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Read: John 18:1-19:42
The chapters and verses for today begin with the acknowledgment that Jesus had just prayed for all believers to be unified. Yet on this very same day he would be betrayed and crucified. He poured out his spirit in prayer to God that we would be one with him as he is one with God the Father (Jn 17:22). Just hours later would he would discover not only disunity among believers, but even unbelief among the disciples. Jesus prophesied these moments yet would not deny ‘the cup that the Father has given’(Jn 18:11). He knew not only that his own would deny him (Jn 18:27) but that he would die on the cross for those of his kingdom, whom he loved and whom he desired to believe and follow him. John 19:37 declares, “And again another passage of scripture says, “They will look on the one whom they have pierced” which references Zechariah 12:10 “And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son.” As we carry our crosses and burdens to Christ each day, lifting our hearts in prayer for our daily bread and for forgiveness of sins, let us remember the living word of Jehovah God who has given all who are in the world (but not of the world), all who believe in God, the immeasurable grace of God through the life, death and resurrection of Christ Jesus. Amen. Marci Matthews Comments are closed.
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Lent Devotions
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