The original Holy Week marks an important event in Biblical history. This is the time of the year to put all your focus on God. But apart from sacrificing your favorite food, you must use this time to bring you closer to the Lord. Take this time to reflect on your actions, your heart, and your faith. How are you doing as a Christian? To help you dig deeper into your faith, here are five Bible verses you can use for your devotions this coming Holy Week.
Joel 2:12
Even now," declares the LORD, "return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning. Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity. Who knows? He may turn and relent and leave behind a blessing— grain offerings and drink offerings for the LORD your God.
It is clear that God is inviting you to return to Him. Your year may be filled with circumstances that have led you to grow farther away from him or put your focus on worldly things. Hear the Lord, rend your heart to Him.
Philippians 3:10-11
I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.
For years and years, you have heard the story of the death and resurrection of Jesus. You've probably heard it since you were younger, too. But, do you remember when the story really hit you? Sometimes, when we keep hearing things over and over, it loses significance. However, this shouldn't be the case at all when it comes to Jesus. This year, make it a point to really dig deep with what Jesus went through so you can truly celebrate Easter as well.
Mark 1:12-13
At once the Spirit sent him out into the wilderness, and he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him.
This verse talks about two things— how Jesus prepared for His death and how He fought off temptation. This is an important verse to reflect on because if you've been fasting since the start of Lent, then you know how hard it is to really stay committed. Find comfort in knowing that Jesus also had his own share of temptations, but He was able to overcome them with the help of His Father ... and you can too.
Mark 1:15
"The time has come,"he said. "The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!
While this verse talked about the arrival of Jesus in Galilee, this can also help you put things in perspective today. God's instructions have always been consistent. Repent and believe the good news of the Lord. Right now, we are all waiting for the second coming, and we really don't know when that will happen. Still, we should keep repenting and continue to follow God's word and help spread the Word to others so that more people will be saved.
John 3:16
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16 is a famous Bible verse that most people know of, but perhaps, not truly understand. This scripture may contain one sentence, but the meaning is very profound. It tells about God's ultimate sacrifice. He sacrificed His own son Jesus to save humanity. It is crucial to be able to understand the depth of this sacrifice to be able to further understand God's love for us. And therefore, be able to open up your heart to God more as well.
There are, of course, plenty more Bible verses you can use for your daily devotion in the coming week, but you can start with these. For one to be able to truly celebrate Easter, one should fully understand why Jesus had to die, why Jesus allowed himself to be sacrificed, and why we have to acknowledge this act. Only then can Easter be truly meaningful for you this year and the years to come.
