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*Post updated December 2022
In these last days before the Easter season officially begins, we draw ever nearer to the cross. Journey with us using daily devotionals we have prepared for you for Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and Easter Sunday!
These devotionals can be used for your private devotions, during a cool down or stretching session, with your family, and more! We invite you to share your reflections in the blog comments.
Table of Contents
Maundy Thursday
Read Luke 22:7-22
For many, the communion meal on Maundy Thursday is their final meal until Jesus’ resurrection on Easter Sunday. In Luke 22:14-16, Jesus tells the disciples, “ I eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God.”
Jesus eagerly desires to eat this meal with us before He suffers on our behalf. Will you accept His invitation?
Next, Jesus holds the bread, gives thanks, and breaks it. He says, “this is my body given for you, do this in remembrance of me” (Luke 22:19)
At this point, the disciples do not see the significance of Jesus’ command. It is nothing new to break bread with Jesus on Passover, or at any meal for that matter. But, as Jesus is arrested hours later and brought in front of Pilate, a Roman governor, the disciples must recall Jesus’ words.
Jesus is mocked. This is my body given for you.
Jesus is given false witness. This is my body given for you.
Jesus is falsely accused. This is my body given for you.
We scream, “Crucify him! Crucify him!” This is my body given for you.
Jesus is beaten. This is my body given for you.
Jesus painfully drags his own cross. This is my body given for you.
Jesus feels forsaken. This is my body given for you.
Jesus dies on the cross. Do this in remembrance of me.
Then, Jesus says, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.”
We are reminded that this is the Passover feast. We imagine that Jesus and his disciples just retold the Exodus story. They recount God’s promise of redeeming the Israelites and claiming them as His own people.
As Jesus lifts the cup, He says His blood is the new covenant. Jesus is the lamb that is slain, causing the Lord to pass judgment over our sins and wickedness. This changes everything.
Let us eat the bread of His suffering and drink the wine of the new covenant. He is mighty to save.
Pray this prayer aloud. Then sit with the Father and journal about the following questions.
Almighty Father, whose dear Son, on the night before he suffered, instituted the Sacrament of his Body and Blood: Mercifully grant that we may receive it thankfully in remembrance of Jesus Christ our Lord, who in these holy mysteries gives us a pledge of eternal life; and who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Collect for Maundy Thursday, Book of Common Prayer)
-How has the Lord moved you in this devotional?
-As you read Luke 22:7-22, what stuck out to you? Why?
-How do you respond to Jesus’ invitation to eat the bread and drink the wine?
In the comments below, share the word, image, or idea that stuck out to you in Luke 22:7-22. What is Jesus teaching you?
Good Friday
“Good Friday is here. To see where your victory was forever won, run to the cross. Run as fast as you can to see Christ your Savior, hanging there, marred by blood and ruin, bearing the weight of the sins of the world, yours included.
Watch as He loves you, hands stretched wide, until the very end. He did this for you, beloved. Run and see what was given for you, the Love that saved you, that washed away your stains. Feel the weight of it, and worship.” ( Written by Claire Urig)
“But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.” -Isaiah 53:5
If you struggle with how to run to Him and feel the weight of this day, fall on your knees and pray this prayer aloud:
Most merciful God, I confess that I have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what I have done, and by what I have left undone. I have not loved you with my whole heart; I have not loved my neighbor as myself. I am truly sorry and I humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on me and forgive me; that I may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Name. Amen. (BCP, 320)
We invite you to sit with the Father and journal through this prayer using the questions below:
-As you prayed this prayer, did the Spirit highlight any sin in your life? Is this a sin of thought, word, or deed?
-Praise! You are forgiven! How is the Lord calling you out of this sin? How is he calling you to walk in His ways?
In the comments below, share how God is calling you to walk in His ways. How do you draw near to the Lord in your weakness?
Holy Saturday
“Without the tomb, none of us is rescued. Without the tomb, the story is incomplete and worthless. Without the tomb, there is no place or reason for resurrection. Life doesn’t end at the tomb or even inside the tomb. The tomb is the pinnacle of the most unlikely of fantasy stories—a man who returns from the dead because he wants children to know that they are worth dying for and, even more, worth defeating death. The tomb is a gift that breaks our hearts open wide enough that only the resurrection can heal them.”
-Tammy Perlmutter.
Let hope arise.
Let hearts break open wide.
Sunday’s coming.
Today is an uncomfortable day — we wait between the sorrow of the tomb and the joy of the resurrection. It is a day to get very still before the Lord and feel hope arise amidst the sorrow.
But how can we get still when there is so much to do?
Here are three ideas:
1. Pray. Pick three times today when you will stop and pray for five minutes. Pray for those who are suffering and those who do not know Christ.
2. Peace. What is a peaceful activity you can do today? Is it a Be Still & Be Loved Podcast, a walk in the park, or maybe quiet playtime with your kids? Make time for peace today and allow your mind to meditate on Jesus.
3. Prepare. Starting from a foundation of prayer and peace, prepare for your Easter celebration tomorrow. What do you like to cook for Easter? What are your Easter traditions? How do you feast in this season? Get your family and friends involved!
In the comments below, tell us how you practice prayer, peace, and preparation today! What do you do to anticipate the Risen Lord?
Easter Sunday
“Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen!” – Luke 24:5
On this Easter day, we encourage you to gather with your friends and family and read Luke 24 aloud. Ask everyone to close their eyes and imagine each scene from the chapter.
Imagine the weeping women walking to the tomb of their Jesus carrying burial spices. Imagine their reaction when they see the stone rolled away from the tomb and two gleaming men standing beside them. Allow yourself to feel their joy and confusion upon hearing that their Jesus is alive and will meet them in Galilee.
Allow the Word of God to invite you into the nearness of Christ in the resurrection and ascension. Rejoice and celebrate with the King because He is RISEN!
Gabrielle Wenos works for Revelation Wellness as the Content Manager. Revelation Wellness has challenged her to move from workout obsession to workout joy. She is learning more and more every day about her original design.
Move with Us
Michele's Gentle Flow: Drawing Near
Take 10 minutes to center in and sink down. Your inner and outer strength will make peace with one another in the 10-minute flexibility and mind-centering workout. (ALL LEVELS) (ISAIAH 55:3; YOGA MAT & STRAP)
Did you know the Easter season is the Christian’s biggest celebration of the year? The day Jesus, the Lamb of God, rose from the grave is the day the changed the entire history and future of the world. The resurrection of Jesus is the event our faith hinges upon!
So, if Easter is so central to our faith, how do we celebrate it? And how does Lent fit in?
Learn about Lent and Easter and their traditions, read devotionals, and find other resources to help you deepen your faith through these seasons!
37 Responses
The last supper holds the miracle of his teaching. He would soon the ultimate sacrifice for my sins. i will honor the taking of the bread and the cup, without it, without the ultimate sacrifice, i would be nothing, mean nothing. he saved us all
Thank you for sharing, Dinah! He is our Savior and our King. Praise!
PARALLEL
I find myself relating to simon peter. Im with the lord every morning and then as i go out into my day and into the world i find myself acting as if i don’t know him or haVeN’t been with him at all.
Im just needing to never never forget 1 moment what he did for Me… us as he suffered a terrible death for my sins.
Forgive me lord….
Thank you for sharing, Stacy. I also relate to Simon Peter. Thankfully Jesus knows we easily forget and He gives us ways to remember and imitate Him with our whole body, heart, and mind.
The preparation of the Lord’s Table & crucifixion is so personal…for me, for me. I share in This. I’m part of this amazing kingdom. Help me, Lord to rep, Steward and serve well.
Thank you for sharing, Sarah! I’m also thankful God asks us to participate in His kingdom through Christ.
What stuck out to me wAs when jesus says that he has Earnestly desired” yo share the meal with His disciples. It sparked curisosity… did he earnestly desire to be the SACRIFICE? To save us? To communion and fellowship? To spend those last moments with his disciples jn the ways that they have? Sweet relationship rather than the turmoil and Rejection to come in the final days? To offer the gift of his body and blood? To bring revelation of prophecies from years past? I imagine there to be mUch anticipation! And Yet He adds “I earnestly desire to eat this passpver with you.” You. A personal invitation to dine at the table. To fellowship. To remember. To be with. To receive. To reflect. To rejoice. To sit in. To aBide In and with…
my prayer Is that i would experience that same anticipation… and also in the moment, deep desire to be with our LoRd and savior- deep desire and lust to dine with him in remeMbrance and in anticiption of what’s to come… thank you Lord.
Thank you Anne for those questions! I wonder about those things also. I’m so thankful that we can engage God’s Word through questions and our imagination.
What came to me is an image of an arc over my head with Jesus blood on it Just like the blood spread on the door frame for the passover. just like the angel of death passed over the household, satan has passed over me. he has no claim on me in life or death. jesus blood covers me, cleanses me, i am free.
That is such a beautiful image, Sandra. Thank you for sharing!
How beautifully written! What stands out to me is the “for YOU”. He eagerly desires each of our souls. If you were the only person on earth he still would have died and rose again for you. I weep with joy when I think of this, how much love he freely gives each of us!
Thank you, Marla! Yes, He desires to eat with us and He redeems everything — all of creation– back for Himself! He is a good, good Father!
I see words and then a rumbling inside of me coaXing me further. Its the Holy Spirit warming me up to look deeper and see jesus with his outstretched hand, yearning to have me join him. Thats what i see. I dont want to miss any opPOrtunity . I know none of wants to miss a moment. I pray that our senses are on the ready!
What a prayer ,Julie! It is my prayer also that all our senses are ready to experience Jesus in this Holy Week.
I am so thankful for these comments. I was so stuck then I read Sandra’s and it was just like a light bulb for me! Thanks for sharing!!!!
Yes Amber! These comments are wonderful to help you ignite your holy imagination! Thank you for sharing!
This is so beautifully written! without his blood on the cross we are nothing. he bore our pain on the cross. the suffering we have here on earth is nothing compared to how he suffered.
Thank you, Amy! Jesus’ death on the cross and Resurrection changes everything!
I went to my first Maundy Thursday service this evening. We took the Lord’s supper in small groups in front while kneeling. AS each row went forward and took the bread and the cup, there was music playing and time to ponder. Before we began, the pastor said that during the feeding of the 5.000 and during the lord’s supper, four things occurred: He took (the bread), he blessed, he broke, he gave. Our pastor said that is also true for us. God took us to be His own, He blessed us, He allows us to be broken, and He gives us to the world. I thought about that the entire service along with the section above that states for each thing that happened to jesus followed by “This is my body given for you”.. Thank you jesus!
Oh I am so glad you could attend a Maundy Thursday service. This is the climax of the Christian year. I’m thankful this devotional helped you meditate on Jesus’ suffering.
GrEater love have no man then to lay down his lIfe for a friend, there is no one ever rhat would die for me and for My Sins, Thank you Jesusz
Yes, thank you Jesus!
He lifted up a thanks. Gave thanks to the father. Offered a sacrifice of thankgiving. He Gave thanks for the bread. I offer a thanks for your living word flesh. He Gave thanks for the cup of wine. I offer thanks for the spirit of the new wine, flowing down ratified. Poured out. I will remember to give thanks for you JEsus. I will remember and follow your way. To give thanks in all thinkgs. All. Things. All.
That is beautiful, Rachael. He initiates and we give thanks. How beautiful.
WHen thinking about how God is calljng me to walk in his ways ThE quoTe “God is in thE pots” came to mind. At first i didn’t understand thIs quOte but now i undersRand it to mean that God calls me to walk with Him in EVERYTHING I do. By giving him glory, bY praisIng Him, even when I’m doing something i don’t really want to or don’t enjoy – I am walking in His ways. By opening my eyes and recognizing all of the opportunities He gives me each day to share His love with otherS – I am walking in His ways. May I never forget the sAcrifice Jesus made for me and may I never foget that “God is in the Pots”.
Yes, Cheryl! God calls us to obedience in everything. He is Lord of ALL!
Thank YOU FOR THE AUTHOR’S THOUGHT PROVOKING WORDS. THANK YOU TO ALL THE POSTERS FOR YOUR INSPIRING COMMENTS. cHRIST’S PEACE AND eASTER BLESSINGS TO YOU ALL.
Thank you for reading along, Lynn! Easter blessings to you also. Sunday is coming!
Thanks for sharing gabby! Loved SEEIng your beautiful picture too! You may not remember me, but we worked out together in the circuit training class at retreat. God is so good! We serve a risen savior! He didn’t stay in that tomb! Praise him that he went in and came out for us! Oh glorious day!!!
He is risen indeed! Alleluia! Oh thank you, Barb! I’m grateful this devotional blessed you! I do remember you from retreat! 🙂
What stood out in scripture was that Peter HEARD jesus, but he didnt listen. He listened to respond—which is only hearing. I pray i learn the difference.
Amen! That is a great insight. Praying with you Diane.
The story of the laSt supper reminds me of his incredible, unselfish sacRifice for us. I need to pull that Always to thE front of my mind during commUnion. It’s easy to go through the motions without feeling its importance.
Yes! We have so much to meditate on in the Eucharist and this is a great place to start! Thanks for sharing 🙂
This is a powerful reminder that Jesus is better; the perfect sacrifice. I am humbled and in amazement that he would do that for me. It changes EVERYTHING.
Amen! He is amazing. It never gets old to meditate on His goodness.