Jospeh of Arimathea was a secret follower of Jesus who had been afraid to make his allegiance known because of his position in the community. But whilst the other disciples had abandoned Jesus, Jospeh now takes a risk now in order to provide a proper burial for Jesus. This could have had all sorts of consequences for him, but he takes the risk and honours his Master.

As we anticipate celebrating Jesus’ resurrection tomorrow, it is timely to consider whether or not we hide our following of Jesus? As we remember and celebrate Jesus’ death and resurrection, do the people in your life (friends, family, neighbours, colleagues, or peers) know that you are a follower of Jesus or do you seek to hide it from them? As we rejoice in all that God has done for us, it is a great weekend to share your love for God and let people know that you love Jesus. Friends, let’s not hide our faith away, but rejoice in the truth of who Jesus is and what he has done. For Christ died not only for us, but in order that the whole world might be saved by trusting in him. AL

1. Why is it sometimes tempting to hide away as followers of Jesus? What is your greatest fear of other people knowing?

2. How could you share with people this weekend that you are a follower of Jesus?

3. How can you prepare today, to celebrate Jesus’ resurrection with even more meaning and joy?

Heavenly Father, thank you that despite us turning from you, that you have never turned away from us. Please help us to show our love for you to the world, that many more might also come to know your saving love. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.


The description of Jesus’ death in Luke is full of incredible details that point us to the cosmic effect of what was happening. As darkness falls over the land, it seems that the power of evil may be prevailing. It’s a dark day on which the Messiah of the world was crucified by the Romans, to the delight of some of the leaders of his own people. But this isn’t failure. For whilst darkness falls, the temple veil is torn in two, signalling that a new way for relationship with God for all people has been flung open through Jesus’ death. The veil separated the people of God from the holy of holies. Yet through Jesus’ death, a new way, a direct way was being opened up to God. No longer would sacrifices need to be made, because Jesus was the ultimate and perfect sacrifice made for us.

Even in his final moments on the cross, Jesus demonstrates his great trust in the Father as he commends his spirit into his Father’s hands. This was no ordinary death. Jesus was no ordinary man. He died this death willingly and innocently, in order that we could be saved. In a moment of brilliant clarity, the centurion gets it! The tough centurion, who had probably witnessed innumerable crucifixions, was probably even desensitised to death, realises that something is different about Jesus! He realises that this death is different, because Jesus is truly a righteous man. The centurion’s response? To praise God! As we recognise who Jesus is and what he has done for us, praise - thanking him - is precisely what we should do. Not that we would delight that he had to die; but that we would delight that he would do it so that we could be saved. AL

1. What evidence is there that Jesus voluntarily and truly died? What is the significance of this?

2. How is it through Jesus’ death that we are afforded life?

3. How was the price for sin paid for on the cross?

Thank you Jesus for enduring the cross for us. Thank you for never being dissuaded from your saving mission, even at the greatest cost to yourself. Please help us to grow in our gratitude for the price that you paid, not that we would be overwhelmed in guilt, but that we would rejoice in our freedom! Amen.


Sometimes we’re so familiar with the details of this story, that the substance of all that Jesus did can wash over us. But here Jesus is, the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords, being crucified between two criminals. He didn’t deserve this. A charge of ‘King of the Jews’ hangs mockingly - yet ironically - above his head. It really does look like a disaster - it looks like Jesus’ mission in the world has come to a horrible and abrupt end. But it hasn’t.

Whilst Luke doesn’t include many details about the crucifixion itself, the dialogue between the two criminals, and Jesus’ subsequent response is profound. One criminal, even whilst being crucified, uses the little energy they have to hurl an insult on Jesus. The idea that Jesus was some sort of king must have seen absurd, yet the other criminal can see past what is happening to the very character of Jesus. He might not understand why Jesus is being crucified, but he knows that whilst their punishment is just, the punishment on Jesus was undeserved. What a profound insight!

If he saved others, why won’t he save himself?

If he is God’s Messiah, why won’t he save himself?

If he is the King of the Jews, why won’t he save himself?

Because he chose to die the death that we deserve, so that we could be saved.

It all might look like a disaster, but this is God’s salvation plan being fulfilled! Jesus has not lost control, but is able to extend forgiveness from the cross, and through the cross, to those who put their trust in him. AL

1. How is Jesus’ death truly fulfilment of God’s promise to save?

2. What most strikes you about this part of the crucifixion account?

3. How can you grow in your gratitude for Jesus’ sacrifice?

Saving God, we thank you for Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross for us. Thank you for doing everything necessary to save us. Thank you for facing the death that we deserve, in order that we might be saved. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.


The Romans didn’t invent crucifixion, but they certainly did perfect it. Thousands of people would have been crucified by the Romans, but this one was different. Reports of crucifixions in the first century often tell that whilst people were being crucified that they would hurl insults, spit on the people below, or even try to urinate on those close to the cross. But as Jesus goes to the cross, he goes willingly and full of grace. Even though innocent, he does not hurl insults nor seek vengeance on those who put him there. Instead, as they gamble for his garments (unwittingly fulfilling Psalm 22), he asks that his Father to forgive them for they do not know what they are doing. What amazing grace! That even at the height of pain, that even in the face of death, that Jesus desires forgiveness even for the very ones inflicting death on him. We can feel outraged at the most minor infringement against us, yet here is the innocent Son of God, asking for forgiveness for the very ones who nailed him to the cross.

As we hear Jesus’ cry for forgiveness, we’re given a phenomenal insight into the loving heart of God. The God who desires that no one would perish, even at the greatest cost to himself. What amazing news that we have to share! That as people put their trust in him, God does not dish out the punishment that we deserve, but willingly takes that punishment on himself. That as we put our trust in Jesus, we receive the unmerited gift of grace. AL

1. When people wrong you, what is your natural desire for them?

2. How should Jesus’ desire for forgiveness shape our greatest desires for those around us?

3. What does it mean for you that Jesus willingly died for you?

Gracious and loving God, we thank you for your great desire that none should perish, but that all should put their trust in Jesus and live. Thank you that you were willing to do whatever it takes in order that we might find forgiveness in you. Please grow our trust in you. Please help us to show forgiveness to those who wrong us, in order that we might point to the ultimate forgiveness that we find through Jesus. Amen.


In 70AD Roman forces besieged the city of Jerusalem. The city had been under control of Jewish rebels called Zealots for four years but now the full force of the Empire was upon them. The siege lasted seven bloody months with the Romans breaching wall after wall. The Zealots fought hard but infighting amongst different leaders and factions, as well as poor discipline, meant that the city finally fell. The temple was burned and looted, surviving Zealots and civilians alike were slaughtered in the streets.

Only 40 years earlier the might of Rome had also been on show. As Jesus dragged his Roman cross up to Golgotha, soldiers seized a bystander to help him carry the cross. Crowds of women wailed at the violence and depravity but Jesus foresaw the greater violence and barbarity in Jerusalem’s future. This is why he says “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep for yourselves and for your children... if people do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?” Even in his pain and torment Jesus is thinking about others. Jesus is the green tree. A peaceful sapling, a prince of peace, and a bringer of new life. He is no rebel and yet the might of Rome is coming at him with full force. When the people of Jerusalem truly dry up, and a fully formed rebellion begins, the Romans will sack the temple. On that day many will wish their children had never been born. Yet on this sad day, as Jesus carries his cross, he is defeating a much bigger power than Rome. Judgement and destruction lies ahead, but so does the new dawn of Easter Sunday. DB

1. How does Jesus warning those watching him of the judgement in their future?

2. How can we warn others of impending judgement in a way that they will listen, and help them to find salvation in Jesus in a way that encourages them to follow?

God of justice and grace, thank you that Jesus walked up Golgotha for us. Thank you that he was thinking of us as he bore the judgement that we deserve. Help us to thank you each day for our forgiveness and look to you for a future and hope. Amen!


We’ve reached Week 13 of our devotional and all of sudden we’re taken back to Luke’s account of the spread of the Gospel in Acts, to his account of Jesus’ crucifixion. It may surprise you to learn that Luke wrote more of the New Testament in two books (Luke + Acts) than any other writer. Here we read his account of Jesus’ trial by Pilate. Pilate was the Roman governor of Judea and from his personal letters we learn that he was a weak and indecisive leader. In Luke’s account we realise that Pilate did everything he could to avoid executing Jesus, avoiding tricky questions, sending Jesus to Herod, and making the people pick between Jesus and a clear rebel in Barabbas.

The contrast between Pilate and Luke could not be sharper. Pilate weakly questions Jesus to figure out if Jesus identifies as a king, Luke investigates Jesus’ whole life and gets to the truth of his identity. Pilate tries to pass Jesus’ fate onto others, Luke realises the fate of the world is in Jesus’ hands. Pilate cannot commit to a decision about Jesus and tries to sweep him under the rug, Luke commits his whole life to following Jesus and making him known. The difference between an encounter with Jesus and becoming one of his disciples is often as stark as that between Pilate and Luke. We can be curious about Jesus, and perhaps try to do the best by him whilst trying to save our own skin, or we can be a disciple of Jesus, giving up our whole lives for the one who gave it all for us. DB

1. Why do you think Pilate was trying to avoid killing Jesus?

2. Are there people in your life who are curious about Jesus? How can you encourage them to investigate the truth about Jesus?

3. How can you commit to making Jesus known through your life?

Lord Jesus, thank you that you went to the cross for us. Help us not to treat you with mild interest, or avoid the question of our allegiance to you. Help us to submit our lives to your rule and look to you as the resurrection and the life. Amen!


Jesus promised his disciples that they would be his witnesses throughout Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and to the ends of the earth. The fact that you are probably reading this thousands of kilometres away from Jerusalem (kudos to you if you’re closer than that) suggests that Jesus kept his promise. The fact that churches have been filled and the Gospel has been preached in ever corner, not just of the then known world, but of the planet we know today is a miracle. In the first century religions were often bound by geographic or cultural borders. Here in Acts 9 we learn that after Saul’s conversion the church kept spreading and enjoyed a time of peace and strengthening.

The disciples no longer feared Saul, instead they were all encouraged to fear the Lord and be built up by the Holy Spirit. This idyllic community was not a pipe-dream of religious nut jobs, this wasn’t a commune where people were forced into social submission. Instead this church that Jesus had promised and the Holy Spirit had borne was a place where the Kingdom of Heaven was real.

Some years ago an atheist journalist by the name of Matthew Parris travelled to Africa. In an article, ‘As an atheist, I truly believe Africa needs God’, Parris shared that wherever he found peace, tranquility, and healthy communities in the continent he also found churches and deep faith. Sadly Parris couldn’t concede that the Gospel has had this impact on every community it has touched. Much of the peace and prosperity we enjoy in developed nations is thanks to the impact of the Gospel and Christianity. Wherever the Gospel goes it find resistance, but it also brings true peace. DB

1. Why do you think the church enjoyed such a wonderful time of peace and growth at this point in Acts?

2. Where do you see this sort of Kingdom reality in your church community?

Father forgive us for condemning others in our hearts. Help us to remember that no one is beyond your mercy and grace. Help to reach out with your Gospel of grace and step over social battle lines to love and welcome others. Amen.


It was late and the midnight Christmas service was due to start. In he walked, a mountain of a man with Tattoos on his arms, a big bushy beard, and a leather jacket with patches on it. This man was obviously a biker and I’d heard all sort of stories about bikers. Had he come to cause trouble? Was he here to escape detection by the police? Should I got up to him or leave him alone?

These questions revealed more about the state of my heart than they did about this man. He sat through the whole service, prayed diligently and sang the Christmas carols with a mighty voice. He came up for communion and as the service ended he came up to the door and shook my hand. Now I could see the patches on his jacket which read ‘God’s Squad’. God’s Squad is a Christian Motorcycle Club. Members dedicate their lives to sharing the Gospel with other bikies. Here was a brother in Christ who I should have welcomed with open trust but had instead treated with judgement and skepticism.

When Saul travelled to Jerusalem, he had a bounty on his head. His former friends wanted to kill him and the Christians in the city didn’t trust him. Thankfully Barnabas stepped up, took a risk, and the rest is history. As Christians we need to cross over well marked social battle lines and welcome people into our community. No one is beyond God’s reach and we need to be willing to take risks and welcome others into God’s Kingdom. The early church lived in fear of the Lord and no one else. That’s why it thrived off the encouragement of the Holy Spirit and increased in numbers. DB

1. Who first crossed over the line and took a risk in welcoming Saul? How do you think Paul would have felt after persecuting so many Christians?

2. How can you challenge yourself and step out in faith and welcome someone into your church family this week?

Father forgive us for condemning others in our hearts. Help us to remember that no one is beyond your mercy and grace. Help to reach out with your Gospel of grace and step over social battle lines to love and welcome others. Amen.


Jesus is responsible for radical transformations all over the world. A drug addict finds freedom in Jesus, a CEO finds meaning in the Gospel, a world champion athlete finds her greatest prize in serving God. The stories of joy of people entering into a personal relationship with Jesus abound. In the book of Acts we read of the transformation of Saul, a persecutor of Christians, whose life is turned around. His fellow Jews are baffled by his transformation and his preaching, proving that Jesus is the Christ, thanks to his Jewish background.

God uses our experiences, our scars, our trials and even our past sins to glorify himself and to reveal to the world the surpassing glory of his Gospel. Saul’s reputation preceded him but his transformation is what baffled others. The Holy Spirit helped him to prove to others that Jesus is the Messiah. God used Saul’s story to convict others of the truth of his Gospel and help them to become disciples.

Radical stories of transformation can sometimes give us the impression that these are the only stories that matter. Perhaps you think that the work that God has done in your life isn’t as valid because it isn’t as sensational. This couldn’t be further from the truth. There are people in the world right now who need to hear your story because it’s much like their story. Whether it’s the peace we’ve found in following Jesus or the pain God has spared us in bringing us up in a Christian home, our stories will often be more relatable to people than a sensational conversion experience. The power of personal testimony is awesome and God can use your story to bring others to him. DB

1. Why was Saul’s preaching so powerful for 1st Century Jews?

2. What transformations has God enacted in your life? Think of three main things God has done in your life that you wouldn’t have if you weren’t a Christian.

Thank you Lord for your goodness and kindness to us in Christ Jesus. Thank you for redeeming me and making my story part of your story. Help me to share my story with others in a way that helps them come to know you and be saved. Amen!


Bashir Mohammad came to Istanbul, Turkey as a Syrian refugee. He’d defected from Jabhat al-Nusra an offshoot of Al Qaeda. He was broken and traumatised after witnessing his fellow muslims torturing and killing other muslims. Whilst in Turkey his wife fell sick and he turned to a relative who had once sent him videos of radical Islamic preachers for help. The relative was now living in Canada and shocked Bashir by confessing that he’d become a Christian! He asked Bashir to put the phone next to his wife’s ear so he could pray for her. At first Bashir refused but finally he became so desperate to help her that he gave in. His wife’s health improved. Suddenly Bashir was willing to entertain a sacrilegious thought. He asked his cousin to recommend a Christian preacher who could tell him more about the religion. Fortunately Eimad Brim, a missionary with an evangelical group based in Jordan called the Good Shepherd agreed to meet with him. Eimad Brim risked his life to bring the Gospel to Bashir Mohammad a former terrorist who now meets with other Christians to pray and worship a God who changed his life forever.

Everyday disciples like Eimad and Ananias risk everything to share the Gospel. People like this need our support and prayers but they aren’t superheroes. While we don’t risk our lives in sharing the Gospel with others, sometimes it takes a lot of guts. We need to draw on stories like Ananias’ and Bashir’s, and be willing to give our time and risk our reputation to share the Gospel with others. (Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/24/world/middleeast/the-jihadi-who- turned-to-jesus.html). DB

1. Why was Ananias willing to visit Saul?

2. How can we be supporting our brothers and sisters who risk everything to share the Gospel with others?

God of Grace, thank you so much for the courage of Ananias and people like him who take risks to share the Gospel. Help us to see people in our ‘frontlines’ who need to hear about you. Please help to follow your lead when you send us. Amen!