by Eron Henry | Mar 25, 2024 | Lent 2024
One of the most dramatic and controversial events in the life of Jesus was His cleansing of the temple. This was not a mild or gentle act, but a bold and confrontational one. Jesus deliberately challenged the Jewish leaders and their corrupt practices in the temple, which was supposed to be a house of prayer for all nations (Mark 11:17).
Why did Jesus do this? What was His purpose and motivation? And what does this event teach us about who Jesus is and what He expects from us?
First, Jesus cleansed the temple out of zeal for God’s glory. He was passionate about honoring His Father and restoring the true worship of God. He could not tolerate the desecration and distortion of God’s holy place by those who turned it into a den of robbers (Mark 11:17). He was fulfilling the prophecy of Psalm 69:9, which says, “Zeal for your house will consume me” (John 2:17). Jesus showed us that He is the Son of God, who loves His Father and defends His honor.
Second, Jesus cleansed the temple out of compassion for God’s people. He was not only angry, but also grieved by the injustice and oppression that the Jewish leaders inflicted on the poor and the Gentiles who came to worship God. He was not against the temple system itself, which was ordained by God, but against the abuse and exploitation of it by the human authorities. He wanted to free the people from the bondage of legalism and ritualism, and to invite them to a personal and spiritual relationship with God. He showed us that He is the Messiah, who cares for His people and brings them salvation.
Third, Jesus cleansed the temple out of authority from God’s word. He was not acting on His own impulse or opinion, but on the basis of the Scriptures. He quoted from Isaiah 56:7 and Jeremiah 7:11, which both speak of God’s purpose and judgment for the temple. He also predicted His own death and resurrection, which would be the ultimate fulfillment of the temple’s symbolism (John 2:19-22). He showed us that He is the Word of God, who fulfills and reveals God’s will and plan.
There is much to learn from Jesus’ temple action.
We need to examine our own hearts and see if there is anything that dishonors God or hinders our worship of God. We need to repent of any sin or idolatry that defiles our conscience or distracts our devotion. We need to remember that we are the temple of the Holy Spirit, who dwells in us and sanctifies us (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).
We need to express our love and gratitude to God for sending the Son to cleanse us from our sins and to reconcile to God. We need to worship God in spirit and truth, not in mere formality or hypocrisy. We need to offer our bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is our true and proper worship (Romans 12:1).
We need to follow the example and command of Jesus to make disciples of all nations, teaching them to obey everything He has commanded us (Matthew 28:19-20). We need to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with those who do not know Him, and to welcome them into the family of God. We need to be a light to the world and a salt to the earth, showing God’s glory and grace to all people (Matthew 5:13-16).
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, We praise You for Your holiness and majesty. You are the King of kings and the Lord of lords. You dwell in unapproachable light, and yet You have made a way for us to come near to You through Your Son, Jesus Christ.
We thank You for sending Jesus to cleanse the temple and to reveal Your glory and grace. We thank You for His zeal, compassion, and authority. We thank You for His death and resurrection, which have opened the door of salvation for us.
We confess that we have often dishonored You and hindered our worship of You. We have allowed sin and idolatry to defile our hearts and minds. We have followed the traditions and opinions of men rather than the truth and commands of Your word. We have neglected the mission and ministry that You have entrusted to us.
We ask You to forgive us and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. We ask You to fill us with Your Holy Spirit and to renew our minds and hearts. We ask You to help us to worship You in spirit and truth, and to offer our bodies as living sacrifices to You. We ask You to empower us to make disciples of all nations and to shine Your light and salt to the world.
We pray all these things in the name of Jesus, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
by Eron Henry | Mar 24, 2024 | Lent 2024
Palm Sunday is the day when we commemorate Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem, where He was welcomed by a large crowd of people who waved palm branches and shouted “Hosanna!” They recognized Him as the Messiah, the King of Israel, who had come to save them from their oppressors.
But this joyous scene was soon followed by a dramatic turn of events. In less than a week, another crowd would demand His crucifixion. The religious leaders who felt threatened by His authority and popularity would conspire to arrest Him and hand Him over to the Roman governor. The disciples who had followed Him faithfully for three years would abandon Him and deny Him. And Jesus Himself would face the ultimate test of His obedience and love: to suffer and die on a cross for the sins of the world.
There is a strong contrast between Palm Sunday and Good Friday.
It tells us that we should not be swayed by the opinions and pressures of the world. The crowd that praised Jesus on Palm Sunday was easily influenced by the propaganda and manipulation of the religious leaders. They did not have a firm conviction of who Jesus was and what He came to do. They wanted a political savior, not a spiritual one. They wanted a king who would overthrow the Romans, not a king who would reign in their hearts.
We too can be tempted to follow the crowd and conform to the standards and expectations of the world. We can be deceived by false teachings and ideologies that contradict the truth of God’s word. We can be seduced by the allure of power, wealth, fame, and pleasure that the world offers. We can be intimidated by the threats and persecution that the world inflicts on those who follow Christ.
But Jesus calls us to be faithful to Him, no matter what the cost. He calls us to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and to trust Him to provide for our needs. He calls us to take up our cross and follow Him, even if it means suffering and death.
Additionally, we should not be discouraged by the apparent defeat and failure of God’s plan. The disciples who witnessed Jesus’ arrest, trial, and crucifixion must have felt devastated and hopeless. They had believed that He was the Son of God, the promised Messiah, the one who would restore Israel and bring peace to the world. But now He was dead, buried in a tomb, and guarded by soldiers. How could this be the fulfillment of God’s promise? How could this be the victory of God’s kingdom?
We too can face situations that seem hopeless and impossible. We can face trials and tribulations that test our faith and endurance. We can face opposition and hostility that challenge our witness and ministry. We can face doubts and fears that shake our confidence and joy.
But Jesus assures us that He is not defeated, but victorious. He is not dead, but alive. He is not absent, but present. He is not weak, but powerful. He is not distant, but near. He is not silent, but speaking. He is not indifferent, but caring. He is not finished, but working.
He rose from the dead on the third day, proving that He is the Son of God, the Lord of life, and the conqueror of sin and death. He ascended to heaven, where He is seated at the right hand of God, interceding for us and ruling over all things. He sent His Holy Spirit, who dwells in us and empowers us to live and serve Him. He promised to return, to judge the living and the dead, and to establish His eternal kingdom of righteousness and peace.
Palm Sunday reminds us to remain faithful to Jesus, despite the power and influence of rulers and authorities. It reminds us to trust in His sovereignty, His wisdom, and His love. It reminds us to hope in His resurrection, His presence, and His return. It reminds us to worship Him, to follow Him, and to proclaim Him as our King and Savior.
Hosanna to the Son of David!
Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!
Hosanna in the highest!
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father,
On this Palm Sunday, we gather to commemorate the triumphal entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem, a moment of profound joy and anticipation for His followers. We recall the palm branches waved in welcome, the shouts of “Hosanna!” echoing through the streets, and the recognition of Jesus as the Messiah, the King of Israel, come to save us from our oppressors. Yet, we also remember the dramatic turn of events that would unfold within days, leading to the crucifixion of Jesus.
We stand in awe of the contrast between Palm Sunday and Good Friday, reminded of the fickleness of human nature and the resilience of faith. The crowd that once praised Jesus with palm branches would soon turn against Him, their loyalties swayed by the manipulations of the religious leaders. They sought a political savior, not a spiritual one, and were quickly disillusioned by the betrayal and crucifixion of Jesus.
We, too, face the temptation to follow the crowd, succumbing to the pressures of the world and its false teachings. We are vulnerable to the allure of power, wealth, and pleasure, and can be easily intimidated by the world’s threats and persecution. Yet, we are called to remain faithful to Jesus, to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and to trust in His sovereignty, wisdom, and love.
We are reminded not to be discouraged by the apparent defeat and failure of God’s plan, as seen in the crucifixion of Jesus. We must not lose hope, for Jesus is not defeated, but victorious. He rose from the dead, proving His divinity and power over sin and death. His resurrection assures us of His eternal presence and His promise to return, to judge the living and the dead, and to establish His eternal kingdom of righteousness and peace.
Palm Sunday calls us to remain faithful to Jesus, to trust in His sovereignty, and to hope in His resurrection, His presence, and His return. It encourages us to worship Him, to follow Him, and to proclaim Him as our King and Savior.
We pray, therefore, that we may be faithful to Jesus, no matter the cost. We pray for the strength to resist the temptations of the world, to trust in His promises, and to remain steadfast in our faith. We pray for the wisdom to discern the true teachings of God’s word and to resist the allure of false idols. We pray for the courage to bear our crosses and to follow Jesus, even when it leads to suffering and death.
Lord, we thank You for the gift of Jesus Christ, who came not as a conquering king but as a humble servant. We pray for the grace to live in gratitude for His sacrifice, reflecting His love and grace in all that we do. We pray for the peace that Jesus brought to Jerusalem, inspiring us to carry forward the message of justice and peace in our world.
May we, like the palm branches that welcomed Jesus, be instruments of Your peace, advocating for the marginalized and working towards justice for all of Your creation. May we remember the path of humility, sacrifice, and salvation that Jesus embarked upon, and draw strength from His example to live lives of service and compassion.
Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!
In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
by Eron Henry | Mar 23, 2024 | Lent 2024
In Mark 8:36-38, we see how Jesus contrasts the value of the world and the value of the soul, and how He warns those who are ashamed of Him and His words, and implies the reward for those who are not ashamed of Him and His words.
Verse 36 says, “What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?” Verse 37 says, “Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?” These are two rhetorical questions that imply that gaining the whole world is worthless if one forfeits one’s soul, and that nothing can be given in exchange for one’s soul.
The world is the system, the culture, the mindset, that is opposed to God, that is influenced by Satan, that is corrupted by sin. The world offers us many things, many pleasures, many treasures, many honors, many powers. The world tempts us to pursue these things, to enjoy these things, to worship these things. The world promises us happiness, satisfaction, fulfillment, security. The world tells us that these things are valuable, important, essential, ultimate.
But Jesus tells us that these things are not valuable, not important, not essential, not ultimate. At least, not to the extent we think they are. He tells us that these things are temporary, fleeting, fading, perishing. He tells us that these things can be deceptive, dangerous, destructive, deadly. He tells us that these things are not worth gaining, not worth keeping, not worth living for, not worth dying for. He tells us that these things are not worth losing our soul for.
The soul is the essence, the core, the center, of who we are. The soul is made in God’s image, reflects God’s glory, connects with God’s spirit. The soul is eternal, immortal, indestructible. The soul is precious, priceless, invaluable, irreplaceable. The soul is worth saving, worth keeping.
Jesus tells us that the soul is more valuable than the world, more valuable than anything in the world, more valuable than everything in the world. He tells us that the soul matters, the thing that lasts. He tells us that gaining or maintaining the soul is the reward of discipleship, the reward of following Him, the reward of losing our life for Him and for the gospel.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank You for Your precious words that teach us the value of our soul and the vanity of the world. Help us to follow You faithfully, to deny ourselves, to take up our cross, and to lose our life for You and for the gospel. Help us to not be ashamed of You and Your words, but to confess You before others, to share Your love and truth, to glorify Your name. Help us to not be deceived by the world, by its temptations, by its promises, by its values. Help us to not love the world or the things in the world, but to love You with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. Help us to not forfeit our soul for anything in the world, but to gain or maintain our soul by Your grace and power. You are more precious than anything, more worthy than everything, more beautiful than anyone. You are our treasure, our reward, our joy, our life. Amen.
by Eron Henry | Mar 22, 2024 | Lent 2024
Mark 8: 34-35, sees Jesus inviting anyone who wants to follow Him to take three steps.
Verse 34 says, “Then He called the crowd to Him along with His disciples and said: ‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.'”
This is a radical invitation for anyone who wants to follow Jesus. It is not an easy invitation, or a comfortable invitation, or a popular invitation. It is a costly invitation, a demanding invitation, a challenging invitation. It is an invitation that requires three steps: deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow Him.
To deny themselves means to renounce their own desires, plans, and ambitions, and to submit to God’s will and authority. It means to say no to themselves, and to say yes to God. It means to give up their own rights, privileges, and preferences for the sake of Christ, and to give in to God’s commands, purposes, and promises. It means to put God first, and themselves last. It means to love God with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love their neighbors as themselves.
To take up their cross means to accept the suffering, persecution, and sacrifice that may come with following Christ, and to identify with His death and resurrection. It means to bear the pain, the shame, and the burden of the cross, and to share in the joy, the glory, and the power of the resurrection. It means to die to themselves, to their sin, to their pride, to their fear, and to live for Christ, for His righteousness, for His grace, for His love. It means to follow the way of the cross, the way of humility, the way of service, the way of love.
To follow Him means to imitate His example, obey His commands, and trust His promises. It means to learn from Him, to listen to Him, and to love Him. It means to walk with Him, to work with Him, and to worship Him. It means to be His disciple, His friend, His partner. It means to be His witness, His ambassador, His representative. It means to be like Him in His character, in His actions, in His words.
These three steps are not optional, selective, or occasional. They are essential, comprehensive, and continual. They are not only for the first century, or for the apostles, or for the martyrs. They are for every century, for every believer, for every follower. They are not only for the hard times, or for special occasions, or for extraordinary situations. They are for every time, for every day, for every situation. They are the call to discipleship.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, we thank You for inviting us to follow You, and for showing us the way of discipleship. We confess that we often fail to deny ourselves, to take up our cross, and to follow You. We ask You to forgive us, and to renew our commitment to You.
Help us, Lord, to renounce our own desires, plans, and ambitions, and to submit to Your will and authority. Help us to say no to ourselves, and to say yes to You. Help us to give up our own rights, privileges, and preferences for Your sake, and to give in to Your commands, purposes, and promises. Help us to put You first, and ourselves last. Help us to love You with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love our neighbors as ourselves.
Help us, Lord, to accept the suffering, persecution, and sacrifice that may come with following You, and to identify with Your death and resurrection. Help us to bear the pain, the shame, and the burden of the cross, and to share in the joy, the glory, and the power of the resurrection. Help us to die to ourselves, to our sin, to our pride, to our fear, and to live for You, for Your righteousness, for Your grace, for Your love. Help us to follow the way of the cross, the way of humility, the way of service, the way of love.
Help us, Lord, to imitate Your example, obey Your commands, and trust Your promises. Help us to learn from You, to listen to You, and to love You. Help us to walk with You, to work with You, and to worship You. Help us to be Your disciple, Your friend, Your partner. Help us to be Your witness, Your ambassador, Your representative. Help us to be like You in Your character, in Your actions, in Your words.
We thank You, Lord, for the privilege and the responsibility of following You. We thank You for the grace and the power that You give us to do so. We thank You for the reward and the glory that You have prepared for us in Your kingdom. We pray all this in Your name. Amen.
by Eron Henry | Mar 21, 2024 | Lent 2024
In Mark 8:31, Jesus “began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that He must be killed and after three days rise again.”
This is a shocking statement for the disciples. Peter had just confessed that Jesus is the Messiah, the anointed one of God, the one who will restore Israel’s glory and deliverance. They have seen His miracles, His authority, His popularity. They have followed Him with excitement, hope, and anticipation. They have expected Him to be a powerful, victorious, and triumphant leader.
But now, Jesus tells them that He must suffer, be rejected, be killed, and rise again. He tells them that He is not only the Messiah, but also the Son of Man, a title that refers to His humanity, His humility, and His destiny. He tells them that He is fulfilling the prophecies of Isaiah and Daniel, that He is the suffering servant who will bear the sins of the world, and the glorious king who will rule over the nations. He tells them that He is following God’s will, God’s plan, and God’s purpose for His life.
But Peter does not understand this. He does not accept this. He does not agree with this. Verse 32 says, “He spoke plainly about this, and Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him.” Peter thinks that Jesus is making a mistake, that He is being deceived, that He is discouraged. Peter thinks that he knows better than Jesus, that he can correct Him, that he can advise Him. Peter thinks that Jesus is the Messiah who will restore Israel’s glory, not the suffering servant who will die for the sins of the world.
But Jesus does not tolerate this. He does not appreciate this. He does not listen to this. Verse 33 says, “But when Jesus turned and looked at his disciples, he rebuked Peter. ‘Get behind me, Satan!’ he said. ‘You do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.'” Jesus rebukes Peter and exposes his human perspective. He calls him Satan, a name that means adversary, enemy, or accuser. He tells him that he is not helping Him, but hindering Him, that he is not supporting Him, but opposing Him, that he is not speaking for God, but for the world. He tells him that he is not setting his mind on divine things, but on human things.
Following Jesus involves a cost, a cost that we may not understand, a cost that we may not like, a cost that we may not want. Following Jesus means following His example, His mission, His will, even if it means suffering, rejection, death. Following Jesus means setting our mind on divine things, not on human things, even if it means going against our own desires, plans, and ambitions.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, we come before You today, humbled and contrite, recognizing the cost of true discipleship. We acknowledge that following You is not about seeking earthly glory or success, but about embracing a life of humility, suffering, and ultimately, resurrection. We confess that our human desires and ambitions often clash with Your divine will, leading us astray.
We pray for the strength to follow Your example, to take up our cross daily, and to deny ourselves in the pursuit of righteousness. We ask for the wisdom to understand that our sacrifices and sufferings are not in vain, but are part of Your divine plan to redeem the world.
Lord, we are not afraid of the cost of discipleship. We are willing to be rejected, to be misunderstood, and even to be called by names that might hurt us. For we know that in Your eyes, we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
We pray for the courage to embrace the suffering servant role You have called us to, to bear the sins of the world, and to be a beacon of hope and redemption. We ask for the grace to fulfill our mission with integrity and passion, trusting in Your promise that those who lose their lives for Your sake will find them.
We commit ourselves to Your service, to live out the paradox of gaining and losing life for Your sake. We pray for the eternal significance of following You faithfully, trusting that our faithfulness will not be in vain.
May Your grace be with us, Lord, as we set our minds on divine things, not on human things. May we be faithful to Your call, even when it means walking a path that is difficult and fraught with challenges.
In Your name, we pray. Amen.
by Eron Henry | Mar 20, 2024 | Lent 2024
We acknowledge the power of the cross, the victory of Christ over sin and death, and the freedom we have in Him. Paul tells us in Colossians 2:15 that by His death on the cross, Jesus disarmed the powers and authorities that opposed Him and His people. He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.
Paul refers to both the human and the spiritual forces that were hostile to God and God’s purposes. The human rulers, such as Herod, Caesar, Pilate, and the Jewish leaders, who conspired to crucify Jesus, thinking they could silence Him and His message. The spiritual rulers of the dark world who influenced the human rulers and tried to thwart God’s plan of salvation. These powers and authorities were enemies of God and God’s people, and they seemed to have the upper hand.
But Paul reveals the hidden truth: by the cross, Jesus exposed their weakness and defeated their schemes. He stripped them of their power and authority and shamed them publicly. He triumphed over them by the cross, not by the sword. He conquered them by His love, not by force. He liberated us from their bondage, not by might, but by His grace.
We can live in the freedom and joy of Christ, knowing that He has overcome the world and its rulers. We can resist the temptation and deception of the evil one, knowing that he has been disarmed and disgraced. It means that we can trust in the sovereignty and goodness of God, knowing that God has the final say over all things.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, we thank You for Your amazing love and grace that led You to the cross. We praise You for Your victory over sin and death, and for Your power over the powers and authorities that opposed You and Your people. You have disarmed them and made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.
Help us to live in the freedom and joy that You have purchased for us. Help us to resist the temptation and deception of the evil one, who has been defeated and disgraced. Help us to trust in the sovereignty and goodness of God, who has the final say over all things.
We pray that You would fill us with Your Spirit and enable us to follow You in obedience and faithfulness. We pray that You would use us to share Your gospel and Your love with others, and to advance Your kingdom on earth as it is in heaven.
We pray all this in Your name, amen.
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