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Devotion

This week we have the opportunity to read about the last week of the life of Jesus. This is a
profoundly important week for the life of our own faith. May your reading of these last
chapters of Matthew help your own heart burn even brighter in your own love for God.
Once again consider the following five questions as you read about Jesus in the last week of
his life:
What does this passage teach me about God?
What does this passage teach me about humanity?
What does this passage teach me about the church?
What does this passage teach me about myself?
How does this passage help me love more?
Enjoy! Comments about the devotion can be e-mailed to pastor@colpres.org.

Monday, March 30
Read Matthew 21
Yesterday we celebrated Palm Sundaythe entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem for the final
week of his life.
When Jesus chose to enter the City on a donkey he identified himself as the Messiah. In
doing this he was living out the Scripture from Zechariah 9:9. Jesus was like a conquering
king who was coming in the name of peace.
By choosing to ride on a donkey as he entered Jerusalem Jesus was indicating to all of his
future followers the way he wants us to live our lives. We are called to live our lives as
peacemakers.
How are you doing as a peacemaker? How are you doing as a peacemaker in your family?
How are you doing as a peacemaker in your community? How are you doing as a
peacemaker at Chain of Lakes?
In this most holy and important week for our faith lives, these questions are important for
us. Discuss them with God as you pray today.

Tuesday, March 31
Read Matthew 22-23
In Matthew 22:15-46 the religious leaders tried to trap Jesus so that they could harm him.
In the first story they wanted to know whether Jesus believed his followers should pay
taxes. Jesus response to their question in this story is brilliant. He asked for a coin and
said whose head is on the coin? The answer was Cesars. In his response Jesus was
saying, if Cesars head is on the coin, then give the coin back to Cesar. We shouldnt
develop a universal understanding about paying taxes from this story.
Om the second story Jesus shared one of his longest teachings about heaven.
In this third story he shared the priority of loving God and loving our neighbor as we love
ourselves. This story reminds us of what Jesus taught in his Sermon on the Mount.
Matthew 7:12. This is the core of his message and teaching. Pray today that you can live
out this love this weekthis most holy of weeks.

Wednesday, April 1
Read Matthew 24-25
These stories are about the coming of the kingdom in its fullness. Many people have looked
at these and other Scriptures to try to determine when Jesus was going to come again to
create his Kingdom. People look at this story and passages in Daniel and Revelation to try
to prove the when of Jesus return.
It wasnt an accident that Jesus never told us when he was going to return. He does teach
us how to live in this inbetween time. We are always called to be ready for Jesus return,
but we arent called to be obsessed with it.
The same idea applies to our own death. We all know that we are going to die. We can try
to predict the time of our own death, but this isnt ultimately healthy for us. Our task is to
live in a way that shows we are ready.
On this most holy of weeks we can give thanks to God that we dont need to fear death.
Jesus has prepared a place for us. Death has been overcome. As you pray today, give
thanks to God for this gift of resurrection.

Thursday, April 2
Read Matthew 26
Jesus started a revolution on this day of Holy Week. He gathered with his closest of friends
to celebrate the Passover. During the celebration he shared with his friends that one of
them would betray him.
Then he started this revolution that we call Communion. Its worth reading the words
again:
While they were eating, Jesus took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it
to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. Then he took a cup, and after giving
thanks he gave it to them, saying, Drink from it, all of you; for this is my blood of the
covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. Matthew 26:26-28
As you pray today, reflect on the place of Communion in your own life. Do you remember
the first time you took it? Do you remember some very special times that you participated
in Communion? Do you remember the last time you took it? What is special to you about
Communion? Share with God your response to these questions.

Friday, March 27
Read Matthew 27
This chapter is worth reading on this most solemn of days. It really needs no explanation.
Jesus death on the cross distinguishes him from any other person who has ever lived. To
think that the Messiah would willingly go to the cross to suffer and die is hard to grasp.
Think about what the cross means to you and your own life. Do something today that
illustrates what the cross means to you. Perhaps you could write something, or do some
art, or share with another person your own understanding of the cross. May this day
deepen your own relationship with God and relationship with others.

Saturday, March 28

Read Matthew 28
Tomorrow the earth is going to pause and remember the resurrection of Jesus. Our lives
will always be impacted because of what we read in this chapter.
Pray today that you can grow in your own understanding of the resurrection. What does the
resurrection mean to you? How are you a different person because of the resurrection?
How is our faith community different because of the resurrection?
He is risen! He is risen indeed!

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