verseoftheday

Simon Peter said to them, "I am going fishing." They said to him, "We will go with you." They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. John 21:3 ESV Monday Jesus has risen. Yet the news is full of mayhem, death, destruction. It seems as if nothing has changed. Peter and his crew go fishing. And catch nothing. It seems as if nothing has changed. Yet it has. The very fabric of the world has changed. The very next thing that happens is that Peter meets the risen Jesus. Our world needs to meet him too, and the new way, the new thing, is to see the risen Jesus living in and through people. In and through you and me. In our work. In our disappointments, losses, hurts and the destruction and mayhem that others cause, the world needs to see those who carry the kingdom of light in their hearts living out our faith Our hope And our love #heisrisen #easter #monday #liveit

Jesus asked her "Who are you looking for?" She thought he was the gardener. "...tell me where you have put him, and I will go and get him." "Mary!" Jesus said. John 20:15-16 NLT Sunday. Jesus wasn't where she thought he would be Jesus didn't look like what she expected She didn't expect to hear anything from Jesus, but he simply called her by name. After taking on death itself, Jesus knows her name. He doesn't launch into a talk about what's gone on, where he'd been, what He'd done, He just says her name. He is risen And he knows your name Nothing Jesus did, and nothing that was done to him in this last week happened by accident. It happened because he knows your name. He laid down his life because He knows your name. Jesus actions say "I love you" Friday says that there is still death, and evil Saturday says we can feel lost and hopeless But Sunday says there is hope! That all that is broken will ...

The next 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" Matthew 27:62-66 NIV Saturday. Jesus is dead. And buried. Were the church leaders really afraid someone would steal the body? Or was there a niggling fear that if they didn't seal the tomb somehow Jesus might just do what he said he would do and walk out? Jesus is dead His team will be grieving, replaying conversations and Jesus teaching in their minds. On Saturday it must've felt like all was lost. They were lost Ever felt a bit lost? Like living in Easter Saturday. Lost If there's even the slightest niggle in your h...

Then Jesus began to tell them that (he) must suffer many terrible things and be rejected... He would be killed... Mark 8:31 NLT Friday. What Jesus said was going to happen...happened. Russ Ramsey writes; "After a severe beating, Jesus is nailed to a cross where he remains for six hours until dead. Never before or since has more been lost and gained at the same time. The world gained the atoning sacrifice of Christ. But for those present, either the significance of the moment is lost on them or their hearts break as the One they thought to be the Savior of the world dies at the hands of Rome. They can't stop it, and they don't realize it's for them. They hoped in him, and though he'd told them he would suffer many things... how could they have possibly known this was what he meant?" #feelinglost Jesus was on Friday, still, the full representation of God. Not just humble, but humiliated. For us all And for me personally. No matter what No matter...

Jesus...got up from supper, took off His [outer] robe, and taking a [servant's] towel, He tied it around His waist. Then He poured water into the basin and began washing the disciples' feet and wiping them with the towel which was tied around His waist. John 13:4-5AMP Thursday How does Jesus spend his last Thursday? Part of it he spends washing his disciples feet. He knows what is coming on Friday. And how does he choose to spend his time? Serving. And in that serving, teaching. And in that teaching preparing. Preparing his team for the next phase of the upside down kingdom. The phase that we are now living in. The phase where following Jesus is captured in that simple act. Giving up authority, power, position, rights, to serve. Others. Costly, life giving, humiliating, counter cultural, quiet, away from the crowd, personal, serving. This is our God Life giving Humble Counter cultural Quiet Personal #thursday #easter #thisisourGod #dearlyloved

While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head...  "She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial." Mark 14:3, 8 NIV After all the talking of the last few days, all the drama, it's Wednesday & Jesus is in the quiet. In the house of someone known for what was wrong with him. And Mary, Lazarus's sister, seems to be the only one who really sees what's going on. She knew about death. And burial And ressurection Her act of care, of giving of all she had, the pouring out of her most valuable possession on Jesus, was because she knew he was going to pour his life out for her. And for me #loveinaction #wednesday #easter #mostvaluedpossession #pouredout

"Well said, Teacher!" remarked some of the teachers of religious law who were standing there. And then no one dared to ask him any more questions. Luke 20:39-40 NLT It's Tuesday of the last week of Jesus life and he is in the temple preaching and teaching all day. Different groups of people are trying to trap him into saying something blasphemous or so outrageous they can get him arrested. One stray tweet and they were going to come down on him like a ton of bricks! While denying their authority, Jesus gives them nothing that they can use. But in a few short days he will give up his life for those same people. In this world that is increasingly antagonistic and offended about what people say, maybe we need to take a similar approach and love in action. Die a little to self. Serve without reward. Say less. Easter is about our saviour who went humbly and quietly to the cross... #loveinaction #easter

Then Jesus entered the Temple and began to drive out the people selling animals for sacrifices. He said to them, "The Scriptures declare, 'My Temple will be a house of prayer', but you have turned it into a den of thieves." Luke 19:45-46 NLT It's Monday, and Jesus is back in Jerusalem after Palm Sunday's triumphal entry. The city will be full of people and more coming in. And Jesus turns up the heat. Yes the people have welcomed me as a political hero, but I have authority everywhere. And especially here at the very heart of your culture. At the centre of authority within the community. The temple is at the core. And I have authority here. This Easter week he much more gently asks about my core, and what tables need overturning, what needs to be turfed out? What have I allowed to take residence in my heart that Jesus would kick out? #easter #thecore #whoisincharge

Again Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you." And with that he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit." John 20:21-22 NIV Peace be with you. Know that no matter what this life throws at you - just have a think about my last week! - it's going to work out OK - I'm the evidence of that! Peace be with you. I am sending you, just as I was sent. You have a purpose. Your life has meaning. Yes I spent thirty years building, then it got real for three years, and these last three days! Wow. Just wow. Will you join me now? Who knows where the adventure might take us! (actually I've got a pretty good idea :)) I've got stuff for you to do, people for you to love. Life 2.0 - will you jump in? And the best part? Stay close 'cos when you breathe in, it's gonna be me you breathe in! In a mysterious way I'm coming with you, in you, we're in this together now. #easter #ressurectionlif...

Again Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you." And with that he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit." John 20:21-22 NIV Ressurection day and there's 3 things that Jesus gives (3 gifts?); Peace Commissioning And the Holy Spirit Jesus breathed on them. An echo of God breathing life in Genesis 2, here is Life 2.0, ressurection life, life with God in a whole new way And now, the apostles are ready to go, to be the genesis of the New Testament church, to be God's representatives in the world. And Jesus gives us those 3 things too... peace, work to do, and the Holy Spirit to guide and empower us. We don't just go to church, we are the church, Jesus' representatives in and to the world... #peace #senttoserve #life2.0 #breathofGod #thechurch

See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands... Isaiah 49:16 NIV Isaiah is looking forward to the Messiah, and he writes that the people feel forgotten. Forsaken. (There's that word again!) And God says, no I can't and won't forget you. Look at my hands. Your name is written there, engraved there... I'll never forget you. I know your name. On Good Friday we remember Jesus crucified. For us. And as the spikes were driven into his hands, your name, my name, was engraved there. This is love. Love that took Him to the cross. Loved that held Him there. He went there for us...and will never forsake us... never forget us. Your name is tattooed on His hands. #easter #dearlyloved #heknowsyourname #belong

"You arent one of this mans disciples too, are you?" she asked Peter. He replied, "I am not." John 18:16-17 NIV Jesus had been arrested... the day had been full of drama and maybe Pete wasn't expecting the question...but here's the least threatening person possible asking "aren't you with the guy who's just been arrested?" What am I going to say when someone asks "what are you up to this Easter?" "Enjoy a long weekend..." "Enjoy some days off work or study, some chocolate..." Am I any different than Peter? At least I know that question is coming... so what am I going to say? That going to church is important for me as Easter is when we remember Jesus death for us, but also his resurrection and what that means... The cross on those buns... the eggs that are about life, new life, but empty because the grave was empty... Whatever my answer, I don't want to be like Peter, caught unprepared... #alway...

Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands..." Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!" Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." John 20:27-29 NIV Blessed. We who haven't seen, who weren't there, we're in a different category...blessed! There are days when having Jesus turn up in the room and hold out his hands would be... surprising? alarming? affirming? Because we've chosen to believe anyway, we have his blessing. His favour. And rather than touch me, learn about me from my Word Commune with me in prayer Listen to me within Be encouraged in community. And I've told you what to do... Love God, and be these broken scarred hands and feet loving people in this world... Blessed To be a blessing. #loveGod #lovepeople #easter #blessing

Friday! Proverbs! Whoever disregards discipline comes to poverty and shame, but whoever heeds correction is honored. Proverbs 13:18 NIV What a great proverb for parents wanting to get their kids to do the right thing... But what about us? Its the proud who think they know it all, & its the humble that take direction, listen to others who speak into their lives. Am I that person? Do I listen? And what about Jesus?  Can we see him in this? Jesus humbled himself to the Fathers will, & He took the ultimate correction, separation from God, bore the discipline that was meant for us, and is now the one who is honoured... #proverbs #wisdom #somethingtochewon #humble #easter #Jesusatthecentre

Again Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you." John 20:21 NIV You are it now. I'm heading off and you're my team on the ground. My plan of restoration, of making my kingdom known, my peace to all people, its now with you! We all have people and places we can speak the peace of Jesus into... Workmates, flatmates, classmates, patients, clients, customers...family members...enemies Maybe we need to go across the room, across town or across the world... Maybe its writing a letter, a txt, a song, a sermon or a book...painting a picture or someones house...but whatever it is...Jesus calls us all to mission in someway, somewhere... but its not off in the never never future sometime... its now. #wordsofJesus #easter #mission #sent #lord #allin #lovepeople

Then he said to Thomas, "...Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe." Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!" John 20:27-28 NIV Tom got it. Eventually. Its not clear that he actually reached out, but in that moment he knew that Jesus was who he said he was. Everyone's journey is different, but the answer - my Lord and my God - the word for Lord is; kyrios - properly, a person exercising absolute ownership rights; lord (Lord). Tom is saying Jesus you're in charge now. Whatever you ask, I'll do. Wherever you send me, no matter the consequences...I'll go. Tom had been with Jesus, was a follower, but was holding something back...but now, now he's all in. Am I holding back? #easter #lord #allin

A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" Then he said to Thomas, :Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side..." John 20:26-27 NIV Mysteries. When Mary first met the resurrected Jesus, he said "don't touch me", a week later he says "touch me!" His body is clearly physical yet he enters the room without opening the door... What happened to Jesus berween "It is finished" & "Peace be with you"? Mystery. Is this what our ressurected bodies will be like? Still carrying our scars but not burdened with them? Mystery God has left some things vague & mysterious... and some things crystal clear... like... all of this is for the object of His Great Love. Us. #dearlyloved #easter #mystery #itsalovestory

Now Thomas... was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord!" But he said to them, "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe." John 20:24-25 NIV Yesterday at church I met a couple of people who only came at Christmas & Easter. "I've got my own beliefs" Just like Thomas, they want god on their terms and preferred a god of their own making... On Sunday I have no doubts. But sometimes on Monday there's a bit of Thomas in me... On Monday work, study, relationships, health, hurts, loss...life really, kicks off again. And we get to choose just like Thomas to demand God on our terms, or to embrace Him and believe on His #believe #faith #faithonmonday #easter

On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. John 20:19-20 NIV Fear is replaced by joy! What does Jesus say? Peace be with you. You're free now from the concerns and worries, free from fear that was keeping you locked in here. Free from fear of the consequences of others actions...because victory has been won. Death has been swallowed up by love. See my hands? The price has been paid. By love. The word peace here has a meaning of wholeness, when all the essential parts are together... My peace bought with a price, brings wholeness. #easter #eastersunday #worship #thisisourGod #peace #wholeness #hope

On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders... John 20:19 NIV Between death and ressurection. Between loss and restoration We know what happens next, but the disciples on easter Saturday didn't, & they  are afraid. In lock down. When what was supposed to be victory looks like stunning defeat. Were they replaying conversations with Jesus - did he mean he was really going to die and really come back? They knew the horror of the crucifixion. That was real. We're done God is defeated. Jesus is dead. Lock the doors. Sometimes it can feel like we're living in Easter Saturday. Theres been no triumph. God is silent There is no hope It seemed that God had failed...but in fact had won the greatest victory. So if it feels like Easter Saturday... hang on... Hope has come #easter #eastersaturday #whenallseemslost #hope