The Resurrection: Victory Over Death

Day 8: The Resurrection: Victory Over Death

John 11:25-26 (NIV) 25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; 26 and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

Easter Sunday is a celebration of the most monumental event in Christian history: the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Today, we gather in joy and reverence, remembering the morning when the stone was rolled away from the tomb, signifying that death could not hold our Lord captive.

In the early hours of the first Easter, women who came to anoint Jesus’ body found an empty tomb and an angel who proclaimed, "He is not here; He has risen, just as he said." This moment transcends time, offering hope and renewal to all who believe. It's a day that turned despair into joy, doubt into faith, and death into eternal life.

IN A NUTSHELL:

The resurrection of Jesus is not just an event to be remembered; it's a truth to be lived. Jesus conquered death, proving that life with Him is not bound by the grave but promises eternal continuity. Today's celebration is not just about the miracle of the resurrection but also about the promise of life everlasting that it extends to each one of us.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, on this glorious Easter Sunday, we rejoice in the resurrection of Your Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. We thank You for the hope and the life that His victory over death brings to our hearts. Help us to live in the reality of this resurrection power every day, embodying the joy and peace that come from You.

As we reflect on this miraculous event, let our lives be testimonies of Your love and power. Guide us to spread this good news, living as people of the resurrection who bring light to the dark places of this world.

Lord, strengthen our faith and renew our spirits, that we may always remember Your son's victory is our victory. May we live in such a way that honors You and draws others to Your saving grace.

In the precious name of Jesus, we pray, Amen.

Application:

1. Today, find at least one person to share the story of the resurrection with. It might be through a conversation, a message, or even a social media post.

2. Consider how the reality of the resurrection influences your daily life. Are there areas where you need to claim victory over sin or despair? Take time today to commit these areas to God in prayer.

3. Reach out to someone who may be struggling with loss or despair. Offer them the hope and joy of Easter, and if possible, extend an invitation to join you in a community gathering or church service.

Further Reading:

• Matthew 28:1-10

• Mark 16:1-8

• Luke 24:1-12

• 1 Corinthians 15:12-28

Guarding the Tomb

Day 7: Guarding the Tomb 

Matthew 27:62-65 “The next day, the one after Preparation Day, the chief priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate. “Sir,” they said, “we remember that while He was still alive that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise again.’ So give the order for the tomb to be made secure until the third day. Otherwise, His disciples may come and steal the body and tell the people that He has been raised from the dead. This last deception will be worse than the first.” “Take a guard,” Pilate answered. “Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how.”

After Jesus’ death on the cross, Joseph of Arimathea, a member of the Sanhedrin, the Jewish council, asked Roman governor Pilate for permission to bury Jesus. Tombs were sealed with huge stones to deter robbers and scavengers. It would take a miracle to move the heavy stone, signifying that the dead are separated and cut off from the living. In Jesus’ case, the tomb was guarded as well. They thought that by killing the Messiah, the job was complete. They acted on their own understanding.

Meanwhile, His disciples and believers were dejected and left hopeless. Their hope for freedom from Roman rule had been dealt a heavy blow. This was a dark period for them. 

IN A NUTSHELL

“Sir,” they said, “we remember that while He was still alive, that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise again.’”

All that day, Christ lay dead in the grave, having laboured and done all His work for six days. He rested and was being refreshed for what would come, while the Pharisees and the chief priests, instead of being on their knees, asking for forgiveness for the sins of the past week, were busy asking Pilate to have Jesus’ tomb guarded and secured. They remembered that Jesus had said He would rise again after three days. His disciples would remember the same words for the confirmation of their faith, while the Pharisees remembered them out of fear. 

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, as I come to this final day of our prayer and fasting journey, reflecting on Jesus's guarded tomb, my heart meditates on the silence and stillness that wrapped the world in those moments. This was a time of waiting and uncertainty for the disciples, yet it was part of Your sovereign plan. Lord, help me to trust in Your timing and Your perfect will, even when outcomes are unclear and the wait feels long. Teach me to rest in the assurance that You are at work, even in the silence, even in the grave.

Thank You for the peace that comes from knowing the end of the story—that death does not have the final say, that Your love conquers all. As I guard my heart and mind in Christ Jesus, prepare me to celebrate the victory of the resurrection. In the precious and Holy name of Jesus, who defeated death, I pray, Amen. 

APPLICATION

• Write in a journal about a time in your life when you had to wait for an outcome and didn't know what was going to happen. Reflect on how you felt during that waiting period and how it resolved. Compare this to the disciples’ feelings during Jesus’ time in the tomb and draw parallels to the lessons learned about trust and patience. 

• Identify one situation in your life where you feel uncertain or anxious. Make a conscious decision to ‘let go’ of this anxiety and place your trust in God’s hands. Write a prayer of commitment to trust God with this situation and review this commitment daily.

• Who are you trusting today? The rulers of this world (who base their decisions on human understanding), or on the promises of Christ, the Son of God?

Read on to find out more about the resurrection of Jesus:

• Explore the resurrection morning – (Matthew 28:1-10)

• Explore the significance of Christ's resurrection – (1 Corinthians 15:12-28)

• Examine Luke's account of the resurrection – (Luke 24:1-12) 

The Death of Jesus

Day 6: The Death of Jesus

John 19:28-37 (NIV) “Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. When He had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, He bowed His head and gave up His spirit. Now it was the day of Preparation, and the next day was to be a special Sabbath. Because the Jewish leaders did not want the bodies left on the crosses during the Sabbath, they asked Pilate to have the legs broken and the bodies taken down. The soldiers therefore came and broke the legs of the first man who had been crucified with Jesus, and then those of the other. But when they came to Jesus and found that he was already dead, they did not break His legs. Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus’ side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water. The man who saw it has given testimony, and his testimony is true. He knows that he tells the truth, and he testifies so that you also may believe. These things happened so that the scripture would be fulfilled: “Not one of his bones will be broken,” and, as another scripture says, “They will look on the one they have pierced.”

Jesus was crucified, suspended on a cross by six-inch nails driven through his hands and feet, in the hottest part of the day. He died slowly, by asphyxiation. With His final breath, He cried out, ‘It is finished’ – the great task is accomplished, the ultimate loving sacrifice on behalf of a broken humanity is complete. Because of His death, we can be forgiven and live a new life with Him today.

IN A NUTSHELL

Jesus ... said ‘It is finished.’ The Gospel writers didn’t use much ink on the details of Jesus’ crucifixion. Everyone knew what it implied: an excessively cruel method of torture and execution, used to nip any rebellion against Rome in the bud. Hands and feet fastened to the cross, the victim endured hours of agony, until suffocation or blood loss allowed them to die. 

The Messiah was supposed to deliver Israel from Rome. A crucified Messiah seemed ridiculous. Yet Christians came to realise that Jesus had endured the horror of Golgotha to save people, not from Rome, but their sins.

People trade in today’s world. Some trade ideas, others trade favours, and some even trade for a living. What we may not realise is that we’re all traders. The Bible records right at the beginning how the first people traded life with God for life as their own rulers. This is what sin is. Sin trades the Creator for created things (Read Romans 1:18-25). Now, if God is the source of all life, light, and love and we trade Him away, we lose all of that.

This is why we need the cross, where Jesus died for the traders: for those in darkness, for those without love and meaning. God commits to the ultimate trade – His son for our guilt – to forgive our sin. Death entered Jesus so life might enter us. Once you realise all that God has done through the cross, the only right response is that of the Roman centurion: “Truly this man was the Son of God!” 

PRAYER

Lord Jesus, as I think about this day, the day of Your crucifixion, I feel both sadness and thankfulness. On the cross, You took on the world's sins, including mine, enduring great pain because of Your deep love for humanity. 

Lord, help me understand the significance of Your sacrifice. Teach me to live in the light of the cross, where love and sacrifice come together.

During this fasting period, help me to care more about the sacrifice You made. Instil in me a spirit that values and respects it by living each day according to Your teachings. Give me the strength to carry my own cross, to lay down my life in service and in love for others, just as You did.

Thank You, Jesus, for the words, "It is finished." May I find complete assurance in the work You accomplished on the cross, trusting that nothing can separate me from Your love. In Your holy and precious name, I pray, Amen. 

APPLICATION

• Just as Christ forgave those who crucified Him, we are called to forgive those who have wronged us. Reflect on any grudges or bitterness you may be holding onto and consider what steps you can take towards offering forgiveness.

• Christ’s death represents the ultimate sacrifice for our sins, offering us a new life. Take time today to renew your commitment to live according to the Gospel. Reflect on areas of your life that need redemption and ask God for the strength to make necessary changes.  

Read on to find out more about the cross of Jesus:

• Alone yet not abandoned – (Matthew 27:32-54)

• Today in Paradise – (Luke 23:39-43)

• Mission accomplished – (John 19:28-30) 

Peter’s Denial of Jesus

Day 5: Peter’s Denial of Jesus

Luke 22:54-62 (NIV) “Then seizing Him, they led Him away and took Him into the house of the high priest. Peter followed at a distance. And when some there had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and had sat down together, Peter sat down with them. A servant girl saw him seated there in the firelight. She looked closely at him and said, “This man was with him.” But he denied it. “Woman, I don’t know him,” he said. A little later someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.” “Man, I am not!” Peter replied. About an hour later another asserted, “Certainly this fellow was with Him, for he is a Galilean.” Peter replied, “Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about!” Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed. The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows today, you will disown Me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly. 

Peter was one of Jesus’ closest friends. He had left behind his fishing business to follow Jesus and for three years had been by His side as His faithful companion. However, in the heat of the moment, Peter three times denied his association with Jesus, when Jesus needed him most. Here, in the courtyard of Caiaphas’ house, overwhelmed and troubled by all that was happening to his friend, Peter finally broke. 

IN A NUTSHELL

‘You, too, were with Jesus of Galilee.’ Facing the High Priest Caiaphas, Jesus was accused of attacking Jerusalem’s temple, the heart of Jewish faith. Worse still, when Jesus claimed to be the Son of Man through whom God would judge the world at the end of time, the council agreed that this ‘deluded agitator’ needed to be silenced, once and for all.

Peter, meanwhile, had problems of his own. Not least because of his rural northern accent, the people in Caiaphas’ courtyard identified him as an associate of the Galilean who was on trial inside. Rather unconvincingly, Peter denied even knowing Him three times before the fateful night was over and the cockerel crowed.

Perhaps fear was not the only reason. Peter was losing faith in Jesus, who had ‘succumbed’ to His enemies without resistance. Matthew 26:75 shows the moment Peter’s heart plunged. The verything he had denied he would do; he did three times. Outside Caiaphas’s house, Jesus needed Peter the most and there he failed Him the worst. Only the resurrection of Jesus would set Peter back on course to being a rock of the church and a shepherd of the flock.

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, as I reflect on Peter’s denial, I am reminded of how fragile human strength can be and how easily we break under pressure. Like Peter, I have often found myself failing to stand firm in my faith when faced with challenges or peer pressure. Forgive me, Lord, for the times I have denied You through my actions or inaction. Strengthen me to be a faithful witness to Your love and grace, even in situations where it may be difficult to do so. During this time of fasting and prayer, strengthen my spirit and faith. Help me see my weaknesses and depend more on Your strength and guidance. Teach me to pray consistently, knowing that while my spirit is eager, my body is weak. Lord, help me have a heart that seeks forgiveness and reconciliation, like Peter received Your loving grace. Let me also offer that same forgiveness to others, recognising the importance of Your second chances. Thank you for Your mercy that forgives my mistakes and for Your love that renews my spirit. Help me to stand confidently as a true follower, even when facing challenges, knowing that You are with me, giving me strength. In the precious and Holy name of Jesus, I pray, Amen. 

APPLICATION

• Take time to reflect on moments when you've faced pressure or fear that tested your faith. What were those situations, and how did you respond?

• On the shore, (Read John 21), the risen Jesus ate fish with His friends and took time to restore Peter and reaffirm him as a disciple. He wants to do the same with you today. The one who knows us the best loves us the most.

• Does guilt weigh heavy on you? Jesus went to the cross so you would experience that weight lifted. Your feelings, strong as they may be, are not telling you the truth. “There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8.1).

• Challenge yourself this week to speak openly about your faith in at least one situation where you might usually hold back. It could be sharing a personal belief, a Bible verse, or offering to pray for someone.

Read on to find out more about Peter’s denial and restoration:

• Showing courage – (John 18:1-14)

• Moment of truth – (Matthew 26:31-35) A second chance – (John 21:15-29) 

Gethsemane

Day 4: Gethsemane

Matthew 26:36-46 (NIV) “Then Jesus went with His disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and He said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with Him, and He began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then He said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with Me.” Going a little farther, He fell with His face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.” 37 38 39 40 41 42 When He came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. So He left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing. Then He returned to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour has come, and the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!” 

After the Last Supper in Jerusalem, Jesus headed out to a quiet place to pray. Here in the Garden of Gethsemane, He faced the biggest challenge of His life. His soul was overwhelmed as He prayed for the Father’s help. It is here in this place that He chose crucifixion. Judas had also made his choice – to betray Jesus and lead the soldiers to arrest Him.

IN A NUTSHELL

Jesus prayed, ‘My Father, if this cup of suffering cannot be taken away unless I drink it, your will be done.’ He seems to have experienced what is scientifically known as ‘hematohidrosis’ - sweating blood without having been injured. ‘In great anguish he prayed even more fervently; his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.’ (Luke 22.44) 

The account rules out the possibility that Jesus, the divine Son of God, had not truly been a flesh and blood human. Fully human, He felt inner conflict, pain and the full weight of human sin. His body knew it. His soul knew it. Feeling the human desire to save His life rather than to sacrifice it, Jesus managed to overcome. How? He took his sorrow and overwhelming pain to His Father.

All our hopes and the promises of God hang in this moment of prayer, when He said, “Father, not My will but Your will be done in My life.” If Jesus were to let human desire win, then all hope would have died. And that’s why this should be part of our daily prayer – “Your will be done, not mine”

At His weakest, Jesus trusted God’s will more than His own. He trusted that God would bring good from the worst of suffering. God’s judgment had to be poured into Jesus’ cup so that God's life could be poured into ours. 

PRAYER

Father in Heaven, on this day, as I think about the difficult moments Jesus faced in Gethsemane, I am moved by His deep suffering and His complete acceptance of Your will. In the garden, facing upcoming pain and betrayal, Your Son chose to obey, leading us to salvation.

Lord, help me to face the challenges and trials in my own life with the same courage and submission. When I feel overwhelmed, remind me of Jesus’ words, “Not as I will, but as You will.” Teach me to trust in Your perfect plan, even when the path is difficult and the outcome is uncertain.

As I continue to fast and pray, let the spirit of Gethsemane inspire me to seek You in my moments of distress. Strengthen my resolve to remain vigilant in prayer, resisting the temptations that seek to pull me away from You.

Grant me the grace to accept Your will, to embrace it fully, knowing that beyond the pain lies victory. Fill me with peace, knowing that You are always with me, guiding and comforting me through every trial. In the name of Jesus, I pray, Amen. 

APPLICATION

• Just as Jesus was vulnerable in expressing His fears to the Father, encourage yourself to be honest in your prayers. Share your deepest worries and fears with God, knowing He listens and cares about your struggles.

• Pray for the strength to accept God's will, even when it leads you through uncomfortable or painful situations. Ask God to help you say, "Not my will, but Yours be done," in various aspects of your life, trusting that He leads you towards your ultimate good.

• In your moment of pressing, do as Jesus did. Take it all to your heavenly Father and trust Him with everything, even your life. He is working good even in the worst of things.

Read on to find out more about Jesus’ spiritual battle:

• Knowing all along what’s coming – (Matthew 16:21-28)

• Conflict, decision and consequences – (Mark 14:32-50). 

The Last Supper

Day 3: The Last Supper

Matthew 26:17-30 (NIV) On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Where do you want us to make preparations for you to eat the Passover?” He replied, “Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, ‘The Teacher says: My appointed time is near. I am going to celebrate the Passover with my disciples at your house.’” So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them and prepared the Passover. When evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the Twelve. And while they were eating, he said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.” They were very sad and began to say to him one after the other, “Surely you don’t mean me, Lord?” Jesus replied, “The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.” Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, “Surely you don’t mean me, Rabbi?” Jesus answered, “You have said so.” While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it and gave it to His disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is My body.” Then He took a cup, and when He had given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you; I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.” When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. 

Jesus and His friends celebrated the Passover meal to commemorate Israel’s escape from Egyptian slavery. This was a simple meal in remembrance of the Exodus, the time when the people of Israel were dramatically rescued from slavery in Egypt. By covering the doorposts of their dwellings with the blood taken from the broken bodies of slaughtered lambs, the Israelites were spared by an angel of death taking revenge on their Egyptian oppressors. Here, at the Last Supper, Jesus reimagined the Passover meal. He likened the bread and the wine they shared to His own body and blood. The bread was now His body, and the wine was His blood. He was preparing Himself for the ultimate Exodus through His death and resurrection for Israel and the whole world. 

IN A NUTSHELL

Jesus took a piece of bread, gave a prayer of thanks, broke it and gave it to His disciples, “Take it,” He said, “This is my body which is given for you.” As human beings, we associate meals with remembrance. Some meals take us back to our childhood, while some remind us of lost loved ones. Others would also cast us back to moments of real celebration. God knows about this. He made us this way. And that’s why on the night He brought Israel out of Egypt, He made sure Israel would not have a ‘Take-out’. He prescribed a menu for a meal that they would never forget.

On the night that Jesus celebrated the Passover with His disciples, He changed everything. The Passover would no longer be just in memory of Israel’s liberation from Egypt but also in memory of Him. He has become the Exodus. On the cross, the New Testament says, “Christ, our Passover lamb has been crucified” (1 Corinthians 5:7). Through a meal, God made sure Israel would not forget who they were. 

PRAYER

Lord Jesus, as I meditate on the profound moment of the Last Supper, I am moved by Your willingness to share Your final meal with those You loved, even as You faced immense suffering. At this table, You established a covenant, not just with those present, but with all who would believe in You, including me. Help me, Lord, to truly grasp the significance of the bread and the wine — symbols of Your body broken and Your blood shed for the forgiveness of sins. Teach me to cherish this new covenant and to live out its truths in every aspect of my life. As I continue in fasting and prayer, let this time be a reflection of that intimate supper. May my spirit be nourished by Your presence and Your word. Help me to commune deeply with You, to listen attentively, and to respond wholeheartedly. Thank You, Jesus, for this sacrificial love that covers me. May I always remember the cost of my freedom and the depth of Your grace. In Your holy and precious name, I pray, Amen. 

APPLICATION

• Have you forgotten your true identity? Regardless of how you feel, remind yourself that you are forgiven and set free because of what Jesus accomplished. Death passed through Him, so that it might pass over you, setting you free.

• During the Last Supper, Jesus knew His disciples would face trials and deny Him, yet He loved them to the end. Examine your own heart for areas where fear might lead you to deny Christ. Ask for strength and courage to stand firm in your faith during challenging times.

• Today, reflect on the times you might have felt betrayed or when you may have betrayed others, whether intentionally or unintentionally. Consider the grace Jesus showed even when He knew Judas would betray Him. Offer forgiveness to those who have hurt you, and seek forgiveness where you have caused pain. 

Read on to find out more about Jesus’ Passover sacrifice:

• The Passover – (Exodus 12)

• The bread and the cup – (Mark 14:22-26) 

Jesus At The Temple

Day 2: Jesus At The Temple

Matthew 21:12-17 (NIV) “Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. “It is written,” he said to them, “‘My house will be called a house of prayer,’ but you are making it ‘a den of robbers.’” The blind and the lame came to him at the temple, and he healed them. But when the chief priests and the teachers of the law saw the wonderful things he did and the children shouting in the temple courts, “Hosanna to the Son of David,” they were indignant. “Do you hear what these children are saying?” they asked him. “Yes,” replied Jesus, “have you never read, “‘From the lips of children and infants you, Lord, have called forth your praise’?” And he left them and went out of the city to Bethany, where he spent the night. 

During His final week, Jesus caused an uproar as He drove out the traders who were making illegal profits from those who attended the temple for worship. He entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there, declaring that the Temple was a house of prayer. Jerusalem’s first temple was built under King Solomon about 3,000 years ago and destroyed by Babylonian invaders four centuries later. A new temple followed at the end of the sixth century BC. It was expanded, 500 years on, by King Herod the ‘Great’, who ruled Judea on Rome’s behalf and became notorious for trying to kill the baby Jesus.

The Law of Moses prescribed three annual visits to the temple for specific festivals. So, Jesus would have repeatedly climbed the steps to the temple. But unlike the countless pilgrims around Him, He challenged the temple practices of his day.

Jewish pilgrims would buy sacrificial animals and change ‘unclean’ Roman coins for local currency to pay temple tax. Shrewd businessmen set up shop in the temple, overcharging the pilgrims and getting in the way of worshippers who tried to enter the temple. This is why Jesus turned their tables over and whipped the sacrificial animals out of the temple court. 

IN A NUTSHELL

Jesus declared that the Temple was a house of prayer, not a hideout of thieves. Jesus’ anger here is a mature and healthy response to a specific form of abuse. Not all anger is like this. His anger boiled up from a tender, compassionate heart that longed to protect the vulnerable and uphold the purity of God’s house. Anger can result from love, because love makes you want to do something about injustice and pain. It’s precisely because Jesus is love that He responded like this and really, we should be concerned if Jesus had let the corruption slip. 

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, today, as I reflect on Jesus' actions in the temple, where He showed righteous zeal for Your house, I ask for Your guidance in examining my own heart. Help me identify anything within me that may be hindering my relationship with You—a place that should be a temple of Your Holy Spirit. Grant me the courage, Lord, to overturn the tables of my own greed, selfishness, and complacency. Instil in me a pure heart that seeks to honour You in thought, word, and deed. As I continue this fast, cleanse me from within, making me a true house of prayer. Teach me to cherish Your presence over all worldly distractions. 

May my life reflect the purity and devotion that Your temple deserves. Let my actions and words be in alignment with Your divine will, showing others the power of living a life dedicated to Your service.

Thank You, Father, for the lessons of passion and purity that come from remembering Jesus cleansing the temple. May I follow His example to preserve what is sacred and true. In the precious and Holy name of Jesus, I pray, Amen.

APPLICATION

• Let us be like Jesus and not be complacent when it comes to God’s house and the world.

• Do you need God to fill you with His fierce love that makes you do something about the wrong and injustices in the world? Turn to him today.

• Encourage the children to start seeing the goodness of God from a young age. God loves them dearly.

Read on to find out more about Jesus and the temple:

• The temple and the end – (Mark 13:1-13)

• A different kind of temple – (1 Corinthians 6:12-20) 

The Triumphant Entry into Jerusalem

Day 1: The Triumphant Entry into Jerusalem

Matthew 21:6-11 (NIV) The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of Him and those that followed shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest heaven!” When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?” The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”

Six hundred years before the Palm Sunday event, a prophet named Zechariah stated that a king would come into Jerusalem riding on a donkey. The crowds celebrated Jesus’ arrival into Jerusalem. A thousand years or so before Jesus, the nation of Israel had enjoyed a golden age. But things had gone downhill ever since. The country had split in two. Assyria took the north, Babylon the south. Eventually Jerusalem and the temple were rebuilt, yet Jews never recaptured the deep sense of God’s peace and presence of the glory days. So, they longed for God to send the Messiah and defeat their enemies. One of their prophets, Zechariah, promised that one day, this would happen: God was going to send a deliverer – on a donkey.

IN A NUTSHELL

“Rejoice, rejoice, people of Zion! Shout for joy, you people of Jerusalem! Look, your King is coming to you! He comes triumphant and victorious, but humble and riding on a donkey…” (Zechariah 9:9). 

When Jesus rode into Jerusalem, people remembered Zechariah’s prophecy – was he the promised Messiah? Was he about to free them from their Roman oppressors? But things turned out differently. However, Jesus, riding on a donkey, had come for a different kind of fight – not with the Romans, but with sin and death. He would conquer not by force, but by sacrifice and love. Jesus had not come to bring political, but spiritual freedom. He had come to wage war, not against Rome but against sin and evil. On Palm Sunday, as Jesus rode in, the people rejoiced and cried aloud, an echo of Psalm 118:25–26. This was no throwaway phrase. They were joining in with the Psalmist’s cry, ‘Lord, save us!’ This was a cry for help - a cry from the pit. But it was not without hope. 

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, As I reflect on this first day of our prayer and fasting week, I am reminded of Your Son, Jesus Christ, entering Jerusalem, not as a conquering king on a warhorse, but humbly on a donkey, bringing peace and salvation. Lord, open my heart to understand the depth of humility and servitude demonstrated by Jesus on that day. Help me to embrace a spirit of humility in my own life, setting aside any pride or desire for personal glory. Teach me to serve others with a gentle and lowly heart, reflecting the love and selflessness of Christ.

As I fast and pray, let me feel Your presence more deeply, knowing that just as the crowds laid down their cloaks and palm branches, I lay down my life before You. Guide my thoughts and actions this week, that I might honour You in all that I do. 

Thank You for the journey to the cross that began on this day, a journey that led to our redemption. As I reflect on this profound truth, fill me with gratitude and a renewed commitment to follow in the footsteps of Jesus. In the precious and Holy name of Jesus, I pray, Amen. 

APPLICATION

• Being a follower of Jesus is not about having everything together. It’s about crying out to God for help with hope. It’s about remembering the promises of God even when you are in the pit. What is your cry for help today? What makes you feel desperate and helpless?

• Being a follower of Christ demands a true sense of self-identity. Do you know who you are as a child of God? Jesus entered Jerusalem knowing who He was and what He had to do to meet every cry of help with real hope.

Read on to find out more about Jesus’ mission:

• He came to serve, not to be served – (Mark 10:35-45).

• He will rule in the end – (2 Thessalonians 1 and 2).