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2 1 – D AY P R AY E R A N D F A S T I N G J O U R N A L

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21-DAY FAST JOURNAL

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 Over the course of the next 21 days, we’d like to invite you to
go deeper in your relationship with God through the practice
of fasting.

By definition, fasting is, “the sacrificing of food for a spiritual

goal or vision.” The reason for the fast could be the healing of a
sick loved one or the breaking of a life-long stronghold. The vision
could be divine direction for a key decision or commitment. But
the overall goal of a fast should always be to spend more time
with Jesus, to grow closer in your relationship with Jesus, and to
become more like Jesus!

Fasting has the power to elevate your prayers and enable you
to experience the fullness of what God has for you. The examples
are clear throughout God’s Word, but many people tend to view
fasting as a spiritual exercise for a select few super Christians.
But Jesus invites and assumes that everyone who follows Him
will fast. During His Sermon on the Mount, He even goes so far to
say, “when you fast” not “if you fast” (Matthew 6:16 NKJV). Why?
Because it shifts our perspective from ourselves to the Lord and
( N K J V )

draws us into a deeper reliance on and relationship with Him.

Fasting is truly a game changer for the believer, and I believe as
we ramp up to Easter He’s calling us to fast as a church in order to
drown out the distractions of the world around us and focus more
fully on Him.

At the end of this journey, as you come back to your normal

routine of eating or browsing social media, I hope that as a result
4 : 3 4

of your time with the Lord and your dedicated prayers, you will be
able to answer the question, “Who am I now?” with the deepest
conviction, “I am more like Jesus!”
J O H N

Doug Sauder
Lead Pastor

B E F O R E YO U B E G I N
YO U R FA S T
“You will seek me and find
me when you seek me with
all your heart.”
—Jeremiah 29:13 (NIV)
We’re so excited to spend the next three
weeks intentionally fasting and praying as a
church family together. There’s something
truly powerful that happens when we come to
God in unity with repentant, expectant, and
humble hearts. We’re eager to hear of the
miracles He’s going to do in your life, in our
cities, and around the world.
S O , W H AT I S T H I S FA S T I N G T H I N G
EVEN ALL ABOUT?
Let’s be real, fasting is among the most powerful and yet misunderstood
dynamics of the Christian life. In many circles, fasting has become
synonymous with “starving yourself.” But that is truly not the case!
The Bible reveals to us that the principle of fasting is to set aside the things
of this world for the purpose of focusing more fully on God. It’s choosing to
invest in the spiritual at the cost of the physical. The power of fasting isn’t
that it leaves us lacking, but that it facilitates a fuller connection with
the all-powerful God. How cool is that?!
Maybe this is the first time you’ve ever done something like this, and you
have no idea where to start, what to do, or even how to pray. Maybe you’re
looking at the next 21 days with a little fear and an apprehensive heart
because you haven’t had the best experience in the past or need some
general clarity about why God expects us to fast and how to go about it. All
you know is that you need answers, you need breakthrough, and you need
a miracle.
Well friends, we see you and we’re here to walk with you as you take
these bold and powerful steps of faith and obedience! So, in order to help
you, we’ve put together some resources and guidelines to help equip you
and address some commonly asked questions when it comes to prayer
and fasting.
These include:
• Help, I Don’t Know How to Pray
• What Fasting Is (and Is Not)
• Teaching Kids How to Fast
• Does Fasting Actually Accomplish Anything?
Whether this is your first time fasting or you’ve done it 50 times, we pray the
Lord uses these guidelines to lead and bless you in the spiritual journey that
lies ahead.
To view these articles, take out your phone, open the camera app, and scan
the QR code or visit CalvaryFTL.org/Easter.
W H AT S H O U L D I FA S T F R O M ?

As you seek God’s direction on how He would have you

fast, please keep in mind that your fast can look like:

• Refraining from food YO U R C O M M I T M E N T

• The Daniel Fast (eating only fruits and vegetables)
• Refraining from desserts (no coffee or sugar) I, ____________________________________________________,
• Refraining from social media or electronics commit to fast unto the Lord for the next 21 days.
Whatever you choose, remember if you don’t replace these
things with time spent in prayer and God’s Word then all of this I’m fasting from _________________________________________________.
is really just meaningless. Let’s not sell this experience short
by making that mistake! Instead, take the opportunity to skip
that dinner, or bowl of ice cream, or that TV show, and go for I’m fasting because _____________________________________________
a 30-minute walk with the Lord and spend time praying for a
loved one, for that miracle you’re seeking, or for the dream God ____________________________________________________________________
has placed on your heart.

Seek God’s heart for the next 21 days and learn to pray for ___________________________________________________________________.
spiritual breakthroughs in your life and the lives of others. Ask
God to help you, or those you’re praying for, to overcome
struggles with lust, anger, gossip, and greed. Our God
responds uniquely to desperation—the more we press in and
cry out to Him, often the more quickly and radically He acts on
behalf of His children.
 D A Y
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“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is
D A Y

things.”—Colossians 3:2 (NIV) unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is
unseen is eternal.”—2 Corinthians 4:18 (NIV)

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PAU S E A N D R E F L E C T: PAU S E A N D R E F L E C T:
As you begin your fast, what steps can you take to intentionally set your mind on How does fasting help you fix your eyes on eternal things? How are you keeping
the Lord and His purposes over the next 21 days? yourself from focusing on the temporal thing(s) you’ve set out to fast from?

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D A Y
“But don’t be so concerned about perishable things “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world,
D A Y

like food. Spend your energy seeking the eternal life but let God transform you into a new person by
that the Son of Man can give you. For God the Father changing the way you think. Then you will learn to

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has given me the seal of his approval.”—John 6:27 (NLT) know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing
and perfect.”—Romans 12:2 (NLT)

PAU S E A N D R E F L E C T: PAU S E A N D R E F L E C T:
In what ways can you press into Jesus and the things He has promised to give What behaviors or habits in your life keep you from experiencing God’s will and
you today? work in your life? What is one step of obedience you can take this week to begin
breaking those behaviors or habits?

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D A Y
“For I have come down from heaven, not to do my “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my
D A Y

own will but the will of him who sent me.” disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth
—John 6:38 (ESV) will set you free.”—John 8:31–32 (NIV)

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PAU S E A N D R E F L E C T: PAU S E A N D R E F L E C T:
How is this fast helping you seek the will of God for your life? What specific area How do you know the true teaching of Jesus, the teaching that grows you into a
are you seeking His will, and who do you have in your life to help keep disciple? How does His teaching set you free?
you accountable?

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R E F L E C T
“He who opens the breach goes up before them; Spend some time reflecting on everything the Lord
D A Y

they break through and pass the gate, going out by showed you this week. Look back on your prayers
it. Their king passes on before them, the Lord at their and consider what you read in the Word.
head.”—Micah 2:13 (ESV)

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PAU S E A N D R E F L E C T: _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
In what areas of your life are you asking the Lord to go before you? What areas
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T H E
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D A Y
“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for
D A Y

than all we ask or imagine, according to his power my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I
that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses,

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and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”
ever and ever! Amen.”—Ephesians 3:20–21 (NIV) —2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV)

PAU S E A N D R E F L E C T: PAU S E A N D R E F L E C T:
As you enter week two, what have you seen the Lord do already? Where are you What does it mean to you that God’s strength is made perfect in your weakness?
asking Him to do immeasurably more? What areas in your life do you need to understand and receive that?

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D A Y
“But as for you, be strong; don’t be discouraged, for “I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you
your work has a reward.”—2 Chronicles 15:7 (HCSB) completely with joy and peace because you trust
D A Y

in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope

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through the power of the Holy Spirit.”
—Romans 15:13 (NLT)

PAU S E A N D R E F L E C T: PAU S E A N D R E F L E C T:
What is one way you can choose to depend more on God’s strength in your life? How has your trust in the Lord changed at the halfway mark of your fast? Have you
seen it grow? If so, in what ways has that impacted your heart and mind?

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D A Y
“You will seek Me and find Me when you search for “We give great honor to those who endure under
Me with all your heart.”—Jeremiah 29:13 (HCSB) suffering. For instance, you know about Job, a man of
D A Y

great endurance. You can see how the Lord was kind

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to him at the end, for the Lord is full of tenderness
and mercy.”—James 5:11 (NLT)

PAU S E A N D R E F L E C T: PAU S E A N D R E F L E C T:
What does it mean to seek Him with all your heart? In your fast, are you focused on How is your level of endurance? Are you staying strong or struggling? The Lord is
seeking breakthrough and answers from Him or are you seeking Him above all? there regardless and wants to shower you with mercy and strength. How can you
lean into Him more today?

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R E F L E C T
“The Lord replied, ‘My Presence will go with you, Spend some time reflecting on everything the Lord
and I will give you rest.’”—Exodus 33:14 (NIV) showed you this week. Look back on your prayers
D A Y

and consider what you read in the Word.

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to rest?
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 THE
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E I G H T - D AY
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READING PLAN
L

Over the final week of your fasting journey, you’re invited to

participate in our Easter devotional reading plan, which will
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take you through the final week of Jesus’ life as told through
the gospel of Mark. Each day, you’ll get to see where Jesus
was on His road to the greatest comeback of all time, the
resurrection, and you’ll also get to reflect on where He has
W

brought you and how He’s worked in you through your fast.
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D A Y
SWEPT UP IN THE MOMENT
“When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over
it, he sat on it. Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while
others spread branches they had cut in the fields. Those who went
ahead and those who followed shouted, ‘Hosanna!’ ‘Blessed is he
who comes in the name of the Lord!’ ‘Blessed is the coming kingdom
of our father David!’ ‘Hosanna in the highest heaven!’”
—Mark 11:7–10 (NIV)
Have you ever been swept up in a communal reaction? Think about being at
the big game watching your team win as the crowd goes wild and strangers are
hugging and high fiving! Or how about being in the high school cafeteria and all
of sudden someone bursts in and yells, “FIGHT!” Like sheep, everyone runs out
and is soon caught up in the chaos, chanting, “Fight! Fight! Fight!”
The truth is a lot of our reactions to things are influenced by the masses. We
can get swept up in the relevance and hysteria of a moment. Sometimes, it’s
justified—the Cinderella story of the Saints winning the Super Bowl the year
Katrina devastated New Orleans, or joining a peaceful demonstration for a
worthy cause—and other times, things get out of hand as agitators incite
the worst—like fans rioting and looting in celebration of their team winning a
championship!
One of the things I love most about the Gospel of Mark is how often he
emphasizes the people’s reactions toward Jesus, whether it be amazement,
shock, confusion, joy, or indignation. I imagine it was easy to get swept up in
the excitement and buzz around the movement of Jesus.
Today, as we kick off Holy Week, I want to touch on two instances that occurred
during Jesus’ final week in which the people got swept up in a moment. The first
moment is when Jesus rode into Jerusalem. You see, as Jesus will say just a
few verses later in John 12:23 (NKJV), “The hour has come that the Son of Man
should be glorified.” Jesus was on a mission to tear down the veil between God
and man (2 Corinthians 5:18), render sin powerless (Romans 6:6), defeat death
(1 Corinthians 15:55), and set us free (Galatians 5:1). Nothing was going to stop
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Him from fulfilling His mission to rescue us . . . the hour had indeed come!
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And so, as Jesus rode into Jerusalem to fulfill His mission, people began to stir
and suddenly everyone was getting swept up in it, laying out palm branches
and shouting “Hosanna in the highest!” The phrase in the highest implies to the
utmost, highest degree or in the highest heavens. Many scholars believe the
people were likely calling on heaven to participate in glorifying Jesus with cries
of salvation to confirm the growing suspicion that He was the
promised Messiah.
For three years, the people had seen or heard stories of amazing miracles and
revolutionary, authoritative teachings. In fact, just days before this Jesus taught
He was “the good shepherd” (a designation reserved for David) and had raised
Lazarus from the dead! And so, with excitement and expectation at a fever
pitch, the masses joyfully shouted in unison.
But we humans, like sheep, are fickle and easily swayed, and days later the
same people that shouted “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord”
would shout “Crucify Him!” This is the second instance I was referring to.
Here, the Pharisees incited the crowd to demand Jesus die a gruesome death
reserved for criminals.
But here’s the craziest thing about this: Jesus knew this would happen! He
knew He’d be betrayed, suffer, and be subjected to a criminal’s death. But He
did it anyway because He loves us so deeply, completely, and unconditionally!
Hebrews 12:2 (NIV) tells us, “For the joy set before him he endured the cross.”
What joy? The joy of redeeming and restoring us to a right relationship with
God, to make us children of God, to give us everlasting life! He did it for the
joy of you! Psalm 18:19 (ESV) says, “He brought me out into a broad place;
he rescued me, because he delighted in me.” Let this sink in: Because Jesus
delights in you and desires a relationship with you, He endured the cross.
Today, I pray we get swept up in the reality of who Jesus is and what He did for
us. And I pray that every day, we would be swept up in the movement of the
Spirit as He leads us to accomplish the work God has called us to . . . the work
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of telling the world about Jesus!
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 PAU S E A N D R E F L E C T:
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D A Y
God delights in you! How are you delighting in Him and His love today?
D A Y

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CLEANSES AND CONFLICTS
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_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ “On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple courts and began
driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned
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the temple courts. And as he taught them, he said, ‘Is it not written:
“My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations’? But you
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have made it ‘a den of robbers.’’”—Mark 11:15–17 (NIV)
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The word zeal isn’t one you hear very often. In fact, you’d be hard pressed to
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energy or enthusiasm in pursuit of a cause or an objective.” Some related words
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include passion, vigor, intensity, devotion, fervor, and fire.
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As Jesus’ final week began, His issues with the established religious order
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call Palm Sunday. Things heated up more the following day, as Jesus walked
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action. He “entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and
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of those selling doves” (Matthew 21:12 NIV). You see, our Lord wouldn’t stand
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for such abuse upon those who sought to be closer to God. These were men
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and women coming to the temple in order to offer a sacrifice to the Lord, and
they were being taken advantage of.
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In that moment, once again He showed Himself to be the voice of the voiceless
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There’s something powerful you need to see here. Did you know this wasn’t

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the first time He did this? In John 2:13–25, we’re told that toward the beginning
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of His ministry, three years earlier, He did the very same thing! So, if you think
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about it, He pretty much bookended His public ministry with the same action—
He began it with clearing the temple and He ended it by clearing the temple.
Why is this important? Because it’s exactly what He does in us! In our lives,
when we first come to Jesus, He comes into our hearts and lives and cleanses
our temples. He turns over table after table of our old lives. He drives out the
thief who seeks to steal, kill, and destroy our souls (John 10:10) and takes up
residence in our temples. He who made His dwelling among us (John 1:14) now
makes His dwelling within us (Romans 8:10).
If you’ve never accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, today can be the day
He drives out the darkness and brings peace, love, and hope into the temple of
your soul! All you need to do is believe in Him and cry out to Him
(Romans 10:13).
But thank the Lord that’s not the end of it . . . How so? Because just as He
returned to Jerusalem and turned the tables over again, every once in a while
our hearts require tables to be turned over again! From time to time, sometimes
from minute to minute, we need the Lord to turn over the tables of things like
idolatry, strongholds, secret sin, and bitterness. We need Him to drive out the
things that have set up residence in our hearts that are not of Him. And the
beautiful thing of it all is that He never loses His zeal, passion, fire, or fervor for
us! His love never needs rekindling. He is zealous for you and me, and He never
gives up on us.
You don’t have to do it on your own. You don’t need to turn over your tables for
the Lord to dwell in you. He loves you and if you have given your life to Him, He
dwells in you.
Today, press into Him. Ask Him to search your heart to “point out anything in
[you] that offends [Him], and lead [you] along the path of everlasting life” (Psalm
139:24 NLT) and trust that “he who began a good work in you will carry it on to
completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6 NIV).
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PAU S E A N D R E F L E C T:
D A Y
What are you zealous for? Where does your passion and devotion lie? How has the
Lord brought greater focus and vision to those areas during your fast?
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D A Y

D E B AT E S A N D D I S C O U R S E S

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“And from then on no one dared ask him any more questions.”
—Mark 12:34 (NIV)

Almost immediately after His triumphal entry, the tenor of Jesus’ interactions
begins to shift to debates, challenges, traps, and entanglements. We see the
effort to discredit Jesus begin to ramp up after the incident in the temple. In the
aftermath of that, Mark 11:18 (NIV) tells us, “The chief priests and the teachers
of the law heard this and began looking for a way to kill him.”
Now, the next day, they arrive at the temple, and as He interacts and shares
truth with others, “the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders came
to him” (Mark 11:27 NIV), and proceed to question His authority and seek to trip
Him up with questions about paying taxes, the resurrection, and the greatest
commandment. But at every turn, Jesus takes them to task!
He met each challenge and question with authority, wisdom, powerful lessons,
warnings, and truths that flipped their understanding of God, His kingdom, and
our lives upside down. And each time, the true colors of these men was made
evident to anyone with ears to hear—though Mark does tell us that many of the
Pharisees were amazed by Jesus’ teachings and it’s likely several believed in Him.
Eventually, the religious leaders realize they’re severely outmatched and risk the
people turning on them, so “from that day on no one dared to ask him any more
questions” (Matthew 22:46 NIV). Instead, they turned their attention to more
sinister means of trying to quell this movement: “Then the chief priests and the
elders . . . schemed to arrest Jesus secretly and kill him” (Matthew 26:3–4 NIV).
So, what made Jesus such a threat? Why were politicians (Pharisees and
Herodians), priests, aristocrats (Sadducees), lawyers, and scribes all at odds
with Jesus’ teachings? The same thing that causes people to reject Jesus
today! You see, so much of Jesus’ teachings—and the gospel itself—takes
what we think, perceive, understand, and experience in this world and flips it
on its head.
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Jesus teaches the least will be the greatest in the kingdom of God, the greatest
among us serves others, the widow’s mite is a greater offering to God than vast
riches, the meek will inherit the earth, the greatest sacrifice made to God is
mercy, the way to the kingdom is not by perfection, but through repentance and
receiving the grace of God through faith. His message to us causes us to recoil
because IT’S NOT ABOUT US!
Our lives are not about us, our purpose is not about us, this world is not about
us . . . it’s all about Jesus! We can’t pull ourselves up by our bootstraps and
earn salvation, we can’t gain God’s favor by our actions, we can’t muster
up faith within ourselves, we can’t find ourselves by looking within, we can’t
manifest our best life, and we can’t live our truth and find peace in it. We were
made to exalt God and enjoy Him. We were made by Him and for Him, in His
image and by His love. We exist to bring glory to God and live in relationship
with Him. And we, sinners, stand separated from Him. We can’t save
ourselves—we need rescue and redemption that only He can give. All of this
stands in opposition to our sinful nature, removes us from being the master of
our destiny, and causes us to face our own sinfulness and helplessness apart
from Him.
So today, I encourage you to examine your life and ask yourself, “Who is at
the center of my life?” Is it you or is it Jesus? If it’s Jesus, the things you say,
think, and do will line up with His teachings and the entirety of the message
of Scripture. Your life will resemble and reflect His. If it’s you, your life will look
more like everyone else’s. It will prioritize and be defined by the things the world
deems important and will either defy or seek to justify or twist Scriptural truth
to fit into your lifestyle. Regardless of where you land, pray that each day you
could look less like the world and more like Jesus as you surrender your life,
heart, will, and everything else to Him!

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D A Y
How are you serving and showing love to the people around you right now? How has
the Lord grown your love for others through your fast?
D A Y

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T H E PA S S OV E R L A M B
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“While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given
thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, ‘Take it; this
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is my body.’ Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he
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covenant, which is poured out for many.’”—Mark 14:22–24 (NIV)
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Enjoying a great meal while celebrating a momentous day is a treat. Gathering
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with the people we love, celebrating, giving thanks, and sharing stories,
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It’s something we should cherish and get excited for.
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In today’s passage, we’re dropped right into the middle of a celebratory meal
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in all four Gospels and detailed by Paul in 1 Corinthians 11. So, what were they
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celebrating? It was the Passover.
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Did you know the Passover celebration is arguably the most significant season
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God is faithful and He had not forgotten His great promise to Abraham (Genesis
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Pharaoh. But Pharaoh would not “let the people go” (Exodus 7:14 NIV), so God
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sent the plagues—gnats, boils, frogs, and more.
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Finally, the tenth plague came: the death of the first born in every household.
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However, the Lord spared death and gave life to His followers who sacrificed
a spotless lamb and applied its blood over their doors (Exodus 11–12). When
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over that house. It was after this plague that Pharaoh finally let the Israelites go.
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Can you imagine what it must have been like in the upper room on that historical
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night in Jerusalem? Imagine having Jesus lead a Passover Seder—no one could
tell the story better than Jesus! And even more surreal than that, imagine being
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D A Y
one of the disciples who experienced the most beautiful thing about that night:
how all the symbols and elements of the feast speak of Jesus. As He went
through all the different elements and traditions, each part of the feast told the
story of God’s ultimate redemption and deliverance, which He was about to live
out only a few short hours later.
Here’s something you may find interesting: The word used for feast is miqra,
which also means “a rehearsal.” The other word is mo’ed, which means “an
appointed time; a fixed time; an exact time.” What an amazing picture! Just at
the right time, God sent Moses to deliver His people, and “when the fullness of
time had come, God sent forth his Son . . . to redeem those who were under the
law, so that we might receive adoption as sons” (Galatians 4:4–5 ESV). Do you
see that? The Passover was a rehearsal for the future to be celebrated every
year—over and over—until, at the exact appointed time, the true fulfillment
would come.
After 1,500 years of Passover celebrations, with the symbols of unleavened
bread, wine, and a slain, unblemished lamb, the hour had come. No more
rehearsals for the Passover had become reality! The night known as the Last
Supper saw Jesus and His disciples celebrate the last Passover feast. In that
upper room, Jesus took the wine, which represented the blood of the Passover
Lamb and said, “This is my blood . . . which is poured out for many for the
forgiveness of sins” (Matthew 26:28 ESV). He broke the unleavened bread, a
symbol of sinlessness, and said, “This is my body, which is given for you” (Luke
22:19 NLT).
The very next day, on the altar of eternity, upon a cross reserved for a criminal,
Jesus, the Good Shepherd, became the Passover Lamb. “God presented Him
as the atoning sacrifice through faith in His blood, in order to demonstrate
His righteousness, because in His forbearance He had passed over the sins
committed beforehand” (Romans 3:25 BSB).
Every time we take communion, we’re invited to reflect upon and remember
what the Lord Jesus Christ—our Passover Lamb and exodus from the land of
sin and death—did to bring us into a new life of freedom in His eternal kingdom!
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W E E K
PAU S E A N D R E F L E C T:
D A Y
As you approach the end of your fast and Easter in a few days, what has the Lord
shown you about yourself and His Son?
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D A Y
P O I G N A N T C O N V E R S AT I O N S : Jesus Christ is the living embodiment of the Word of God and the truth of
D A Y

THE LAST SUPPER God! He is God in the flesh, and He came to seek and save the lost, to show us

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God, and to be our way to God.
“When evening came, Jesus arrived with the Twelve.”
—Mark 14:17 (NIV) God Himself came to make a way for us to know Him and be known by Him;
for us to find Him and be found in Him. He came to reveal the truth that sets
“‘Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also us free, to guide us into all truth through the Holy Spirit (John 16:13), and to
in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would sanctify us by His truth (John 17:17). He is our only way to salvation, heaven,
I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And
eternal life, and the place we’re all looking for—the place deep down we all
if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to
desperately desire to find.
be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to
the place where I am going.’ Thomas said to him, ‘Lord, we don’t But guess what? “I am the way, the truth, and the life” doesn’t just apply to our
know where you are going, so how can we know the way?’ Jesus
salvation, it’s a reality we can rest in every single day, that can guide us to living
answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to
our best life, and gives us security for tomorrow and satisfaction for today!
the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will know
my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen How? By remaining connected to Him every single day! We see this clearly in
him.’”—John 14:1–7 (NIV) John 15:4–5 HCSB) as Jesus tells His disciples, “Just as a branch is unable to
produce fruit by itself unless it remains on the vine, so neither can you unless
Here’s an awkward dinner conversation: First, Jesus tells His disciples one of
you remain in Me. I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in
them is not clean (John 13:10). Then, He proceeds to tell them that one of them
Me and I in him produces much fruit, because you can do nothing without Me.”
would betray Him that very night, and even makes it clear that it’s Judas, but
What a sobering and powerful reminder of our helplessness and hopelessness
they didn’t catch that. After that, Jesus tells Peter he’d deny Him three times
apart from Christ, but of the abundance and joy we have in Him, our Savior
before dawn, He was going to be handed over to the religious leaders, and He’d
and Redeemer!
be killed. Not exactly fun dinner party conversation.
You see, when we remain connected to Him, the Father prunes and perfects
Upon hearing all of this, the disciples were troubled, confused, and quite frankly,
us (sanctification) and produces fruit in our lives. He is able to do exceedingly,
lost. So, in John 14, Jesus tells them to not let their hearts be troubled, to trust
abundantly great things beyond what we could ever ask, think, or imagine
in Him as they trust in His Father, that He’s going to prepare a place for them in
through us! When we remain connected to Him—our vine, our Good Shepherd
His Father’s kingdom, and that they don’t need to be afraid because they know
who came so we “may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10 NIV)—we
the way to get there. And Thomas, never one to shy away from speaking his
experience an abundant, fulfilling life, because in Jesus we’re complete, we’re
mind, says what they were all thinking: “Lord, we don’t know where You are
made whole, we find our identity, belonging, and purpose, and we’re forgiven,
going, so how can we know the way” (John 14:5 NIV, emphasis added)? And
accepted, and saved!
Jesus responded with this powerful statement upon which we can stand firm
and secure, no matter what’s going on around us: “I am the way and the truth Thank You, Jesus, for who You are and for loving us so deeply and giving us life
and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6 NIV, in all its fullness, even when things around us may try to convince us otherwise!
emphasis added).

When Jesus declared Himself the way, the truth, and the life, He was using the
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same words to describe Himself here that every Jew used to describe the Torah,
the Word of God. Jesus was saying He is the living Torah, the fulfillment of
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God’s promise, the literal embodiment of God’s truth.

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D A Y
PAU S E A N D R E F L E C T:
How are you walking in the abundant life right now?
D A Y

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“It was nine in the morning when they crucified him. . . . They
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—Mark 15:25, 27 (NIV)
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Good Friday is the day we remember how Jesus—the perfect Son of God—took
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the sinful.
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In 1 Timothy 1:15 (NLT), it says, “Christ Jesus came into the world to save
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danger; to rescue from destruction and bring into safety.” Rescue from
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what? Death.
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You see, Romans 5:12 (PHILLIPS) says, “Sin made its entry into the world
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But because God loves us so deeply, He didn’t leave us bound in sin and
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for many” (Matthew 20:28 ESV) “in order to rescue us” (Galatians 1:4 NLT).
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Some call the events of this day a “scandal of grace,” as the innocent was killed
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in place of the guilty. Jesus died in our place so that by His blood, we may be
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heaven, in His kingdom as His beloved sons and daughters.
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forgiven, is to trust in Him! We see this clearly as Jesus’ interacts with the two
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criminal men whom surrounded Him on the cross. Now, unlike Jesus, who was
completely innocent, these two men were rightfully convicted and sentenced.
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The Greek word used here for criminal (kakourgōn) was generally used to denote
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a thief; someone who forcibly took from another. How fitting that Jesus, who

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came to give salvation and eternal life to all who would receive it, was crucified
surrounded by men who took from others.
The interaction between Jesus and the criminals is quite the stark contrast.
One of the criminals “hurled insults at Him.” The other thief was remorseful and
repentant—he was broken, accepted his fate, and acknowledged his guilt. He
rebukes the first criminal, acknowledges his sinfulness, and makes a simple
request of the Lord: “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom”
(Luke 23:42 NIV).
There is something deeply touching and arresting about this appeal. It was full
of trust. The criminal didn’t ask for an earthly rescue. Rather, he was content
to simply be remembered by the King. And with a tenderness and compassion
only found in Jesus, our Lord responded, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with
me in paradise” (Luke 23:43 NIV).
In this indescribably beautiful moment, Jesus exchanged this man’s guilt for a
peace and hopeful expectation that cannot be explained. He declared to this
man, even as he hung there dying for his crimes, that this was not the end of his
story. In fact, the greatest chapter was about to begin as Jesus shared the most
glorious and beautiful spoiler alert ever, telling Him that very shortly they would
be together in heaven! And because He was crucified on that Good Friday 2,000
years ago, we are able to know and look forward with joyful expectation that we,
too, will be with Jesus in paradise!
If you’ve never received Jesus, if you’ve never repented of your sins and trusted
in Him for your salvation, today can be your day! Today can be the day you
look upon the face of the Savior and give your life to Him. Today can be the
day you know for sure you’ll be in paradise forever with the God who loves
you unconditionally. If you would like to receive Jesus, please e-mail me at
DanielS@CalvaryFTL.org.
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W E E K
D A Y
PAU S E A N D R E F L E C T:
Today is Good Friday, the day we remember the sacrifice Jesus made for our sins,
to bring us into right relationship with God forever! How has your fast helped to
show you a deeper glimpse of His faithful love?
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A N U N I M A G I N A B L E S A T U R D AY
D A Y
“It was Preparation Day (that is, the day before the Sabbath). So as
evening approached, Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent member of
the Council, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, went
boldly to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. Pilate was surprised to
hear that he was already dead. Summoning the centurion, he asked
him if Jesus had already died. When he learned from the centurion
that it was so, he gave the body to Joseph. So Joseph bought some
linen cloth, took down the body, wrapped it in the linen, and placed it
in a tomb cut out of rock. Then he rolled a stone against the entrance
of the tomb. Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joseph saw
where he was laid.”—Mark 15:42–47 (NIV)
“Then they went home and prepared spices and perfumes. But
they rested on the Sabbath in obedience to the commandment.”
—Luke 23:56 (NIV)
“I can’t believe it!”
“I never thought I’d live to see the day!”
“I just never imagined something like this was possible!”
People make these types of statements when they witness the unimaginable or
unthinkable. Sometimes, these events are cause for celebration, like the lifelong
Cubs fan witnessing his team finally break the “curse” and win the World Series
after 108 years. Other times, the events surrounding these statements are
tragic. Much of what took place in 2020 likely elicited this response from people.
It’s safe to assume the disciples couldn’t have imagined a scenario where their
Master—who healed the blind, walked on water, calmed the storms, and raised
people from the dead—would be killed. After everything they’d seen, they likely
never thought they’d live to see this day. And even though Jesus told them
repeatedly that He’d be delivered into the hands of the religious leaders and
would be killed, they still seemed to brush His words off. Why? Because they
believed He was the Messiah.
After they had just witnessed Jesus riding into Jerusalem as the conquering
hero on the donkey as was foretold, they were most certainly riding the high
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of the people’s adoration. If they weren’t sure before, they definitely were then.
In their limited view of God’s Word, through the lens of lifetimes of oppression
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and captivity, they believed the Messiah would establish an eternal physical
kingdom. But the thing about physical kingdoms is you have to be alive to rule
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them. They believed they had arrived in Jerusalem with Jesus to see Him free
His people from their Roman captors, to claim the throne of David, and establish
an everlasting kingdom for Israel.
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But then, the unimaginable happened. A few hours after celebrating the
Passover together, Jesus was betrayed by one of them, arrested, mocked,
beaten, put on trial, taken before Pilate, brutally scourged, sentenced to be
crucified, forced to carry His (our) cross, and nailed to a cross. Then, a few
hours later, Jesus said, “It is finished!” and “gave up His spirit” (John 19:30
NKJV). He died. It was over . . . dreams dashed, hope killed, faith crushed.
Because the Sabbath was upon them, Jesus had to be buried immediately
afterwards. And though He was laid in a nice tomb—a tomb that had never
been used (Luke 23:50–54)—Jesus wasn’t given a proper burial. The disciples
couldn’t even hold a funeral for Jesus the next day because it was the Sabbath.
They couldn’t say goodbye to their teacher and best friend.
So, what do you imagine they did on that darkest of Saturdays? Did they sit
together and talk about what He meant to them? Perhaps reminisce on how
great He was? It’s possible. But after all they’d seen and gone through, it’s more
likely they simply sat in silence much the same way that Job and his friends did
(Job 2:11–13), distraught, inconsolable, and wallowing in hopelessness, despair,
confusion, and anger. I also imagine they were pretty fearful that, as Jesus’
associates, they were going to be next.
In my mind, this Sabbath day was like the eye of a hurricane for them with
devastation at their backs and devastation awaiting them on the other side. No
doubt, it had to be the darkest and most empty day of their lives and truly the
darkest and most empty day in the history of the world—an entire day where it
seemed grace, truth, peace, hope, and love were buried.
But what was waiting for them on the other side of Saturday wasn’t devastation
or destruction. It was victory, redemption, restoration, true freedom, and the
establishment of a kingdom that cannot be shaken! The unimaginable was
about to take center stage as the greatest comeback in history was just a few
hours away! Jesus’ physical death was not the end of His story. You see, death
could not hold Him, and the very next morning, the Messiah would come back
to life, He would rise again, conquering death and breaking the shackles of sin.
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So, tomorrow morning, as you rise up out of your bed, do so with the
knowledge that this is a day of victory and celebration, because Christ Jesus is
alive! And because Jesus is alive, we, too, are now made alive in Him!
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R E S U R R E C T I O N
You made it! Celebrate today that you finished the race and that the Lord is faithful
and has done an amazing work in you! And as you wake up tomorrow, you get to
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celebrate not only what the Lord has shown you and done in your life, but also the
resurrection and the gift of salvation you have received through Jesus Christ.
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T H E G R E AT E S T C O M E B AC K
OF ALL TIME
“If Christ has not been raised, then our proclamation is without
foundation, and so is your faith. In addition, we are found to be false
witnesses about God, because we have testified about God that He
raised up Christ . . . And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is
worthless; you are still in your sins. Therefore, those who have fallen
asleep in Christ have also perished. If we have put our hope in Christ
for this life only, we should be pitied more than anyone.”

D A Y
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ —1 Corinthians 15:14–19 (HCSB)

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_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ It wouldn’t be an overstatement to say that everything hinges on the
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ resurrection, on Jesus’ power over death. So often, we focus all our attention
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ on the cross. Of course the work of Jesus Christ on the cross is supremely
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ important. It was on the cross He paid the debt of our sins. If not for the perfect,
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sinless Lamb of God willingly giving Himself up as a sacrifice on the altar of
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_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ eternity at Calvary, sin would still have power and control over us. 
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_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ But the cross is not the end of the story nor the greatest moment of triumph. If
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ you really think about it, the cross of Christ was the darkest moment in history.
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Why? Because the Son of God had to suffer and die a horrible death. In that
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moment, “God made him who had no sin to be sin” (2 Corinthians 5:21 NIV).
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Jesus took upon Himself all the sins of the entire world . . . past, present, and
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ future; those who were weeping at His feet and those who were spitting in His
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ face; those who would come to love, follow, and glorify Him and those who
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would hate, reject, and blaspheme against Him. 
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Imagine the disciples. As far as they were concerned, hope died on the cross—
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_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ it’s what we discussed in day seven. And here’s the thing to remember: If Jesus
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ had simply died on the cross and the story ended there, they would have been
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right and we’d have no hope.
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In fact, apart from the resurrection, “[our] faith is worthless; [we] are still in
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[our] sins . . . we should be pitied more than anyone.” Why? Theologian Albert
Barnes put it this way: “The pardon of sin was connected with the belief of the
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resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and, if He was not raised, they were still in a
3

W E E K
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_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ state of sin . . . Your sins are yet unpardoned. They can be forgiven only by faith
W E E K

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3
D A Y

R E F L E C T
Spend some time reflecting on everything the Lord
showed you throughout your 21-day fast. Look back
on your prayers and consider what you read in the
R E S U R R E C T I O N

in Him and by the efficacy of His blood. But if He was not raised, He was an Word. How are you different today than you were
impostor; and, of course, all your hopes of pardon by Him, and through Him, when you began this journey? What has the Lord
must be vain.” shown you?

O N
So why is the resurrection such a big deal? In a nutshell, it’s evidence that the _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

dominion of sin is over. Remember, the penalty of sin as laid out in the Garden
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
of Eden in Genesis 2 is death. So, had Jesus just died on the cross and stayed

in the grave, sin would still have dominion because death would have won. But
He didn’t stay in the grave . . .
“You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen!”
T H E
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J O U R N E Y
—Mark 16:6 (NIV) _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The resurrection of Jesus means the power of sin had been destroyed and _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

the debt of sin completely paid for. That’s the miracle of the resurrection, the
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greatest comeback of all time! That’s the power of Christ on full display!
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Because of Jesus, we have hope. By His resurrection, He stripped sin and
defeated death of its power! We have victory because He conquered the grave! _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

1 Corinthians 15:56–57 (NIV) says, “The sting of death is sin, and the power of
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord
Jesus Christ.” And Ephesians 2:4–6 (NIV) declares, “But because of His great _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we
were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in
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Christ Jesus.”
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In Him, our sins have been forgiven, we’ve been born again, we’re fully alive,
and we’re free. In Him, we get to come back from death to life, we get to have _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

eternal life in heaven and abundant life here and now!

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So, on this Resurrection Sunday, remember the cost of the cross. But don’t
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
keep your focus there, because the grave is empty and our Lord is seated “in
the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 1:20 _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
NLT) and “God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy
Spirit, who has been given to us” (Romans 5:5 NIV). So, let’s celebrate the
3

W E E K
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comeback; let’s celebrate the resurrected Christ who has resurrected us!
W E E K

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3
N O T E S

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CalvaryFTL.org/Easter