Good Morning!
Let’s focus our day by spending some time with Jesus before it begins.
Pick a song from one of our Spotify Playlists and let it play in the background.
ENTER. Write down or say out loud 3-5 things you’re thankful for from the last 24 hours.
FOCUS. Slowly breathe in… and out. Pray, Jesus, I surrender to you today and trust in you.
READ. Our Scripture Focus is 2 Chronicles 7:13-14. Try memorizing it during this study!
Today’s reading is from Matthew 27:62-66, Luke 23:54-56 & Isaiah 53:8-12
ASK. After reading, ask the following SOS Questions & journal your thoughts.
S = Say. What does it say? What is the main point? What does it teach you about God (Jesus) & yourself?
O = Obey. What can I obey? What can you apply (practice) from this passage today?
S = Share. What truth can I share? Who can you share what you’re learning with today?
THINK. A Thought from Bill Gaultiere (from Soul Shepherding)
On Holy Saturday Jesus is dead. His body is in a tomb: limp, cold, lifeless. The Messiah didn’t deliver Israel. He didn’t finish his job of setting the common people free from oppressive Roman tyranny or legalistic Jewish religion. Nothing makes sense. There will be no more of Jesus’ witty stories, teachable moments with his disciples, playing with children, standing up against oppressors to protect the poor and powerless, or amazing miracles. The Messiah is gone. Hope is gone. Sometimes we all feel that our hopes have been dashed. But death cannot hold him! Jesus is the Righteous One and Satan can’t hold him or anyone who puts their confidence in Jesus (Acts 2:24). Jesus holds the keys of death and hell (Rev. 1:18). With the precious blood of Christ, the Lamb of God, God paid the ransom to deliver us from sin, death, and hell (1 Peter 1:18-19). We may fear dying, even going to hell. But Jesus Christ has empathy for us — we’re not alone in death! — because the Lord went into the dark void ahead of us and then resurrected! His eternal light-life shines for you even in death. He comes riding on the clouds to embrace you and escort you into heaven. Sin, death, and hell could not hold the righteous Christ (Messiah in Hebrew) and so they cannot hold you when you put your trust in the mercy of God through him. Jesus Christ’s promise for us is that “anyone who keeps my word will never see death” (John 8:51). In other words, as a disciple of Jesus when you die physically you won’t experience death —you won’t even know that you “died” until later!
PRAY. Jesus, on Holy Saturday we can wait in the dark with hope because we know your resurrection is coming! Even in the darkest times, the light of your hope rises. Help us to see you in areas of our lives where we may feel like hope is gone because your promises are sure and true. We know that in you we have nothing to fear because you have conquered death! Amen.
WORSHIP. Make plans & invite a friend to join us for Easter Services at Paradox on Sunday at 9 & 11am.
TALK. That was our take on today’s reading - what’s yours? Share thoughts and ask questions in the forum.
SHARE. Stay focused with a friend! Invite them to text “FOCUS” to (586) 200-6277.

Stay focused on Jesus today, and make it a great one!