your incredible grace. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
Today’s Verse – Galatians 3:26-27
You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. —Galatians 3:26-27 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… What are you wearing today? I hope you are clothed with Christ. Anything else is simply out of style by heaven’s standards, no matter whose designer fashions you may be wearing. You can be clothed with Christ by surrendering your life to Jesus as your Savior through faith (Romans 13:14), believing that he is God’s Son who died for you, and trusting in God’s power that raised him from death to give you life (1 Corinthians 15:1-7; Colossians 2:12; 3:1-4). Confess Christ as your LORD and Savior, trust him for your salvation (Romans 10:9-13) as you share with him in his death, burial, and resurrection through baptism (Romans 6:3-14; Acts 22:16). He promises to send his Spirit to live inside you and to forgive you all of your sins as he gives you new birth into his family (Titus 3:3-7). You will be God’s child and have a home waiting for you in heaven. For those of us who are Christians, these thoughts are a reminder of what God has done for us. If you are not a follower of Christ, the world doesn’t have to be a cold and lonely place; the LORD Jesus can be with you everywhere you go if you respond to him in faith. My Prayer… Father, thank you for providing a way for me to become your child. Thank you for clothing me in Jesus’ righteousness. Thank you for making it possible for me to call you Father and to have Jesus as my older brother. Thank you, dear Father, for Jesus, in whose name I pray. Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
Love before Nightfall
Note from Jesus Dear Beloved, Satan tries to mess up every act of genuine love. What you read in the verses below is one of My most precious moments with My closest disciples. They still did not understand what was about to happen to Me. They were clueless about what the next few days would mean to them some day and what price I would soon pay. They were teetering on the brink of striving for religious position and privilege just like the folks who were trying to kill Me — the very same folks whom I rebuked in yesterday’s verses. I had often spoken to My disciples about the greatest in My kingdom being servants (Mark 10:43). Rather than give a theological discourse on the nature of being a servant, I knew they needed a demonstration of serving that showed them My love as I faced My own death. I think you will find this time with My disciples to be quite precious. My actions, centered in sacrificial love, showed that in My kingdom, the greatest is a servant. Greatness is not found in the person of position and power at the head of the table and receiving all the attention while being waited upon hand and foot. Greatness is found in the one who is willing to do things like wash feet and who cares genuinely for others while facing difficult challenges himself or herself. Of course, Peter, as he so often did, got things a little confused. The others were mystified by what I was doing. Why would I, their Lord and Teacher, stoop down, pick up the towel, and wash their feet? Washing feet was the job of a house slave. These disciples I loved so dearly needed to know that serving is the nature of genuine leadership. As the minutes I was going to have with them were speeding quickly into the past, I wanted to leave them a memory that would stick in their hearts and transform their attitudes. Judas, in the moment of My demonstration of love, was biding time until he could turn Me over to those who wanted to kill Me. He was close to Me. He shared this meal with Me. We shared the same cup. We shared the same bread. He had spent three years with Me. No one else suspected what was in his heart — his heart that he had given to Satan to control fully. On your worst days, you may be shown disloyalty even in the face of your love, just as I was. You give all that you have to someone, then he or she lets you down like all those at the table with Me in the verses below let me down. Some overstate their commitment to you and then can’t live up to their promises. Some sell you out for what they think is a better offer. Others simply abandon you in your hour of need. No matter what people might do to you — even people whom you have loved with all that you have and all that you are, you know you can always come to Me and talk to Me about how you feel. I know the hurt. I know the gut-wrenching ache of abandonment. I know the disappointment of hours of love invested in someone who doesn’t fully appreciate your love for him or her. I know the loneliness of facing the ridicule of others while having no friend there for you. I know because this is what I experienced. When Judas left our table, John’s words hauntingly state the truth with brutal finality: “So Judas took his piece of bread and departed into the night.” I hope you never know the feeling of such heartbreaking nightfall. If you do, remember this: I know what it feels like, and I will help you through it if you will call out to Me! Verses to Live Love is demonstrated by what it does. So what do the following events say about Me? What do they say about those around Me? What does this love I demonstrated call you to do? Before the Passover festival began, Jesus was keenly aware that His hour had come to depart from this world and to return to the Father. From beginning to end, Jesus’ days were marked by His love for His people. Before Jesus and His disciples gathered for dinner, the adversary filled Judas Iscariot’s heart with plans of deceit and betrayal. Jesus, knowing that He had come from God and was going away to God, stood up from dinner and removed His outer garments. He then wrapped Himself in a towel, poured water in a basin, and began to wash the feet of the disciples, drying them with His towel. Simon Peter (as Jesus approaches): Lord, are You going to wash my feet? Jesus: Peter, you don’t realize what I am doing, but you will understand later. Peter: You will not wash my feet, now or ever! Jesus: If I don’t wash you, you will have nothing to do with Me. Peter: Then wash me but don’t stop with my feet. Cleanse my hands and head as well. Jesus: Listen, anyone who has bathed is clean all over except for the feet. But I tell you this, not all of you are clean. He knew the one with plans of betraying Him, which is why He said, “not all of you are clean.” After washing their feet and picking up His garments, He reclined at the table again. Jesus: Do you understand what I have done to you? You call Me Teacher and Lord, and truly, that is Who I am. So if your Lord and Teacher washes your feet, then you should wash one another’s feet. I am your example; keep doing what I do. I tell you the truth: a servant is not greater than the master. Those who are sent are not greater than the one who