THURSDAY:

Read Luke 23:13-34:  

13 Then Pilate called together the leading priests and other religious leaders, along with the people, 14 and he announced his verdict. “You brought this man to me, accusing him of leading a revolt. I have examined him thoroughly on this point in your presence and find him innocent. 15 Herod came to the same conclusion and sent him back to us. Nothing this man has done calls for the death penalty. 16 So I will have him flogged, and then I will release him.”

18 Then a mighty roar rose from the crowd, and with one voice they shouted, “Kill him, and release Barabbas to us!” 19 (Barabbas was in prison for taking part in an insurrection in Jerusalem against the government, and for murder.) 20 Pilate argued with them, because he wanted to release Jesus. 21 But they kept shouting, “Crucify him! Crucify him!”
22 For the third time he demanded, “Why? What crime has he committed? I have found no reason to sentence him to death. So I will have him flogged, and then I will release him.”
23 But the mob shouted louder and louder, demanding that Jesus be crucified, and their voices prevailed. 24 So Pilate sentenced Jesus to die as they demanded.25 As they had requested, he released Barabbas, the man in prison for insurrection and murder. But he turned Jesus over to them to do as they wished.
26 As they led Jesus away, a man named Simon, who was from Cyrene, happened to be coming in from the countryside. The soldiers seized him and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus. 27 A large crowd trailed behind, including many grief-stricken women. 28 But Jesus turned and said to them,“Daughters of Jerusalem, don’t weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. 29 For the days are coming when they will say, ‘Fortunate indeed are the women who are childless, the wombs that have not borne a child and the breasts that have never nursed.’ 30 People will beg the mountains, ‘Fall on us,’ and plead with the hills, ‘Bury us.’ 31 For if these things are done when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?”
32 Two others, both criminals, were led out to be executed with him. 33 When they came to a place called The Skull, they nailed him to the cross. And the criminals were also crucified—one on his right and one on his left.
34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” And the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice.
Pilate condemned Jesus because he feared a riot among the people. These were many of the same people who shouted “Hosanna” just a few days earlier as Jesus arrived in Jerusalem. Later, while on the cross, Jesus prayed for Pilate, the soldiers, and the crowd when He said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”

Prayer For Today:  “Lord Jesus, thank you for being willing to forgive us, even when we do the most terrible things. Give us grace to also forgive one another. Amen”

WEDNESDAY:

Read Luke 22:47-54.

Even while Jesus is being wrongfully arrested He shows love and compassion for the arresting soldiers.

It's easy to treat people well when they treat you well. The real test is when they treat you badly.
Think of times you’ve been truly wronged, in small ways or big ones. Maybe someone stole something , turned others against you, broke an agreement, cheated on you, or spoke unfairly or abusively. 

Yet Jesus teaches us (both by His actions and in His Words) how we are to respond!

Jesus said, "But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you." (Luke 6:27-28 NIV) In the following verses Jesus gives several specific examples of how to treat those who have hurt you, and He concludes with, "Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful." (vs. 36 NIV) Talk about an impossible standard...but talk about an amazing love! 

At times, I may resist that kind of thinking and say, "I don't want to love my enemies!"... Then I am reminded that all of us (Colossians 1:21 & Romans 5:10) were enemies of God...yet He loved us still! 

I am so thankful that He did! Oh, what a Savior!

Pray “Lord Jesus, help us to show compassion and to love one another even when others treat us wrongly. Amen.” 

TUESDAY:

Read John 17:20-23. Jesus actually prayed for those of us who would believe in Him in the future. He asked His Father to help us show unity by loving each other.

Discuss how your family can show love to each other in a way that picture’s God’s love.

(Couples should read Ephesians 5:31-33 to reinforce how marriage is intended to be a picture of the relationship between Christ and His bride, the Church.)

Prayer for today “Lord Jesus, help our family to reflect the kind of selfless love you prayed for us. Amen.”


Join us at Hardy Street Baptist Church
Friday, March 25 at 6:00 p.m. for a Good Friday Celebration Service
1508 Hardy Street 
​Hattiesburg, MS

Holy Week – Monday
March  21Holy Week is the week from Palm Sunday to Easter – the week Christians celebrate each year to remind us of God’s amazing Gift of Salvation through His Son, Jesus. Create daily conversations to celebrate Easter with your family.
Faith Talk:

• Read John 13:1-17
• In ancient households the lowliest job was to wash the feet of guests as they entered a home. Usually, this task was only performed by the household servants. When a non-servant washed someone’s feet, it was a sign of great humility.
• Discuss some of the ways that Jesus displayed humility while on earth, including washing his disciples’ feet. Choose to wash each other’s feet as an exercise in both humility and honor. Discuss your feelings and how the disciples must have felt when Jesus’ wanted to wash their feet.
• Read Philippians 2:5-8
• Who can your family serve this week as an example of Jesus’ servanthood and love?

Pray:Lord Jesus, thank You for humbling Yourself and for loving me. Thank You for loving me enough to leave heaven and become a Servant. Help me follow Your example by loving and serving others. Amen.

Holy Week Family Devotional Guide - HERE