Verses from Matthew

“他们脱去他的衣服，给他披上朱红色的外袍，又用荆棘编成冠冕，戴在他的头上，把一根芦苇放在他的右手，跪在他面前讥笑他说：“犹太人的王万岁！” 然后向他吐唾沫，又拿起芦苇打他的头。”

马太福音 27:28-30 

“They stripped Him and put a scarlet robe on Him. And after twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on His head, and a reed in His right hand; and they knelt down before Him and mocked Him, saying, "Hail, King of the Jews!" They spat on Him, and took the reed and began to beat Him on the head.”

Matthew 27:28-30 

The horrific scene described in today’s reading serves to underscore how this fallen world and the powers of darkness held nothing but contempt for Jesus, the Son of God and Savior of the world. Yet Christ chose to suffer to redeem us: “For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2).

How might we praise our Lord for enduring the cross in order to erase our sins and give us freedom and life forever with Him?

Verse from Hebrews

“我们凭着这旨意，借着耶稣基督一次献上他的身体，就已经成圣。”

希伯来书 10:10 

“And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.”

Hebrews 10:10 

During Holy Week, we remember the final days before Jesus’s crucifixion. The road Jesus traveled to the cross through the streets of Jerusalem is known today as the Via Dolorosa, the way of sorrows.

But the writer of Hebrews viewed the path Jesus took as more than just a path of sorrows. The way of suffering that Jesus willingly walked to Golgotha made a “new and living way” into the presence of God for us (Hebrews 10:20).

For centuries the Jewish people had sought to come into God’s presence through animal sacrifices and by seeking to keep the law. But the law was “only a shadow of the good things that are coming,” for “it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins” (vv. 1, 4).

Jesus’s journey down the Via Dolorosa led to His death and resurrection. Because of His sacrifice, we can be made holy when we trust in Him for the forgiveness of our sins. Even though we aren’t able to keep the law perfectly, we can draw near to God without fear, fully confident that we are welcomed and loved (vv. 10, 22).

Christ’s way of sorrow opened for us a new and living way to God.

Verse from John

“然后他倒了一盆水，洗门徒的脚，并且用束腰的手巾擦干。”

约翰福音 13:5 

“Then He poured water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded.”

John 13:5 

Sometimes we miss or overlook the “stuff” of life simply because we can’t take it all in. And sometimes we don’t see what’s been there all along.

It might be also the case for many of us when it comes to the account of Jesus washing His disciples’ feet. The story is a familiar one, for it is often read during Passion Week. That our Savior and King would stoop to cleanse the feet of His disciples awes us. In Jesus’s day, even Jewish servants were spared this task because it was seen as beneath them. 

But what many of us might not have noticed was that Jesus, who was both man and God, washed the feet of Judas. Even though He knew Judas would betray Him, as we see in John 13:11, Jesus still humbled Himself and washed Judas’s feet.

Love poured out in a basin of water—love that He shared even with the one who would betray Him. As we ponder the events of this week leading up to the celebration of Jesus’s resurrection, may we too be given the gift of humility so that we can extend Jesus’s love to our friends and any enemies.

Verse from Lamentations

“所有过路的人啊！你们毫不在意吗？你们要细察要观看，有没有痛苦像我所受的痛苦，就是耶和华在他发烈怒的日子使我所受的痛苦。”

耶利米哀歌 1:12 

“"Is it nothing to all you who pass this way? Look and see if there is any pain like my pain Which was severely dealt out to me, Which the LORD inflicted on the day of His fierce anger.”

Lamentations 1:12 

In the song “Look at Him,” Mexican composer Rubén Sotelo describes Jesus at the cross. He invites us to look at Jesus and be quiet, because there is really nothing to say before the type of love Jesus demonstrated at the cross. By faith we can imagine the scene described in the Gospels. We can imagine the cross and the blood, the nails, and the pain.

When Jesus breathed His last, those who “had gathered to witness this sight . . . beat their breasts and went away” (Luke 23:48). Others “stood at a distance, watching these things” (v. 49). They looked and were quiet. Only one spoke, a centurion, who said, “Surely this was a righteous man” (v. 47).

Songs and poems have been written to describe this great love. Many years before, Jeremiah wrote about Jerusalem’s pain after its devastation (Lamentations 1:12). He was asking people to look and see; he thought there was no greater suffering than Jerusalem’s. However, has there been any suffering like Jesus’s suffering?

All of us are passing by the road of the cross. Will we look and see His love? This Easter, let us take a moment to ponder Jesus’s death; and in the quietness of our hearts, may we whisper to Him our deepest devotion.

Verse from 2 Corinthians

“我怕我来的时候，见你们不如我所想的，你们见我也不如你们所想的。又怕有纷争、嫉妒、恼怒、自私、毁谤、谗言、狂傲、混乱的事。”

哥林多后书 12:20 

“For I am afraid that when I come I may not find you as I want you to be, and you may not find me as you want me to be. I fear that there may be discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, slander, gossip, arrogance and disorder.”

2 Corinthians 12:20 

Let’s get one thing straight—Jesus is perfect, but His Church still sometimes messes up. The problem is when we keep messing up without thinking we’re doing something wrong. One of the biggest ways that the Church can mess up is in thinking that it’s all about us. It sounds like this, “Well, the music was too loud/quiet/fast/slow/modern/old/etc. I didn’t like the preaching and it wasn’t helpful for me. I’ll just try a different church next week.”

Let me ask you, do we come to church for us? Do we come for others? Or do we come

for the glory of God?

I was at a big church once, just sitting in the greenroom before the service, and in this

greenroom, they had all of these monitors of the cameras that are in the sanctuary. Now, all these cameras were watching the people as they came in, so all of us in the room were just watching these people who had no idea they were on camera.

All of a sudden, this lady walks in and everybody in the backroom says, “Watch her. Watch her right now. Watch this.”

All the cameras in the sanctuary focused in on this gal as she walks in, and here’s what she did. She walks into the sanctuary and she starts looking around. She’s kind of scoping out the room, but not to find the most comfortable seat where the air isn’t too cold or too hot, where the light is just right to see her Bible.

She didn’t walk in with that; you could just see it in her countenance that she was pray- ing about where God wants her to sit. Suddenly, she notices in the front right corner of the sanctuary this elderly lady sitting all by herself. And she goes out of her way in that corner of the sanctuary to walk down the aisle and over the pews and through the rows and down over here and plants herself down next to this elderly lady.

And everybody’s watching. The cameras are zooming in as she does this. And it wasn’t more than a couple of minutes before she had her arm around that elderly lady, praying for her, and the lady starts crying.

Listen, what those cameras caught wasn’t recorded on tape, but I hope it is now forever recorded in your heart, that we are coming before the Lord with this heart of taking Him, His house, His Word, and His work most seriously.

And taking ourselves seriously? Please not so much.

Prayer

Father God,

Thanks for the reminder that life isn’t about me. Please soften my heart to live beyond myself, especially as I gather with my Christian family.

Amen

Verse from Luke

“于是他对众人说：“你们要谨慎，远离一切贪心，因为人的生命并不在于家道丰富。””

路加福音 12:15 

“Then He said to them, "Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions."”

Luke 12:15 

There is an interesting trend seen from financial books. While almost all such books have good advice, many imply that the primary reason to cut costs is to live like millionaires later. But one book offers a refreshingly different perspective, arguing that living simply is essential for a rich life. If you need more or fancier stuff to feel joy, the book suggested, “You’re missing the point of being alive.”

Those insightful words is a reminder of Jesus’s response when a man asked Him to urge his brother to divide an inheritance with him. Instead of sympathizing, Jesus dismissed him abruptly before warning sternly about “all kinds of greed”—because “life does not consist in an abundance of possessions” (Luke 12:14–15). He then described a wealthy person’s plans to store his crops and enjoy a luxurious lifestyle—the first-century version of retirement planning—with a blistering conclusion. His wealth did him no good, since he died that night (vv. 16–20).

Although we are responsible to use our resources wisely, Jesus’s words remind us to check our motivation. Our hearts should be focused on pursuing God’s kingdom—knowing Him and serving others—not on securing our own futures (vv. 29–31). As we live for Him and freely share with others, we can fully enjoy a rich life with Him now—in the kingdom that gives meaning to all of life (vv. 32–34).

Lord, 

thank You for all You’ve so generously provided. 

Teach us how to enjoy what You’ve given and to share it with others. 

Help us to rest in You.

Verse from Matthew

“耶稣进了耶路撒冷，全城都震动起来，他们问：“这人是谁？””

马太福音 21:10 

“When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?””

Matthew 21:10 

Jesus’s followers zealously honored Him as He entered Jerusalem a few days before His crucifixion. The multitude rejoiced and praised God for “all the miracles they had seen” (Luke 19:37). Jesus’s devotees surrounded Him, calling out, “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!” (v. 38). Their enthusiastic honor affected the people of Jerusalem (Matthew 21:10).

Today, people are still curious about Jesus. Although we can’t pave His way with palm branches or shout praises to Him in person, we can still honor Him in the way we live our lives. 

Lord, 

may my life and my words express what I know about who You are. 

I want others to see You in me and to know You too.

We honor God’s name when we live like His children.

Verse from 2 Timothy

“圣经都是上帝所默示的，于教训、督责、使人归正、教导人学义都是有益的，”

提摩太后书 3:16 

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,”

2 Timothy 3:16 

Paul was a powerful example to his young protégé Timothy who traveled with him and watched him in action. From prison in Rome, Paul wrote, “You . . . know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, persecutions, sufferings” (2 Timothy 3:10–11). In addition, he urged Timothy to “continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures” (vv. 14–15).

Paul’s life demonstrated the necessity of building our lives on the bedrock of God’s Word. He reminded Timothy that the Bible is the powerful, God-given source that we need to teach and to demonstrate to others who want to be Christ-followers.

As we thank the Lord for the people who helped us grow in faith, we are challenged to follow their example of living out the truth as we teach and encourage others.

Verse from Isaiah

“耶和华啊！你是我的神，我要尊崇你，称谢你的名，因为你以信实真诚作成了奇妙的事，就是你远古以前所计划的事。”

以赛亚书 25:1 

“O LORD, You are my God; I will exalt You, I will give thanks to Your name; For You have worked wonders, Plans formed long ago, with perfect faithfulness.”

Isaiah 25:1 

Since she suffered with cancer several years ago, Ruth has been unable to eat, drink, or even swallow properly. She has also lost a lot of her physical strength, and numerous operations and treatments have left her a shadow of what she used to be.

Yet Ruth is still able to praise God; her faith remains strong, and her joy is infectious. She relies on God daily, and holds on to the hope that she will recover fully one day. She prays for healing and is confident that God will answer—sooner or later. What an awesome faith!

Ruth explained that what keeps her faith strong is the secure knowledge that God will not only fulfill His promises in His time, but will also sustain her until that happens. This was the same hope that God’s people had as they waited for Him to complete His plans (Isaiah 25:1), deliver them from their enemies (v. 2), wipe away their tears, remove their disgrace, and “swallow up death forever” (v. 8).

In the meantime, God gave His people refuge and shelter (v. 4) as they waited. He comforted them in their ordeals, gave them strength to endure, and gave them assurance that He was there with them. 

This is the double promise we have—the hope of deliverance one day, plus the provision of His comfort, strength, and shelter throughout our lives.

Verses from Colossians

“你们要思念的，是天上的事，不是地上的事。

所以要治死你们在地上的肢体，就如淫乱、污秽、邪情、恶欲和贪心，贪心就是拜偶像。因着这些事，神的忿怒必要临到悖逆的人。你们从前在其中生活的时候，也曾经这样行过。”

歌罗西书 3:2, 5-7 

“Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.

Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry. For it is because of these things that the wrath of God will come upon the sons of disobedience, and in them you also once walked, when you were living in them.”

Colossians 3:2, 5-7 

As we seek to choose the Lord each day, it’s necessary to remember that we all have a desire to follow our flesh and think or do whatever “feels” right or seems easiest. As Paul argues in Romans 8, for those who are outside of Christ, there is no choice. They are controlled completely by their sin. Believers, Paul says, have the Holy Spirit living within them. By the Spirit we are becoming more and more like Jesus. The Holy Spirit gives us the power to overcome our flesh. As Joshua told the Israelites, we can choose.

How might this choice play itself out, especially first thing in the morning? It seems that most people usually spend a few minutes gathering their thoughts for the day before they get out of bed in the morning. In these moments it can be a temptation to choose to think first about our day, our schedule, what we need to do, who needs to be where, etc. Before we know it, we can fall prey to the lies of the enemy and begin dreading our day or feeling overwhelmed by it, and then try to tackle it as soon as our feet hit the floor.

What if, instead, we were to choose the Lord? What if, by God’s grace, we would choose to fight our sinful flesh, put it to death as God’s Word instructs us, and set our minds on His way instead of allowing our thoughts to run amok? Practically, what would this look like?

We would begin by thanking the Lord for the gift of a new day and acknowledge that He alone is sovereign, that He alone is in control—not us. And then by His grace we would put aside our thoughts, our concerns, and our agendas and draw near to God by spending time in His Word and in prayer.

No matter how much we think about our day or our agenda, the reality is that the day belongs to the Lord. If we start each day intentionally acknowledging this and acknowledging who we are in Christ, this practice could easily transform how we think about and live out the rest of the moments in the day. 

Verse from Matthew

“耶稣立刻对他们说：“放心吧！是我，不要怕。””

马太福音 14:27 

“But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid."”

Matthew 14:27 

The fact that Jesus Christ walked on water carries with it a powerful message about His deity. In John’s gospel Christ refers to Himself as the great “I am” (John 6:35, 48; 8:12, 58; 9:5; 10:9, 11; 11:25; 14:6; 15:1). 

Biblical theologians see these “I am” statements as clear references to the divine name revealed to Moses at the burning bush. When Moses asked God by what name He should be called, He answered: “I am who I am. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I am has sent me to you’ ” (Exodus 3:14).

When we feel like we are in the storm of an impossible situation, we can take courage that Christ—the Creator of the world—is present with us and in control.

Verse from Ecclesiastes

“万事都有定期，天下万务都有定时：”

传道书 3:1 

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:”

Ecclesiastes 3:1 

The author of Ecclesiastes told us there is a season for every activity under the sun—a time appointed by God during which we live our lives (3:1–11).

Moses spoke of a new season in his life after he led the people of Israel through the wilderness (Deuteronomy 31:2), and he had to give up his leadership role to Joshua. And Paul faced a lonely season while he was under house arrest in Rome—asking for visitors but realizing that God was “at my side” (2 Timothy 4:17).

Regardless of the season of life, let’s give thanks to God for His greatness, His help, and His companionship.

Thank You, Father, 

for the promise of Your care during this season of my life. 

You have allowed this circumstance for a good reason. 

Help me to use this time appointed by You in a way that deepens my trust in You.

Verse from Psalms

“你们要称谢耶和华，因他本是良善的；他的慈爱永远长存。”

诗篇 118:1 

“Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; For His lovingkindness is everlasting.”

Psalms 118:1 

What are we to do when we face life’s inevitable difficulties? Paul urges us on behalf of Christ to “give thanks in all circumstances” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). As difficult as that may sound, there is good reason why God encourages us to embrace a spirit of gratitude. Gratitude is grounded in the truth that our Lord “is good” and “his love endures forever” (Psalm 118:1). He is present with us and strengthens us in the midst of trouble (Hebrews 13:5–6), and He lovingly uses our trials to grow our character into His likeness (Romans 5:3–4).

When life hits us with hard times, choosing to be grateful focuses our attention on the goodness of God and gives us the strength to make it through our struggles. With the psalmist, we can sing, “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever” (Psalm 118:29).

Lord, 

I realize that focusing on my troubles causes me to forget that even in the midst of trials You are good. 

Teach me the art of a grateful heart.

Thanksgiving is a virtue that grows through practice.

Verse from Nehemiah

“他们宣读神的律法，把意义清楚翻译出来，使众民明白所宣读的。”

尼希米记 8:8 

“They read from the Book of the Law of God, making it clear and giving the meaning so that the people understood what was being read.”

Nehemiah 8:8 

Far from home and training for World War II, American recruits in basic training turned to humor and correspondence to cope with the challenges they faced. In one letter home a young man described the vaccination process with wonderful exaggeration: “Two medical officers chased us with harpoons. They grabbed us and pinned us to the floor and stuck one in each arm.”

Yet one soldier began to realize that humor could only take him so far. Then he received a Bible. “I enjoy it very much and I read it every night,” he wrote. “I never realized you could learn so much from a Bible.”

Long ago, the Jewish exiles returned home after years of slavery in Babylon to find their problems came with them. As they struggled to rebuild Jerusalem’s walls, they faced opposition from enemies, famine, and their own sin. Amid their trouble, they turned to God’s Word. They were surprised at what they learned. When the priests read from the Book of the Law of God, the people were moved to tears (Nehemiah 8:9). But they also found comfort. Nehemiah the governor told them, “Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength” (v. 10).

We don’t need to wait for trouble to hear from God. The Bible is where we learn about His character, His forgiveness, and His comfort. As we read it, we’ll be surprised at what God’s Spirit will show us in its pages.

The Bible helps us see ourselves as we really are, and also helps us see how much God loves us.

Verse from Ephesians

“一句坏话也不可出口，却要适当地说造就人的好话，使听见的人得益处。”

以弗所书 4:29 

“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”

Ephesians 4:29 

The power of our words is a theme throughout Scripture. The admonition in Ephesians 4:29 is to build each other up through our speech. 

The book of Proverbs encourages its readers to get a grip on wisdom, and part of wisdom living is the right use of our words. That’s why many Proverbs speak about “words,” “speech,” the “mouth,” and “lips.” Proverbs 10:11 describes the tremendous power of words to invigorate and enrich others: “The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life.”

How can you build someone up today with your words?

Verse from Job

“我奠定大地根基的时候，你在哪里呢？你若有聪明，就只管说吧。”

约伯记 38:4 

“"Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding,”

Job 38:4 

Some of us are inclined to look at the world and see only what’s wrong. DeWitt Jones is a National Geographic photographer who has used his profession to celebrate what’s right about the world. He waits and watches until a shaft of light or turn of perspective suddenly reveals a wonder that had been there all along. He uses his camera to find beauty in the most common faces of people and nature.

If anyone had reason to focus on the wrongs of the world, Job did. After losing all that had given him joy, even his friends became his accusers. Together their voices taunted him for not admitting that he was suffering for sins he was hiding. When Job cried out to the heavens for help, God remained silent.

Finally, from within the chaos of a whirlwind and the darkness of a storm, God asked Job to consider wonders of nature that reflect a wisdom and power far beyond our own (Job 38:2–4).

Would He now ask us? What about something as natural as the ways of a dog, cat, fluttering leaf, or blade of grass? Could a shaft of light, or a turn of perspective, reveal—even in our pain—the mind and heart of a Creator who has been with us and for us all along?

Verse from Psalms

“耶和华啊！求你把你的道路指示我，求你把你的路径教导我，”

诗篇 25:4 

“Make me know Your ways, O LORD; Teach me Your paths.”

Psalms 25:4 

When we first become believers, some “big” sins may be exposed. We confess them to God and accept His forgiveness. But as the years pass by, and as God’s Word passes through us and sinks into our innermost being, the Holy Spirit brings other sins to the surface. Sins of the spirit once thought to be mere peccadilloes—small, seemingly unimportant offenses—are revealed as ugly, ruinous attitudes and actions. Sins like pride, self-pity, complaining, pettiness, prejudice, spite, self-serving indulgence.

God reveals each sin so He can cast it aside. He reveals to heal. When harmful hidden attitudes come to the surface, we can pray as the psalmist David did, “For the sake of your name, Lord, forgive my iniquity, though it is great” (Psalm 25:11).

Humbling exposure, though painful, is good for the soul. It’s one of the ways in which He “instructs sinners in his ways.” He “guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way” (vv. 8–9).

Is unconfessed sin hindering your relationship with the Father? He stands ready to forgive and heal!

Verse from 2 Corinthians

“请你们一同用祷告支持我们，好使许多人为着我们所蒙的恩献上感谢。这恩是借着许多人的代求而得到的。”

哥林多后书 1:11 

“as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.”

2 Corinthians 1:11 

One of the best ways to love others is to pray for them. Jesus is our ultimate example in this. The New Testament tells us about Jesus praying for others on many occasions, and even shows us that He continues to come to the Father on our behalf. 

Romans 8:34 says that He “is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.” Even after showing such selfless love at the cross, the risen and ascended Lord Jesus Christ continues to express His care for us by praying for us at this very moment.

All around us are people who need us to follow Jesus’s example and love them with our prayers, inviting God’s help and intervention in their lives.

Verse from Hebrews

“我们又应该彼此关心，激发爱心，勉励行善。”

希伯来书 10:24 

“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds,”

Hebrews 10:24 

Why do more than five million people a year pay money to run several miles over an obstacle course where they must ascend vertical walls, slog through mud, and climb up inside a vertical pipe with water pouring down on them? Some see it as a personal challenge to push their limit of endurance or conquer their fears. For others, the attraction is teamwork where competitors help and support each other. One person called it “a no-judgment zone” where people who are strangers will reach out to help each other finish the race (Stephanie Kanowitz, The Washington Post).

The Bible urges us to pursue teamwork as a model of living out our faith in Jesus. (Hebrews 10:24–25).

Our goal is not to “finish first” in the race of faith, but to reach out in tangible ways of encouragement by setting an example and lending a helping hand along the way.

The day will come when we complete our life on earth. Until then, let’s spur each other on, be ready to help, and keep pulling together every day.

Father in heaven, 

give us eyes to see and strength to help each other in the race of faith today.