When Jesus’ dear friend Lazarus dies, Lazarus’s sister, Martha, is understandably heartbroken. But through her grief, she believes that Jesus is the Messiah. On Easter, all of us face points of grief. But because of Easter, we are called to believe Jesus is the Messiah.

In the Old Testament prophets, a cup is often a symbol of wrath. Jesus drinks from the cup of God’s wrath on the cross and he knows his disciples will drink from the cup of the wrath of their eventual persecutors when they witness to what they have seen and heard. But Jesus also has another cup for his disciples – the cup of mercy – given to them in his Last Supper.

The question Jesus asks his disciples on Palm Sunday is a question that will be a question the disciples get asked: “Why are you doing this” (Mark 11:3)? We have all asked this question of others, especially our kids when they are getting ready to get themselves into trouble. But we also ask it of God: “God, why are you doing this? Why are you taking whatever-my-colt-is from me?” And God’s answer is the same as Jesus’: “Because the Lord needs it.” Sometimes what is taken from us is used for us – for our blessing and benefit.

When Jesus is in the Garden of Gethsemane, his disciples cannot keep vigil with him. What distracts our attention away from Jesus so that we become sleepy in our faith instead of vigilant for the cause of Christ?

John 6 marks a turning point in Jesus’ popularity. People begin to leave. There can be dark times in our faith lives where we can be tempted to give up on God. But Peter reminds us that if we leave Jesus, we have nowhere else to go!

When we feel threatened or become angry, we are tempted to rebel. Jesus didn’t, even when he knew he was being carried off to a cross. He responded with peace rather than rebellion. How can we do the same thing when we feel threatened?

Jesus’ generation was corrupt and broken. Not much has changed in 2,000 years. What can we learn from Jesus’ generation for our generation? How can the problems in Jesus’ generation offer us hope when we are tempted to give up on our generation?

In Jesus’ first miraculous sign, he asks his mother why she wants his help when wine runs out at a wedding reception. His question of Mary is a question for us all: Why do we want Jesus involved in our lives? Do we involve him only when we need help, or do we involve him in every area and aspect of our lives?

We all struggle with sinful thoughts. The religious leaders of Jesus’ day appeared outwardly righteous, but harbored wickedness in their hearts and minds. Sin is not just the actions we commit, but the thoughts we think. How can our minds be purified and renewed?