Holy Week Devotional 2022Sample

The conflict throughout the Scriptures is the manifestation of two different families—two different households. When Israel suffered in bondage among the Egyptians, they were living in “the house of slavery” (Deut. 7:8) and “the house of Pharaoh” (1 Sam. 2:27). There is more going on here than meets the eye. What appears to be battles between peoples, nations, and worldly powers, is in fact a battle “against the spiritual forces of evil” (Eph. 6:12). To Satan, God had said, “I will put enmity between you and the woman, between your offspring and her offspring; he will bruise your head and you shall bruise his heel” (Gen. 3:15). Ever notice what kind of an animal the pharaohs of Egypt wore on their head? The conflicts of the Bible are skirmishes in a war between the household of God and the household of the serpent.

This battle often rages within our natural families. Adam and Eve were parents to both Cain and Abel. Jacob is faithful, but Esau despised the covenant. Joseph’s brothers were his greatest foes, selling him into slavery. Jesus himself “came to his own, but his own people did not receive him” (John 1:11). Many of his closest relatives did not believe in him (John 7:5). He warned his disciples, “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother… a person’s enemies will be those of his own household” (Matt. 10:34-36).

The truth, whether we like it or not, divides. Right reveals what is wrong. Holiness makes corruption clear. And Jesus came into the world “to testify to the truth” (John 18:37). Jesus is himself the Truth and the line in the sand. As the righteous judge, Jesus separates wheat and chaff, sheep and goats. By declaring the way of righteousness, Jesus makes clear that every other path leads to death. Jesus’ ministry is a ministry of division. And the costs are not insignificant: “Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter than me is not worthy of me” (Matt. 10:37). To love Jesus is to be separated from those who do not.

But every division in scripture is for the purpose of an even greater joining. Adam has flesh and bone taken from his side in order that he might be joined in one flesh with Eve. Abraham and his household are separated from all the peoples of the earth, so that through Abraham’s offspring “all the nations of the earth shall be blessed” (Gen. 18:18). While sin separates, God is the great reconciler of all people and he intends to join all people—every tribe and tongue—into one new family.

In the hour of his greatest need, Jesus takes care of his mother. Mary had been warned “a sword will pierce through your soul” when her son brought redemption to his people (Luke 2:35). The moment of Christ’s agony was also hers. But Jesus honors his mother, loving her to the last. To ensure that she would never be in need, Jesus gives his mother to a new son who would take her into his home as his own. And this is precisely what Jesus promises to do for us all.

Jesus gives us sure promises that “everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life” (Matt. 19:29). Though we may face having our own souls pierced by the hatred of those we love, we have a Lord who understands and gives us to one another as a gift. Even more, in Christ we have been given God as Father and Christ is not ashamed to call us brothers and sisters (Heb. 2:11). We will never be orphans, even if parents hate us or brothers reject us, because we are adopted members of the household of God. In Christ, everywhere we go we will find fathers and mothers, sisters and brothers—everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord.