Lent Day 34: You

Pause

Take a deep breath and focus your mind and heart on God, whether that means listening to music, singing, praying or whatever helps you give your Father your full attention.

Read & Journal

Read John 17:1-5, looking ahead to Jesus’ impassioned prayer in the garden before His arrest and crucifixion. Then, read 1 Corinthians 15:3-9. Meditate on what you’ve read:

• What do you learn about Jesus’ character from His prayer?

• What does Jesus’ prayer in John reveal about his mission or purpose ?

• How do you see Jesus entering into human brokenness in today’s passages?

• Mull over Paul’s concise presentation of the gospel in 1 Corinthians 15. Jesus came so that you could have a relationship with God, experience forgiveness of your sins and live eternally. Jesus came that you may know God (John 17:3). Write your response to this truth in your journal.

Ponder

As we close these 40 days of studying Jesus’ interactions with others during His earthly ministry, the focus now turns to His interactions with you. In the garden, knowing His arrest and crucifixion were near, Jesus prayed for those who would believe.

“This is the way to eternal life,” Jesus prayed, “to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth” (John 17:3 NLT). Jesus didn’t just come to keep us from hell; He came so that we could know Him and through Him, have a relationship with the Father.

You are beloved. Cherished. The very reason Jesus came. You long to be fully known and deeply loved, and Christ longs to show you both. In His love for you and me, He died for our sins. He was buried, and He was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures say (1 Cor. 15:4). Over and over again throughout your life and during this study, God has invited you into a deeper relationship with Him. He has drawn you closer to His side. He deeply loves you, and He has done all that is necessary to save and redeem you.

As we head into Holy Week, focus your mind and heart on Jesus. Take stock of specific interactions in your journey of faith that have taught you more about Jesus, His character, His purpose and mission. Thank Him for having compassion on you, for seeking you out like a shepherd seeking lost sheep. Praise Him that He has done all that is necessary for your salvation, and, today, choose to trust and believe Him again—even in the middle of all the broken things that litter your life.