March 31, 2026

Earthly reasoning pulls at us. Often spoken from seats of great influence, that reasoning can sound rational. Until we hold it up against the light of the Word. If it isn’t biblical, if it cannot withstand biblical scrutiny, if you know you wouldn’t think it or condone it in front of God, reject it. Walk away. Refuse those pretty words. Thirty pieces of silver looked attractive and profitable to Judas. They brought death. When you use God’s Word as your source of logic and law, expect pushback.

This week we are following Jesus’ walk toward Jerusalem with His disciples. He tells them what is about to happen, what He is going to have to endure. They believed Jesus was the Son of God. They’d been taught the Messiah would set the Israelites free. They could not accept He would die, let along imagine He could come up from the grave. Everything these men would see as the week progressed would challenge their faith. Peter would break his own heart by denying he even knew Jesus. Judas would play the role of villain and betrayer. The hope they had invested in this Messiah would feel pointless.

For us it’s a little different. Our faith is bolstered by 2000 years of guarding Jesus’ parables, miracles, and His healings. We have Bibles on all our devices and these stories have been told and retold for centuries. The obstacles we face aren’t closed churches and burned Bibles. We face a media and universities that teach our young people God is dead and His followers are irrational. Many believe this is true.

Father, We need You now. You warned us about everything that is happening in our culture today. Just as the Israelites refused to believe in You, just as time after time You forgave them and they rejected You again, we see history repeat itself. Help us stand strong. Let our love, our patience, all the character found in the fruits of the spirit, reverse the ridicule. Turning the other cheek, loving those who revile us is the pattern Jesus taught us. Thank you for that.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor, and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you this: Love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you. In this way you show that you are children of your Father in heaven. He makes his sun rise on people whether they are good or evil. He lets rain fall on them whether they are just or unjust. ... Matthew 5:43-48