Core Scripture: “We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.” (Romans 6:4)

Message: We are bound to hit spiritual dry seasons at times in our lives.  Those times when everything seems routine.  You might spend time in the Word and in prayer, but it all feels the same.  You are on autopilot.  Same old, same old. 

I almost didn’t go to the Good Friday Prayer Walk at our church yesterday.  But something happened when I walked into the sanctuary.  God began to speak to me.  In ways I didn’t expect.  I want to walk you through that experience with me …

First, the triumphant entry … Jesus was patient.  At just the right time, He arrived to give Jerusalem hope.  What about you?  Are you displaying patience in the classroom?  How would your students answer that question?  This is the time of year when patience wears thin.  Allow God’s love to let you live this out.

The last supper … Jesus was kind.  Although He knew they would soon desert him, Jesus washed His disciples’ feet.  Even Judas’.  He encouraged the disciples to follow this selfless example.  It makes me wonder if I am kind.  Do I show kindness through tumultuous times?  Do I model servanthood?  Very convicting.

The prayer at Gethsemane … Jesus was selfless.  He could have displayed His power to escape the cross.  But He didn’t!  He prayed, “Yet, not My will but Yours be done” (Luke 22:42).  Do I display that same selflessness?  Do I put aside my own agenda to reach students’ hearts?  Do I seek God’s will in the classroom?  Even if it is inconvenient?

The trial … Jesus was not prideful or rude.  He told His disciples to refrain from violence.  He was mocked and beaten, and He did not reply in anger.  Through much of it, He remained quiet.  It makes me wonder if I can hold my tongue the same way.  In the heat of the battle, can I allow the Holy Spirit to dissolve bitterness? 

The cross … Jesus kept no record of wrongs.  As blood dripped from His crucified hands and feet, Jesus asked God to forgive the Romans (Luke 23:34).  Jesus refuses to allow my sin to define me.  He showers me with grace.  Can I forgive my students the same?  Or do I allow bitterness to linger, holding grudges? 

The empty tomb … Jesus protects, trusts, hopes, and preserves.  He conquered the grave!  This gives us the hope we so desperately need.  Our trust is anchored in Him.  Because He beat death, we know the small trials we now face are miniscule compared to what He has already overcome.      

I wonder if you noticed a pattern here.  As we walk through the story of Easter, there is a certain scripture that drives us in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 …

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”

Love.  There is so much power in that word.  Paul knows that when he writes this, and there was no love greater than the one He showed us at the cross.  This Easter weekend we can rejoice in that love and rediscover newness of life. 

We all need a resurrection somewhere in our lives.  Allow what Jesus did to pull you out of the rut you might be stuck in and inject fresh hope.  Revel in the love He showed us.  Be that love to others. 

Challenge: Don’t let Easter pass you by.  There is always something new to resurrect.  Challenge yourself to live out these truths through the last quarter of the year. 

Bible study: Read through Matthew 21-28 and journal or discuss the following questions:

1. How did Jesus navigate through this life-changing week?
2. What character traits did He reverently display that need to be seen in you?
3. How can we live out His actions in our classrooms?

Prayer points: Lift up the following areas to the Lord …

• Praise God for the message of Easter and what He accomplished through Jesus.
• Pray that God would uncover areas of our lives that need to be resurrected. 
• Pray that we can tackle the remainder of the year with the fresh hope that Jesus brings.

Just for fun: Beware of the Easter linebacker:

Prayer: Lord, thank you so much for the love You showed us through the story of Jesus.  Help us to reflect on Him and center our lives around Him.  Amen.