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Jesus had been crucified three days earlier, and the disciples were living in fear of the same fate befalling them. They had hidden away, locking themselves in a room, and sealed themselves off from the outside world. Their rabbi had died, and along with him, their hope. It had to…
Following Jesus' crucifixion, his body was laid to rest in a cave outside the city walls. Fearing that Jesus' disciples might steal his body, the chief priests and Pharisees requested Pilate's help in securing the tomb. They placed a massive stone over the entrance and stationed guards to keep watch.…
Late at night, Jesus went with his disciples to the Garden of Gethsemane. “Sit here while I go over there and pray,” he told them. He took Peter, and James and John with him, adding, “I am deeply grieved, even to death; remain here, and stay awake with me.” Then,…
On the night before Jesus' death, the Gospel writers invite us into the upper room to witness the Last Supper. It is an event that has been depicted in famous works of art and literature for centuries, making the Last Supper a familiar reference for people of different cultures, even…
On Wednesday of Holy Week, we find Jesus in the village of Bethany at the home of Simon, the leper. The gospel writers relay a story of a woman and her extravagant response to Jesus as she pours expensive fragrant oil on Jesus’ head. Each of the writers gives specific…
It’s Tuesday. Jesus is drawing large crowds in Jerusalem and calling out the religious elite and their practices, making them feel increasingly threatened. While teaching around the temple courts, Jesus notices a poor widow in the Court of the Women. Against the wall of this court were 13 trumpet-shaped collection…
On the road from Bethany to Jerusalem, during his last week of earthly life, Jesus curses a fig tree. Did he do this because he was in a low emotional state and allowed himself to get mad? This tree had leaves, and though out of season, you could typically find…
During our Lenten devotional over the last 40 days, we have seen how Jesus has prepared himself for every difficult task ahead on his journey leading him to the Cross. Each step of the way he is obedient and relies on God to prepare him and give him the strength…
Jesus performed many miracles—miracles of healing, exorcisms, and resurrections. He provided moments of comfort and listening and experiences that exemplified what it meant to serve others with a loving heart. In Matthew 17, after the Transfiguration, Jesus performed a miracle by healing a demon-possessed boy. His disciples were unable to…
Jesus often retreated alone to pray, yet on one particular occasion, he invited Peter, James, and John with him up a high mountain. While praying, his face began to shine like the sun and his clothes became bright white. Then two visitors, Moses and Elijah, appeared and began talking with…
I’d like to share my testimony about the incredible difference that a supportive and encouraging community can make when you want to give up. From an early age, I felt that I didn't belong anywhere or with any group. I had experienced rejection and abandonment, and I felt like an…
As Seacoast’s Care Ministry Leader, I’ve learned that people have many different thoughts, methods, and expectations about prayer. Whether silently whispered or confidently declared out loud, prayer evokes different emotions for everyone. It’s personal, as well as communal…and powerful. “Therefore, confess your sins to each other and pray for each other…
As Jack wrote in his Ash Wednesday post, Lent is a time of testing and waiting. It’s also a time when we can actively pursue getting some spiritual exercise and prepare for Easter. But how do we prepare for Easter? The traditional weeks of Lent take us on a journey…
The familiar words come from the Book of Common Prayer, which in turn echoes God’s words to Adam in Genesis 3:19. When Adam and Eve are confronted by God for their rebellion, he tells Adam that because of his sin, the whole world will suffer. As for Adam, just as…
