When you drop by the website this morning, you will find a fresh new look for our homepage. The goal was to put make it even easier to read the best devotions online. Enjoy and let us know what you think.
Devotional Christian has a new look.
Easter (or Resurrection Sunday) is the most important day on the Christian calendar. What happened on this Holy Day is the heart of our religion and faith. Below are listed all the accounts of Easter morning according to the four Gospels. You can use these Bible quotes for personal reflection or to plan a Bible study about Easter.
All the following links point back to the ESV Online.
| Event | Matt | Mark | Luke | John | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Easter Sunday | Empty-tomb witnesses | 28:1–8 | 16:1–8 | 24:1–12 | |
| Resurrection appearances | 28:9–20 | 16:9–20 | 24:13–53 | 20:1–21:25 |
(Mark 16:1-8 ESV) When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. And they were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?” And looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled back—it was very large. And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe, and they were alarmed. And he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.” And they went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had seized them, and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid. (Mark 16:1-8 ESV)
[On the Road to Emmaus]
(Luke 24:13-53 ESV) That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. And he said to them, “What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?” And they stood still, looking sad. Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” And he said to them, “What things?” And they said to him, “Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened. Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning, and when they did not find his body, they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.” And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.
So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He acted as if he were going farther, but they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent.” So he went in to stay with them. When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight. They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?” And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.
[Jesus Appears to His Disciples]
As they were talking about these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, “Peace to you!” But they were startled and frightened and thought they saw a spirit. And he said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. And while they still disbelieved for joy and were marveling, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate before them.
Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”
[The Ascension]
Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven. And they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple blessing God. (Luke 24:13-53 ESV)
There are few days more important to the Christian religion as Good Friday, also known as Black Friday. This page lists the relevant Bible verses that describe the final hours of Jesus passion. These scripture quotes could be used to arrange the reading portion of your worship service or personal devotions on that day.
The links in this chart below point to the ESV Study Bible online.
| Event | Matthew | Mark | Luke | John | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday | Betrayal and arrest (after midnight?) | 26:47–56 | 14:43–52 | 22:47–53 | 18:2–12 |
| Jewish trial: | |||||
| —before Annas | 18:13–24 | ||||
| —before Caiaphas and part of the Sanhedrin | 26:57–75 | 14:53–72 | 22:54–65 | 18:19–24 | |
| —before full Sanhedrin(after sunrise?) | 27:1–2 | 15:1 | 22:66–71 | ||
| Roman trials: | |||||
| —before Pilate | 27:2–14 | 15:2–5 | 23:1–5 | ||
| —before Herod | 23:6–12 | ||||
| —before Pilate | 27:15–26 | 15:6–15 | 23:13–25 | 18:28–19:16 | |
| Crucifixion (approx. 9:00a.m. to 3:00 p.m.) | 27:27–54 | 15:16–39 | 23:26–49 | 19:16–37 | |
| Burial (evening) | 27:57–61 | 15:42–47 | 23:50–54 | 19:38–42 |
Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” (John 2:19 ESV)
There was no hesitation in his voice and his words were blunt. On Good Friday, it was us against him. This was mankind’s ultimate outburst of evil, our desperate attempt to seize the throne of heaven. God’s presence was among us and we cried, “Tear it down.”
Destruction is our human obsession. We destroy the innocence of children. We destroy the beauty of nature. We destroy our own souls. All the while the Devil makes sport of our suffering.
Here is where pride makes us into fools. There is nothing our hands can break that he can’t restore. Our dark reign will cease and the Prince of Dawn will turn back our gains in a moment. His body was just the beginning.
What we destroy … he will raised up anew.
What does the Bible say about moms? Here are some Bible quotes you can use for inspirational greeting cards, personal devotions, or preparing a Bible study/sermon about Mother’s Day. Each of these scriptures about mothers are quoted from the ESV translation.
Motherhood Before the Fall
Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed. (Genesis 2:24-25 ESV)
Sons Should Follow their Mother’s Teaching
My son, keep your father’s commandment, and forsake not your mother’s teaching. Bind them on your heart always; tie them around your neck. When you walk, they will lead you; when you lie down, they will watch over you; and when you awake, they will talk with you. (Proverbs 6:20-22 ESV)
Mother’s Must Correct their Children
The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother. (Proverbs 29:15 ESV)
Children Must Honor their Mother (and Father)
“Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. (Ephesians 6:2-4 ESV)
Timothy’s Mother as Faith Example
I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well. (2 Timothy 1:5 ESV)
Jesus Provided for His Mother Before He Died
When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home. (John 19:26-27 ESV)
Warning to Provide for Your Aged Mother
Honor widows who are truly widows. But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show godliness to their own household and to make some return to their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God. She who is truly a widow, left all alone, has set her hope on God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day, but she who is self-indulgent is dead even while she lives. Command these things as well, so that they may be without reproach. But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. (1 Timothy 5:3-7; 1 Timothy 5:8 ESV)
Women Who Believer are Like Mothers to Jesus
While he was still speaking to the people, behold, his mother and his brothers stood outside, asking to speak to him. But he replied to the man who told him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.” (Matthew 12:46-50 ESV)
Famous Mother’s in the Bible
Ministry-T0-Children has a longer list of Mother’s Day Bible Verses.
Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. (John 15:13 ESV )
What does love mean except taking the burdens of others as your own?
When you love an abused child you share in the suffering of that abuse. When you love delayed child you accept those challenges as your own. How else can I follow the path of Christ without embracing the worst this world has to offer? Only in that raw and powerless posture can I know the love of God.
Only under the burden of this cross can I truly say, “Not I, but Christ.”
The 2011 national day of prayer has been set for Thursday, May 5th. For more information visit the official website. Here is the stated vision of this event:
The mission of the National Day of Prayer Task Force is to mobilize prayer in America and to encourage personal repentance and righteousness in the culture.
Many churches and Christian organizations will hold prayer rallies on that day. Joni Eareckson Tada joins Shirley Dobson as Honorary Chairman for 2011.
To be honest, I am terrified of dying. This only comes out in rare situations, but it is nothing less than a full panic. For example, when flying in big airplanes. The whole experience feels like an hour long car wreck in slow motion.
Last month, I was dealing with Jesus & Halloween on my kids ministry blog. In the process I had to confront my own fears. Here are three precious Bible truths that reassured my soul:
#1 Death has been abolished. 2 Timothy 2:10 says Jesus “abolished death” through the Gospel. If you’re a child of God, then death has been made un-true. Ultimately it can’t hurt you anymore.
#2 Satan can no longer use death as his tool. Read Hebrews 2:14-15 carefully. “Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he (Jesus) himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.”
#3 Death will be disarmed & defeated. This points to our future in becoming like Christ. Read this from 1 Corinthians 15:54-55 “When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?”
