Month: March 2024

The Resurrection, Excerpts from Matthew Chapter 28

“Early on Sunday morning, as the new day was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went out to visit the tomb.

Suddenly there was a great earthquake! For an angel of the Lord came down from heaven, rolled aside the sone, and sat on it. His face shown like lightning and his clothing was as white as snow. The guards shook with fear when they saw him and they fell into a dead faint.

Than the angel spoke to the women. ‘Don’t be afraid! he said. ‘I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as He said would happen. Come, see where His body was lying. And now, go quickly and tell His disciples that He has risen from the dead and He is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see Him there. Remember what I have told you.’

The women ran quickly from the tomb. They were very frightened but also filled with great joy, and they rushed to give the disciples the angel’s message. And as they went, Jesus met them and greeted them. And they ran to him, grasped His feet, and worshiped Him. Jesus said to them, ‘Don’t be afraid! Go tell my brothers to leave for Galilee, and they will see me there.”(vv. 1-10, NLT)

The Lord’s Suffering Servant

“Who has believed our message? to whom has the Lord revealed this powerful arm?

My servant grew up in the Lord’s presence like a tender green shoot, like a root in dry ground. There was nothing beautiful or majestic about His appearance, nothing to attract us to Him. He was despised and rejected- a man of sorrows, acquainted with the deepest grief. We turned our backs on Him and looked the other way. He was despised, and we did not care.

Yet it was our weakness He carried; it was our sorrows that weighed Him down. And though we thought His troubles were punishment from God, a punishment for His own sins! But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed.

All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the Lord laid on Him the sins of us all.

He was oppressed and treated harshly, yet He never said a word. He was led like a lamb to slaughter. As as sheep is silent before the shearers, he did not open His mouth. Unjustly condemned, He was lead away. No one cared that he died without descendant, that his life was cut short in midstream. But He was struck down for the rebellion of my people. He had done no wrong and He had never deceived anyone. But He was buried like a criminal; he as put in a rich man’s grave.

But is was the Lord’s good plan to crush Him and cause Him grief. Yet when His life is made an offering for sin, He will have many descendants. He will enjoy a long life and the Lord’s good plan will prosper in His hands. (Isaiah 53: 1-10, NLT)

Maundy Thursday, The Last Supper, Excerpts from Mark and John

“On this day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover Lamb is sacrificed, Jesus’ disciples asked him, ‘Where do you want us to go to prepare the Passover meal for you?’

So Jesus sent two of them into Jerusalem with these instructions: ‘As you go into the city, a man carrying a pitcher of water will meet you. Follow him. At he house he enters, say to the owner, ‘The Teacher asks: Where is the guest room where I can eat the Passover meal with My disciples?’ He will take you up to a large room that is already set up. That is where you should prepare our meal. So the two disciples went into the city and found everything just as Jesus had said, and they prepared the Passover meal there.

In the evening Jesus returned with the twelve disciples. As they were at the table eating, Jesus said, ‘I tell you the truth, one of you eating with me here will betray me.’

Greatly distressed, each one asked in turn, ‘Am I the one?’

He replied, ‘ It is one of you twelve who is eating from this bowl with me. For the Son of Man must die, as the Scriptures declared long ago. But how terrible it will be for the one who betrays Him. It would be far better for that man if he had never been born.’

As they were eating, Jesus took some bread and blessed it. Then he broke in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, ‘Take it, for this is My body.’

And He took the cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. He gave it to the, and they all drank from it. And he said to them, ‘This is my blood which confirms the covenant between God and His people. It is poured out as as sacrifice for many. I tell you the truth, I will not drink wine again until the day I drink it new in the Kingdom of God.’

Then they sang a hymn and went out to the Mount of Olives.” (Mark 14:12-26, NLT)

“Before the Passover celebration, Jesus knew that His hour had come to leave the wold and return to His father. He had loved His disciples during His ministry on earth, and now He loved them to the very end. It was time for supper, and the devil had already prompted Judas, son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. Jesus knew that the Father had given Him the authority over everything and that He had come from God and would return to God. So He got up from the table, took off His robe, wrapped a towel around His waist, and poured water into a basin. He then began to wash the disciples feet, drying them with the towel He had around him.

When Jesus came to Simon Peter, Peter said, to Him, ‘Lord are You going to wash my feet?’

Jesus replied, ‘You don’t understand now what I am doing, but someday you will.’

‘No,’ Peter replied, ‘you will never wash my feet!’

Jesus replied, ‘Unless I wash you, you won’t belong to Me.’

Simon Peter said, ‘Then wash my hands and head as well, Lord, not just my feet.

Jesus replied, ‘A person who has bathed all over does not need to wash, except for the feet, to be entirely clean, but not all of you. ‘ For Jesus knew who would betray Him. That is what He meant when He said, ‘Not all of you are clean.’

After washing their feed, He put on his robe again and sat down and asked, ‘Do you understand what I was doing?’ You call Me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord’, and you are right, because that’s what I am. An since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feed, you ought to wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you. I tell you the truth, slaves are not greater than their master. Nor is the messenger more important thatn the one who sends the messenger. No that you know these things, God will bless you for doing them.” (John 13: 1-17,NLT)

Jesus’ Last Words on the Cross

“Jesus said, ‘Father forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.'”
(Luke 23:34, NLT)

“And Jesus replied, ‘I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.'” (speaking to the thief on the cross who asked him to remember him when He [Jesus]came into his kingdom). (Luke 23:43, NNLT))

“When Jesus saw His mother, standing there the disciple He loved [John], He said to her, ‘Dear woman, here is your son.’ And he said to this disciple, “Here is your mother.'” (John 20:26-27, NLT)

At noon, darkness fell across the whole land until three o’clock. At about three o’clock, Jesus cried out with a loud voice, ‘Eli, El, lema sabachthani?’ which means,’My God, My God, why have you abandoned me?'” [This was the time that Jesus received the sins of the world]. (Matthew 27:45-46, NLT)

“Jesus knew that his mission was now finished and to fulfill the Scripture He said, ‘I am thirsty.'” (John 20:28, NLT

“When Jesus tasted it [the soaked sponge of sour wine], He said, ‘It is finished.'”(John 20:30, NLT)

“Then Jesus shouted, ‘Father, I entrust My spirit into your hands.!’ And with those words, He breathed his last.” (Luke 24:46, NLT)

Daniel in the Lions’ Den, Excerpts from Daniel Chapter 6

“Darius, the Mede decided to divide the kingdom into 120 provinces, and he appointed a hight officer to rule over each province. The king also chose Daniel and two others as administrators to supervise the hight officers and to protect the king’s interest. Because of Daniel’s great ability, the king made plans to place him over the entire empire.” (vv. 1-3, NLT)

“So the administrators and high officers went to the king and said, ‘ Long live King Darius! We are all in agreement – we administrators, officials, high officers, advisers, and governors – that the king should make a law that will be strictly enforced. Give orders that for the next thirty days any person who prays to anyone, divine or human – except to you, Your Majesty – will be thrown into the den of lions.'” (vv. 6-7, NLT)

“So they (the officials) went straight to the king and reminded him about his law. ‘Did you not sign a law that for the next thirty days any person who prays to anyone, divine or human – except to you, Your Majesty – will be thrown in the den of lions?’

‘Yes,’ the king replied, ‘ that decision stands, it is an official law of the Medes and Persians that cannot be revoked.’

Then they told the king,’That man, Daniel, one of the captives from Judah, is ignoring you and your law. He still prays to his God three times a day.’

Hearing this, the king was deeply troubled, and he tried to think of a ay to save Daniel. He spent the rest of the day looking for a way to get Daniel out of this predicament.”(vv. 12-14,NLT)

“So at last, the king gave orders for Daniel to be arrested and thrown into the den of lions. The king said to him, ‘My your God, whom you serve so faithfully, rescue you.’

A stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den. The king sealed the stone with his own royal seal and the seals of his nobles, so that no one could rescue Daniel. Then the king immediately returned to his palace and spent the night fasting. He refused his usual entertainment and couldn’t sleep at all that night.

Very early the next morning, the king got up and hurried out to the lions’ den. When he got there, he called in anguish, ‘ Daniel, servant of the living God! Was your God, whom you serve so faithfully, able to rescue your from the lions? ‘

Daniel, answered, ‘Long live the king! My God sent His angel to shut the lions’ mouths so that they would not hurt me, for I have been found innocent in His sight. And I have not wronged you, Your Majesty.'(vv. 17-22, NLT)

Then the king gave orders to arrest the men who had maliciously accused Daniel. He had them thrown into the lions’ den, along with their wives and children. The lions leaped on them and tore them apart before they even hit the floor of the den.

Then King Darius sent this message to the people of every race and nation and language throughout the world:

“Peace and prosperity to you! I decree that everyone throughout my kingdom should tremble with fear before the God of Daniel.

For He is the living God, and He will endure forever. His kingdom will never be destroyed, and His rule will never end. He rescues and saves His people; He performs miraculous signs and wonder in the heavens and on earth. He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions.’

So Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus the Persian.” (vv. 25-28, NLT)


Nebuchadnezzar Praises God, Daniel, Chapter 4

“After this time had passed, I, Nebuchadnezzar, looked up to heaven. My sanity returned, and I praised and worshiped the Most High and honored the One who lives forever.

His rule is everlasting, and His kingdom is eternal.
All the people of the earth are nothing compared to Him.
He does as He pleases among the angels of heaven
and among the people of the earth.
No one can stop Him or say to Him, ‘What do you mean by doing these things?’

When my sanity returned to me, so did my honor and glory and kingdom. My advisers and nobles sought me out, and I was restored as head of my kingdom, with even greater honor than before.

Noe I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and glorify and honor the King of heaven. All His acts are just and true, and He is able to humble the proud.” (vv. 34-37, NLT)

The Blazing Furnace, Daniel Chapter 3

“Nebuchadnezzar was so furious with Shadrach, Meshach,and Abednego that his face became distorted with rage. He commanded that the furnace be heated seven times hotter than usual. Then he ordered some of the strongest men of his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace. So they tied them up and threw them into the furnace, fulled dressed in their pants, turbans, robes, and other garments. And because of the king, in his anger, he had demanded such a hot fire in the furnace, the flames killed the soldiers as they threw the three men in. So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, securely tied, fell into the roaring flames.

But suddenly, Nebuchadnezzar jumped up in amazement and exclaimed to his advisers, ‘Didn’t we tie up three men and throw them into the furnace?’

‘Yes, Your Majesty, we certainly did,’ they replied.

‘Look!’ Nebuchadnezzar shouted,’I see four men, unbound, walking around the fire unharmed! And the fourth one looks like a god!’

Then Nebuchadnezzar came as close as he could to the door of the flaming furnace and shouted: ‘Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! come here!’

So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego stepped out of the fire. Then the high officials, governors, and advisers crowded around them and saw that the fire hd not touched them. Not a hair on their heads were singed, and their clothing was not scorched. They didn’t even smell of smoke!” (vv. 19-27, NLT)

Nebuchadnezzar Rewards Daniel, Chapter 2, Part 2

“Then King Nebuchadnezzar threw himself down before Daniel and worshiped him, and he commanded his people to offer sacrifices and burn incense before him. The king said of Daniel, ‘Truly, your God is the greatest of gods, Lord over kings, a revealer of mysteries, for you have been able to reveal this secret.’

Then the king appointed Daniel to a high position and gave him many valuable gifts. He made Daniel ruler over the whole province of Babylon, as well as chief over all his wise men. At Daniel’s request, the king appointed Sadrach, Meshach, and Abendego to be in charge of all the affairs of the province of Babylon, while Daniel remained in the king’s court.” (vv. 46-49, NLT)

Daniel Chapter 2, Part 1

“He (Daniel) said, ‘Praise the name of God forever and ever, for He has al wisdom and power. He controls the course of the world events; He removes kings and set up other kings. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the scholars. He reveals deep and mysterious things and knows what lies hidden in the darkness, though He is surrounded by light. I think and praise You, God of my ancestors, for You have given me wisdom and strength. You have old me what we asked of you and revealed to us what the king demanded.'” (vv. 20-23, NLT)

Daniel in Nebuchadnezzar’s Court, Daniel Chapter 1

“Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, his chief of staff, to bring to the palace some of the young men of Judah’s royal family and other noble families, who had been brought to Babylon as captives. ‘Select only strong, healthy, and good-looking young men,’ he said. ‘Make sure they are well versed in every branch of learning, are gifted with knowledge and good judgment, and are suited to serve in the royal palace. Train these young men in the language and literature of Babylon.’ The king assigned then a daily ration of food and wine from his own kitchens. They were to be trained for three years, and then would enter royal service.

Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azarah were four of the young men chosen, all from the tribe of Judah. The chief of staff renamed them with these Babylonian names: Daniel was called Belteshazzar. Hananiah was called Shadrach. Mishael was called Meshach. Azariah was called Abednego.

But Daniel was determined not to defile himself by eating the food and wine given to them by the king. He asked the chief of staff for permission not to eat these unacceptable foods. No God had given the chief of staff both respect and affection for Daniel. But he responded,’I am afraid of my lord the king, who has ordered that you eat this food and wine. If your become pale and thin compared to the other youths your age, I am afraid the king will have me beheaded.’

Daniel spoke with the attendant who had been appointed by the chief of staff to look after Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. ‘Please test us for ten days on a diet of vegetables and water,’Daniel said. “At the end of the ten days,, see how we look compared to the other young men who are eating the kings’s food.Then make your decision in light of what you see.’ The attendant agreed to Daniel’s suggestion and tested them for ten days.

At the end of the ten days, Daniel and his three friends looked healthier and better nourished than the young men who had been eating the food assigned by the king. So after that, the attendant fed them only vegetables instead of the food and wine provided for the others.

God gave these four young men an unusual aptitude for understanding evert aspect of literature and wisdom. And God gave Daniel the special ability to interpret the meanings of visions and dreams.” (vv. 3-17, NLT)