Jesus Has Risen! Today’s passage: John 20:1, along with Matthew 28:2–4, Mark 16:4, and Luke 24:2–3 Focus verse: Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. (John 20:1) John, Mark, and Luke all simply write that when Mary Magdalene and her friends arrive at the tomb, […]
It Is Finished Today’s passage: John 19:28–30, with Matthew 27:45–54, Mark 15:33–39, and Luke 23:44–48 Focus verse: Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. (John 19:30) Together, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John combine to record seven things Jesus says on the cross as he dies. One […]
Going Back to Twelve Disciples Today’s passage: Acts 1:15–20 Focus verse: “Scripture had to be fulfilled in which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through David concerning Judas, who served as guide for those who arrested Jesus.” (Acts 1:16) Besides praying, the disciples also do something else as they wait for the Holy Spirit. Peter […]
Go and Make Disciples Today’s passage: Matthew 28:18–20 Focus verse: “Go and make disciples of all nations.” (Matthew 28:19) As Jesus prepares to return to heaven, he has one final bit of instruction for his disciples. He commissions them to continue what he started and tell others the good news about how he died in […]
Feed My Sheep Today’s passage: John 21:15–19 Focus verse: Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” (John 21:17) Right before Jesus was crucified, he predicted that Peter would deny him three times. The confident disciple was adamant it wouldn’t happen, that he was willing to go to prison […]
Peace Be with You! Today’s passage: John 20:19–20, along with Mark 16:14 and Luke 24:36–43 Focus verse: Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” (John 20:19) Having spent several days focusing on Luke’s account of the pair of disciples who travel to Emmaus, we segue from Luke’s gospel back to […]
…and the Mysterious Stranger Today’s passage: Mark 16:12–13 and Luke 24:13–18 Focus verse: As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them. (Luke 24:15) John doesn’t mention that two of Jesus’s followers make a trip to Emmaus. While Mark mentions this briefly, Luke gives us […]
Who Will Roll Away the Stone? Today’s passage: John 20:1, along with Matthew 28:1, Mark 16:1–3, and Luke 24:1 Focus verse: Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb. (John 20:1) With the Sabbath over, Mary Magdalene can again do manual labor. She returns […]
He Has Risen! Today’s passage: John 20:1–18 Focus verse: Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!” (John 20:18) Jesus dies. His body is prepared for burial and his human shell is placed in a tomb. A large stone seals the entrance. But this isn’t the end. In many […]