Fulfilled | Day Eight

You made it to Day 8—Easter Sunday!
Thank you for joining us on this journey through Holy Week. As we’ve walked through this devotional, we pray your heart has been stirred with fresh awe, hope, and gratitude.

Though this series ends today, the invitation to draw near to Jesus continues. Let this week be the spark that fuels a lifelong rhythm of meeting with Him in His Word.

Happy Easter! He is risen!

The Prophecies Yet to Be Fulfilled

Devotional by Bo Patterson

Read Luke 21:25-28

Luke 21:25-28

The Coming of the Son of Man

²⁵“And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves, ²⁶people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken. ²⁷And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. ²⁸Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The ESV text may not be quoted in any publication made available to the public by a Creative Commons license. The ESV may not be translated in whole or in part into any other language.

Devotional

He is risen!

Jesus Christ is not in the grave—He is alive! On Easter Sunday, we celebrate the victorious resurrection of our Savior. His life, death, and resurrection fulfilled over 100 prophecies in just 33 years, and His resurrection proved once and for all that He is the Son of God, the King of Kings, and the Lord of Lords. But here’s the incredible part: He’s not finished. What He has done is only the beginning.

John MacArthur notes:

“Prophecy occupies one fifth of Scripture. And of that one fifth, one third of that focuses on the second coming. There are over 650 general prophecies in Scripture, of which half of them concern Christ. And out of the 330 or so that concern Christ, 225 of those point to His second coming. Of the forty-six Old Testament prophets, less than ten speak of His first coming. Thirty-six speak of His second coming.

There are over 1,500 passages of the Scripture that refer to the second coming, one out of every twenty-five verses in the Bible. For each time the Bible mentions the first coming of the Messiah, it mentions His second coming eight times. For each time the Bible mentions the atonement, it mentions His second coming two times. Jesus referred to His return twenty-one times and over fifty times in the New Testament we are told to be ready for His return.”

Are you ready for His return? Jesus’ first coming was but a glimpse of his power, works, and reign.

Luke 21:25-28 describes the Second Coming like this:

Action Step: Church family, let’s gather! It’s time to celebrate the risen Jesus together this Easter Sunday! As we celebrate, remember that resurrection hope is meant to be shared. Who do you know that needs to hear it? Text them. Invite them. Sit with them. After the service, ask about their story—and share yours. The tomb is empty, and that changes everything.

Devotional, Holy Week 2025

Fulfilled | Day Seven

Buried in a Rich Man’s Tomb

Devotional by Nhora Medina

Read Isaiah 53:9, Matthew 27:57-60

Isaiah 53:9

And they made his grave with the wicked
and with a rich man in his death,
although he had done no violence,
and there was no deceit in his mouth.

Matthew 27:57-60

Jesus Is Buried

⁵⁷When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who also was a disciple of Jesus. ⁵⁸He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate ordered it to be given to him. ⁵⁹And Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen shroud ⁶⁰and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had cut in the rock. And he rolled a great stone to the entrance of the tomb and went away.

Devotional

The fact that Jesus was crucified among criminals and died as if He were one of them led many to assume that He would also be buried as a criminal. However, God had already decreed through the prophet Isaiah that His Son’s body would be placed in the tomb of a rich man.

This prophecy was fulfilled when Joseph of Arimathea, a wealthy disciple, took Jesus’ body, wrapped it in clean linen, and laid it in his own new tomb (Matthew 27:57–60).

Why is this detail so important?

The Truthfulness of God’s Word:
Every word in Scripture is true. Even the smallest details of Jesus’ life and death were prophesied centuries before they happened, reminding us that God is sovereign over all of history.

The Innocence of Jesus:
While criminals were buried without honor, Christ—though crucified as a criminal—was given a dignified burial. This highlights His righteousness: He committed no sin, yet bore the sins of humanity (2 Corinthians 5:21).

The Hope of Resurrection:
The borrowed tomb symbolizes temporality and transition. Jesus did not remain in death; He rose again, overcoming the grave. His victory over death fills us with hope and assures us of the promise of eternal life for all who trust in Him.

Have you ever stopped to reflect on the immeasurable love of God in sending His innocent Son to bear our sins? As you consider this divine mystery, I invite you to renew your faith and trust that—just as God fulfilled His Word in Jesus’ burial—He will fulfill all His promises in your life.

Action Step:
The Saturday between Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday invites us to sit in the stillness between the sorrow of the cross and the joy of the resurrection. Today, resist the urge to rush ahead. Instead, pause and lean into the quiet.

Take a deep breath and pray this simple prayer of trust:

“Lord, thank you for your perfect plan. Help me to trust your promises and timing, knowing that you are always faithful. Amen.”

Devotional, Holy Week 2025

Fulfilled | Day Six

Pierced for Our Transgressions

Devotional by Jeremy Hamblen

Read Isaiah 53:5, Psalm 34:20, John 19:31-37

Isaiah 53:5

But he was pierced for our transgressions;
he was crushed for our iniquities;
upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,
and with his wounds we are healed.

Psalm 34:20

He keeps all his bones;
not one of them is broken.

John 19:31-37

Jesus’ Side Is Pierced

³¹Since it was the day of Preparation, and so that the bodies would not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken and that they might be taken away. ³²So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first, and of the other who had been crucified with him. ³³But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. ³⁴But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water. ³⁵He who saw it has borne witness—his testimony is true, and he knows that he is telling the truth—that you also may believe. ³⁶For these things took place that the Scripture might be fulfilled: “Not one of his bones will be broken.”³⁷And again another Scripture says, “They will look on him whom they have pierced.”

Devotional

On a darkened hill called Calvary, ancient promises met divine fulfillment before a mixed audience of friends and foes. There, Isaiah’s Suffering Servant hung lifeless on the cross, fulfilling two seemingly contradictory prophecies—His body was pierced for our sins (Isaiah 53:5), yet not a single bone was broken (Psalm 34:20). One prophecy was fulfilled by what happened, the other by what didn’t—a tension not meant to be resolved, but one that would ultimately reconcile us to Him, the One who was sovereign over it all.

Immanuel—the author and architect of our flesh, who came to us clothed in it—was fully man, fully God, and fully at work.

Only in His fullness could destruction bring preservation.
Only in His fullness could justice become mercy.
Only in His fullness could the victim be the victor.
Only in His fullness could the lamb be the lion.
Only in His fullness could despair turn to hope.
Only in His fullness could death give way to life.

In Christ’s pierced yet preserved frame, judgment and mercy kissed. Just as lightning strikes a rod instead of a house, divine wrath found its willing target in the shoot of Jesse rather than in us.

This was no accident, as John recorded: “These things happened so that the Scripture would be fulfilled” (John 19:36). The violent wounds Jesus suffered to pay for our willful rebellion were contrasted by the protection of His bones. This not only points to the unbroken, spotless Passover lamb (Exodus 12:46), but also, to David’s original readers, “His bones” symbolized more than just His skeleton—they represented His entire being.

This dual fulfillment reveals Christ in His complete work: our substitute, who bore our piercing; our sacrifice, whose unblemished offering secured atonement; and our victor, whose preserved frame foreshadowed resurrection. In His body, both the reality of death and the certainty of victory coexisted in perfect tension. Christ embodied all divine purposes in Himself.

On this Good Friday, we stand at the crossroads of judgment and mercy, beholding the wounds that heal us and the preservation that promises us life. “He was pierced for our transgressions… not one of His bones will be broken.” In these prophetic words made flesh, we find our hope: judgment endured, redemption secured, resurrection guaranteed.

A Good Friday, indeed!

Action Step: Think of one person—a friend, coworker, or family member—who could use some encouragement or an invitation to church. Then take a bold but simple step: send them a quick text today!

Feel free to copy and paste this message:

(NAME), I thought about you today! I’d love for you to join me for our Good Friday service tonight. Can I come get you or save you a seat?

A personal invitation can go a long way in opening someone’s heart to God. Don’t wait—reach out today!

Devotional, Holy Week 2025

Fulfilled | Day Five

The Casting of Lots for Jesus’ Clothing

Devotional by Rebecca Patterson

Read Psalm 22:18 & John 19:23-24

Psalm 22:18

they divide my garments among them,
and for my clothing they cast lots.

John 19:23-24

²³When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took his garments and divided them into four parts, one part for each soldier; also his tunic. But the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom, ²⁴so they said to one another, “Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it to see whose it shall be.” This was to fulfill the Scripture which says,

“They divided my garments among them,
and for my clothing they cast lots.”

So the soldiers did these things

Devotional

The enthroned Messiah left heaven to serve and suffer for mankind, providing a way for complete atonement and forgiveness of our sin. Jesus willingly laid aside His heavenly robes to come to earth in human flesh. When the soldiers disrobed Jesus, they cast lots for His garments, unknowingly fulfilling the prophecy of Psalm 22:18.

The casting of lots was a common practice, as the soldiers earned a “tip of sorts” from the garments of those crucified. In John 19:23-24, we see the prophecy fulfilled as Jesus’ outer tunic was more valuable as one piece of fabric rather than divided among the soldiers; therefore, there was a need to cast lots to see who would win the outer garment.

Jesus, stripped of His only earthly garments, was physically exposed to the world as He bore the sins of the world. It is reminiscent of when Adam and Eve realized they were naked and exposed after their sin and hid themselves. At this moment of exposure, while bearing our sin on the cross, Jesus felt the separation from His perfect and holy Father and cried out, “My God, my God, why have You forsaken Me?” (Psalm 22:1; Matthew 27:46; Mark 15:34).

But, praise the Lord, He now sits at the right hand of God and will one day return in His regal robes! For us, we try to cover and hide our sins. The only way to be truly forgiven and remove the feeling of being forsaken by and separated from God is to expose and confess our sins to the Savior, our Suffering Servant. Then—and only then—can we be covered by the sacrificial blood of Jesus.

Action Step: Help us spread the word about Easter at Champion Forest by sharing one of these invite graphics with your friends and family! Just follow these three simple steps:

Press and hold (on mobile) or right-click (on desktop) the image that matches your campus.
Save the image to your device.
Text it to a friend or post it to your social media with a personal invite!

Devotional, Holy Week 2025

Fulfilled | Day Four

Silent Before His Accusers

Devotional by Abigail O’Neel

Read Isaiah 53:7, Matthew 26:59-63, Matthew 27:12-14, John 10:7-18

Isaiah 53:7

He was oppressed, and he was afflicted,
    yet he opened not his mouth;
like a lamb that is led to the slaughter,
    and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent,
    so he opened not his mouth.

Matthew 26:59–63

⁵⁹Now the chief priests and the whole council were seeking false testimony against Jesus that they might put him to death, ⁶⁰but they found none, though many false witnesses came forward. At last two came forward ⁶¹and said, “This man said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to rebuild it in three days.’”⁶²And the high priest stood up and said, “Have you no answer to make? What is it that these men testify against you?” ⁶³But Jesus remained silent. And the high priest said to him, “I adjure you by the living God, tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.”

Matthew 27:12-14

Jesus Before Pilate

¹¹Now Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus said, “You have said so.” ¹²But when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he gave no answer. ¹³Then Pilate said to him, “Do you not hear how many things they testify against you?” ¹⁴But he gave him no answer, not even to a single charge, so that the governor was greatly amazed.

John 10:7–18

⁷So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.⁸All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. ⁹I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. ¹⁰The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. ¹¹I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. ¹²He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. ¹³He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. ¹⁴I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, ¹⁵just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. ¹⁶And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. ¹⁷For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. ¹⁸No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.”

Devotional

Isaiah 53:7 offers a compelling glimpse into the steadfast resolve of the Suffering Servant:

“He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth.”

Centuries later, Jesus fulfilled this prophecy with breathtaking precision. As He stood before the Sanhedrin, falsely accused of blasphemy (Matthew 26:59–63), and before Pilate, charged with sedition (Matthew 27:11–14), He offered no defense. Pilate marveled at His silence, asking, “Do you not hear how many things they testify against you?” Yet Jesus, the Lamb of God, remained silent. Why?

Adrian Rogers seeks to understand this mystery: “Had Jesus justified Himself, He would have condemned me.” He stood in our place, and in doing so, he had to bear the weight of our sin. A defense from Jesus would have unraveled the very purpose of His mission: to lay down His life willingly and vicariously for His sheep (John 10:11–18). Instead of defending himself, he became guilty in the sight of God—not guilty actually, but because he bore our guilt in our place, becoming sin for us (2 Corinthians 5:21)—so that we might become the righteousness of God.

His silence was not weakness or defeat; it was a deliberate act of the Good Shepherd to lay down his life for His sheep and secure their redemption (John 10:11-18). Charles Spurgeon reflects on the submissive silence of Jesus, noting that while we are like sheep in our foolishness, Jesus is like a sheep in His perfect patience. Stripped of honor and glory, Jesus endured the cross so we might enter through Him—the door—and find abundant life (John 10:9). Romans 8:1 declares the result:

“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”

In His silence, Jesus fulfilled prophecy and revealed the depth of his grace, ensuring our guilt is silenced forever.

Action Step: Serve with Us on Easter Sunday!

Easter Sunday is just around the corner, and we need your help to make it a memorable experience for everyone, especially in Kids Ministry. Whether you’re at our Champions or North Klein Campus, there are opportunities to serve and be a part of what God is doing in our church. Click the appropriate link below to sign up to serve on Easter Sunday, or visit our general serve page to find other ways to get involved.

We’d love for you to be part of this special day as we celebrate the resurrection of our Savior!

Devotional, Holy Week 2025

Fulfilled | Day Three

Abandoned by His Disciples

Devotional by Raegan Wolff

Read Zechariah 13:7 & Matthew 26:31-56

Zechariah 13:7

The Shepherd Struck

“Awake, O sword, against my shepherd,
against the man who stands next to me,”
declares the Lord of hosts.

“Strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered;
I will turn my hand against the little ones.

Matthew 26:31-56

³¹Then Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away because of me this night. For it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’³²But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.” ³³Peter answered him, “Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away.” ³⁴Jesus said to him, “Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” ³⁵Peter said to him, “Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you!” And all the disciples said the same.

Jesus Prays in Gethsemane

³⁶Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I go over there and pray.” ³⁷And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. ³⁸Then he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.” ³⁹And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” ⁴⁰And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, “So, could you not watch with me one hour? ⁴¹Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”⁴²Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.” ⁴³And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. ⁴⁴So, leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words again. ⁴⁵Then he came to the disciples and said to them, “Sleep and take your rest later on. See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. ⁴⁶Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand.”

Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus

⁴⁷While he was still speaking, Judas came, one of the twelve, and with him a great crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the elders of the people.⁴⁸Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I will kiss is the man; seize him.” ⁴⁹And he came up to Jesus at once and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” And he kissed him. ⁵⁰Jesus said to him, “Friend, do what you came to do.” Then they came up and laid hands on Jesus and seized him. ⁵¹And behold, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his ear. ⁵²Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place. For all who take the sword will perish by the sword.⁵³Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? ⁵⁴But how then should the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must be so?” ⁵⁵At that hour Jesus said to the crowds, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs to capture me? Day after day I sat in the temple teaching, and you did not seize me. ⁵⁶But all this has taken place that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples left him and fled.

Devotional

Betrayed by one, now abandoned by the rest. In a garden, in the darkness of night, Jesus is left without His followers and closest friends. He is left alone to endure the coming hours of trials, beatings, mocking, and, eventually, the cross—alone, with no one to stand up for Him or stand with Him.

In the Garden of Eden was where betrayal against God started, and now, in the Garden of Gethsemane, betrayal and abandonment against Jesus fulfill prophecy, revealing He is our awaited Redeemer.

Just hours before the arrest of Jesus and the scattering of His disciples into the night, Peter boldly proclaimed that even if all the others left Him, he never would. He would die for Jesus. Where is Peter now? Where are the others who claimed they loved Him, who saw firsthand the miracles and signs of the promised Messiah? Where is their faith in their Lord? Fear overcame their faith—but only for a moment in time.

He had just told them, “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Matthew 26:41). Yet they slept while He prayed.

Even when Jesus knew what was coming—the betrayal, the abandonment, the trials, torture, and crucifixion—He was thinking of His disciples.

He gave them a final encouragement: “But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee” (Matthew 26:32).

They would see Him again. He would rise from the dead. Their faith would be restored.

When you think you’ve lost your faith in your Lord and Savior, Jesus, look for encouragement in His Word. Not all is lost in the darkness. Fear cannot steal your faith. It is only the beginning of the end. We will see Jesus again. No matter how dark it gets, watch and pray. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.

Action Step: Start preparing your heart now for the weekend ahead! We’ve put together a playlist of the songs we’ll be singing on Good Friday and Easter Sunday. Whether you’re driving, walking, or doing dishes, press play and let these songs fill your week with anticipation. Click here to listen.

Devotional, Holy Week 2025

Fulfilled | Day Two

Betrayed by a Friend

Devotional by Louis Miori

Read Psalm 41:9; John 13:1-5, 12-26; Zechariah 11:12-13; Matthew 26:14-16

Psalm 41:9

Even my close friend in whom I trusted,
who ate my bread, has lifted his heel against me.

John 13:1-5, 12-26

Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. ²During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him, ³Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, ⁴rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. ⁵Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

¹²When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? ¹³You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. ¹⁴If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. ¹⁵For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you.¹⁶Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. ¹⁷If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them. ¹⁸I am not speaking of all of you; I know whom I have chosen. But the Scripture will be fulfilled, ‘He who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me.’ ¹⁹I am telling you this now, before it takes place, that when it does take place you may believe that I am he. ²⁰Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.”

One of You Will Betray Me

²¹After saying these things, Jesus was troubled in his spirit, and testified, “Truly, truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” ²²The disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom he spoke. ²³One of his disciples, whom Jesus loved, was reclining at table at Jesus’ side, ²⁴so Simon Peter motioned to him to ask Jesus of whom he was speaking. ²⁵So that disciple, leaning back against Jesus, said to him, “Lord, who is it?” ²⁶Jesus answered, “It is he to whom I will give this morsel of bread when I have dipped it.” So when he had dipped the morsel, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot.

Zechariah 11:12-13

¹²Then I said to them, “If it seems good to you, give me my wages; but if not, keep them.” And they weighed out as my wages thirty pieces of silver. ¹³Then the Lord said to me, “Throw it to the potter”—the lordly price at which I was priced by them. So I took the thirty pieces of silver and threw them into the house of the Lord, to the potter.

Matthew 26:14-16

¹⁴Then one of the twelve, whose name was Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests ¹⁵and said, “What will you give me if I deliver him over to you?” And they paid him thirty pieces of silver. ¹⁶And from that moment he sought an opportunity to betray him.

Devotional

Today’s devotional focuses on the betrayal of Jesus by His friend and disciple, Judas Iscariot, as foreshadowed in the Old Testament.

Psalm 41:9 was first written by David, who experienced betrayal from a trusted advisor. But this verse also points ahead to Jesus, who was betrayed by one of His closest followers—Judas Iscariot. In ancient times, sharing a meal was a sign of friendship and trust. The act of eating together was more than just a physical necessity; it established bonds of loyalty. To turn against someone after breaking bread together was one of the deepest betrayals imaginable.

Centuries later, in John 13:18, after Jesus and His disciples had shared the Passover meal—the Last Supper—and He had washed their feet, Jesus quotes this very passage, saying: “The one who eats my bread has raised his heel against me.”

Jesus knew what was coming. He wasn’t caught off guard by Judas’ betrayal; instead, He saw it as part of God’s plan. The phrase “raised his heel” suggests a deep act of treachery—like someone preparing to strike. Yet, even knowing what Judas would do, Jesus still washed his feet and shared a meal with him. This moment shows Jesus’ incredible love and obedience to God’s plan, even in the face of betrayal.

Zechariah foretells the exact price for which Jesus would be betrayed—thirty pieces of silver. This detail is directly connected to the moment in Matthew’s Gospel when Judas makes his fateful decision, unknowingly fulfilling what had been written centuries earlier. Even more striking, the prophecy describes the silver being thrown into the temple and used to buy a potter’s field—precisely what happens after Judas, overcome with regret, returns the money (Matthew 27:3-5).

The betrayal of Jesus by a trusted friend set into motion a series of events—rejection, false accusations, humiliation, and unimaginable suffering. Yet through it all, Jesus remained resolute, fully committed to His mission: to bring salvation to the world through His death, burial, and resurrection.

Action Step: Holy Week is a powerful time to reflect, remember, and respond to all Jesus has done. We’ve planned meaningful gatherings across all our campuses to help you do just that. Click here to see the full Easter schedule and make plans to worship, celebrate, and invite others to join you.

Devotional, Who is Jesus?

Day Twenty-One | Who is Jesus?

John 21

Devotional by Ramon Medina

Read John 21

John 21

Jesus Appears to Seven Disciples

After this Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias, and he revealed himself in this way. Simon Peter, Thomas (called the Twin), Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together. Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, “Children, do you have any fish?” They answered him, “No.” He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, because of the quantity of fish. That disciple whom Jesus loved therefore said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment, for he was stripped for work, and threw himself into the sea. The other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, but about a hundred yards off.

When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire in place, with fish laid out on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.” So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, 153 of them. And although there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” Now none of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish. This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.

Jesus and Peter

When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.”

Jesus and the Beloved Apostle

Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them, the one who also had leaned back against him during the supper and had said, “Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?” When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?” Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!” So the saying spread abroad among the brothers that this disciple was not to die; yet Jesus did not say to him that he was not to die, but, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?”

This is the disciple who is bearing witness about these things, and who has written these things, and we know that his testimony is true.

Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.

Devotional

In the final chapter of the Gospel of John, a profound conversation between Jesus and Peter is recounted after the resurrection. Jesus asks Peter three times if he loves Him, reflecting the three previous denials (John 18:15-27). After each response, Jesus gives him a mission: “Feed my lambs… take care of my sheep” (John 21:15-17). Finally, He says, “Follow me” (John 21:19).

This invitation not only restores Peter but also reaffirms his purpose. Even though Peter had failed, Jesus’ plan for him remained. Years earlier, Jesus had already told him, “Come, follow me” (Matthew 4:19). Now, after his failure, He repeats, “Follow me.” Jesus calls us to follow Him not only in success but also in our daily failures.

Three Aspects of “Follow Me” for Peter and for You

Follow Me in Your Calling
Jesus reminds Peter of his mission to care for others. Your mistakes do not cancel God’s purpose (Romans 11:29). He heals those who return to Him with a sincere heart. What mission has Jesus given you? Don’t let failures hold you back.

Follow Me in Your Restoration
The grace of Jesus allows you to start anew (1 John 1:9). Restoration in Christ renews you.

Follow Me in Your Total Surrender
Following Jesus involves sacrifice (Matthew 10:38). Are you willing to follow Jesus without reservations?

Remember, when Jesus says, “Follow me,” He is not looking at your past but at your present and future.

Devotional, Who is Jesus?

Day Twenty | Who is Jesus?

John 20

Devotional by Steve Taylor

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John 20

The Resurrection

Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.” So Peter went out with the other disciple, and they were going toward the tomb. Both of them were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. And stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there, and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; for as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead. Then the disciples went back to their homes.

Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene

But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb. And she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet. They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” Jesus said to her, “Mary.”She turned and said to him in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher). Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'” Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”—and that he had said these things to her.

Jesus Appears to the Disciples

On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.”

Jesus and Thomas

Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.”

Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

The Purpose of This Book

Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

Devotional

Overwhelmed. Disappointed. Discouraged. Fearful. Perplexed. Downcast. Lost. The disciples and followers of Jesus hit rock bottom. There seemed to be no hope, no future. Until…

Until God began to fully reveal what He had already planned, promised, and knew. Jesus had told them before, but they either chose not to believe or didn’t comprehend it. But that didn’t stop God—He was still faithful to His word: the angel rolling away the stone and Jesus’ body missing from the tomb, Jesus’ gentle encounter with Mary, and Jesus’ two surprise appearances to the disciples behind locked doors. Nothing could keep Jesus in the grave, and nothing could keep God from fulfilling His promise. With each appearance, Jesus expressed His love and care for His followers: Peace be with you.

Peace. Such a short word that belies the change it can bring to a life. It wasn’t just what the disciples needed or wanted, it’s what we all still want today and what man has sought for two thousand years. Are you overwhelmed, disappointed, fearful, or lost in life? Jesus is there, and He brings peace.

Does that feel impossible for your situation? Think again. If the tomb is empty, anything is possible.

Are you seeking peace today? It’s available for you just as surely as it was for the disciples. Simply look to Jesus and receive the peace He generously offers.

Devotional, Who is Jesus?

Day Nineteen | Who is Jesus?

John 19

Devotional by Abigail O’Neel

Read John 19

John 19

Jesus Delivered to Be Crucified

Then Pilate took Jesus and flogged him. And the soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head and arrayed him in a purple robe. They came up to him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” and struck him with their hands. Pilate went out again and said to them, “See, I am bringing him out to you that you may know that I find no guilt in him.” So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, “Behold the man!” When the chief priests and the officers saw him, they cried out, “Crucify him, crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and crucify him, for I find no guilt in him.” The Jews answered him, “We have a law, and according to that law he ought to die because he has made himself the Son of God.” When Pilate heard this statement, he was even more afraid. He entered his headquarters again and said to Jesus, ch. 7:27 “Where are you from?” But Jesus gave him no answer. So Pilate said to him, “You will not speak to me? Do you not know that I have authority to release you and authority to crucify you?” Jesus answered him, “You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above. Therefore he who delivered me over to you has the greater sin.”

From then on Pilate sought to release him, but the Jews cried out, “If you release this man, you are not Caesar’s friend. Everyone who makes himself a king opposes Caesar.” So when Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus out and sat down on the judgment seat at a place called The Stone Pavement, and in Aramaic Gabbatha. Now it was the day of Preparation of the Passover. It was about the sixth hour. He said to the Jews, “Behold your King!.” They cried out, “Away with him, away with him, crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Shall I crucify your King?” The chief priests answered, “We have no king but Caesar.” So he delivered him over to them to be crucified.

The Crucifixion

So they took Jesus, and he went out, bearing his own cross, to the place called The Place of a Skull, which in Aramaic is called Golgotha. There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, and Jesus between them. Pilate also wrote an inscription and put it on the cross. It read, “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.” Many of the Jews read this inscription, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and it was written in Aramaic, in Latin, and in Greek. So the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, “Do not write, ‘The King of the Jews,’ but rather, ‘This man said, I am King of the Jews.’” Pilate answered, “What I have written I have written.”

When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took his garments and divided them into four parts, one part for each soldier; also his tunic. But the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom, so they said to one another, “Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it to see whose it shall be.” This was to fulfill the Scripture which says,

“They divided my garments among them,

and for my clothing they cast lots.”

So the soldiers did these things, but standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.

The Death of Jesus

After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill the Scripture), “I thirst.” A jar full of sour wine stood there, so they put a sponge full of the sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it to his mouth. When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

Jesus’ Side Is Pierced

Since it was the day of Preparation, and so that the bodies would not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken and that they might be taken away. So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first, and of the other who had been crucified with him. But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water. He who saw it has borne witness—his testimony is true, and he knows that he is telling the truth—that you also may believe. For these things took place that the Scripture might be fulfilled: “Not one of his bones will be broken.” And again another Scripture says, “They will look on him whom they have pierced.”

Jesus Is Buried

After these things Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus, and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took away his body. Nicodemus also, who earlier had come to Jesus by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds in weight. So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews. Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. So because of the Jewish day of Preparation, since the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there.

Devotional

There’s something about a garden that so easily draws people in. The garden in today’s text is no exception.

“Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid.”

John 19 is the darkest text in all of Scripture, yet even here our eyes are drawn to a garden.

As I read these verses, I sense no accident in the authors’ choice to describe a garden in verse 41—this detail, rich with meaning, connects the past, the present, and the future.

Look back and see Eden. Here, humanity’s story began in fellowship with God. Eden symbolized life, beauty, and abundance, yet, it was there that sin first cast its shadow upon humanity. Once a place of unadulterated communion with God, Eden now marked the beginning of separation from God. Adam and Eve were then driven out, and death was introduced into humanity’s story.

Look around and see the tomb, surrounded by a garden (John 19:41). Though death reigns within the tomb, life slowly awakens around it. The garden continues quietly germinating—waiting, growing, preparing to burst forth in all its fullness, just as Jesus’ victory over death will soon bring eternal life to all who believe. The garden symbolizes life’s quiet resilience, despite death’s dark shadow.

Look forward and see the coming garden. This one symbolizing a future restoration, when Eden will be renewed and God’s people will dwell with Him forever.

Even as the tomb stands as a somber symbol of death, the garden quietly whispers of a hopeful ending that is coming. In Christ, life awakens again.

How does the presence of a garden at the site of Jesus’ death subtly communicate God’s redemptive plan? What does this say about God’s ability to bring life from death?