Today’s Verse – Daniel 3:25
[King Nebuchadnezzar, who had Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego thrown into the furnace,] said, “Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.” —Daniel 3:25 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… I love the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego (Daniel 3:1-30). Their faith was solid and unwavering whether God chose to save them from the fire or not. God not only saved them, but those who intended to execute them became the key witnesses of their faith and God’s miraculous deliverance of them and presence with them. These three young men showed themselves as sons of the One True God and were examples to all of us when we are tempted to compromise our faith to get along in a society that has lost all respect for the Almighty God and his values. My Prayer… Dear Father in Heaven, please give me the same kind of faith that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego demonstrated! When adversity, persecution, ridicule, and ostracism come, I want my faith to stand up to the test. Thank you, dear Father, for giving me the Bible, my book of heroes who stood their ground and kept their faith, especially under fire. 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.
25 Mar 2024
One crucial thing we all have to try and do continuously if we intend to make our life less complicated is to die to self. If we manage to do this, it will positively impact every decision we make. Galatians 5:24.
‘The Last Straw’
Note from Jesus Dear Disciple, After My triumphal entry, Jerusalem was a tangle of tension and evil plotting. Look at a few excerpts from Luke’s descriptions of the situation as given in the verses below: The chief priests, the religious scholars, and the leading men of the city wanted to kill Him [Jesus], but because He was so popular among the people — who hung upon each word He spoke — they were unable to do anything. … “Tell us by what authority You march into the temple and disrupt our worship. Who gave you this authority?” … That [Jesus’ parable of the vineyard] was the last straw for the religious scholars and the chief priests; they were ready to attack Him [Jesus] right then and there. But they couldn’t for fear of public opinion, and they realized that Jesus, through this parable had exposed their violent intentions. They would send spies, pretending to ask sincere questions, listening for something they could seize upon that would justify His arrest and condemnation under the governor’s authority. The whole conflict in Jerusalem centered around the truth of My story — or parable — in today’s verses. Most of the religious leaders in Israel had decided they were entitled to special benefits for their “service” to the people. They felt entitled to their positions and their interpretations. They felt entitled to their respect among the people. They felt entitled to practice their religious leadership for their own advantage. And they were determined to keep their positions, their influence, and their control over the whole religious enterprise. This control was more important to them than honoring the Father. It was surely more important to them than lovingly leading the people they were entrusted to serve. My conflict with these religious leaders is the same conflict that I have with any religious leader who forgets that position and spiritual influence are given by the grace of the Father. Spiritual leadership must be used to honor the Father and bless His people. Any favor with the Father vanishes in a heartbeat when leaders use their position to manipulate or oppose the truth, preserve their power, or abuse the people. You live in a time when church leaders of various stripes and persuasions have embarrassed Me and the movement I gave My life to set in motion. The Bible has multiple warnings about leaders and teachers being judged with greater strictness (Ezekiel 34:1-24; James 3:1; Matthew 23:1-39; Galatians 1:6-9). The abuse of spiritual leadership has been a problem in almost every age and was a big part of My conflict with the spiritual leaders in Jerusalem. My words of criticism of the spiritual leadership of Israel lay behind the religious leaders’ rejecting and crucifying Me. So when you find yourself disillusioned by the failures of leaders in your day — moral failure, failure to offer compassion, failure to speak the truth, failure because they were co-opted by the political winds of the age — remember two things: I abhor the abuse and neglect perpetuated out of hypocrisy and misuse of religion for personal gain. Those who have abused their privilege and position of spiritual leadership will have to answer on judgment day to the Father. This, My beloved disciple, is how I characterized the Father’s position on the subject of selfish, abusive, and hypocritical religious leaders: He’ll come and wipe those tenants out, and he’ll give the vineyard to others. Verses to Live The following hard words were spoken, and hard actions were taken in the middle of a very difficult set of circumstances. The issues behind these hard words were a matter of utmost importance: Why do people serve God? Do they practice religion for themselves and for their own personal advantage? Do they serve as religious leaders to bless those in need and to reflect the character and compassion of God or to line their pockets and puff up their egos? He [Jesus] came back day after day to teach in the temple. The chief priests, the religious scholars, and the leading men of the city wanted to kill Him, but because He was so popular among the people — who hung upon each word He spoke — they were unable to do anything. One day when He was teaching the people in the temple and proclaiming the good news, the chief priests, religious scholars, and elders came up and questioned Him. Elders: Tell us by what authority You march into the temple and disrupt our worship. Who gave You this authority? Jesus: Let Me ask you a question first. Tell Me this: was the ritual cleansing of baptism John did from God, or was it merely a human thing? Chief Priests, Religious Scholars, and Elders (conferring together): If we say it was from God, then He’ll ask us why we didn’t believe John. If we say it was merely human, all the people will stone us because they are convinced that John was a true prophet. So they said they didn’t know where John’s ritual washing came from. Jesus: Well then, if you won’t answer My question, I won’t tell you by what authority I have acted. He told the people another parable: Jesus: A man planted a vineyard. He rented it to tenants and went for a long trip to another country. At the harvest time, he sent a servant to the tenants so he could be paid his share of the vineyard’s fruit, but the tenants beat the servant and sent him away empty-handed. The man sent another servant, and they beat him and treated him disgracefully and sent him away empty-handed too. He sent a third servant who was injured and thrown out. Then the vineyard owner said, “Now what am I going to do? I’ll send my much-loved son. They should treat him with respect.” But when the tenants recognized the owner’s son, they said, “Here’s our chance to actually own this vineyard! Let’s kill the owner’s heir so
Daily Prayer for March 25
As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him; for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust. Psalm 103:13–14, NIV Lord our God, merciful God and almighty Father in heaven, we beseech you, look upon us as your children. For in spite of everything, all of us are allowed to be your children and to praise you for all the good you are doing and for all you still want to do for us. Hear our prayer as we come to you with particular concerns, asking for your will to be done in us, for everything to be carried out according to your good purpose, that we may be joyful even in hard and serious times and may hold fast to what you have promised. Amen. Recent articles on Plough Holy Saturday and the Journey to Emmaus Joel Clarkson Josef Rheinberger’s motet “Abendlied” sets to music the disciples’ words from the day after Jesus’ death, juxtaposing sorrow and joy. Read now Beauty for the Least of These Ellie DuHadway A unique depiction of the stations of the cross welcomes guests at the Lamb Center, a ministry to people experiencing homelessness. Read now Waiting for Judas Madeleine L’Engle Jesus offers a love that is too strong for many of us to accept. Read now Clean House, Clean Heart Mary Grace Mangano Spring cleaning is an ancient tradition. It has spiritual roots, and might offer spiritual benefit. Read now To Mend a Farm Adam Nicolson A restored landscape will be more than it was before, bearing the marks of damage and repair. Read now
Today’s Verse – Galatians 3:24
So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith. —Galatians 3:24 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Galatians repeatedly reminds us that no law can make us righteous or save us, not even the Old Testament Law. However, the law (Torah) does several essential things. The law leads us to Christ, who fulfills and embodies what God intended for his law to do in his people (Matthew 5:17-20). Jesus shows us what God wants his law to look like when we obey it. The law helps us recognize right and wrong, the value of a person, and how God defines a person, marriage, and righteous, as well as unrighteous behaviors. We recognize our failures, imperfections, sins, transgressions, and weaknesses, and through the law, our need for a Savior. Praise God for the Torah, God’s law that shows us the righteous character, gracious compassion, and faithful justice that he displays and desires us to live. Praise God a hundred times more for Jesus, who fulfilled the law’s righteous demands and gave himself as the perfect sacrifice for sins! My Prayer… Thank you, dear Heavenly Father, that the goal of your law was to bring us to Jesus. The law, the Torah, helps me appreciate Jesus’ perfection. It helps me know my sinfulness. Most of all, it helps me realize that Jesus’ sacrifice gives me what the law cannot — your righteousness. Father, I do truly believe with all my heart that Jesus came to die for me and provide me with your life. I thank you in Jesus’ name and because of Jesus’ righteousness! 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.
Compassion in the Middle of Conflict
Note from Jesus Dear Friend, I came to Jerusalem and was greeted with wild enthusiasm. I came as the Prince of Peace, humbly riding on the colt of a donkey as prophesied (Zechariah 9:9). I did not come as a conquering general riding on a white horse. The crowd was overjoyed at My coming to Jerusalem: [A] huge crowd of disciples began to celebrate and praise God with loud shouts, glorifying God for the mighty works they had witnessed. The religious leaders were incensed at My entrance into Jerusalem. They demanded that My followers stop their praises. What was My response to these leaders? I told them the truth! Listen — if they [the people in the crowd] were silent, the very rocks would start to shout! The time for diplomacy and subtlety was over. People had to decide what they believed about My identity. Fence-straddling was no longer possible. The issue of My identity could no longer be ignored. The people did not let Me slip quietly into Jerusalem. They wanted God’s promised deliverance. They were convinced that I could bring deliverance to them. But even with their grand expectations, they had no idea what was at stake as I entered Jerusalem! Jerusalem’s leaders rejected Me. They made the excuse that they were trying to preserve and protect Jerusalem. I knew better. They were trying to protect and preserve their own positions. When I saw the city of David, the holy city for the Israelites, My heart was broken. The leadership of My people refused the offer of peace I came to bring them. Only by accepting Me would Jerusalem have been spared impending destruction. However, Jerusalem’s leaders would not accept Me. They would kill Me for many reasons, but one of their stated reasons was to save their city, their temple, and their way of life (John 11:45-53). What these leaders didn’t realize was that they were rejecting their only chance for lasting and true peace by rejecting Me. O how I wish they had welcomed Me and the peace I longed to bring. But in the end, all I could say was really heart-breaking: How I wish you knew today what would bring peace! … Your enemies will smash you into rubble and not leave one stone standing on another, and they will cut your children down too, because you did not recognize the day when God’s Anointed visited you. How could My heart not break? How could My emotions not be aroused? How could I not keep coming back to the temple to reach out to any who would listen? How could I not confront the religious leaders with their hypocrisy, duplicity, and ignorance of the Scriptures they claimed to know? What followed My triumphal entry was a week of conflict. Please know, however, that I loved these very people I confronted. I loved the people who listened on the fringes of the crowd. I loved each person in the crowd. So I ministered to their needs. I confronted their wrong-headed notions about their faith. I did not hide to keep Myself safe. I did not play the game of couching things in politically correct speech. The strongest words of confrontation and accusation of My whole ministry came during this final week before My crucifixion. These words sealed My fate. Nevertheless, behind even these strong words, My heart was filled with compassion. I hurt for people held in bondage to their false notion of religion, to their pretentious show of religious knowledge, and to their pompous parade of the self-righteousness. My heart ached for those fueled by hate and determined to kill Me. They wanted to return things back to their religious and political status quo. I did not back down from the conflict. False religion and duplicitous hearts had to be confronted. However, I never let go of My compassion for those filled with hate and determined to kill Me! I mourned their blindness. I wept for their self-imposed destruction. I grieved their hardness of heart. I died so they could be forgiven for it all. Verses to Live This last week before My crucifixion was a week of conflict and compassion. So as you read about this last week, listen carefully. Examine the words of My story reported to you by the four gospel writers — Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Notice the seeds I sowed in the hard hearts of those who would one day remember what happened during this week and come to faith (Acts 2:33-39). Today, please remember this truth: even if the crowd had not welcomed Me to Jerusalem in my triumphal entry, the rocks would have shouted out My praise. When He [Jesus] finished the parable, He pushed onward, climbing the steep hills toward Jerusalem. He approached the towns of Bethphage and Bethany, which are near Mount Olivet. He sent two of the disciples ahead. Jesus: Go to the next village. When you enter, you will find a colt tied — a colt that has never been ridden before. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you why you’re untying it, just say, “The Lord needs it.” So the two disciples found things just as He had told them. When its owners did indeed ask why they were untying the colt, the disciples answered as they had been instructed. Disciples: The Lord needs it. They brought the colt to Jesus, threw their coats on the colt’s back, and then sat Jesus on it. As Jesus rode along, some people began to spread their garments on the road as a carpet. When they passed the crest of Mount Olivet and began descending toward Jerusalem, a huge crowd of disciples began to celebrate and praise God with loud shouts, glorifying God for the mighty works they had witnessed. Crowd of Disciples: The King Who comes in the name of the Eternal One is blessed! Peace in heaven! Glory in the highest! Pharisees (who were in the crowd): Teacher,
Daily Prayer for March 24
For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay. Habakkuk 2:3, NIV Dear Father in heaven, in quietness we come to you and ask you for your Spirit. We ask this especially for the time of waiting still required of us as we hope and strive for light to come into all hearts, for light to shine where there is so much death. We must not despair of our inner life even when life around us rages as if it would suck us down into its whirlpool with no way out. But you will guard us. Watch over us, we pray, also in hours of temptation, so that we may remain under your care. Watch over us so that we have hope and joy in you, assured that your goal for us all is true life from above, a life of resurrection. Amen. Recent articles on Plough Waiting for Judas Madeleine L’Engle Jesus offers a love that is too strong for many of us to accept. Read now Clean House, Clean Heart Mary Grace Mangano Spring cleaning is an ancient tradition. It has spiritual roots, and might offer spiritual benefit. Read now To Mend a Farm Adam Nicolson A restored landscape will be more than it was before, bearing the marks of damage and repair. Read now A Dust Rag for Easter Eggs Clare Huchet Bishop Paris, under Nazi occupation: Little Zezette is sick and malnourished. Her friends want to help her get well again, but how? Louise has an idea. Read now PloughCast 79: According to the Scriptures – Resurrection in the Old Testament Alastair Roberts and Susannah Black Roberts Alastair Roberts revisits the resurrection stories of the Old Testament. Read now
Today’s Verse – Romans 3:23-24
[There is no difference between Jew and non-Jew in regard to righteousness,] for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. —Romans 3:23-24 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… No matter how hard we try, how good we are, or how much we work, we can never measure up to the only standard that matters — the glorious perfection of Almighty God. Thankfully, God doesn’t require us to pretend to be what we are not yet — perfect, spotless, and holy. Instead, God makes us to be these by grace(Colossians 1:21-23) through the gift of his Son, who purchased our pardon and gave us his righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21). Praise God. Praise our Savior, Jesus Christ. Now let’s live with Jesus as our LORD, not to earn or secure our salvation, but to thank God for what he has so freely given us by his grace in Jesus! My Prayer… Most precious and holy Father, all I can say to your marvelous grace is thank you! Please know that while these words of thank you are woefully inadequate, they are genuine. Dear Father, I look forward to showing you through the rest of my life how much I appreciate all that you have done for me. In Jesus’ glorious 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.
Loving Extravagance
Note from Jesus Dear Beloved Disciple, What would it be worth to have someone precious to you raised from the dead? I don’t ask this question to be morbid or hurtful, but to help you grapple with the deep implications of Mary’s extravagant gift that My beloved disciple John shares with you in the verses below. Let Me explain a little bit to help you understand. Life is very complicated. It always has been since the fall of Adam and Eve. In these devotionals for the next week, we will be looking together at some of the events that happened in My life during the final few days leading up to My crucifixion. These events were part of that complicated life and were shaped by all sorts of forces: The will and plan of the Father. The scheming of political and religious leaders who considered Me to be their enemy. Satan’s evil work on the hearts of My closest disciples. The tidal wave of popularity I was receiving from the crowd. The forces of politics and religion as they coalesced against Me at the time of Passover in the city of Jerusalem. The raising of Lazarus from the dead and the attention it brought to Me. The conflict I had over the course of these final days with those in authority in Jerusalem. The duplicity and betrayal by Judas and the conflicts in his heart. On another level, however, the world is amazingly simple. Mary and Martha had a beloved brother named Lazarus who died. I had raised him from the dead. He lived, and this miracle had attracted a great deal of attention. I had given Mary and Martha the miracle of all miracles: their beloved brother, once dead, now lived. I had defeated death and given them life! For Mary, in this moment of great swirling emotions, political maneuvering, religious hatred, and evil intervention of Satan into the world of My disciples, there was really only one thing that mattered. I had given her back her brother from death. She demonstrated her loving appreciation with extravagance. Judas couldn’t appreciate Mary’s gift because his heart was on other things — treacherous and selfish things. His criticism was unwarranted and hypocritical. He knew, and all My disciples knew, that I cared deeply about the broken. I had spent much of My ministry caring for the outcast, the marginalized, and the poor. But when the power of sin, death, and Satan are defeated for you and for those you love, no extravagance is unwarranted. As you journey with Me this next week, please remember this truth and Mary’s extravagance. You see, what I did for Mary and her sister Martha, I will do for you. I will raise back to life every person precious to you who has fully trusted in Me. I emerged victorious from the tomb after having faced the worst of humanity. I defeated the worst that hell could throw at Me. I emerged from the tomb alive again and victorious for you and for all others who truly believe. I don’t ask you to respond with gifts of extravagant riches. However, I do want your heart. Then, whatever you offer Me will naturally follow from the overflow of your love. Pay close attention to the eight days that follow from the time of My triumphal entry into Jerusalem to My triumphant exit from the tomb. Realize these events are for you… for every grief you suffer… for every person who loves Me and is claimed by the grave… for every scrambled emotion and broken heart when the miracle you so desperately wanted didn’t seem to come. During this next week, I will walk the path you will one day walk. I will face the finality that you will one day face. I will pioneer a way through death so that you can one day follow Me home (Hebrews 2:10-11 NIV; Hebrews 12:1-3 NIV). Please understand; death cannot keep what I have claimed by My grace. And I have claimed you, dear disciple, and those like you who truly love Me! Verses to Live Paul talked about being “the pleasing aroma of Christ” (2 Corinthians 2:14-16 NIV). I hope you, like Mary, choose to spread the beautiful sweet smell of My love and ultimate victory over sin, death, and Satan. Think of how Mary felt as she shared this gift that seemed so small compared to the gift I gave her! Six days before the Passover feast, Jesus journeyed to the village of Bethany, to the home of Lazarus who had recently been raised from the dead, where they hosted Him for dinner. Martha was busy serving as the hostess, Lazarus reclined at the table with Him, and Mary took a pound of fine ointment, pure nard (which is both rare and expensive), and anointed Jesus’ feet with it; and then she wiped them with her hair. As the pleasant fragrance of this extravagant ointment filled the entire house, Judas Iscariot, one of His disciples (who was plotting to betray Jesus), began to speak. Judas Iscariot: How could she pour out this vast amount of fine oil? Why didn’t she sell it? It is worth nearly a year’s wages; the money could have been given to the poor. This had nothing to do with Judas’s desire to help the poor. The truth is he served as the treasurer, and he helped himself to the money from the common pot at every opportunity. Jesus: Leave her alone. She has observed this custom in anticipation of the day of My burial. The poor are ever present, but I will be leaving. Word spread of Jesus’ presence, and a large crowd was gathering to see Jesus and the formerly deceased Lazarus, whom He had brought back from the dead. The chief priests were secretly plotting Lazarus’s murder since, because of him, many Jews were leaving their teachings and believing in Jesus. (John 12:1-11) Response in Prayer O Father, life is
Today’s Verse – Luke 3:22
[After Jesus’ baptism by John,] the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” —Luke 3:22 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… God spoke these wonderful words to his Son when Jesus was baptized. God feels the same about us when we follow our Savior’s example and are baptized! Jesus pours out his Spirit on us (Titus 3:4-7), guaranteeing that we are God’s children (Romans 8:9; Ephesians 1:13-14). No matter what Satan may do to make us doubt it (Luke 4:3), we can confidently know that we are God’s beloved children, with whom he is well pleased! Because of the Spirit, we can call God our Abba Father (Galatians 4:6), knowing that the Spirit intercedes for us, making even our inexpressible thoughts known to our Father (Romans 8:26-27). We are God’s children, whom he loves, and he is pleased with us. Ah, now that’s good news! The following ToGather video was originally used on Sunday, March 22, 2020, during social distancing practices when many could not assemble. We are including the ToGather video for your added blessing! Video Commentary… ToGather Worship Guide | More ToGather Videos My Prayer… Abba Father, thank you for making me your child and heir of your gracious inheritance. Please bless me with spiritual confidence to withstand the lies of Satan as he tries to make me doubt my relationship with you. Thank you for your Spirit, who helps even now by interceding for me as I pray and strengthens me as I seek 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.