Daily Bible Reading— April 2025, God’s Strengthening Word: Assurance of Hope in Christ JesusSample

Introduction

Luke 23:1–43: The leaders of the Council take Jesus to Pilate, the governor, for questioning. Finding no reason to condemn Jesus, Pilate sends him to Herod, the ruler of Galilee. The chief priests bring charges against Jesus that Jesus refuses to answer. Jesus is returned to Pilate, the crowd calls for his crucifixion, and Pilate sentences Jesus to death. The soldiers lead Jesus away and nail him to a cross. Two criminals are also crucified with Jesus, and one of them receives Jesus’s promise that he will be in Paradise with Jesus.

Today’s Key Verse: Luke 23:43

Jesus said to him, “I promise you that today you will be in Paradise with me.”

Reflect

Initially, Pilate could find no reason to condemn Jesus. What do you think persuades him to change his mind and sentence Jesus to death? What do the two criminals who were being crucified say to Jesus (verses 39–42)? How would you describe the differences in what each of them says?

Pray

Lord Jesus, for my sake you were sentenced to a slow and painful death even though you were innocent. You even prayed to God to forgive those who tortured and crucified you. Thank you, Jesus, for your powerful and sacrificial love for me. With a humble and grateful heart, I praise and magnify your holy name. Amen.

Tomorrow’s Reading

Luke 23:44–56: Jesus dies and is buried.