In difficult times like these we need to have our faith in Christ renewed and strengthened by taking a good refreshing look at the impactful events of His triumphal entry into Jerusalem, His agonizing prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane, His death on the cross at Calvary, and His glorious resurrection from the tomb.                                                       

To help you do this, readings from Matthew chapters 21-28 have been prepared for each day of this week. If you have friends who you think will benefit from these daily readings, please forward the link to this webpage to them. May the Lord draw us closer to Him!

• Palm Sunday, 5th April
• Monday, 6th April
• Tuesday, 7th April 
• Wednesday, 8th April
• Thursday, 9th April
• Friday, 10th April
• Saturday, 11th April
• Sunday, 12th April

Palm Sunday, 5th April: 

1. The Triumphal Entry (Matthew 21:1-11)

And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples, Saying unto them, Go into the village over against you, and straightway ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her: loose them, and bring them unto me. And if any man say ought unto you, ye shall say, The Lord hath need of them; and straightway he will send them. All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass. And the disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded them, And brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and they set him thereon. And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way. And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest. And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, Who is this? And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee. 

Questions for Reflection:

If Christ has a need to use anything you have, would you let Him use it immediately?

How does the knowledge that Christ is in sovereign control of all things change your perspective of today’s global events?

2. Cleansing the Temple (Matthew 21:12-17)

And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves, And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves. And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple; and he healed them. And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying in the temple, and saying, Hosanna to the Son of David; they were sore displeased, And said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise? And he left them, and went out of the city into Bethany; and he lodged there.

 Questions for Reflection:

If Christ were to come to your house today what would He see and say?

Since your body is God’s temple, how are you using it?

God has perfected praise even from the mouths of babes and sucklings: What can you praise God for today?

All glory, laud and honour to Thee, Redeemer, King,

To whom the lips of children made sweet hosannas ring:

Thou art the King of Israel, Thou David’s royal Son,

Who in the Lord’s name comest, The King and blessed One!

- Theodulph of Orleans -

Monday, 6th April: 

3. Cursing the Fig Tree (Matthew 21:18-22) 

Now in the morning as he returned into the city, he hungered. And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away. And when the disciples saw it, they marvelled, saying, How soon is the fig tree withered away!  Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done. And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive. 

Questions for Reflection:

If Jesus were to look for the fruits of the investment He has made in your life, what would He find?

Do you seek to have faith that can ‘move mountains’?

Since Jesus demonstrated His power over a fig tree, is a pandemic-causing virus not under His power as well?

Fairest Lord Jesus! Ruler of all nature!

O Thou of God and man the Son!

Thee will I cherish, Thee will I honour,

Thou my soul’s glory, joy and crown!

Tuesday, 7th April: 

4. The Authority of Jesus Questioned (Matthew 21:23-27) 

And when he was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came unto him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority?  And Jesus answered and said unto them, I also will ask you one thing, which if ye tell me, I in like wise will tell you by what authority I do these things. The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven, or of men? And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say unto us, Why did ye not then believe him? But if we shall say, Of men; we fear the people; for all hold John as a prophet. And they answered Jesus, and said, We cannot tell. And he said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things. 

Questions for Reflection:

Have you been giving Jesus the full authority to direct every aspect of your life? Or have you been questioning His authority?

Have you allowed fear to control your life?

5. The Parable of the Two Sons (Matthew 21:28-32) 

But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard. He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went. And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not. Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you. For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not: but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe him. 

Questions for Reflection:

Which of the two sons in the parable best describes you?

How should your view of people who are despised by the world be affected by this passage?

6. The Parable of the Wicked Tenants (Matthew 21:33-46) 

Hear another parable: There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and digged a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country: And when the time of the fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the husbandmen, that they might receive the fruits of it. And the husbandmen took his servants, and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another. Again, he sent other servants more than the first: and they did unto them likewise. But last of all he sent unto them his son, saying, They will reverence my son. But when the husbandmen saw the son, they said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and let us seize on his inheritance. And they caught him, and cast him out of the vineyard, and slew him. When the lord therefore of the vineyard cometh, what will he do unto those husbandmen? They say unto him, He will miserably destroy those wicked men, and will let out his vineyard unto other husbandmen, which shall render him the fruits in their seasons. Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes? Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder. And when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard his parables, they perceived that he spake of them. But when they sought to lay hands on him, they feared the multitude, because they took him for a prophet. 

Questions for Reflection:

How should you treat the Lord’s servants?

How can you prepare to give a good account of your stewardship to the Lord?

Is God unrighteous to judge a world that has largely rejected His Son?

7. The Plot to Kill Jesus (Matthew 26:1-5) 

And it came to pass, when Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said unto his disciples, Ye know that after two days is the feast of the passover, and the Son of man is betrayed to be crucified. Then assembled together the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders of the people, unto the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas, And consulted that they might take Jesus by subtilty, and kill him. But they said, Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar among the people. 

Question for Reflection:

If Christ knew everything that would happen to Him, how can He not know all that will happen to you in your future?

Whose authority do you fear most – Christ’s or Man’s?

“Far above all” is our Saviour enthroned;

Crowned is the Lamb for sinners atoned;

Living forever to list to our call,

God hath exalted Him “far above all.”

“Far above all!” “far above all!”

Jesus, the Crucified, “far above all!”
Low at His footstool adoring we fall,

God hath exalted Him “far above all.”

- Horace E. Govan -

Wednesday, 8th April: 

8. The Anointing at Bethany (Matthew 26:6-13) 

Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, There came unto him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head, as he sat at meat. But when his disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, To what purpose is this waste? For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor. When Jesus understood it, he said unto them, Why trouble ye the woman? for she hath wrought a good work upon me. For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always. For in that she hath poured this ointment on my body, she did it for my burial. Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her.

Questions for Reflection:

Should you be afraid of what others may comment about your service to the Lord?

How fair are your opinions of the good works that others have rendered to Him?

What is your part in preaching the Gospel in the whole world?

9. Judas Agrees to Betray Jesus (Matthew 26:14-16) 

Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests, And said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver. And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him. 

Questions for Reflection:

What have you done for Jesus?

What have you done against Jesus?

What danger is there in desiring to have more material wealth?

I’d rather have Jesus than silver or gold,

I’d rather be His than have riches untold;

I’d rather have Jesus than houses or lands,

I’d rather be led by His nail-pierced hand.

Than to be the king of a vast domain

And be held in sin’s dread sway.

I’d rather have Jesus than anything

This world affords today.

- R.F. Miller -

Thursday, 9th April: 

10. The Passover with the Disciples (Matthew 26:17-20) 

Now the first day of the feast of unleavened bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare for thee to eat the passover? And he said, Go into the city to such a man, and say unto him, The Master saith, My time is at hand; I will keep the passover at thy house with my disciples. And the disciples did as Jesus had appointed them; and they made ready the passover. Now when the even was come, he sat down with the twelve. 

Question for Reflection:

Do you seek the Lord’s will daily and do it diligently?

How much do you look forward to having communion with the Lord Jesus at His table?

11. Jesus Identifies the Betrayer (Matthew 26:21-25) 

And as they did eat, he said, Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me. And they were exceeding sorrowful, and began every one of them to say unto him, Lord, is it I? And he answered and said, He that dippeth his hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me.  The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born. Then Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it I? He said unto him, Thou hast said. 

Questions for Reflection:

Would the thought of having betrayed your Lord Jesus fill your heart with sorrow?

God’s purposes will still be fulfilled despite the worst that anyone can do against Him: How should this affect your perspective of the world?

12. The Institution of the Lord’s Supper (Matthew 26:26-29) 

And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom. 

Questions for Reflection:

How can you have a more meaningful time with Jesus when you eat the bread and drink from the cup during the Lord’s Supper?

What comfort does the promise of being in God’s presence and kingdom one day bring to your heart?

13. Peter’s Denial Foretold (Matthew 26:30-35) 

And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives. Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad. But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee. Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended. Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples. 

Questions for Reflection:

Is your love for God and for others one that endures to the end?

Is your faith in Christ able to stand the test of difficult trials?

Have you been too confident in your own ability to go through a crisis?

On that same night, Lord Jesus, in which Thou wast betrayed,

When without cause man’s hatred against Thee was displayed,

We hear Thy gracious accents; This do; remember Me;

We show Thy death, Lord Jesus, and here would seek to be

More to that death conformed whilst we remember Thee.

- George W. Fraser –

Friday, 10th April: 

14. Praying in Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36-46) 

Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder. And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy. Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me. And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?  Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done. And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy. And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words. Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray me. 

Questions for Reflection:

Do you struggle to accept God’s will for you, especially when it leads you into difficult trials?

How much do you watch and pray to resist temptation and overcome the weakness of the flesh?

15. The Betrayal and Arrest (Matthew 26:47-56) 

And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people. Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast. And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him. And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him. And, behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest’s, and smote off his ear. Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword. Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be? In that same hour said Jesus to the multitudes, Are ye come out as against a thief with swords and staves for to take me? I sat daily with you teaching in the temple, and ye laid no hold on me. But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled. 

Questions for Reflection:

How should you respond to those who do evil to you?

If you should ever be faced with hostility from the world against Christ, will you forsake Him and flee?

16. Trial Before the High Priest (Matthew 26:57-68) 

And they that had laid hold on Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled. But Peter followed him afar off unto the high priest’s palace, and went in, and sat with the servants, to see the end.  Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death; But found none: yea, though many false witnesses came, yet found they none. At the last came two false witnesses, And said, This fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days. And the high priest arose, and said unto him, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee? But Jesus held his peace. And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God. Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven. Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy. What think ye? They answered and said, He is guilty of death.  Then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him; and others smote him with the palms of their hands, Saying, Prophesy unto us, thou Christ, Who is he that smote thee? 

Questions for Reflection:

How should you respond to those who accuse you falsely?

What comfort can you have from knowing that Christ has been falsely accused and unjustly condemned by men?

17. Peter’s Denial of Jesus (Matthew 26:69-75) 

Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee. But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest. And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said unto them that were there, This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth. And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man. And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee. Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew. And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly. 

Question for Reflection:

Have there been moments when you realized that you had failed to live up to your commitment to Christ?

How can your faith in Christ stand the test of trials?

18. Trial Before Pilate (Matthew 27:1-2) 

When the morning was come, all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death: And when they had bound him, they led him away, and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor. 

Question for Reflection:

Will you take a stand for God if you are the only one doing this under great pressure to conform to an ungodly majority?

19. Remorse and Suicide of Judas (Matthew 27:3-10) 

Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that. And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself. And the chief priests took the silver pieces, and said, It is not lawful for to put them into the treasury, because it is the price of blood. And they took counsel, and bought with them the potter’s field, to bury strangers in. Wherefore that field was called, The field of blood, unto this day. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him that was valued, whom they of the children of Israel did value; And gave them for the potter’s field, as the Lord appointed me. 

Questions for Reflection:

How sincere are you in making restitution when you have done wrong to someone?

Is your love for the Lord being compromised by the love of money?

20. Pilate Questions Jesus (Matthew 27:11-14) 

And Jesus stood before the governor: and the governor asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And Jesus said unto him, Thou sayest. And when he was accused of the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing. Then said Pilate unto him, Hearest thou not how many things they witness against thee? And he answered him to never a word; insomuch that the governor marvelled greatly. 

Questions for Reflection:

Have you been giving Christ the honour He deserves as your King?

How would you respond when you are confronted with an ‘inconvenient truth’?

21. Barabbas or Jesus? (Matthew 27:15-26) 

Now at that feast the governor was wont to release unto the people a prisoner, whom they would. And they had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas. Therefore when they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them, Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ? For he knew that for envy they had delivered him. When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him. But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus. The governor answered and said unto them, Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you? They said, Barabbas. Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified. And the governor said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified. When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it. Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children. Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified. 

Questions for Reflection:

Pilate yielded to the great pressure from the Jews:

How should you respond when the world presses you to go against your convictions?

If you were Barabbas, how would you respond to being released while Jesus is sentenced to death?

22. Mocked by the Roman Soldiers (Matthew 27:27-31) 

Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall, and gathered unto him the whole band of soldiers. And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe. And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews! And they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head. And after that they had mocked him, they took the robe off from him, and put his own raiment on him, and led him away to crucify him. 

Questions for Reflection:

How would you respond to being mocked and ridiculed in public?

What does this picture of Christ’s being humiliated by men make you think about Him?

23. The Crucifixion (Matthew 27:32-44) 

And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to bear his cross. And when they were come unto a place called Golgotha, that is to say, a place of a skull, They gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when he had tasted thereof, he would not drink. And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots. And sitting down they watched him there; And set up over his head his accusation written, THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS. Then were there two thieves crucified with him, one on the right hand, and another on the left. And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads, And saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross. Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said, He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him. He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God.  The thieves also, which were crucified with him, cast the same in his teeth. 

Questions for Reflection:

How thankful should you be that Jesus has suffered all these things in your place?

What response from you is He worthy of?

24. The Death of Jesus (Matthew 27:45-56) 

Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? Some of them that stood there, when they heard that, said, This man calleth for Elias. And straightway one of them ran, and took a spunge, and filled it with vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink. The rest said, Let be, let us see whether Elias will come to save him. Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many. Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God. And many women were there beholding afar off, which followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto him: Among which was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee’s children. 

Question for Reflection:

If your sins caused God the Father to forsake His own dear Son as He bore them on the cross, how should you feel about them?

 Why was the death of Jesus accompanied by such a great number of unusual events?

25. The Burial of Jesus (Matthew 27:57-61) 

When the even was come, there came a rich man of Arimathaea, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus’ disciple: He went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered. And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed. And there was Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary, sitting over against the sepulchre. 

Question for Reflection:

Joseph of Arimathea was willing to face the shame of identifying himself with the One condemned to die by the council of which he was a member. What shame are you willing to face for Christ?

King of my life, I crown Thee now,

Thine shall the glory be;

Lest I forget Thy thorn-crowned brow,

Lead me to Calvary.

Lest I forget Gethsemane;

Lest I forget Thine agony;

Lest I forget Thy love for me,

Lead me to Calvary.

- Jennie Evelyn Hussey -

Saturday, 11th April: 

26. The Guard at the Tomb (Matthew 27:62-66) 

Now the next day, that followed the day of the preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate, Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again. Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the first. Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can. So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch. 

Question for Reflection:

How should you regard any attempt to hinder God’s work?

Vainly they watch His bed, Jesus my Saviour!

Vainly they seal the dead, Jesus my Lord!

Up from the grave He arose,

With a mighty triumph o’er His foes;

He arose a Victor from the dark domain,

And He lives forever with His saints to reign.

He arose! He arose! Hallelujah! Christ arose!

- Robert Lowry -

Sunday, 12th April: 

27. The Resurrection of Jesus (Matthew 28:1-4) 

In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre. And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men. 

Questions for Reflection:

Was the stone rolled back to let Jesus come out of the tomb or to let the women go into it?

If the appearance of an angel evoked such great fear from men, how much more should God’s presence evoke reverence in you when you come before Him?

28. The Appearances of the Angels and of Jesus (Matthew 28:5-10) 

And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you. And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word. And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him. Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me. 

Questions for Reflection:

What difference should the resurrection of Christ make in your life once you believe it?

How can you be as excited as the women were to tell others about it?

29. The Report of the Guard (Matthew 28:11-15) 

Now when they were going, behold, some of the watch came into the city, and shewed unto the chief priests all the things that were done. And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers, Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept. And if this come to the governor’s ears, we will persuade him, and secure you.  So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.

 Questions for Reflection:

How should you view all attempts to suppress or distort truth?

Why do you need to be careful whenever you are offered large gifts of money?

30. Commissioning of the Disciples (Matthew 28:16-20) 

Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted.  And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. 

Questions for Reflection:

What hope does the message of Christ’s salvation have for all the nations today?

Does your life proclaim to people around you that Jesus is resurrected, or does it proclaim to them that He is still in the tomb?

As of old He walked to Emmaus, With them to abide,

So through all life’s way He walketh, Ever near our side;

Soon again shall we behold Him – Hasten, Lord the day!

But ‘twill still be “this same Jesus,” As He went away.

Yesterday, today, forever, Jesus is the same;

All may change, but Jesus never – Glory to His name!

Glory to His name, Glory to His name;

All may change, but Jesus never – Glory to His name!

- Albert B. Simpson -

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