April 2

Mark 15

After Jesus is crucified, Joseph of Arimathea buried Him in Joseph’s own tomb.

INSIGHT

Most of us have a highly developed sense of justice. We want things to be fair, and we are incensed when they are not. From simple things like people cutting in line ahead of us to major things like prejudice and bigotry, we are angered when we see or experience injustice. With that in mind, review what happens to Jesus. Though He is totally righteous and without sin, religious bigots manufacture charges against Him and take Him to a legal jellyfish who doesn’t have the courage to execute justice. Then He is beaten, mocked, and crucified. Doesn’t that inflame your sense of justice? He has the power to obliterate those who harm Him; yet He willingly endures it for us.

PRAYER

Thank the Lord and praise Him for the “great and awesome” things He has done in offering you salvation:
Who is like You, O Lord, among the gods?
Who is like You, glorious in holiness,
Fearful in praises, doing wonders? (Exodus 15:11).
Therefore You are great, O Lord God.
For there is none like You,
nor is there any God besides You,
according to all that we have heard with our ears (2 Samuel 7:22).

Pause for personal praise and thanksgiving.

Pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
Of the Rock who begot me,
I am unmindful,
And have forgotten the God who fathered me (based on Deuteronomy 32:18).

Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind.

Now pause to pray this affirmation to the Lord:
He who has My commandments and keeps them,
it is he who loves Me.
And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father,
and I will love him and manifest Myself to him (John 14:21).

As you make your requests known to the Lord, pray for:

• Greater love for fellow Christians
• The work of missions in Asia
• Your activities for the day
• Whatever else is on your heart

Finally, offer this closing prayer to the Lord:
Let the words of my mouth and the
meditation of my heart
Be acceptable in Your sight,
O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer (Psalm 19:14).