Scripture Union Daily Guide 30 March 2024 Message
Scripture Union Daily Guide 30 March 2024, Friday Devotional Message
TOPIC: Borrowed Tomb
OPENING PRAYER: My dear heavenly Father, as I study your word, let it be a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.
TODAY’S SCRIPTURE: John 19:31-42
31 Therefore, because it was the Preparation Day, that the bodies should not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away.
32 Then the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and of the other who was crucified with Him.
33 But when they came to Jesus and saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs.
34 But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out.
35 And he who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true; and he knows that he is telling the truth, so that you may believe.
36 For these things were done that the Scripture should be fulfilled, “Not one of His bones shall be broken.”
37 And again another Scripture says, “They shall look on Him whom they pierced.”
38 After this, Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly, for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus; and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took the body of Jesus.
39 And Nicodemus, who at first came to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds.
40 Then they took the body of Jesus, and bound it in strips of linen with the spices, as the custom of the Jews is to bury.
41 Now in the place where He was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid.
42 So there they laid Jesus, because of the Jews’ Preparation Day, for the tomb was nearby.
Question(s) for Reflection
• Q 1: What does the passage teach about God the Father, or God the Son or God the Holy Spirit?
• Q7: What truth is God revealing to me in this passage?
Scripture Union Daily Guide 30 March 2024 MESSAGE
Observe the hypocrisy and ignorance of the Jewish religious leaders. They were preparing to celebrate a special Sabbath, but they crucified the Lord of the Sabbath. Why did they want Jesus’ legs broken (v.31)? Like the Jewish leaders, many of us today are also guilty of religious zeal with wrong motives or selfish interest. We promote denominational distinctions and practices at the expense of scriptural truth, not necessarily because we love the Lord, but mainly to protect some personal entitlements and interest or due to faulty understanding of what the Scripture really teaches on those practices.
What is the significance of vs.33-34? (Compare vs.36-37; Psalm 34:20; Zechariah 12:10). Two secret disciples openly identified with Jesus when the regular ones lacked the capacity to further His cause (vs.38-42). Their boldness in demanding for the body of Christ, for burial, is outstanding and worthy of emulation (vs.38-42).
Every one of us has something special to contribute to God’s kingdom and the accomplishment of His purpose in our generation. It could be something big or small. However, this may require courage to stand for Christ amid oppositions, or even when it is risky to do so.
Practice/Word Application
What next? What is the unique contribution you are sensing the Lord would want you to make to His work in your little corner? Take a bold step and start today!
• Any new insight or reinforcement of what you already know?
HYMN: BLESSÈD CALVARY
1. I look at the cross upon Calvary,
And oh, what a wonder divine,
To think of the wealth it holds for me—
The riches of Heaven are mine.
Refrain
Blessèd Calvary! Precious Calvary!
’Neath thy shadow I’ll ever abide.
Blessèd Calvary! Precious Calvary!
’Twas there Jesus suffered and died.
2. I find at the cross blessèd victory,
And grace for each step of my way.
The fount of God’s love is flowing free,
And sweeter it grows day by day.
3. The cross is my hope for eternity,
No merit have I of my own;
The shed blood of Christ my only plea—
My trust is in Jesus alone.
CLOSING PRAYER
Help me, Lord, to understand the times when my service is most needed and to respond accordingly and promptly.
Prayer for the week
• Pray for the Judiciary, that they will have the fear of God in their hearts, to uphold truth and justice. • Pray for those who have been wrongly judged. Pray that God will intervein on their matter, so that the truth around their cases will come out, and they will be set free
Offer a prayer of faith in line with 2 Samuel Chapter 22: 15 ‐ 20
One Year Bible Reading Plan
Daily Bible Reading Plan: Day 90 – Judges 3-5
NATIONAL PRAYER BULLETIN – Sat Mar 30, 2024
PRAYER FOCUS
SEEKING THE LOST SHEEP
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
Romans. 1:16
THANK GOD FOR:
• Finding us in His love when we were lost in sin heading for destruction.
PRAY FOR:
• Grace to heed to the call of God in preaching the gospel of our lord Jesus Christ.
• Passion for souls and desire to continually reach out to members who are veering off the faith for restoration.
PRAY AGAINST:
• Luke worm attitude toward proclaiming the gospel and through our lifestyles.
ALSO, READ: Daily Bible Verse for Today 30 March 2024, Saturday
