After restoring and teaching his disciples, Jesus commissions them to take the Gospel to the world. Discover what the Great Commission meant for the first disciples and what it means for us.

Chapter 17 takes us back for a closer look at Babylon. What is she? Why is she being judged so severely? This chapter also will set up a deliberate contrast between two women (cities): Babylon, the Prostitute and New Jerusalem, the Bride of Christ. We peel back the outward appearance of Babylon to see that appearances can be very deceiving.

Jesus has restored his broken disciples, but to prepare them to take his message to the world, Jesus must teach them. His teaching transformed the disciples and it should transform us.

As we complete Revelation Chapter 16, we study the 6th Bowl judgment which prepares the way for the united earthly powers to face God and the terrible consequences of the 7th Bowl. Amazingly, people still do not repent. The divide between those who worship the Beast and those who worship the Lamb has never been greater than what we see in these judgments.

Jesus spent 40 days with his disciples after the resurrection. He used this time for more than proving he was alive. In today’s text, Jesus restores his broken disciples.

Chapter 6 begins the bowl judgments, the complete outpouring of God's wrath on the evil world. Tonight, we cover the first five judgments and hear confirmation that God is just and righteous in judging evil.

The resurrection of Jesus is the center of Easter. An empty tomb is not the end of the story. The presence of the living Christ is what resurrection provides. We don’t have to believe in the resurrection through blind faith; the evidence points to its truth.

This week, slowly read the story of Jesus’ suffering, death, and resurrection in the Gospel of Luke. Imagine the movement of the story, walk with Christ, see what He died for.

Suggested passages:
  • The Last Supper – Luke 22:14–23
  • Gethsemane – Luke 22:39–46
  • The Trial of Jesus – Luke 22:63–71
  • The Crucifixion – Luke 23:32–49
  • The Burial – Luke 23:50–56
  • The Resurrection – Luke 24:1–12

As you look upon the cross realize:
  The cross reveals the seriousness of sin
    – Jesus did not die for small mistakes or minor failures
    – He died for the real bondage of sin that enslaves humanity

The cross reveals the depth of God’s love
    – Christ willingly bore our sin
    – He took the judgment we deserved so that we could receive forgiveness

The resurrection reveals the victory of God
    – Sin is forgiven
    – The power of sin is broken
    – Death is defeated through the resurrection

Respond personally as you read the Passion narrative.
Repent honestly
    – Bring any sin into the light before God
    – Confess without hiding or minimizing Trust the finished work of Christ
    – Forgiveness is not earned
    – Jesus’ sacrifice is complete Receive the freedom Christ offers
    – The same cross that forgives sin also breaks its bondage
    – Followers of Jesus are invited to walk in new life Live a Cruciform Life

The cross does not only save us — it shapes how we live.
Following Jesus means taking up our cross – A life marked by humility, sacrifice, and love.
The resurrection empowers new life – Because Christ lives, we are free to live differently.

John 12 provides details on the triumphal entry that help us understand the glory of Christ being displayed in that moment.

As we move toward Palm Sunday, Lent invites us to contemplate what kind of King we are receiving in Jesus. Is he the True King that directs your life, or a king of your own making?

Receiving the True King reshapes the heart in several ways: It exposes our expectations. It calls us to surrender control. It deepens our trust in God's kingdom. In the time and space that Lent allows this week, practice one of the following:

Spend time in prayerful contemplation, reflecting on how you relate to Jesus. Where might you be expecting Jesus to serve your agenda rather than submitting to his? Are there teachings of Jesus that you admire but resist obeying? What area of your life have you not fully surrendered to his authority?

Read the Triumphal Entry passages slowly.
Matthew 21:1-11
Mark 11:1-11
Luke 19:28-44
John 12:12-19
Notice how the crowd responds and what they expect. Notice how Jesus presents himself. How are you responding to Jesus that might be different than the king that he shows himself to be?

Practice surrender. Identify one area of life where Jesus' teaching challenges personal preferences. Consciously choose obedience in that area this week.

Prayer practice. Spend time acknowledging Jesus as king. Ask God to reshape desires so they align with Christ's kingdom.