Beyond Sunday

Good Friday (Apr. 2)

It Is Finished

Narrated by Rod Muench

When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, "It is finished," and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. John 19:30

Since the dawn of time, the curse and consequences of sin have victimized the human race. By his death Jesus has overcome the curse and brought life and immortality to light. As that Friday came to a close on Calvary, his triumphant cry pierced the darkened air: “It is finished!”

By his wounds we are healed. Trust his word completely: It is finished! Jesus did everything necessary for your salvation. Do not allow doubt or feelings of guilt to sabotage your faith. Your eternal future is in his nail-pierced hands. Count on his sacrifice and promise, and live confidently, hopefully, joyfully until his triumphant return.

REFLECT: Remember that Christ has put all evil to an end on this day.

PRAY: Let my life be lived in loving praise of you, my all-sufficient Savior and Lord. Amen.

Devotional content provided by Creative Communications for the Parish. 

Maundy Thursday (Apr. 1)

A Covenant Sealed by His Blood

Narrated by Liz Hagestad

This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. Matthew 26:28

With his gathered disciples at the Last Supper, Jesus initiated the new covenant promised in Jeremiah 31:31-34. It was to be a covenant of grace in which God would “remember their sin no more.” With the blood of his wounds, Jesus sealed and confirmed this eternal covenant for us and for all believers.

Living under this covenant promise, we can be sure that the cancer of our sin has been healed. Yes, we will die, but only for a short time. On the day of resurrection, God will not remember our sin, but he will remember us as those who have been healed by Jesus’ wounds. Live now in hopeful anticipation of your final victory in Christ.

REFLECT: Recall all that Christ has done for you.

PRAY: Erase my fear of death, Lord Jesus, and replace it with faith in your healing wounds. Amen.

Devotional content provided by Creative Communications for the Parish. 

Wednesday of Holy Week (Mar. 31)

The Name Above Every Name

Narrated by Rebecca Seitchick

God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow... and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord... Philippians 2:9-II

Evil runs rampant in this life, causing anxiety, pain and death. We are not immune to the ills of this broken world, but because of Jesus, we know how our history will end. The Lord has laid on him the sum total of all sin and evil, and he endured it humbly and faithfully—for us! Evil put Jesus in the grave, but we know and believe the Easter sequel to his death—and we belong to him and with him for life forever.

Life is never hopeless for us, for Jesus Christ is Lord of all! Bow before him, whose name is victorious over every other.

REFLECT: Seek to do everything in the name of Jesus each day.

PRAY: Tune my heart to sing your praise, O Lord, for your name is truly triumphant over my sin and death. Amen.

Devotional content provided by Creative Communications for the Parish. 

Tuesday of Holy Week (Mar. 30)

Humble Obedience

Narrated by Larry Stigge

Being found in human form, [Jesus] humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Philippians 2:8

In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus prayed, “Father, not my will but thine be done." He humbled himself, submitting obediently to the Father’s will—actually aligning his own will with what his Father most desired.

That's hard for us to do. Our pride refuses to submit completely to God’s authority and commandments. Healing our stubborn hearts is a long process that continues to the day of our death. Take time during this Holy Week to allow your Savior to bring your will a bit more in line with his humble obedience to the Father's will.

REFLECT: Consider how to be humble this week.

PRAY: Your humble obedience unto death is my healing, Lord. Bend my stubborn will to your loving desire. Amen.

Devotional content provided by Creative Communications for the Parish. 

Monday of Holy Week (Mar. 29)

Christ Came to Serve

Narrated by Brad Rohlfsen

The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve... Mark 10:45

God’s Law can enforce obedience, but it cannot heal the sinful human heart.
Jesus did not come to enforce the Law but to fulfill it, and to heal our hearts by his death on the cross. Here Jesus shows God’s true nature: to serve and to save, to heal and to help.

As you are healed by his wounds, you will be changed; little by little, you will become like him, wanting to serve, to help, to love, to give. Make this your goal in life, to become more like your heavenly Father and his Son, your Servant and Savior.

REFLECT: Ponder ways to serve others in a Christ-like way.

PRAY: Help me see, Lord Jesus, how I can become more like you, and make me what you want me to be. Amen.

Devotional content provided by Creative Communications for the Parish. 

Palm Sunday (Mar. 28)

Where Sin Begins

Narrated by Peter Baye

You shall not covet ... anything that is your neighbors. Exodus 20:17

Sin does not begin with our lips or hands. This last commandment reminds us, as Jesus said, “Out of the heart come evil thoughts,’ and more (Matthew 15:19). If we are to be healed, it must begin with a change of our sinful hearts.

Only the wounds of Jesus can heal a sinner’s heart. Jesus knew that as he entered Jerusalem, intent on going to the cross. This week we follow him through the upper room and Gethsemane to Golgotha. There we meditate on the wounds of whip and thorns, nails and spear—agonizing, blessed wounds he willingly endured to heal our hearts. Open your heart again to welcome the new life he came to gain for you. He will heal you from the inside out?

REFLECT: How can you open your heart to Jesus this Holy Week?

PRAY: I welcome you, my Savior, as did the Palm Sunday throng. Cleanse me, heal me, renew me. Amen.

Devotional content provided by Creative Communications for the Parish. 

Saturday, The Fifth Week of Lent (Mar. 27)

A Healed Heart

Narrated by Renea Gernant

Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, "Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.” Luke 19:8

This tax collector's heart had just been healed by Jesus. Before this, his diseased heart felt “The more I get, the better off I am.” Now he understood the true values of earthly and heavenly treasures, and his healthy heart knew “The more I give, the better off I am.”

It takes a long time for the healing power of Jesus’ wounds to heal the toxic virus of “stuff-ness” in the diseased heart. With extended exposure to the Christ of the Cross, however, miracles can happen in the most stubborn heart. Perhaps you can make that a goal for yourself in these last days of Lent.

REFLECT: In what ways can you be as generous as Zacchaeus?

PRAY: Continue to heal my heart, Lord, with your love and grace. Amen.

Devotional content provided by Creative Communications for the Parish. 

Friday, The Fifth Week of Lent (Mar. 26)

A Poor Rich Man

Narrated by Kimberly Hord

Jesus said to him, "If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven.” Matthew 19:21

The rich man asked, “What must I do to have eternal life?” In reply, Jesus said, "To ‘earn’ a treasure in heaven, give away all your earthly treasure.” The poor rich man was unable to do that—and so are we!

Jesus has done for us what we cannot do for ourselves. He gave his life to earn a treasure in heaven for us. That heavenly treasure is now his gift to us, making us poor people incredibly rich. “Healed by his wounds," we have a whole new perspective on the value of the “stuff” we own, what earthly people call riches. What riches we have!

REFLECT: Think about what makes us rich in Christ.

PRAY: When I feel anxious about my earthly riches, Lord, remind me of the true treasure you have given me. Amen.

Devotional content provided by Creative Communications for the Parish. 

Thursday, The Fifth Week of Lent (Mar. 25)

Your True Treasure

Narrated by Kate Allen

Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. ... You cannot serve God and money.
Matthew 6:21, 24

Test yourself: Is it easier to find an excuse to give less to God (church, charity) or an excuse to spend more on yourself (pleasure, treasure)? My heart and mind argue constantly between serving God (denying self) and serving self (stealing from God).

It’s really a question of where our heart is, and where we want it to be. This debate is never fully resolved: should my true treasure be determined by my human nature or by my new self made in the image of Jesus?

The healing wounds of Jesus can give you strength to overrule your human instincts and focus your heart on the true treasure that is yours eternally. Keep that in focus as you decide daily whom you will serve.

REFLECT: How will you serve Jesus today?

PRAY: Fill me with your Spirit, Jesus, and help me remember my true treasure. Amen.

Devotional content provided by Creative Communications for the Parish.

Wednesday, The Fifth Week of Lent (Mar. 24)

Treasures in Heaven

Narrated by Steve Trusty

Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth... but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. Matthew 6:19, 20

Everything you own is yours—but only for a short time. Someday it will all pass on to someone else, for there are no trailer hitches on hearses. Time steals all your stuff eventually.

Jesus died to give you a treasure that will outlast all your earthly possessions. You can add to that heavenly balance sheet by using your earthly goods for eternal purposes. What you give to help the needy, to advance the kingdom of God on earth, to increase the population of heaven—all that will live on after you leave earth.

Live for the future that goes on forever, not for the present that dies with you.

REFLECT: What treasures in heaven are you looking forward to the most?

PRAY: Expand my vision, Lord, to see beyond the here and now. Amen.

Devotional content provided by Creative Communications for the Parish.