Read Luke 19:28-44; 23:18-23

This week we are at a crossroads: we’ve shouted the “Hosannas” of Palm Sunday, but we know that the “Crucify” of Good Friday is only days away. Praise and palms will give way to pain and passion. This story of our Lord Jesus in this Holy Week invites us to admit the twistedness of our hearts, the fickleness of our decisions, and our tendency to go unthinkingly along with the loudest crowd.

You and I were not there to shout ‘Hosanna,’ and we were not there to shout ‘crucify,’ but we carry both shouts in our hearts. Hosannas ring loud and clear when we proclaim the good news, selflessly care for the poor and the widow, when we forgive, and when we helplessly place ourselves in God’s care. We shout ‘crucify’ in our sin, cowardice, oppression, and our attempts to mold God into our own image.

Thank God that Jesus did not choose between the two crowds, casting lots for precisely whom he would or wouldn’t carry the cross, pour out his blood and empty himself. He doesn’t choose between praise or pain—he receives both. He doesn’t choose between the procession of palms or the passion of the cross—he makes both journeys. God so loved the whole world, and in this act of Jesus, love finds its purest embodiment. Jesus embodies the love of God so that you and I could see it more clearly. We are loved more than we can imagine.

• Our question today is this—which shout will rise louder from our lives on this day?

As we learn about the Passover in the book of Exodus on Sunday, this week we will walk through the final week of Jesus’ life on earth as He prepared to be our Passover Lamb.

Read John 12: 1-26

• Has there been a time in your life where you’ve sacrificed for Jesus in a way that others thought was extravagant?

I think of the sacrifices in my life being like “little deaths.” I read once that the soil is full of death—it has to be in order to bring good life out. It’s such a paradox, how death actually allows for good life to come forth.

• Looking back, what are some of the hard things, pain, sacrifices, suffering that has happened to you as you’ve followed Jesus?
• Spend some time praying right now asking Him to show you how He has brought life from those past sacrifices.
• And ask Him to give you courage to follow Him going forward from today.

Ahhh, a Sunday to Sabbath and rest with the Father. Rest.

Hi! My name is Marty McGinn. My wife Corey and I have been married for almost 20 years. We are parents to three teenagers and a ten-year-old. We are part of the North by Northwest Home Group led by Dale and Cathy Shreve. I spend most days preparing lessons and teaching students math. In my free time I enjoy reading, running, and playing music. After writing this devotional, I recognize that I desperately need to spend more time praying.

Read Ephesians 6:10-24

Paul wrote this letter from prison. Perhaps he was even chained to a Roman soldier. No doubt he saw firsthand the protective equipment they wore and the weapons they had. But Paul also recognized that the Roman soldier was not his enemy. Verse 12 states that people are not our enemies; Satan is our enemy. We are no match for Satan, but he is no match for Christ. Whether we recognize it or not, we are caught in the middle of a very real spiritual battle. Verse 16 implies that we are being shot at! We need to protect ourselves from the enemy using the armor God provides and the shield of faith. We can fight back with the Word of God and prayer. 2 Corinthians 10:4 states that our weapons are not carnal, but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds. Our strength does not come from our own resources; it comes from the Lord (verse 10). I’ve read to the end of the Book and I know who wins! (See Revelation 19-22.)

Paul did not ask others to pray for the removal of trials, but for boldness to speak and to stand for the gospel (verse 19). Would I pray the same way if I were in his shoes?

Here are some other questions to ponder:

• Do I recognize that I am in a spiritual battle?
• Do I prepare my mind each day as if I am going into a spiritual battle?
• Do I pray for others as if they are in a spiritual battle?

My name is Donna Ring. I came to Riverside via City Chapel when the two churches merged several years ago. This October I will have been in my house on the west side for 25 years! One of the blessings of living on this side of town is that I’m only 5-6 minutes away from The Beacon.

Read Ephesians 6:1-9

The theme of the Lenten studies is “Living like we are His people”.

• Notice the first word in verse one. What does that tell us? Reflect on this.

There are two parallels here of those who are subordinate and those who have authority: children/parents; slaves/masters.

• What do you observe about both? Note ways in which they are alike and ways they are different (compare and contrast).
• What qualities are to be exemplified?
• How are you to live like His person in your family relationships and in your job or situation in which you are under someone’s authority?

Children are His people, too. Pray for the Riverside children as they live like His people in such a mine-filled culture as the one we are in.

Read Ephesians 5:21-33

I have to tell you, after volunteering and first receiving this particular Scripture passage “assignment,” I mentally backed away, jokingly thinking, Whoa…thanks a lot! I am to write on these topics?! Sticky subjects in our current culture, even among Christian households! However, we can trust God’s Word! Our Father loves us and wants His best for us.

In these Scriptures, Paul outlines roles God designed for wives and husbands within marriage for a satisfying and joyful union. Apparently, two traits are needed most: submission and selflessness.

God begins His marital instruction with husbands and wives submitting to one another (Eph. 5:21). Why did our Father begin with submission between spouses? The answer lies in God’s intention for marriage.

Baker’s Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology provides an exciting explanation:

The purpose of marriage is to reflect the relationship of the Godhead and to serve Him. Although the fall has marred the divine purpose and function of marriage, this definition reflects the God-ordained ideal for marriage from the beginning.

Isn’t that beautiful? God intends marriage to reflect the Trinity’s relationships! Baker goes on:

In the Trinity the Father leads, the Son submits to the Father, and the Holy Spirit submits to both the Father and the Son. However, all three are fully and equally deity. Likewise, male and female in the marriage relationship are of the same nature and essence, equal as persons (Gal 3:28), intimate in relationship, common in purpose, but distinct personalities with different roles.

Ephesians 5:22-24 (NIV) reveals wives’ submission to husbands reflects Christ and the Church. A wife’s submission to her husband is a beautiful reflection of us as Believers surrendering to Jesus. I humbly submit (no pun intended) to wives some probing questions:

• Do I resist submitting? If so, what is the root cause?
• When I soften my heart to my husband in Jesus’ name, what are the results in our marriage and in my heart?

Moving on to husbands, why does God directly tell husbands to love their wives? Isn’t it natural for a husband to love his wife? But we all need role models, and what better role model for men to follow than Jesus Christ in His love for His bride? (see verses 25-27).

Please reread Eph. 5:28-29

Some direct questions for husbands:

• Am I loving my wife in a way she feels loved? (the book The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman could be a huge help)
• How am I following Christ’s example in loving her?

It’s not easy being vulnerable; submission and selflessness go against our human nature. However, when we operate according to God’s design, the rewards are rich and endless! Dear brothers and sisters, in our weakness He becomes strong! 2 Corinthians 12:9 encourages us in our aim to glorify God through reflecting the Trinity in our marriages:

But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me.

Long live God’s perfect design for the marriage relationship!

(Diedra Barrett, North by Northwest home group)

Greetings! My name is Cathy Shreve, and along with my husband Dale we lead the North by Northwest home group. Our sons are grown with families of their own. This year is bringing changes for me as I’ve recently retired from my full-time work position to a part-time focus on some projects. Dale and I have been part of Riverside from the start, and we remain excited about what God has in store for us as we continue to follow Him.

Continuing today in Ephesians we will read and reflect on Ephesians 5:1-20

Paul calls us to be imitators of God, walking in the way of sacrificial love. Verse 1 makes me think of 1 John 4:9, reminding me that love is an action.

• How is God calling you to move deeper into sacrificial love?
• Reflect on what it means to live as children of the light. Is there an area that you need to shine the light of God on in your life, your family, or your school/workplace?

Spend a few minutes thanking God for his love, and for those who have encouraged you in your journey. Ask God if there is someone who needs you to encourage them today with a call, text or visit.