Library
Easter Sunday 2025
Key Takeaways
1. The Light of the World: Jesus' mission to Jerusalem was a journey to bring light into a world overshadowed by darkness. This light is not just a historical event but a present reality that invites us to live as new creations, embracing the divine authority that comes with being children of God.
2. Authority and Rejection: The religious leaders questioned Jesus' authority, failing to recognise its divine source. This serves as a reminder that true authority comes from God, and we are called to use it to bring His kingdom to others, living as partners with Him in this world.
3. The Cost of the Kingdom: Living in the kingdom of God requires a total surrender of our own desires and control. It is a journey of continuous repentance, responding to God's love by allowing Jesus to be both Saviour and King in our lives
4. Truth and Love: We are called to live out the values of the Kingdom. This challenges us to examine our own lives, ensuring that we are not merely knowers of God but are known by Him. It involves living out the truth of the kingdom with love, being gentle and humble in our approach to others.
5. Urgency of the Message: In these tense and difficult times, the urgency of Jesus' message is clear. We are called to be expressions of His kingdom, bringing the good news to the lost and hurting, ensuring that our lives reflect the values and cultures of the kingdom of God.
Daily Hope Devotionals
Day 1: The Stone Rejected
Scriptures:
Psalm 118:22
'The stone that the builders rejected has now become the cornerstone. '
https://www.bible.com/bible/116/PSA.118.22
John 1:11
'He came to his own people, and even they rejected him. '
https://www.bible.com/bible/116/JHN.1.11
Devotional:
The rejection of Jesus is not just a historical event; it is a personal challenge for each of us. Are we accepting Jesus as the cornerstone of our lives? Are we allowing Him to shape our foundation? The choice to accept or reject the light of the world is ours to make.
Reflection:
In what ways is Jesus shaping your foundation? Are there areas in your life where you are resisting His influence?
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, I surrender to You as my foundation and the cornerstone of my life. Reveal any areas of my life that I’m holding on to and not giving over to You. I pray Your light would shine in and through all of my life. Amen.
Day 2: Living Out Truth and Love
Scripture:
1 John 3:18
'Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions. '
https://www.bible.com/bible/11...
Devotional:
In a world filled with confusion and lies, we are called to be truth-tellers. However, truth must be accompanied by love. We cannot effectively share the truth of God’s Word without a heart of compassion.
As we engage with others, let us remember that our goal is not to win arguments but to win hearts.
Reflection:
In what ways might you be tempted to speak the truth without love? How can you ensure your words reflect compassion and kindness? How can you share truth in love today?
Prayer:
Gracious God, help us to be truth-tellers who speak with love. May our words and actions reflect Your heart, bringing hope and healing to those around us. Let us be known by our love, as we share the good news of Your kingdom. Amen.
Day 3: Embracing the Light of God's Kingdom
Scripture:
Ephesians 5:8-9
'For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true. '
https://www.bible.com/bible/116/EPH.5.8-9
Jesus' journey to Jerusalem was a mission to bring light into a world overshadowed by darkness. This light is not just a historical event but a present reality that invites us to live as new creations, embracing the divine authority that comes with being children of God.
As we reflect on this, we are reminded of the darkness that humanity often chooses over the light due to sin and deceit. Yet, the call remains for us to step into the light, to embrace the new creation that Jesus offers. This is an invitation to live in the light of God's kingdom, a Kingdom that transcends human constructs and is rooted in divine authority.
Reflection:
What is one area of your life where you are choosing darkness over light? How can you actively choose to walk in the light today?
Prayer:
Lord, I come before You today, acknowledging the light of Your Kingdom that shines brightly in my life. I confess that there are areas in my life where I choose darkness over light. Today, I choose to walk in the light. I commit to seeking Your Kingdom, to allow it to guide me and transform me. Amen
Day 4: Recognising Divine Authority
Scripture:
Luke 20:1-2
'One day as Jesus was teaching the people and preaching the Good News in the Temple, the leading priests, the teachers of religious law, and the elders came up to him. They demanded, “By what authority are you doing all these things? Who gave you the right?” '
https://www.bible.com/bible/11...
Devotional:
The religious leaders questioned Jesus' authority, failing to recognise its divine source. This serves as a reminder that true authority comes from God, and we are called to use it to bring His kingdom to others, living as partners with Him in this world. Jesus’ authority is extended to all who receive Him, granting us the right to become children of God. This is the essence of being a new creation—living under the authority of God, not merely knowing about Him but being known by Him.
Reflection:
In what ways can you use the authority given to you by God to bring His kingdom to others today?
Prayer:
Dear God, thank You for restoring my authority as Your child. May I recognise the privilege it is to be called by Your name and to partner with You in caring for this world. Help me to use this authority wisely and to share Your love with others. Amen.
Day 5: The Cost of Surrender
Scripture:
Luke 9:23-24
'Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. '
https://www.bible.com/bible/11...
Devotional:
Living in the kingdom of God requires a total surrender of our own desires and control. It is a journey of continuous repentance, responding to God's love by allowing Jesus to be both Saviour and King in our lives. This journey is marked by a continuous repentance, a response to the profound love of God that compels us to live differently. In these tense times, the urgency of Jesus' message is as relevant as ever, calling us to be expressions of His kingdom in a world that desperately needs the truth wrapped in love.
Reflection:
What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to Jesus? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, teach me to surrender my desires and control to You. May I seek to make You King in my life, allowing Your will to be done in all things. Help me to live out the culture of Your Kingdom daily. Amen.
Day 6: Urgency in Sharing the Kingdom
Scripture:
2 Corinthians 5:20
'So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!” '
https://www.bible.com/bible/11...
Devotional:
In these difficult times, the urgency of Jesus' message is clear. We are called to be expressions of His kingdom, bringing the good news to the lost and hurting, ensuring that our lives reflect the values and cultures of the kingdom of God. This urgency is a call to action, to live as true partners with God, using the authority He has given us to bring His kingdom to others. The call is to live out the values of the kingdom, to be light in a world that often chooses darkness, and to bear fruits of repentance that reflect the lordship of Jesus in our lives.
Reflection:
Who in your life needs to hear the good news of Jesus? How can you share His love and truth with them this week?
Prayer:
Lord, as I live in these difficult times, remind me of the urgency of Your message. Help me to reach out to the lost and hurting, sharing Your love and grace with those who feel far from You. May I be a faithful ambassador of Your Kingdom. Amen.
Day 7: The Consequence of Rejection
Scripture:
Luke 20:18
' Everyone who stumbles over that stone will be broken to pieces, and it will crush anyone it falls on.” '
https://www.bible.com/bible/11...
Devotional:
Jesus warns, "Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces; and it will crush anyone on whom it falls". This stark imagery serves as a reminder that rejecting the truth can lead to destruction. We must ask ourselves: Are we willing to be broken by the stone, humbled and transformed, or will we face the crushing weight of our own pride and self-reliance?
Reflection:
How do you need to humble yourself before Jesus today? Are you holding on to pride or self-reliance in areas of your life?
Prayer:Lord Jesus, foundation of my faith. Help me to stumble upon You in humility, allowing You to break my pride and selfishness. May I be transformed by Your grace and not crushed by my rejection of You. Amen.
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