Preparing for Easter - Family Devotions

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FA M I LY D E V O T I O N S



Write these commandments that I’ve given you today on your hearts. Get them inside of you and then get them inside your children. Talk about them wherever you are, sitting at home or walking in the street; talk about them from the time you get up in the morning to when you fall into bed at night. DEUTERONOMY 6:5–7 (MSG)


M O N DAY

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Get Ready Before you begin today’s devotion, head outside and find a stone or a small rock and have it with you as you read the following devotion together.

Read Together “And when he had said these things, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. 29 When he drew near to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount that is called Olivet, he sent two of the disciples, 30 saying, “Go into the village in front of you, where on entering you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever yet sat. Untie it and bring it here. 31 If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ you shall say this: ‘The Lord has need of it.’” 32 So those who were sent went away and found it just as he had told them. 33 And as they were untying the colt, its owners said to them, “Why are you untying the colt?” 34 And they said, “The Lord has need of it.” 35 And

they brought it to Jesus, and throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. 36 And as he rode along, they spread their cloaks on the road. 37 As he was drawing near—already on the way down the Mount of Olives— the whole multitude of his disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen, 38 saying, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” 39 And some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples.” 40 He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.”” Luke 19:28-40 (ESV)


Think About This

Jesus replies, “I tell you, if these

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It seems that those who participated in this celebration knew who Jesus was. They may have even known that He was King, not only of the Jews, but of all humanity. He was the one that was spoken about by the prophets, as someone who would “give you

However, not all of the procession felt this great sense of adoration and praise. Amongst the crowd were the Pharisees, who were seemingly righteous people who obeyed the law and lived holy lives in accordance to the law. These guys were doubtful of Jesus’ motives and often rebuked Jesus’ claims to know the Father as He did. As they observe these followers of Jesus praising Him as King, they attempted to quiet the crowd, drowning out the people’s praises with silence and religious reluctance.

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Before Jesus was put on trial, mocked, topped with a crown of thorns and eventually crucified on a cross which read “King of the Jews”, He announced His coronation as King in a very interesting manner. The Jews understood that for a rightful king to be crowned, they ought to ride into the temple courts on a donkey (see 1 Kings 1:33 and Zech 9:9) and even have their people give thanks and tribute by laying garments down on the ground (2 Kings 9:13). This was accompanied by the waving of palm branches, which further spoke to the people’s understanding that Jesus was ‘the one who saves’ (Rev. 7:9). Interestingly, this is the same picture we see when Jesus enters Jerusalem. If we were to place this picture into our contemporary world, it was almost like Jesus was given a “red-carpet” entrance into Jerusalem. This was a big deal!

a new heart and put a new spirit in you” (Ezekiel 36:26) and “forgive [your] wickedness and remember [your] sins no more” (Jeremiah 31:34). They knew that He was King because they sang songs of praise, stating, “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord” (Psalm 118:26). This speaks of Jesus also being King of their hearts and entire lives. They had been so touched by His ministry and His claims to bring salvation to the nations, that they had to respond in praise shouting “Hosanna” which means ‘save me (please)’, or more specifically ‘hooray, for salvation is here’.


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were silent, the very stones would cry out”. What a claim! But what is this business about the stones? Here Jesus speaks on behalf of all of creation, which has been eagerly waiting for salvation to come. Here we are struck with two pictures of Jesus as we approach Easter. On the one hand we have the followers of Jesus who see the long-awaited King of Kings, who would bring eternal life, freedom and salvation for everyone who believes. Their response is one of wholehearted praise, shouting and singing songs of joy. These followers seemingly join in with all creation, the angels and hosts of heaven singing, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty, the whole earth is full of His glory” (Isaiah 6:3). On the other hand, we have the Pharisees who would not worship Jesus because they did not believe that He was who He said He was. This group tried to silence the crowd when they worshipped extravagantly and wholeheartedly.

Discuss This As we begin our devotions leading into Easter, ask yourself and those around you the following questions: ++ Have I recognised Jesus as the King of my heart and entire life? ++ How can I choose to praise Jesus today, and this week as we move towards Easter? ++ Am I more comfortable worshipping Jesus as a rightful King, or do I tend to look at those around me and attempt to silence their praise towards God?

Something Practical Put that stone or small rock that you found this morning in your hand and pray together. Then, carry it around today. Put it in your purse, pocket or in your car. Choose to worship God all throughout today and see how God uses you as you do.


T U E S DAY

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Take a moment before you begin this devotion to find a space, a moment, brew a cup of tea or coffee, serve some breakfast, gather everyone in your house around. Maybe grab a piece of fruit each, or put one on the table, so that you have a clear picture in your mind as you read and discuss.

Read Together “In the morning, as he was returning to the city, he became hungry. 19 And seeing a fig tree by the wayside, he went to it and found nothing on it but only leaves. And he said to it, “May no fruit ever come from you again!” And the fig tree withered at once. When the disciples saw it, they marvelled, saying, “How did the fig tree wither at once?” 21 And Jesus answered them, “Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say 20

to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ it will happen. 22 And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.” Matthew 21:18-22 (ESV)

Think About This What an interesting moment! It seems, from reconstructing the events of the Passion week, that this is probably Tuesday morning. Jesus probably rode in on the Donkey on the Sunday, and so there’s this on-going interaction with Jerusalem, it’s people, the leaders, and the practices that go on there.

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Get Ready


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Jesus seems to be overly mean to this poor fig tree. In Mark’s retelling of this story, he says it wasn’t even time for figs. That means Jesus seemed to want figs when no one would be expecting a fig tree to have fruit. That gives us a really interesting question to think about as we get ready for Easter: What is the fruit in my life? It might be a ‘difficult’ time: right before the holidays, we’re all tired and ready to get away. Not the moment in time where we think that we would be bearing fruit. Maybe we just hope to get through to when I can catch up on sleep, TV, whatever. But as we get ready for Easter, maybe we should take stock of this. Jesus seems to think that fruit should be visible even when we don’t feel like it, even when our life seems to say, “Sorry, no fruit yet. You’ll have to wait a bit!” Then Jesus talks about faith, and how He was able to say something to the fig tree that caused it to wither away at once. Faith is the strong conviction that God is good, that He is faithful to His promises, and that He can do stuff in our lives and the lives around us. Faith is powerful, faith brings

about change, faith in anything can give that thing power in our lives. Jesus says faith in God, and not doubting, can make impossible things happen. Things like mountains being thrown into the sea. And our words communicate this faith.

Discuss This Why not take a moment, and reflect on what the fruit is in your life, and what it might look like to exercise some faith in your own life, allowing the fruit to come even when it seems like an impossible time? Discuss it with whoever you are sitting with now, and even spend a few moments praying about it: thanking God for the fruit you have, and asking in faith for the fruit you need.

Something Practical Grab a piece of fruit today (even a fig if you can get one). Eat it sometime during the day. As you eat it, eat it slowly, and think about what fruit others might see in your life. Is there any? Is it good? Ask God, in faith, to the fruit of His kingdom more visible in your life.


W E D N E S DAY

Read Together “And they sent to him some of the Pharisees and some of the Herodians, to trap him in his talk. 14 And they came and said to him, “Teacher, we know that you are true and do not care about anyone’s opinion. For you are not swayed by appearances, but truly teach the way of God. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not? Should we pay them, or should we not?” 15 But, knowing their hypocrisy, he said to them, “Why put me to the test? Bring me a denarius and let me look at it.” 16 And they brought one. And he said to them, “Whose likeness and

inscription is this?” They said to him, “Caesar’s.” 17 Jesus said to them, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” And they marvelled at him.” Mark 12:13-17 (ESV)

Think About This As we continue through this week leading up to Easter, Jesus spends some significant time at the Temple in Jerusalem. A whole pile of things came up during this week, but to put it simply, Jesus made some friends, but possibly made more enemies. He had made some pretty big

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Take a moment before you begin this devotion to find a space, a moment, brew a cup of tea or coffee, serve some breakfast, gather everyone in your house around. Grab some loose change in coins from your wallet, the car, or somewhere. Put them out on the table so that everyone sitting there can see them as you read and discuss today’s devotion.

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Get Ready


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statements about how people had misused the Temple, and so the people in charge of the Temple were really trying to trick Jesus. They essentially ask Jesus to whom should He give authority and allegiance, and what those following Him should do. Here is a tricky point: is God or Caesar (the Roman Ruler) more important? The Herodians wanted Jesus to say ‘Caesar’, otherwise He’s a rebel; the Pharisees want Him to say ‘God’, otherwise He’s being idolatrous (recognising Caesar as Lord). Jesus knew they were trying to trick Him, and He responds with a question: “Whose picture is on the coin? Whose name is on it?” Of course, it’s Caesar’s. So, is it against the law of God to pay money to Caesar, or is it not? It’s a question that seems silly to us, but it goes to a deeper issue, that is very important to each of us. Worship is rightfully God’s, and Jesus suggests that if Caesar’s name or image is on the coin, it belongs to him. As we get ready for Easter, recognising what is rightfully God’s is important: remember when we looked at the stones, we learned that worship belongs to God alone.

But we also have the responsibility to those around us; our culture should be blessed by our presence in it. ‘Giving to Caesar’ could be thought of as respecting and honouring authority, regardless of their attitude to God (as Paul writes about in Romans 13). As we honour the authority we live under in our city, contributing to the wellbeing of our city is an important, Godly principle. Just like Jeremiah Chapter 29 teaches us, even in a place of exile, we should pray for the wellbeing of the city we are placed in.

Discuss This Looking at the change in front of you: what would it look like this week to give something to those around you, contributing to the wellbeing of our city? We can give worship to God and make difference to those around us, but our worship should fuel our generosity to our city and its citizens. What could that look like this week? Could you give of your money, time, resource, love? Discuss with those you are at the table with, and spend some time praying that God would show you where and what to give.


Something Practical

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Take a coin and put it somewhere where you’ll see it during the day. Every time you see it, spend a moment praying for the wellbeing of our city. Ask God to show you how much he loves our city. Then, give something of your resource to benefit the community we live in. Know that as you bless the city, it reflects the God we worship.


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T H U R S DAY

Get Ready Pour for yourself and those around you a glass of water

Read Together “Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. 2 During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him, 3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, 4 rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. 5 Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped

around him. 6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” 7 Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.” 8 Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.” 9 Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” 10 Jesus said to him, “The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean. And you are clean, but not every one of you.”” John 13:1-10 (ESV)


Think About This

It was a custom in Jesus’ day for each guest who attended a dinner to be washed by the servants of the host household. But, from what we understand from the text, this didn’t happen

You know, Jesus is also required to ‘wash our feet’ in order for us to be welcomed into the household of God. While Jesus may not be present to physically wash our feet, He is present “through washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit” (Titus 3:5b), who is able to wash our souls clean from the sin and unrighteousness that separates us from God. Without our openness to God’s cleansing, we hear Jesus’ words: “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me” (John 13:8).

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As we read the passage above, we get drawn into the story. It’s almost like we get to participate in it, and sit around the table with Jesus. You see, on this very day over 2000 years ago, Jesus spoke these words to His disciples at the ‘Last Supper’. It was here that He told His disciples to make remembrance of His death and resurrection through the breaking of bread (Matt 26:26-29). He explains what it looked like to abide with God (John 15:1-8) and He even prays a priestly prayer over the disciples (John 17). But before all of this occurred, something incredible happened.

I don’t know about you but washing people’s feet is not the best experience. And these feet would have been dusty, smelly, and probably worn out from all the miles of walking from town to town. And while the other disciples neglected to perceive the need to clean each other’s feet, or had been too proud to do it themselves, Jesus displays once again the real reason why He was sent from the Father: love.

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The previous three devotions focused on our personal heart issues as Christians: how we choose in our hearts to respond to the gospel (stone); how we see that work out in our everyday lives (fig); and then finally how we respond to the world around us (coin). But for this final devotion, the emphasis turns to Jesus.

as the disciples gathered around Jesus on the final night before He was betrayed. Instead Jesus takes off His outer robe and stoops down low and washes the disciples’ feet with water.


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Discuss This As we prepare for Good Friday tomorrow, will you allow Jesus to wash your feet? Will you allow God to show His amazing love for you as He surrenders His glory for humiliation, even humiliation to the point of death? How can you show God’s love to those around you today by ‘washing their feet’?

Something Practical Go and wash your hands as a symbol of your decision to allow God to wash your heart and soul today. Allow the water to wash over your hands as you pray to Him.



riverlifebaptistchurch riverlifebaptistchurch

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church@riverlifechurch.org.au 3378 3595 W riverlifechurch.org.

Jennifer Street, 17 Mile Rocks Qld


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