Within the creation account in Genesis chapters 1 and 2, God creates “the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1 NIV). After six days of creating, “the heavens and the earth were completed in all their vast array. By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work” (Genesis 2:1-2 NIV). John, the gospel writer, connects his account of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection with the creation story. He uses the same opening line, “In the beginning,” found in Genesis (John 1:1). The opening chapter of the Gospel According to John goes on to share that, “Through Jesus all things were made” (John 1:3 NIV). Similar to the seven days of creation, John shares seven signs within his gospel that reveal the divinity of Christ as the Son of God. After sharing the seven signs, John transitions into the final week of Jesus’ life that leads to the cross and the crucifixion of the Savior of the world.

 

According to John, as Jesus was dying upon the cross he said, “‘It is finished.’ With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit” (John 19:30 NIV). Perhaps John is pointing us to Jesus willfully giving “up his spirit” similar to the act of rest of his heavenly Father on the seventh day of creation after “God had finished the work he had been doing” (Genesis 2:2 NIV). John may also be pointing us to the fulfillment of the words Christ shared with his disciples earlier in his ministry when he stated, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work” (John 4:34 NIV). Jesus later explained God’s will by stating, “this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all those he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day” (John 6:38-40 NIV).

 

Within the Gospel According to John, the gospel writer is revealing to us that a new creation began after Christ willfully surrendered his life upon the cross. John wants us to know that we are living in the new days of creation made possible in and through the sacrifice of Jesus.

 

*For a full version of this Your Faith Journey devotional download the Worship Guide from the Avon UMC website: www.AvonUMC.com

 

You are invited to use the following prayer each day of Holy Week before you read scripture, then pray your own prayer after reading the Bible verses:

Father in heaven, you alone are worthy of praise.

May you be glorified in me, through your church, and throughout your creation.

I submit to your reign and rule, asking for your will to be done on earth as it’s done in heaven.

Please feed my mind and imagination with a clear vision of Jesus’ story from the written gospel accounts.

Give us, your people, the eyes to see the significance of what Christ has done for the world you love.

Forgive us for the ways we have sinned against you and wronged others.

Help us to forgive ourselves and those who have, or will, sin against us.

Lead us to faithfully follow Christ, as your grace enables us to overcome temptation.

May you rescue us from the evil one, just as faith in Jesus rescues us from death.

The resurrection and bright Morning Star are coming. Amen.

 

Read Jesus’ triumphal entry from Matthew 21:1-11, then lift up your own prayer to God.

 

Pray the “Father in heaven” prayer from above to focus your heart, mind, and soul on God.

 

Read Mark 11:12-26, the account of Jesus clearing the temple and teaching his disciples about faith, then share your own joys or concerns with the Lord in prayer.

 

Pray the “Father in heaven” prayer from above.

 

Read Luke 21:5-19, Jesus encouraging his followers that in spite of persecution or even suffering physical death, faith in him lead to eternal life, then lift up your own prayer to God.

 

Pray the “Father in heaven” prayer from above to focus your heart, mind, and soul on God.

 

Read Luke 21:25-36, Jesus teaching about when he will return to the earth, then pray in response to what you read.

 

Pray the “Father in heaven” prayer from above.

 

Read Matthew 26:17-30 and Mark 14:43-72 the accounts of the Last Supper, Jesus being betrayed by Judas, standing before the Sanhedrin, and Peter denying Christ. Then lift up your own prayer to God in response to what you read.

 

Pray the “Father in heaven” prayer from above to focus your heart, mind, and soul on God.

 

Slowly read John 18:28-19:16 imagining yourself as part of the crowd during the trial and death sentence of the King of the Jews.

 

Now slowly read through the account of the crucifixion, death, and burial of the Savior of the world in John 19:17-42 as you envision being there as an eye witness, then pray in response to what you read.

 

Consider spending a few moments sitting in a dark room in silence prayerfully reflecting upon Jesus’ final week and crucifixion.

 

 

*If you don’t have a Bible, consider downloading the YouVersion Bible App for free from the Apple App Store or Google Play for your smartphone or tablet. You can also use www.BibleGateway.com to look up and read various translations of Bible verses online on a computer.