One of the First things that seems to get challenged when we are going through difficulty or suffering is the confidence of our standing with God. Jesus declares, even in the unthinkable, His unshakable confidence in standing as God’s Son.

Can you begin this day declaring your confidence and strive to end the day still resting in His deep, deep love for you? Let not the challenges of the day shake this confidence.

Much like Jesus’ instructions in the Lords’ prayer, right standing with God requires the necessary and deep work of releasing the actions of others into God’s hands alone. Forgiving others is the gateway to God’s movement and blessing.

Are there hurts you currently carry that are waiting to be surrendered?
Consider asking God to give you strength to forgive.

Forgive.

It’s not only true that Jesus prayed that those mistreating Him would be released, He chose to carry a “new view”. “They know not what they do” is deeply generous! Jesus chooses to carry only the best view and expectation of the people persecuting Him.

How can I carry that kind of perspective today? Are there people that I carry a low view of? How can I practice a Jesus view of those around me today?

What a strange word! Do we see that even on the cross - Jesus was distinguishing between right and wrong, valuable and invaluable - priorities!

What is “truly” today? Truly important? Truly necessary? Truly eternal?

We live in a world of distractions. We are tempted to work for, fight for, and expend energy on things that endanger not only our relationship with God, but others as well. What is truly important today? How can you stay focused today on the eternal?

John 17:3 tells us that life, eternal life, is experiencing Jesus’ presence. Psalm 16:11 reminds us that real joy and purpose is found in experiencing God’s presence.

If His presence is my purpose, how can I experience that presence today? What can I do today to maximize presence? What kind of posture or practice should I carry into my day?

Heaven is real. Jesus promised in John 14:2-3 that His current mission is preparing a place for me. Jesus also told us that if our treasure, focus, hope is set on heaven - that is a hope that  NEVER disappoints! 

How is heaven hopeful to you today? How would you live differently today if your hope was set on our home ahead?

Again, what is striking on the cross is Jesus’ intense focus on others! Jesus shows that even in the most difficult and significant moment in history, he cares for us. He sees us!

In Matthew 10:29 Jesus clarifies that if His eye is on the sparrow, His eye is definitely on me!

When Jesus directs Mary to now turn her attention to John, Jesus is highlighting the new family that is birthed on the cross. The purpose of Jesus’ death and subsequent resurrection was the redemption of souls to The Father AND people to His church.

It’s not only that Mary has a family. It is that John has a blessed responsibility. Jesus is here, even on the cross, calling us to look around at the needs of others and take their needs on as our own.

As the NT would later clarify: “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2