Daily Scripture - Mar 31

Luke 21:34-36
34 “But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. 35 For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth.36 Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.”

The Seventh Day of Passion Week

The Seventh Day of  Passion Week (Author: YL, Translator: HL)

Introduction:
Today is the last day of the week of crucifixion and the Jewish Sabbath. Jesus was buried in the tomb. The chief priests and the Pharisees deliberated to meet Pilate and asked to send soldiers to guard the tomb of Jesus in case his disciples stole him. After receiving the permission of Pilate, they sealed off the tomb with stones and set up soldiers to keep them safe.

Key Events:

• Jesus was buried

Events/Facts	Location	Matthew	Mark	Luke	John
1 The tomb of Jesus was guarded	Outside Jerusalem	27:62‐66
2 The disciples rested on the Sabbath	Jerusalem			23:56b

Key Verses：
Matthew 27:62-66 The Sabbath
62 On the next day, which followed the Day of Preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees gathered together to Pilate, 63 saying, “Sir, we remember, while He was still alive, how that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise.’ 64 Therefore command that the tomb be made secure until the third day, lest His disciples come by night and steal Him away, and say to the people, ‘He has risen from the dead.’ So the last deception will be worse than the first.”
65 Pilate said to them, “You have a guard; go your way, make it as secure as you know how.” 66 So they went and made the tomb secure, sealing the stone and setting the guard.

Meditation：
As the Psalms 2 says: “Why do the nations rage, And the people plot a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, And the rulers take counsel together, Against the LORD and against His Anointed.” On that day, the same was true for the chief priests and the Pharisees, who tried to stop Jesus' resurrection through stones and soldiers. "He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; The LORD shall hold them in derision." (Psalm 2:4) Do you not know that not only He could not be held by death, but also through death He might destroy the devil who had the power of death, not to mention the hand of man? Although He was in the tomb, He had already won!

Therefore, even in the deepest night we can sing to God, because the dawn of resurrection will surely come!

Hymn：H108 Christ Arose

Daily Scripture - Mar 30

Isaiah 1:18
18 “Come now, and let us reason together,”
Says the Lord,
“Though your sins are like scarlet,
They shall be as white as snow;
Though they are red like crimson,
They shall be as wool.

The 6th Day of Passion Week

The 6th Day of Passion Week (Author: DX, Translator: KC)

Introduction：
Friday was the day of Jesus’ crucifixion. The four Gospels have all recorded a great deal on that day. Jesus was overwhelmed with sorrow in Gethsemane, and His sweat was as if it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground. Shortly after He was betrayed by Judas, many of the disciples forsook him and fled. Peter disavowed him three times. The soldiers mocked Him and spat on him. Wearing the crown of thorns, covered with cuts and bruises, and after a night of interrogation, Jesus carried the heavy cross and walked towards Calvary, where He was crucified.
Key Events：

• Gethsemane  

Events/Facts	Location	Matthew	Mark	Luke	John
1 Jesus and his disciples headed to Mount of Olives	Jerusalem	26:30	14:26	22:39	18:1‐2
2 Jesus predicted Peter's denial	On the way to Mount Olives	26:31‐35	14:27‐31
3 Jesus Prayed in Gethsemane	Gethsemane	26:36‐46	14:32‐42	22:40‐46
4 Jesus was arrested	Gethsemane	26:47‐56	14:43‐52	22:47‐53	18:3‐12

• Interrogation

Events/Facts	Location (Jerusalem)	Matthew	Mark	Luke	John
1 Anna saw Jesus	High Priest’s Palace				18:13‐14
2 Peter's First Denial	High Priestess Palace	26:58,69‐70	14:54,66‐68	22:54b‐57	18:15‐18
3 The High Priest Questioned Jesus	High Priest’s Palace				18:19‐23
4 Caiaphas Interrogated Jesus	High Priest’s Palace	26:57,59‐68	14:53,55‐65	22:54a,63‐65	18:24
5 Peter’s Second and Third Denials	High Priest’s Palace	26:71‐75	14:69‐72	22:58‐62	18:25‐27
6 Jesus Convicted	Sanhedrin Hearing			22:66‐71

• After Sanhedrin Trial

Events/Facts	Location (Jerusalem)	Matthew	Mark	Luke	John
1 Jesus Before Pilate	Pilate’s Praetorium	27:1‐2,11‐14	15:1‐5	23:1‐7	18:28‐38
2 Judas' Suicide		27:3‐10
3 Jesus at Herod's court	Herod’s Court			23:8‐12
4 The Crowd Rejected Jesus	Pilate’s Praetorium	27:15‐16a	15:6‐15a	23:13‐21	18:39‐40
5 Soldiers Mocked Jesus	Pilate’s Praetorium	27:27‐31	15:16‐20		19:1‐3
6 The Crowd Again Rejected Jesus	Pilate’s Praetorium			23:22‐23	19:4‐12
7 Jesus Was Condemned Before Pilate	Gabbatha, Pilate’s Praetorium (Stone Pavement)			23:24	19:13‐15

• The Walk to Calvary

Events/Facts	Time	Location	Matthew	Mark	Luke	John
1 Jesus handed over to be crucified	Friday 8 am	Pilate’s Praetorium	27:26b	15:15b	23:25	19:16
2 Simon of Cyrene Carried the Cross of Jesus	9 am	On the way to Calvary	27:32	15:21	23:26	19:17
3 Jesus Dissuaded Mourning Women	9 am	On the way to Calvary			23:27‐31
4 Two Criminals with Jesus	9 am	Calvary			23:32

• Crucifixion

Events/Facts	Time	Location	Matthew	Mark	Luke	John
1 Jesus Crucified	9 am	Calvary	27:33‐35a	15:22‐24a,25	23:33a	19:18
2 Jesus’ Prayer	9 am	Calvary			23:34a
3 Jesus is Ridiculed	Morning	Calvary	27:37‐44	15:26‐32	23:33b,35‐38	19:19‐22
4 Soldiers Divided His Clothes	Morning	Calvary	27:35b‐36	15:24b	23:34b	19:23‐24
5 Criminal Saved	Morning	Calvary			23:39‐43
6 Jesus Comforted His Mother	Morning	Calvary				19:25‐27
7 Jesus Breathed His Last	Noon - 3pm	Calvary	27:45‐50	15:33‐37	23:44‐46	19:28‐30
a Pain from being abandoned by His Father b Jesus said “I am thirsty” and “It is finished” c Jesus gave up His spirit		Calvary	27:45‐49 27:50	15:33‐36 15:37	23:44‐45a 23:46	19:28‐30a 19:30b
8 The Holy of Holies curtain in the temple was torn apart	3 pm	Calvary	27:51‐56	15:38‐41	23:45b,47‐49
9 Jesus’ side was pierced	3 pm	Calvary				19:31‐37
10 Jesus was Buried	After 6 pm	Outside Jerusalem	27:57-61	15:42-47	23:50-56a	19:38-42

Key Verses:
Matthew 26: 36 Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to the disciples, “Sit here while I go and pray over there.” 37 And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and He began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed. 38 Then He said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me.” 39 He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.” 40 Then He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “What! Could you not watch with Me one hour? 41 Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 42 Again, a second time, He went away and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if this cup cannot pass away from Me unless I drink it, Your will be done.” 43 And He came and found them asleep again, for their eyes were heavy. 44 So He left them, went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words. 45 Then He came to His disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 Rise, let us be going. See, My betrayer is at hand.”

Meditation:
This is the darkest day in the history of mankind. The pain that Jesus suffered for us on the cross far surpassed our imagination. The Son of God was tortured for us in human form on the cross. He was the holy Lamb of God who bore the sins of the world for us. Jesus was God’s only Son but He was rejected by the Father because of our sin. Therefore, Jesus said He was overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. He prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup leave me." (Matthew 26:39a) Let us stop at this moment and spend a little time to imagine what Jesus was experiencing.

"Nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will." (Matthew 26:39b) Our Lord was determined to die for our salvation. He did not break away from the suffering of the cross but gave up His life to bear  our sins and penalty. Our Savior changed the entire history of mankind with is love and His death.

Let us praise Him with our hearts, drink the cup, and eat the bread. Jesus bore the curse and we received the blessing. We shall never forget this great love.

Song：Lamb of God

Daily Scripture - Mar 29

Romans 14:17
17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

The fifth day of Passion Week

The fifth day of Passion Week (KA)

Introduction：
Most notably, this is the day that Jesus ate His final Passover (often called the Last Supper) and instituted Communion. It is at this meal that Jesus washed the feet of His disciples, commanding them to do the same for each other and to love one another as He has loved each of them. Christ's "mandate" is where we get the name Maundy Thursday.  

At this meal, just prior to His arrest, Jesus predicted what would happen on the next day (and His departure), then He gave His followers symbols of remembrance for His body and His blood to be  sacrificed. Finally, Jesus provided a very important principle for His followers: to love as He loved, to serve as He did. Peter confidently said that he could follow like this but Jesus answered by predicting Peter’s threefold denial.  Jesus’ high priestly prayer was offered up for Peter and the disciples, for Himself, and for all believers.

Key Events:

Events/Facts	Location	Matthew	Mark	Luke	John
1 the disciples prepared for Passover	Jerusalem	26:17‐19	14:12‐16	22:7‐13
2 Jesus and the disciples ate the Passover supper	Jerusalem	26:20	14:17	22:14‐18
3 a dispute arose among the disciples about which of them was  the greatest	Jerusalem			22:24‐30
4 Jesus washed His disciples’ feet	Jerusalem				13:1‐20
5 Jesus pointed out the one who would betray him	Jerusalem	26:21‐25	14:18‐21	22:21‐23	13:21‐33
6 Jesus gave a new command	Jerusalem				13:34‐35
7 Jesus predicted Peter’s first denial	Jerusalem			22:31‐38	13:36‐38
8 Jesus instituted the Communion	Jerusalem	26:26‐29	14:22‐25	22:19‐20
9 Jesus’s last conversation	Jerusalem				14:1‐16:33
a. about why he was going b. about the vine and the branches as well as loving each other c. about the Holy Spirit’s coming d. about praying in the Lord’s name					14:1‐31 15:1‐27 16:1‐16, 16:17‐33
10 Jesus prayed for his disciples	Jerusalem				17:1‐26

Key verses: John 13:31-35  
31 So, when he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man is glorified, and God is glorified in Him. 32 If God is glorified in Him, God will also glorify Him in Himself, and glorify Him immediately. 33 Little children, I shall be with you a little while longer. You will seek Me; and as I said to the Jews, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come,’ so now I say to you.34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Meditation: It was with His death on the cross looming that Jesus told His disciples to love one another as He had loved them. Even as Jesus knew that the Father had given all things into His hands, our Lord bent down to wash the feet of sinners. Though there was nothing attractive about sinful mankind to draw Jesus to love us, yet while sinners, He loved the Father and us enough to humble Himself in total surrender to death on a cross. It is by His broken body and His shed blood that we can be accepted by the Father and enter into a living, loving, and daily communion with God, as well as be able to love and unite with one another.  How wonderful, how marvelous the love of God that would stoop so low to wash away the sins of humanity by the blood of the Son.

Hymn：H84 Himeself He Could Not Save  

Daily Scripture - Mar 28

John 5:39-40
39 You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. 40 But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life.

The fourth day of Passion Week

The fourth day of  Passion Week (Author: JZ, Translator: WC)

Introduction:
In the Four Gospels, there is no other detailed record of Jesus’ words or acts (on the 4th day) but the scripture wrote “And in the daytime He was teaching in the temple, but at night He went out and stayed on the mountain called Olivet” (Luke 21:37). From Matthew 21:17, we know that Jesus probably went to the house of Bethany to spend the night, where lived Martha, who served the Lord diligently, Mary, who loved the Lord with all her heart, and Lazarus, who was revived from the death.

Key Events: In the Four Gospels, there is no detailed record of Jesus’ words or acts (on the 4th day).

Meditation:
Jerusalem, named as the city of peace, the city of David,, where the temple of God was  located, was the place to worship God, to serve God. However, when Jesus came to Jerusalem and entered the temple courts, He began to drive out those who were selling, and said to them “you have made it a den of robbers”.  In reaction to His accusation, the chief priests, the teachers of the law, and the leaders among people did not have faith in Him, and were not willing to confess and repent. They were trying to find a way to kill Him, because they did not feel secure (because all the people hung on His Word.) The Scripture tells us that at the last week before Jesus was persecuted, each evening he went out to spend the night outside the city,  in Bethany. For in Bethany were Mary who loved the Lord with all her heart, Martha who served the Lord diligently, and Lazarus who had been resurrected from the dead.. The reality of life in Bethany was the reality of life in the house of God, where we can see the living testimonies of these three people. These can be the testimonies of our lives as Christians, as well, so that we can attract and satisfy our Lord.

Hymn：I give You My Heart

Daily Scripture - Mar 27

James 4:2b-4
2b … Yet you do not have because you do not ask. 3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures. 4 Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

The Third day of Passion Week

The Third day of  Passion Week (Author: MC, Translator: HL)

Introduction:
Tuesday was a busy day for Jesus.  On the morning, Jesus and his disciples returned to Jerusalem. They passed the withered fig tree on their way, and Jesus taught them about faith. At the Temple, the religious leaders aggressively challenged Jesus' authority, attempting to ambush Him and create an opportunity for his arrest. But Jesus evaded their traps and pronounced harsh judgment on them.

In the afternoon Jesus left the city and went with his disciples to the Mount of Olives, which overlooks Jerusalem, due east of the Temple. Here Jesus gave the Olivet Discourse, an elaborate prophecy about the destruction of Jerusalem, and the end of the age. He taught in parables using symbolic language, about end times events including His Second Coming, and the final judgment.
Scripture also indicates that Tuesday was the day Judas negotiated with the Sanhedrin to betray Jesus.

After a tiring day of confrontation and warnings about the future, once again Jesus and the disciples stayed the night in Bethany.

Key Events:

Events/Facts	Location	Matthew	Mark	Luke	John
1 Jesus talked about the effectiveness of faith	On the way to Jerusalem	21:20‐22	11:20‐26
2 Jesus talked about His authority	Jerusalem	21:23‐22:
answer the question of the chief priests the parable of the two sons receiving their father’s order the parable of the wicked vinedressers the parable of the Wedding Feast		21:23‐27, 21:28‐32, 21:33‐46, 22:1‐14	11:27‐33 12:1‐12	20:1‐8, 9‐19
3. Jesus talked about paying taxes	Jerusalem	22:15‐22	12:13‐17	20:20‐26
4. Jesus talked about the Resurrection	Jerusalem	22:23‐33	12:18‐27	20:27‐38
5. Jesus talked about the first commandment of all.	Jerusalem	22:34‐40	12:28‐34	20:39‐40
6. Jesus talked about the relationship between Christ and David	Jerusalem	22:41‐46	12:35‐37	20:41‐44
7. Jesus talked about the situation of the hypocrites	Jerusalem	23:1‐36	12:38‐40	20:45‐47
8. Jesus lamented over Jerusalem	Jerusalem	23:37‐39
6. Jesus commended on the widow’s two mites	Jerusalem		12:41‐44	21:1‐4
10 Greeks came to see Jesus	Jerusalem				12:20‐36
11 The last public talk of Jesus	Jerusalem				12:37‐50
12 Jesus talked about the things to come	The Mount of Olives	24:1‐25:46	13:1‐37	21:5‐36
a. Jesus predicted the destruction of the Temple b. the signs of His second coming c. exhortation on being alert d. the Parable of the wise and foolish virgins e. the Parable of the talents f. the Parable of separating the sheep and the goats.		24:1‐14, 24:15‐31, 24:32‐51, 25:1‐13, 25:14‐30, 25:31‐46	13:1‐13, 13:14‐27, 13:28‐37	21:5‐19, 21:20‐28, 21:29‐36
13 Jesus mentioned His death for the fourth time	Jerusalem	26:1‐2
14 The chief priests and others plotted to arrest Jesus	Jerusalem	26:3‐5	14:1‐2	22:1‐2
15 Judah agreed to betray Jesus		26:14‐16	14:10‐11	22:3‐6

Key Verses:
John 12:20–26
20 Now there were certain Greeks among those who came up to worship at the feast. 21 Then they came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and asked him, saying, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.”22 Philip came and told Andrew, and in turn Andrew and Philip told Jesus.23 But Jesus answered them, saying, “The hour has come that the Son of Man should be glorified. 24 Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain. 25 He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.

Meditation:
Tuesday was Jesus' last public ministry in Jerusalem. Jesus had the opportunity to answer many people, but Jesus’ response to the requests of several Greeks can particularly remind us how to follow Jesus, today. Facing the coming crucifixion, Jesus said it was “the time for the Son of Man to be glorified”, because Jesus knew that "unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain." Today, you and I are all righteous because of the propitiation (or sacrifice)  of Jesus Christ!

However, God's salvation never stopped at the forgiveness of our sins. He intended that we would deny ourselves and take our own cross and follow Him! He promised us that when we do this, the Father will honor us because Jesus' life is manifested in us.

Today, if someone wants to see Jesus like those first Greeks, can they see the beauty of Jesus within us?

Hymn: Servant King

Daily Scripture - Mar 26

Isaiah 59:1-2
1 Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened,
That it cannot save;
Nor His ear heavy,
That it cannot hear.
2 But your iniquities have separated you from your God;
And your sins have hidden His face from you,
So that He will not hear.

The Second Day of Passion Week

The Second Day of  Passion Week (Author: JZ, Translator: YZ)

Introduction:
On the second day, Jesus and His disciples left Bethany and headed for the temple in Jerusalem. Seeing a fig tree by the road, He went up to it, but found nothing on it except leaves. The fig tree lost its value because it had no fruit. After that, Jesus entered the temple area and drove out all those who were buying and selling there, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves.  He wouldn’t allow them to turn the temple into a filthy trading place, and said to them:” My house will be called a house of prayer, but you are making it a ‘den of robbers.’” Jesus cleared the temple so that people could truly honor God. However, the unbelieving chief priests and the teachers of the law not only did not obey the authority of Jesus, but instead sought to kill him.

Key Events:

Events/Facts	Location	Matthew	Mark	Luke	John
1 Jesus cursed the fig tree	On the way to Jerusalem	21:18‐19	11:12‐14
2 Jesus cleansed the temple for the second time	Jerusalem	21:12‐16	11:15‐17	19:45‐46
3 the chief priests wanted to kill Jesus	Jerusalem		11:18	19:47‐48
4 Jesus spent the night on the Mount of Olives	the Mount of Olives		11:19	21:37‐38

Key verses:
Matthew 21:12-13  My house shall be called a house of prayer
12 Then Jesus went into the temple of God and drove out all those who bought and sold in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves. 13 And He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you have made it a ‘den of thieves.’”

Meditation:
When Jesus was about to be crucified, His heart still remembered the temple of God. Jesus reminded us through Isaiah 56:7 that "The house of God must be called a house of prayer for all people." The temple of God was the dwelling place of God's glory. It was also where people met God and worshipped God. Now, the temple of God had become a den of robbers! Although bustling  there was no spiritual reality in the temple, like the fig tree who had luxuriant foliage but didn’t have the fruit it should have. In the same way, today we are the temple of God, and the Spirit of God dwells in us. We hope that today's verses will remind us to cleanse our hearts so that we can become God's joyful home.

Hymn ： Refiner's Fire

The First Day of Passion Week

The First Day of  Passion Week (Author: EY, Translator: KC)

Introduction:
Today is “Palm Sunday”, the Sunday before Jesus’ resurrection. It is also the first day of Passion Week. On this day, Jesus obeyed the Father’s will as he rode the colt to Jerusalem. The crowd took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, “Hosanna!” “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” (John 12:13). This is Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem. When He saw the holy city, He cried for what was about to happen. That night, Jesus returned to Bethany and stayed with Mary, Martha, and Lazarus.

Key Events:

Events/Facts	Location	Matthew	Mark	Luke	John
1 Jesus rode the colt to Jerusalem	Bethany to Jerusalem	21:1‐11	11:1‐10	19:29‐40	12:12‐19
2 Jesus cried for Jerusalem	Jerusalem			19:41‐44
3 Jesus stayed in Bethany	Bethany	21:17	11:11

Key verses:
Matthew 21:1-11 Behold, Your King Is Coming to You
1 Now when they drew near Jerusalem, and came to Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Loose them and bring them to Me. 3 And if anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord has need of them,’ and immediately he will send them.” 4 All this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying: 5 “Tell the daughter of Zion, ‘Behold, your King is coming to you, Lowly, and sitting on a donkey, A colt, the foal of a donkey.’” 6 So the disciples went and did as Jesus commanded them. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt, laid their clothes on them, and set Him on them. 8 And a very great multitude spread their clothes on the road; others cut down branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 Then the multitudes who went before and those who followed cried out, saying: “Hosanna to the Son of David! ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’ Hosanna in the highest!” 10 And when He had come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, “Who is this?” 11 So the multitudes said, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth of Galilee.”

Meditation:
Every time  I read this verse, it reminds me of how sad Jesus must have been. He knew this crowd, including His disciples, did not know His true identity. From the start, Jesus knew even though the crowd was shouting “Hosanna!”,  a few days later they would shout “Crucify Him!”. Even his disciples would betray Him, abandon Him or disown him.

Thank the Lord for the blood He shed. Although we are not worthy, Jesus loves us entirely and He will save us entirely! “Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest!”

Hymn：Hosanna (Hillsong)

2018 Passion Week

Daily Devotion

Passover is a festival set by Jehovah for the Israelites to commemorate that God had freed them from the Egyptians. “… And when I see the blood, I will pass over you; and the plague shall not be on you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt. ‘So this day shall be to you a memorial; and you shall keep it as a feast to the Lord throughout your generations. You shall keep it as a feast by an everlasting ordinance.” (Exo 12:13b-14) Jews never have thought that the blood of the lamb symbolizes Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who became the Lamb of the Passover. He bore the sin of this world, was crucified on the cross and rose from the dead on the first day of the week. From then, churches began to commemorate Jesus Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection. According to church traditions, the week before the resurrection is known as Passion Week or Holy Week.

           According to the Four Gospels, Passion Week began with Jesus riding a colt into Jerusalem. He purged the temple, had The Last Supper, and went to pray at the Garden of Gethsemane. Then he was betrayed, arrested, tried, humiliated, crucified, buried, and resurrected on the third day. Friday is the most important day in Passion Week and is called Good Friday.

•  Hope we can use this designated time to worship Jesus Christ our Savior, with our hearts and actions, and practice walking with Him through Scripture reading and meditation.

1.   By grace through prayer offer yourself in “Holiness Unto the Lord”
2.   Designate a quiet time before the Lord to pray and meditate upon Scripture passages and hymns selected by the church. Write down any thoughts and experiences from your fellowship with God as a an offering unto Him.
3.   With a thankful heart, choose to “fast a meal, love a neighbor – experience the love of Christ with your heart and share this love with your actions. (note 1: e.g., care for the homeless, support local missions, etc.)
4.   During this period practice: not giving in to anger, not complaining, not judging, not being discouraged, not talking negatively, speaking only edifying words, not indulging in entertainment, not playing video games….
5.   In the light of the Holy Spirit humble ourselves and keep from unclean things, repent and let the blood of Jesus wash away all of our sins. Bring any objects associated with idols to the church on Friday to be incinerated during the “cleansing fire” gathering  along with the confession list.

                         Suggested Action items for Passion Week
Please choose at least two items from each column of “Do” and “Don’t” to practice every day during Passion Week.

Do	Don't
Study the daily message with your whole family	No online shopping
Meditate and pray for 15-30 min. daily	No social media, e.g. WeChat / Facebook
Praise and thank God with songs for 15-30 min. daily	No video games
Read the Bible for 15-30 min. daily	No TV, Netflix, etc.
Memorize Bible verses daily	Abstain from eating one kind of food you enjoy (eg: meat, sweet food)
Pray for at least one gospel friend for his/her salvation	Quit one bad habit (eg: being late, complaining)
Fast a meal daily	No gossipping nor unedifying speech
Examine yourself before going to bed	Do not disobey the Holy Spirit
Other	Other
Other	Other

Daily Scripture - Mar 25

Malachi 3:10
10 Bring all the tithes into the storehouse,
That there may be food in My house,
And try Me now in this,”
Says the Lord of hosts,
“If I will not open for you the windows of heaven
And pour out for you such blessing
That there will not be room enough to receive it.

Daily Scripture - Mar 24

Romans 1:16-17
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”

Daily Scripture - Mar 23

John 6:35
35 And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.

Daily Scripture - Mar 22

Psalms 29:10-11
10 The Lord sat enthroned at the Flood,
And the Lord sits as King forever.
11 The Lord will give strength to His people;
The Lord will bless His people with peace.

Daily Scripture - Mar 21

Isaiah 51:12-13a
12 “I, even I, am He who comforts you.
Who are you that you should be afraid
Of a man who will die,
And of the son of a man who will be made like grass?
13a And you forget the Lord your Maker,
Who stretched out the heavens
And laid the foundations of the earth;
...

Daily Scripture - Mar 20

Proverbs 9:10
10 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,
And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

Daily Scripture - Mar 19

Ephesians 4:15-16
15 ...speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— 16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

Daily Scripture - Mar 18

Psalms 57:9-11
9 I will praise You, O Lord, among the peoples;
I will sing to You among the nations.
10 For Your mercy reaches unto the heavens,
And Your truth unto the clouds.
11 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;
Let Your glory be above all the earth.

Daily Scripture - Mar 17

Jude 20-21
20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, 21keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

Daily Scripture - Mar 16

1 Timothy 6:8, 10
8 And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content....10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

Daily Scripture - Mar 15

Matthew 12:18-21
18 “Behold! My Servant whom I have chosen,
My Beloved in whom My soul is well pleased!
I will put My Spirit upon Him,
And He will declare justice to the Gentiles.
19 He will not quarrel nor cry out,
Nor will anyone hear His voice in the streets.
20 A bruised reed He will not break,
And smoking flax He will not quench,
Till He sends forth justice to victory;
21 And in His name Gentiles will trust.”

Daily Scripture - Mar 14

Philippians 2:13
13 ... it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.

Daily Scripture - Mar 13

Romans 4:17-21
17 (as it is written, “I have made you (Abraham) a father of many nations”) in the presence of Him whom he believed—God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did; 18 who, contrary to hope, in hope believed,...19 And not being weak in faith... 20 He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, 21 and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform.

Daily Scripture - Mar 12

Matthew 7:26-27
26 “But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: 27 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.”

Daily Scripture - Mar 11

Amos 8:11 Behold, the days are coming,” says the Lord God,
“That I will send a famine on the land,
Not a famine of bread,
Nor a thirst for water,
But of hearing the words of the Lord.

Daily Scripture - Mar 10

John 8:12
12 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”

Daily Scripture - Mar 9

Proverbs 4:23
23 Keep your heart with all diligence,
For out of it spring the issues of life.

Daily Scripture - Mar 8

1 Peter 2:9
9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;...

Daily Scripture - Mar 7

John 6:63
63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.

Daily Scripture - Mar 6

Matthew 7:18-21
18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit.
19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
20 Therefore by their fruits you will know them.
21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.

Daily Scripture - Mar 5

Hebrew 12:10a-11
10...but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness.
11Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

Daily Scripture - Mar 4

1 Samuel 2:1, 8a
1 And Hannah prayed and said:
“My heart rejoices in the Lord;
My horn is exalted in the Lord.
I smile at my enemies,
Because I rejoice in Your salvation.
8a He raises the poor from the dust
And lifts the beggar from the ash heap,
To set them among princes
And make them inherit the throne of glory.
…

Daily Scripture - Mar 3

Micah 6:8
8 He has shown you, O man, what is good;
And what does the Lord require of you
But to do justly,
To love mercy,
And to walk humbly with your God?

Daily Scripture - Mar 2

Psalms 8:1-2
1 O Lord, our Lord,
How excellent is Your name in all the earth,
Who have set Your glory above the heavens!
2 Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants
You have ordained strength,
Because of Your enemies,
That You may silence the enemy and the avenger.

Daily Scripture - Mar 1

Psalms 91:1,14-16
1 He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High
Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

14 “Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him;
I will set him on high, because he has known My name.
15 He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble;
I will deliver him and honor him.
16 With long life I will satisfy him,
And show him My salvation.”