TodayThis Year
From the Gospels

Luke 23:44-56

44 It was now about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour, 45 while the sun's light failed. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. 46 Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” And having said this he breathed his last. 47 Now when the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God, saying, “Certainly this man was innocent!” 48 And all the crowds that had assembled for this spectacle, when they saw what had taken place, returned home beating their breasts. 49 And all his acquaintances and the women who had followed him from Galilee stood at a distance watching these things.

50 Now there was a man named Joseph, from the Jewish town of Arimathea. He was a member of the council, a good and righteous man, 51 who had not consented to their decision and action; and he was looking for the kingdom of God. 52 This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. 53 Then he took it down and wrapped it in a linen shroud and laid him in a tomb cut in stone, where no one had ever yet been laid. 54 It was the day of Preparation, and the Sabbath was beginning. 55 The women who had come with him from Galilee followed and saw the tomb and how his body was laid. 56 Then they returned and prepared spices and ointments.On the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment.

Reflection

The Son of God has now given up his life (Luke 23:46), having faithfully accomplished the mission his Father had sent him to do. With the conclusion of Christ’s suffering, Luke once again emphasizes the innocence of Jesus (v. 47; cf. vv. 4, 14–15, 22, 41). He has lived a perfect life of obedience, even to the point of sacrificing his life for sinners on the cross (cf. Phil. 2:8). Because of Christ’s spotless obedience, those who trust in him are now forgiven and counted righteous in the sight of God (Rom. 5:18–19).

From the Epistles

1 Timothy 6:11-16

11 But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 13 I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who in his testimony before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, 14 to keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 which he will display at the proper time—he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 16 who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen.

Reflection

Paul begins his closing words to Timothy with an eloquent charge toward godliness. Timothy is to “pursue” the virtues that God calls for (1 Tim. 6:11). But this is not a godliness that disregards the gospel of grace. Rather, this godliness is considered a life of faith: “Fight the good fight of the faith” (v. 12). There can be no genuine gospel ministry without a life of godliness, which arises from the beauty of the gospel as we behold Christ and put our faith in him alone.

From the Psalms

Psalm 73:26

26 My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

Thoughts For Prayer

Pray that today you would find fresh strength for obedience and personal discipline by remembering the gospel of God’s grace for you in Christ.

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