#easter devotionals

Matthew 21:1-11. [1] “As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, [2] saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. [3] If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.” [4] This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: [5] “Say to Daughter Zion, ‘See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’ ” [6] The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. [7] They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. [8] A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. [9] The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest heaven!” [10] When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?” [11] The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.” (NIV)

Luke 19:37-44. [37] When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen: [38] “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” [39] Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!” [40] “I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.” [41] As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it [42] and said, “If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes. [43] The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side. [44] They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God’s coming to you.” (NIV)

Hi Everyone! I'm starting this devotional a little late, because it is supposed to begin on Palm Sunday. I'm sharing this with you, because I think it will give you some very interesting insights into Holy Week. It has an audio to it, so you can listen from anywhere.

Friends, God bless your day! Amen! 🙏🕊️🙌

“But go, tell His disciples and Peter, “He is going ahead of you to Galilee; you will see Him there just as He told you.” —Mark 16:7

“When You Messed Up (Praying Through Failure)” By Elevation Church:

“When we first see Peter in the gospels, he is overzealous and filled with fire. Always quick to speak and tell Jesus what he would never do. But after his denial and betrayal on Good Friday, Peter’s fire was replaced with fear and his charisma was replaced with shame.

When faced with his failure, Peter abandoned his calling and went back to what was familiar — fishing. But Peter couldn’t even catch a break there. He fished all night and caught nothing.

That is, until Jesus showed up on the shore. In one of the most beautiful full-circle moments in the Bible, Jesus meets Peter in his frustration and tells him to cast his nets again — just like He had told him to do three years before (Luke 5:1-11). It wasn’t until Peter caught a load of fish too big to carry that he realized the man on the shore was Jesus.

Once Peter recognized Him, he immediately swam to shore, where he found Jesus standing by a charcoal fire. The four gospels mention a charcoal fire like this only one other time — when Peter denied knowing the Lord on the night of His arrest. As the smoke from the fire filled Peter’s nose, shame and guilt must have filled him as the memories came rushing back to him.

But Jesus didn’t build that fire to punish Peter. He wanted to set Peter free — to give him a new memory. No longer would the smell of smoke remind Peter of the time he blew it, but instead that memory would be replaced with how Jesus’ grace covered it all. Jesus brought him back to the point of his greatest failure so he could experience the deepest grace.

On the other side of Peter’s failure was an assignment, which is why God singled him out by name to the women at the tomb — He wanted Peter to know in spite of his denial, He had not deserted him.

God never changed His mind about Peter, and He won’t change His mind about you either.

Your story doesn’t end in failure. God has grace for you today and an assignment for you tomorrow. Jesus didn’t conquer sin just so you could go to heaven one day — He wants you to experience freedom, hope, and grace today. Your shame has been buried. New life begins now. Resurrection power is here.

Father, I praise You because of the new beginning You continually offer me. May the failures I’ve experienced be the starting point of Your grace. Today, I trade my frustration for surrender and I ask You to open my eyes to the assignment You’ve prepared for me. When lies whisper to me, remind me of Your truth — because You conquered death and sin, I don’t have to live in shame! What a gift. In Jesus’ name, amen.”

[Welcome Resurrection Devotional Day 6 of 7: https://bible.com/reading-plans/30678/day/6?segment=0]

“But go, tell His disciples and Peter, “He is going ahead of you to Galilee; you will see Him there just as He told you.” —Mark 16:7

“When You Messed Up (Praying Through Failure)” By Elevation Church:

“When we first see Peter in the gospels, he is overzealous and filled with fire. Always quick to speak and tell Jesus what he would never do. But after his denial and betrayal on Good Friday, Peter’s fire was replaced with fear and his charisma was replaced with shame.

When faced with his failure, Peter abandoned his calling and went back to what was familiar — fishing. But Peter couldn’t even catch a break there. He fished all night and caught nothing.

That is, until Jesus showed up on the shore. In one of the most beautiful full-circle moments in the Bible, Jesus meets Peter in his frustration and tells him to cast his nets again — just like He had told him to do three years before (Luke 5:1-11). It wasn’t until Peter caught a load of fish too big to carry that he realized the man on the shore was Jesus.

Once Peter recognized Him, he immediately swam to shore, where he found Jesus standing by a charcoal fire. The four gospels mention a charcoal fire like this only one other time — when Peter denied knowing the Lord on the night of His arrest. As the smoke from the fire filled Peter’s nose, shame and guilt must have filled him as the memories came rushing back to him.

But Jesus didn’t build that fire to punish Peter. He wanted to set Peter free — to give him a new memory. No longer would the smell of smoke remind Peter of the time he blew it, but instead that memory would be replaced with how Jesus’ grace covered it all. Jesus brought him back to the point of his greatest failure so he could experience the deepest grace.

On the other side of Peter’s failure was an assignment, which is why God singled him out by name to the women at the tomb — He wanted Peter to know in spite of his denial, He had not deserted him.

God never changed His mind about Peter, and He won’t change His mind about you either.

Your story doesn’t end in failure. God has grace for you today and an assignment for you tomorrow. Jesus didn’t conquer sin just so you could go to heaven one day — He wants you to experience freedom, hope, and grace today. Your shame has been buried. New life begins now. Resurrection power is here.

Father, I praise You because of the new beginning You continually offer me. May the failures I’ve experienced be the starting point of Your grace. Today, I trade my frustration for surrender and I ask You to open my eyes to the assignment You’ve prepared for me. When lies whisper to me, remind me of Your truth — because You conquered death and sin, I don’t have to live in shame! What a gift. In Jesus’ name, amen.”

[Welcome Resurrection Devotional Day 6 of 7]

“What happened after Easter? How did Jesus spend His time?” By Youversion:

“2,000 years ago, Jesus conquered death forever. The stone was rolled away from the empty tomb, and we were given new life in Christ. But what happened next? Discover five things Jesus did after His resurrection—and what they mean for us today:

1. Jesus showed up. Jesus spent 40 days on earth after His resurrection. During this time, He eased His followers’ doubts and gave them direction for the future. Jesus didn’t shout His love from heaven. He showed His love on earth. Today He does the same, by bending low to hear our cries and heal our hearts.

2. Jesus modeled community. From breaking bread on the road to Emmaus, to having breakfast on the beach with His disciples, we see Jesus make time for relationships. Jesus was never too busy to stop and show He cared. As His followers, we’re called to intentionally serve people in our families, workplaces, and cities.

3. Jesus comforted the broken. When Jesus came back, He wasn’t frustrated that His disciples hadn’t understood His plan. He met them in their uncertainty and fear instead. Jesus consoled the woman weeping at the empty tomb. He eased Thomas’ doubts. He spoke words of life and peace. Today, our Savior still has grace for our questions and confusion. He still draws near when our hearts are broken.

4. Jesus redeemed mistakes. Before the crucifixion, Peter denied knowing Jesus three times. Later, we see Jesus restore Peter by asking Him three times if he loves Him, and instructing Peter to care for His flock. Even though Peter stumbled in his faith, it didn’t cancel his identity in Christ. In the same way, we can trust that God’s power is made perfect in our weakness.

5. Jesus instructed and empowered. Right before Jesus ascended into heaven, He told His followers to “go and make disciples of every nation.” With these instructions, we’re called to live every day with intentionality, looking for opportunities to share the Gospel. It’s our job to show people what it means to know God and to make Him known.

Easter might be over, but what it means for us matters all year long. Because of Jesus’ death and resurrection, we’re able to access God’s grace, presence, and reassurance like never before.”

“On the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark…” —John 20:1

“When You’re Waiting In The Dark (Praying Through Uncertainty)” By Elevation Church:

“Mary Magdalene was one of the select few to follow Jesus to the cross. Years before, Jesus healed Mary of seven demons (Luke 8:1-2), and her gratitude and loyalty drove her to go where even His closest friends wouldn’t.

It’s one thing to follow Jesus to a cross — it’s quite another to follow Him to a tomb. Mary watched as the One who had healed her bowed His head, breathed His last, and declared, “It is finished.”

It was clearly over. This wasn’t unmet expectations — this was buried expectations.

And yet, we read how Mary chose to go to the tomb while it was still dark. There was no light. No hope. No expectation that Jesus would be coming back, despite the fact He had promised them He would. But isn’t it hard to recall what Jesus spoke in the light when you’re left in the dark?

As Mary walked toward the place where her hope was buried to anoint Jesus’ body with spices, she also wondered… because waiting always leads to wondering. Who would roll the stone away? She was doing the job nobody else had the guts to do, and yet she didn’t even have the strength to do it (Mark 16:1-11).

But God had already worked out what she was worried about. Mary and the other women arrived to find the stone rolled away and Jesus’ body gone. And yet again, when everybody had left the tomb because there was nothing left to see, Mary remained outside, “facing the tomb, crying.”

And it was in that place she came face to face with resurrection. Mary got the privilege of being the first person to see Jesus after He rose from the grave. Jesus entrusted her with the news that would change everything. She wasn’t in the right place at the right time by luck. She was positioned for a miracle because of what she chose to do while it was still dark.

If you walk away at the cross, you won’t be able to welcome resurrection. And could it be that what God will entrust you with is directly related to how closely you’re willing to follow Him through the dark?

​​Isaiah 45:3 says, "I will give you the treasures of darkness and riches from secret places, so that you may know that I, Yahweh, the God of Israel call you by your name." If you're walking through uncertainty today, be encouraged! There are treasures and miracles right where you are. God is giving you a testimony as you navigate the darkness, and one day you will be able to declare in the light all the things He showed you in the dark.

Father, thank You that even when my hope seems buried, it’s never lost. Help me to not grow weary while I wait on You. I want to stay alert in hopeful anticipation for what You will do next. Bring to mind what You’ve spoken over me in the light when I walk through the dark. In Jesus’ name, amen.”

[Welcome Resurrection Devotional Day 4 of 7]

“Now He came near the path down the Mount of Olives, and the whole crowd of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the miracles they had seen.” —Luke 19:37 (CSB)

“More Than Miracles” By Elevation Church:

“Miracles weren’t Jesus’ primary mission, although John tells us the world itself couldn’t contain all the miracles Jesus performed. And despite being the greatest preacher to ever live, Jesus’ main goal wasn’t to motivate us with His sermons, either. Jesus came to save. His purpose was resurrection power, which meant His assignment required death.

Holy anticipation filled Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. As Jesus rode through town on a donkey, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies, the celebration couldn’t be contained. They shouted “Hosanna!” (meaning, “Save us!” or “Praise Him!”) with heightened expectations to the King they had waited and prayed for. Jesus was the King nobody expected, and He was about to do the most unexpected thing.

We get the privilege of reading the Easter story in hindsight, but as John recounts in his gospel, “His disciples did not understand these things at first.” (John 12:16) The crowds didn’t know the One they called blessed would be beaten and buried before their very eyes. The disciples marched alongside Jesus on Palm Sunday praising God for all the miracles they had seen, but despite walking closely with Him for three years, they still weren’t ready for what was next. Their hopes couldn’t have been higher on that Sunday, which meant their disappointment couldn’t have been deeper on the following Friday. Nobody was prepared for the resurrection that would take place a week later because nobody had planned for the death that came before it.

As you step into Holy Week, don’t skim the surface of the events surrounding Jesus’ death and resurrection, but rather sit in the emotions of those who lived through it. Perhaps you’ll be able to identify with some of the wounded expectations of Jesus’ followers. Our prayer for you as you travel this road during Holy Week is that your eyes will be opened to the reality that God wants to do more in your life than the miracle you have in mind. Will you welcome resurrection this Easter?

PRAYER: Father, I praise You for all the miracles You’ve done on my behalf — but I thank You that You came to do more than miracles. I ask that my eyes be opened to the new things You’re doing in my life right now. Help me not to miss Your greatest miracles just because they don’t match my expectations. In Jesus’ name, amen.”

“After Jesus had said this, he went on ahead. He was going up to Jerusalem. He approached Bethphage and Bethany. The hill there was called the Mount of Olives. Jesus sent out two of his disciples. He said to them, “Go to the village ahead of you. As soon as you get there, you will find a donkey’s colt tied up. No one has ever ridden it. Untie it and bring it here. Someone may ask you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ If so, say, ‘The Lord needs it.’ ” Those who were sent ahead went and found the young donkey. It was there just as Jesus had told them. They were untying the colt when its owners came. The owners asked them, “Why are you untying the colt?” They replied, “The Lord needs it.” Then the disciples brought the colt to Jesus. They threw their coats on the young donkey and put Jesus on it. As he went along, people spread their coats on the road. Jesus came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives. There the whole crowd of disciples began to praise God with joy. In loud voices they praised him for all the miracles they had seen. They shouted, “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!” (Psalm 118:26) “May there be peace and glory in the highest heaven!” —Luke 19:28‭-‬38 (NIRV)

“And we had our hopes up that he was the One, the One about to deliver Israel. And it is now the third day since it happened.” —Luke 24:21 (MSG)

“When It Looks Like It’s Over (Praying Through Defeat)” By Elevation Church:

“Remember, we get the privilege of reading the Easter story with the insight of hindsight. We know how the story ends — Jesus’ friends didn’t. We jump straight to the miracle, but they lived through the mess.

Even after Jesus rose from the dead on the third day, it was easier for the disciples to accept His body had been stolen than to believe He had actually conquered death.

The miracle was in motion, and yet we read in Luke 24 about two followers of Jesus who were walking away in defeat. They had waited in Jerusalem for three days, but now they were making the seven-mile journey back to Emmaus. Why stick around? The show was over.

Jesus decided to journey with them as they walked away from their miracle. And although they were prevented from recognizing Him, Jesus taught them as He walked with them. He interpreted scriptures for them and gave them a deeper understanding of who He was — in the middle of their doubts and defeat.

It wasn’t until He sat down to eat with them that their eyes were opened and they recognized it was Jesus who had been walking with them all along.

This is still true for us today. In the middle of our disappointment, we’re tempted to quit. We lose heart. We lose patience. We lose faith. But even if it seems like God is late, it’s too soon to stop seeking Him. Just like the two travelers on the road to Emmaus, we often only see God’s fingerprints looking back.

There’s a difference between praying about something and praying through something. Don’t assume because your prayer didn’t get answered the way you hoped that a miracle isn’t in motion. Keep pressing on. Keep knocking. Keep praying. Prayer keeps you connected to God, and while He may not change your situation He will shift your perspective.

Consider this: Before Jesus went to the cross, He went to the grave of Lazarus — only He showed up four days after Lazarus had been buried. The situation was beyond repair. If Jesus had come sooner, Lazarus wouldn’t have died.

But when Jesus showed up, Martha, Lazarus’ sister, said through grief, “Yet even now I know that whatever You ask from God, God will give you.”

Yet even now.

Even IF God is late and the door seems closed, will you have the faith to pray even now?

Bring your “even if” situation to the Father today and pray this prayer.

Father, even though You didn’t ______________ and even if ____________ doesn’t work out, even now, I look to You. You are still Provider, Healer, Comforter, and Sustainer. You can still do all things. You know the places where I have lost heart and lost faith — the places where I’m tempted to quit and walk away, but I don’t want to miss a miracle You’ve set in motion. So I commit today to keep asking. To keep seeking. To keep knocking. And to allow You to change me in the process. Even now, I trust You. Even now, I welcome resurrection. In Jesus’ name, amen.”

[Welcome Resurrection Devotional Day 5 of 7]

“About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out with a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachtani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” —Matthew 27:46

“When God Gives You The Silent Treatment (Praying Through Unanswered Prayers)” By Elevation Church:

“As Jesus hung on the cross for our sins, darkness covered the land. John was the only disciple of the 11, along with four women, who risked everything to show up in the middle of Jesus’ suffering.

The scene stood in stark contrast to the day Jesus’ earthly ministry had begun three years earlier. When Jesus was baptized, the heavens opened and the Spirit of God descended like a dove upon Him. God’s voice could be heard saying, “This is My beloved Son. I take delight in Him.”

But on Good Friday, no one heard God’s voice. Jesus cried out from His cross, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”

Jesus was in the center of His purpose, fulfilling God’s perfect plan, when He felt the most forsaken and alone. Remember, Jesus didn’t come to perform miracles and preach; He came to die in our place. And yet, when Jesus was closest to victory, God seemed the furthest away.

How do you push through pain and grief? How do you keep praying when it seems as though your prayers aren’t being heard?

Jesus responded to God’s silence on the cross by declaring, “Father, into Your hands I commit My Spirit.” This statement is our survival guide for navigating seasons of perceived silence.

When you can’t change your situation, commit your spirit to the One who holds the whole world in His hands. Remind your heart that just because you can’t hear God doesn’t mean He’s absent.

It was in Jesus’ darkest hour that God was doing His greatest work.

​​If you're struggling to hear God today, meditate on the words He's already spoken over you. You are precious in His sight and loved by Him (Isaiah 43:4). He calls you friend (John 15:15) and He sees you as more than a conqueror (Romans 8:37-39). You are God's workmanship — when He sees you, He sees a masterpiece (Ephesians 2:10). Don't fill in the silence with lesser voices — fill it with the Master's words and your faith.

Father, when I can’t hear Your voice, help me to hope in Your Word. There are situations where I can’t see You and circumstances I can’t change, but I do the only thing I can — I commit my spirit to You. I recall to mind Your goodness and it gives me hope. Because of Your faithful love, I am not consumed. Thank You for working ALL things for Your glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

“On the way they found a man called Simon, from Cyrene, and they forced him to carry Jesus' cross. When they arrived at Golgotha, meaning “Place of the Skull,” they gave him wine mixed with gall. But having tasted it, he refused to drink it. After they had crucified him, they rolled dice to divide his clothes between them. Then they sat down and kept watch over him there. They placed a sign over his head with the charge against him. It read, “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.” They crucified two criminals with him, one on the right, and one on the left. Those who passed by shouted insults at him, shaking their heads, saying, “You who promised to destroy the Temple and rebuild it in three days, why don't you save yourself! If you really are the Son of God, then come down from the cross.” The chief priests mocked him in the same way, along with the religious teachers and elders. “He saved other people, but he can't save himself!” they said. “If he really is the king of Israel, let him come down from the cross, and then we'll believe him! He trusts God so confidently—well let God rescue him now if he wants him, because he claimed ‘I am the Son of God.’” The criminals who were crucified with him also insulted him in the same way. From noon until three o'clock darkness covered the whole country. At about three o'clock Jesus shouted out loud, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” —Matthew 27:32‭-‬46 (FBV)

“It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour. The sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was torn in two. Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” Having said this, he breathed his last. When the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, “Certainly this was a righteous man.” All the multitudes that came together to see this, when they saw the things that were done, returned home beating their breasts. All his acquaintances, and the women who followed with him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.” —Luke 23:44‭-‬49 (WEB)

“I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in Me, even if he dies, will live.” —John 11:25 (HCSB)

“Will You Welcome Resurrection? (Worshiping, Even With Wounded Expectations)” By Elevation Church:

“Jesus’ resurrection is more than an event we celebrate once a year. It’s a person we get to walk with every day. It’s a power that lives in us if we live in Him. It’s a miracle that becomes a mindset.

When Jesus found out Lazarus was sick, He didn’t rush to the rescue because He loved him (John 11:5-6). Jesus’ response to his friends’ suffering seemed counterintuitive at best, and cruel at worst. But Jesus wanted to give the ones He loved more than relief — He wanted to give them a revelation.

Jesus was showing them (and us) that resurrection isn’t what He does — it’s who He is. Jesus doesn’t have what you need. Jesus is what you need. He is the light for your darkest hour (John 8:12), bread when your spirit is malnourished (John 6:35), and living water for your thirsty soul (John 4:14). He is the peace you crave (Isaiah 26:3) and the joy you seek (Psalm 16:11).

There were so many emotions present during Holy Week. Everyone involved was anxious, scared, and confused as they waited to see what would happen next. But, in the end, everyone was blessed beyond what they could imagine.

If Jesus hasn’t done what you’ve expected lately, will you trust Him anyway? Will you crucify your hesitation and seek Him anyway?

Will you choose to speak life over the things you’ve deemed as dead? Resurrection power runs in your veins too.

Will you walk through the process — no matter how dark — and trust God with the outcome?

Will you worship, even with wounded expectations, while you wait for the miracle you can’t see yet?

Resurrection isn’t an event of the past or a hope that is to come. Resurrection is with you right now. Today. Hope is here.

It’s the place you lead from.

The place you dream from.

The place you parent from.

It’s the place you pray from and the truth you rest in.

Will you welcome it this Easter?

PRAYER: Father, I praise You because resurrection isn’t what You do — it’s who You are. You are personal — You cry with those who cry. You are powerful — you conquered death so I can have life both now and forever. You are present — You are with me in all that I do and all that I face. You can do anything, and my eyes are on You. In Jesus’ name, amen.”

[Welcome Resurrection Devotional Day 7 of 7. Bible reading: John 11:1-44]