Day 40 - The Ascension of Jesus

Luke 24 v 50-53 The Ascension of Jesus    

(Use the link above to get to the passage)

Tomorrow is Easter day, and we celebrate again the joy of our risen Lord. As he left for Heaven, Jesus raised his hands and blessed them. Receive that blessing today. Wake up tomorrow morning and marvel once again in the amazing news that he loves us. In fact loves us so much that his death and resurrection resound through history, announcing his desire to know us as friends and brothers.

It has been a joy to walk through the passion of Jesus with you over the last 40 days. My prayer is that you will walk strong. Believe strong and serve your Saviour. Thank you for being part of these last weeks. Until next year. God Bless.

Most merciful God, 

who by the death and resurrection 

of your Son Jesus Christ delivered 

and saved the world: 

grant that by faith in him who 

suffered on the cross we may 

triumph in the power of his victory; 

through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, 

who is alive and reigns with you, 

in the unity of the Holy Spirit, 

one God, now and for ever.

Amen.

(www.churchofengland.org)

Day 39 - The Great Commision

Matthew 28 v 16-20 The Great Commision    

(Use the link above to get to the passage)

Jesus has been given all authority in heaven and on earth. He who had been there at the creation of the world had finished his ministry on Earth and was now ready to return to Heaven. Before he goes he tells his disciples to go and make disciples of all nations. His prophetic words have worked themselves out over the centuries. The Bible continues to be printed and distributed around the world, reaching new peoples and lands all the time. Men and women dedicated their lives to telling others about him. We all play a part of teaching others (and ourselves!) to obey everything he commanded us.

Pray today for those who dedicate their lives to translating the Bible into new languages, and then risk their lives to see the word of God reaching places where it is still hidden.

Most merciful God, 

who by the death and resurrection 

of your Son Jesus Christ delivered 

and saved the world: 

grant that by faith in him who 

suffered on the cross we may 

triumph in the power of his victory; 

through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, 

who is alive and reigns with you, 

in the unity of the Holy Spirit, 

one God, now and for ever.

Amen.

(www.churchofengland.org)

Day 38 - Jesus Appears to his Disciples

Luke 24 v 36-49 Jesus Appears to his Disciples    
(Use the link above to get to the passage)

And so it begins - Jesus launches his church. He knows they will start to spread the word of repentance and forgiveness of sins, that they will write down and record what happened. That we will one day read, understand and believe that he is the Messiah, just as they did. History was on the brink of a new era. God had revealed himself in a new way, and was about to send his Spirit in power. They were the privileged few who had got to meet Jesus, the Son of God, Messiah, Saviour of the world. And they saw him in his risen Glory.

We too are privileged to know and love Jesus. Think back over your Christian journey, those who have prayed for you over the years. Remember when you first met Jesus and who introduced you to him. Thank God for them, and be ready to share him with others today.

Most merciful God, 
who by the death and resurrection 
of your Son Jesus Christ delivered 
and saved the world: 
grant that by faith in him who 
suffered on the cross we may 
triumph in the power of his victory; 
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, 
who is alive and reigns with you, 
in the unity of the Holy Spirit, 
one God, now and for ever.
Amen.
(www.churchofengland.org)

Day 37 - The Road to Emmaus

Luke 24 v 13-35 The Road to Emmaus    
(Use the link above to get to the passage)

There are a few things to notice today. 

Firstly, the two disciples referred to Jesus as a prophet, and not the Messiah. They had thought he was going to be the one to redeem Israel, but just not in the way that Jesus did. In some ways they were disappointed, he hadn’t fulfilled their expectations of the Messiah. The truth is - he had, and in a way that was way more astonishing and amazing than their version of what they thought should have happened.

Secondly, did you notice their comment after they had realised it was Jesus? “Were not our hearts burning within us...?” Already the Holy Spirit was becoming active in a new and exciting way, showing them the truth of what had happened that weekend.

Take time today to bring to Jesus any ways that you feel disappointed. Recognise that he walks along with you, with his plan that he is working out being so much more amazing than we might realise at the moment. And recognise his Spirit in our hearts, burning with his prompting and revelation.



Most merciful God, 
who by the death and resurrection
of your Son Jesus Christ 
delivered and saved the world: 
grant that by faith in him who 
suffered on the cross we may triumph 
in the power of his victory; 
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, 
who is alive and reigns with you, 
in the unity of the Holy Spirit, 
one God, now and for ever.
Amen.
(www.churchofengland.org)

Day 36 - The Guards' Report

Matthew 28 v 11-15 The Guards' Report    
(Use the link above to get to the passage)

Today we see how the guards are quick to report what has happened, and, equally quickly, the chief priests act to contradict the story. Similarly to Judas, the guards are bribed with money, also acting in self-interest: any human explanation of how Jesus got out of the tomb will only bring blame on them so they might as well get paid for this version of events.

Are there times when it is easier to adopt and tell a human side to an event, rather than offer the God-inspired truth? Do we hide the prayer-led healing under a story of a good doctor, or attribute something to 'luck' rather than act as a witness to God working in our lives?

Look for opportunities today to speak the truth for God, however small the situation.

God our Father,
in your love and goodness 
you have taught us to come 
close to you in penitence
with prayer, fasting and generosity; 
accept our Lenten discipline, 
and when we fall by our weakness, 
raise us up by your unfailing mercy; 
through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Amen.
(www.churchofengland.org)

Day 35 - The Empty Tomb

John 20 v 1-10 The Empty Tomb    
(Use the link above to get to the passage)

Here we read again of Jesus rising from the dead, this time from John's perspective. In this Gospel, Mary Magdalene runs straight to tell Peter and John about what she has seen. Her initial response is that someone must have moved Jesus' body. She can only imagine that a human act could have caused this to happen.

This is often true for people today: something out of the ordinary happens, but, instead of looking for a Godly intervention, they assume there must be a human one. It is only when John and Peter arrive that Jesus' followers "saw and believed."

What happenings are we quick to put down to coincidence or to try and explain away when we should be celebrating them as an act of God? Take time today to reflect on God's amazing power in your life. 

Lord Jesus, 
you were dead but now you are alive: 
transform the torments of this world’s sin
that we may see your radiant glory. 
You were raised from death to life: 
may the power of your resurrection live in us, 
that we may be channels of your true life beyond measure. 
To you, Jesus, 
who have broken free from the bonds of death, 
be honour and glory with 
the Father and the Holy Spirit, 
now and for ever.
Amen.
(www.churchofengland.org)

Day 34 - Jesus has Risen

Mark 16 v 1-8 Jesus has Risen    
(Use the link above to get to the passage)

Today we see three of Jesus’ closest female followers going to his tomb to perform a very intimate and human service. Their main concern is equally practical: how, as three women, will they be able to get into the tomb? However, when they reach it, they find that, not only has the stone been rolled away, but there is also a young man sitting inside. It is hard to imagine their shock; their hearts would have been grieving and they would have been full of emotional upheaval, and now the body of a man they knew and loved has disappeared.

The angel’s response to this is, “Do not be alarmed.”

Take a moment to give to God something that is worrying you today and ask for His hand to be on you, relieving you of your anxiety.

Lord Jesus, 
you were dead but now you are alive: 
transform the torments of this world’s sin
that we may see your radiant glory. 
You were raised from death to life: 
may the power of your resurrection live in us, 
that we may be channels of your true life beyond measure. 
To you, Jesus, 
who have broken free from the bonds of death, 
be honour and glory with 
the Father and the Holy Spirit, 
now and for ever.
Amen.
(www.churchofengland.org)