One Man to Die For the Entire Nation Today’s passage: Matthew 26:1–5, Mark 14:1–2, and John 11:45–57 Focus verse: [The religious leaders] schemed to arrest Jesus secretly and kill him. (Matthew 26:4) Jesus has wrapped up a lengthy teaching about the end times and his later return to earth. He shared two parables about the […]
A Good and Faithful Servant Today’s passage: Matthew 24:45–25:46 Focus verse: “Well done, good and faithful servant!” (Matthew 25:21) As Jesus winds down his teaching about the end times and his return, he shares an example of two servants. One is faithful and wise. The other is wicked. The first does what’s expected by his […]
The Return of Jesus Today’s passage: Matthew 24:1–44, Mark 13, and Luke 21:5–38 Focus verse: “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. (Matthew 24:36) After Jesus does some more teaching (Matthew 23), he and his disciples leave the temple. What […]
Children of God Today’s passage: Matthew 22:41–46, Mark 12:35–37, and Luke 20:41–44 Focus verse: No one could say a word in reply, and from that day on no one dared to ask him any more questions. (Matthew 22:46) Having deftly deflected all three of their ploys, Jesus now has a question for his detractors. “Considering […]
Jesus Gives Us Spiritual Food and Drink Today’s passage: John 6:25–40 Focus verse: Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” (John 6:35) In Day 8, we read that Jesus offered the Samaritan woman living water to drink. […]
The Holy Spirit Helps Us Move into Our New Beginnings Today’s passage: Romans 5:1–9 Focus verse: God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. (Romans 5:5) In many of our readings, we talked about the Holy Spirit. As a member of the three-in-one Godhead, […]
Today’s passage: Philippians 4:4–9 Focus verse: Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. (Philippians 4:6) Does today’s passage sound familiar? It’s the same one as Day 9. Then we focused on verse four, which tells us to rejoice in the Lord. […]
A Fresh Opportunity Today’s passage: Lamentations 3:22–27 Focus verse: His compassions never fail. They are new every morning. (Lamentations 3:22–23) The five-chapter book of Lamentations is a series of five laments often attributed to the prophet Jeremiah. A lament expresses grief, mourning, or deep regret. As such, we expect the book of Lamentations to be […]
The Redemption of Jerusalem Today’s Passage: Luke 2:36–38 Focus Verse: She gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem. (Luke 2:38) As Simeon concludes his praise, blessing, and prophecy, another witness arrives. Her name is Anna. Luke refers to her as the daughter […]
The Shepherds Tell Everyone about the Baby Today’s Passage: Luke 2:15–20 Focus Verse: When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child. (Luke 2:17) After sharing the astounding news of Jesus’s arrival with the shepherds, the angels leave. Amazed by the experience, the shepherds discuss what […]