Day 34 — Father, Forgive Them

This is the final week. “Heavenly Father, thank you for what you have shown us thus far, as we move further into the story of the death, burial, and resurrection of Your Son Jesus Christ, help us to lean fully into the the weight of the burden He took upon Himself so we may know you, and be known by You, and that we may walk in the power of the resurrection. Amen.”

Read:
Luke 23:32–34 

As Jesus is led to the place of execution, He is crucified between two criminals. Nails are driven through His hands and feet. The cross is raised, and His suffering becomes public. It is in this moment—at the height of physical agony and humiliation—that Jesus speaks words almost beyond comprehension: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.”

These words reveal the heart of Christ. Even as His body is torn and His breath labored, His concern is not for Himself but for those who are harming Him. He does not curse His executioners or call down judgment. He intercedes for them.

Jesus’ prayer exposes the depth of human blindness. “They do not know what they do.” This does not excuse guilt, but it explains the tragedy of sin. Humanity, in its rebellion, crucifies the Son of God, unaware of the full weight of its actions. And yet, even in this ignorance, grace is offered.

This prayer also reveals the nature of forgiveness. Forgiveness does not wait for repentance or understanding—it flows from love. Jesus prays for forgiveness even before it is asked for. The cross becomes the place where mercy and justice meet.

These words are not only for the soldiers. They echo across history. Every sin that nailed Jesus to the cross is met with the same intercession. Forgiveness is offered because Christ stands between sinners and the judgment they deserve.

This passage also challenges us. Forgiveness is difficult when we are wounded. It feels impossible when pain is fresh and injustice is real. Yet Jesus shows us that forgiveness is not rooted in fairness—it is rooted in grace.

Pray:
Thank Jesus for praying forgiveness on your behalf. Confess your need for the mercy He offers. Ask God to give you a heart that reflects Christ’s forgiveness, even in situations where it is difficult or costly.

Day 35 — It Is Finished

Read:
John 19:28-30 

After hours of suffering, darkness, and agony, Jesus utters three words that change everything: “It is finished.” This is not a cry of defeat. It is a declaration of completion. The work He was sent to do has been accomplished fully and perfectly.

The word (Tetelestai) Jesus uses carries the meaning of something brought to its intended end, a debt paid in full. Nothing remains undone. No additional sacrifice is needed. No further payment is required. Salvation has been secured.

This moment marks the fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan. Every prophecy pointing forward, every sacrifice offered under the old covenant, and every promise made finds its completion here. The cross is not a tragic interruption in history—it is the centerpiece of God’s saving work.

“It is finished” also speaks to our tendency to add to what Christ has done. We often live as though forgiveness must be earned or maintained by our performance. But Jesus’ declaration leaves no room for supplementation. Grace cannot be improved upon. Redemption cannot be enhanced.

At the same time, these words call us to rest. The striving to be accepted by God ends at the cross. Faith begins where self-effort ends. To believe in Christ is to trust fully in His finished work.

Jesus bows His head and gives up His spirit. Even in death, He remains in control. His life is not taken from Him—He lays it down.

Pray:
Thank Jesus for completing the work of salvation on your behalf. Ask God to help you rest in Christ’s finished work rather than striving to earn His favor. Praise Him for the grace that is sufficient and complete.

Day 36 — The Veil Torn

Read:
Matthew 27:50–53 

As Jesus cries out once more and yields up His spirit, something extraordinary happens. Matthew tells us that “the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.” This is not a footnote to the crucifixion—it is a divine announcement.

The veil was a massive curtain that separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place in the temple. Behind it was the symbolic dwelling place of God’s presence. Only the high priest could enter, and only once a year, and only with blood. The veil stood as a constant reminder that sin separates humanity from a holy God.

When Jesus dies, that barrier is torn apart. And it is torn from top to bottom—not bottom to top—signifying that this act is accomplished by God, not man. God Himself removes the separation. Access is no longer restricted. The way has been made.

This moment declares that the sacrificial system has reached its fulfillment. No more offerings are needed. No more mediators are required. The perfect sacrifice has been made, and direct access to God is now granted through Christ.

The tearing of the veil also reveals the seriousness of sin and the greatness of grace. The barrier was not removed because sin became insignificant, but because it was fully dealt with. Jesus absorbed the judgment sin deserved so that fellowship with God could be restored.

For the believer, this truth reshapes prayer, worship, and daily life. We no longer approach God from a distance or in fear. We come boldly—not because we are worthy, but because Christ is. The cross transforms how we relate to God, not as distant subjects, but as reconciled children.

Pray:
Thank God for opening the way into His presence through the sacrifice of Jesus. Praise Him for removing the barrier your sin created. Ask Him to help you live with confidence and humility, drawing near to Him through Christ.

Day 37 — The Burial

Read:
John 19:38–42 

After Jesus’ death, the noise fades. The crowds disperse. The sky grows quiet. What follows is not victory celebrated, but a body laid in a tomb. Joseph of Arimathea, a secret disciple of Jesus, comes forward to request His body. Along with Nicodemus, he prepares Jesus for burial, wrapping Him in linen and spices, and placing Him in a new tomb.

This moment is marked by courage and devotion. Joseph and Nicodemus had previously followed Jesus quietly, afraid of the consequences. Now, when association with Jesus offers no apparent benefit and only risk, they step forward publicly. Faith often reveals itself most clearly when hope seems gone.

The burial of Jesus confirms the reality of His death. This is not illusion or symbolism. The Son of God truly died. His body is handled, wrapped, and laid to rest. The weight of loss is real. For the disciples, this must have felt like the end. Dreams are buried along with the body. Silence replaces expectation.

Yet even here, God is at work. The tomb is not a place of defeat—it is a place of preparation. What appears final is only temporary. The Sabbath approaches, and all is still. But the story is not finished.

This day reminds us that waiting is often part of faith. There are seasons when God seems silent, when prayers appear unanswered, and when hope feels buried. The burial of Jesus teaches us that God’s purposes do not cease in the dark. He is working even when we cannot see it.

Faith trusts not only in God’s power, but in His timing.

Pray:
Thank God for faithful servants who honored Jesus even when hope seemed lost. Bring before Him any areas of waiting or silence in your life. Ask Him for trust and patience, believing that He is still at work even when the outcome is unseen.

Day 38 — The Empty Tomb

Read:
Luke 24:1–7 

Early on the first day of the week, the women come to the tomb carrying spices. Their actions reveal their expectations. They come to tend a body, not to celebrate a resurrection. Though Jesus had spoken plainly about rising again, grief and sorrow have clouded their hope. Death, as far as they know, has won.

But when they arrive, everything is different. The stone has been rolled away. The body is gone. The tomb is empty.

As confusion and fear set in, two men in shining garments appear and speak words that reorient everything: “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen!” These words are not merely informational—they are corrective. The women are looking for life in the wrong place.

The resurrection of Jesus is not symbolic or metaphorical. It is bodily, historical, and real. The empty tomb declares that sin has been defeated, death has been conquered, and the power of the grave has been broken. What the cross accomplished, the resurrection confirms.

The angels remind the women of Jesus’ words. Resurrection faith is anchored in remembrance. God’s promises were never abandoned—only temporarily overshadowed by sorrow. What seemed like the end was always part of a greater plan.

This moment transforms despair into hope. The same Jesus who suffered, died, and was buried now lives. And because He lives, everything changes. Forgiveness is secured. New life is possible. Eternal hope is certain.

The empty tomb also challenges us personally. Where do we look for life? Where do we seek hope, meaning, or security? Resurrection life is found only in Christ.

Pray:
Praise God for the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Thank Him that death does not have the final word. Ask Him to help you live in the hope and power of the risen Savior, trusting His promises even when circumstances seem dark.

Day 39 — Peace Be With You

Read:
John 20:19–23 

On the evening of the resurrection, the disciples are gathered behind locked doors. Fear still grips them. Though the tomb is empty, their hearts are not yet free. They are afraid of the authorities, uncertain of what comes next, and unsure how the resurrection changes their reality.

Into that locked room, Jesus comes and stands among them. The doors remain closed, yet His presence is undeniable. His first words to them are not rebuke or correction, but blessing: “Peace be with you.”

This peace is not a denial of danger. The world outside remains hostile. The threats are real. Yet Jesus offers a peace that is not dependent on circumstances. It is the peace that flows from reconciliation with God and victory over death.

Jesus then shows them His hands and His side. The wounds remain. Resurrection does not erase suffering—it redeems it. The marks of the cross are not signs of defeat, but of love accomplished and victory secured. Seeing these wounds, the disciples rejoice. Fear gives way to joy because they see that the One who was crucified now lives.

This moment teaches us that peace is found in the presence of Christ. Locked doors cannot keep Him out. Fear cannot override His promise. When Jesus is present, peace follows—not because life is easy, but because sin has been defeated and death has been conquered.

For believers today, this peace remains available. Christ still comes to fearful hearts and speaks the same words. Peace does not come from control or certainty, but from communion with the risen Lord.

Pray:
Thank Jesus for the peace He offers through His resurrection. Bring before Him any fears or uncertainties that weigh on your heart. Ask Him to help you rest in His presence and trust in the victory He has already secured.

Day 40 — My Lord and My God

Read:
John 20:24–29 

Thomas was not with the other disciples when Jesus first appeared to them. When they tell him they have seen the Lord, he responds with skepticism. He wants proof—visible, tangible evidence. “Unless I see… I will not believe.” Thomas’ doubt is not casual curiosity; it is deeply personal. He has lost hope once, and he is afraid to trust again.

Eight days later, Jesus appears again. This time, Thomas is present. Jesus does not shame him or dismiss his doubts. Instead, He meets Thomas exactly where he is. He invites him to see the wounds, to touch the gash in His side, and to confront the reality of the resurrection firsthand.

Thomas’ response is immediate and profound: “My Lord and my God!” This is not merely acknowledgment—it is worship. In this moment, Thomas moves from doubt to devotion. He does not simply believe that Jesus is alive; he confesses who Jesus truly is. Lord. God.

Jesus affirms Thomas’ belief, but He also looks beyond him: “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” This blessing extends to every believer who would come to faith through the testimony of Scripture. Faith does not require physical sight—it rests on the trustworthy witness of the risen Christ.

This final day brings us to a question we must each answer: Who do you say that Jesus is? Not merely in doctrine, but in devotion. Not only in profession, but in practice. Is He only a historical figure, a teacher, or an example? Or is He your Lord and your God is to be followed daily?

The resurrection calls for more than agreement—it calls for surrender. True faith leads to worship, obedience, and trust. The journey that began with promise and blood now ends with confession and life.

Pray:
Confess Jesus as your Lord and your God. Thank Him for meeting you with grace, even in moments of doubt. Ask Him to strengthen your faith and to help you live in daily worship and obedience to the risen Christ.

I hope and pray that you have been immensely blessed over the last 40 days. I hope that by spending intentional time in the Word of God, in meditation, and in prayer that your relationship with Jesus Christ has grown. I encourage you to continue in daily bible reading and prayer, continuing to know God, to increase in your faith in Him, and to be known by Him.  - Pastor Barbo