<![CDATA[JACKIE SMALLBONES - Lent and Easter 2026]]>

<![CDATA[JACKIE SMALLBONES - Lent and Easter 2026]]>Tue, 26 May 2026 05:54:50 -0500Weebly<![CDATA[Easter Sunday (April 5). I have seen the Lord]]>Sun, 05 Apr 2026 03:30:00 GMThttps://www.storymakerlife.com/lent-and-easter-2026/easter-sunday-april-5-i-have-seen-the-lord

Prepare to Listen. I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.

Prayerfully Read John 20:1, 11-18
1Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb…. 11But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb;
12and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had been lying, one at the head and the other at the feet.
13They said to her, ‘Woman, why are you weeping?’ She said to them, ‘They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.’ 14When she had said this, she turned round and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus. 15Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, why are you weeping? For whom are you looking?’ Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, ‘Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.’ 16Jesus said to her, ‘Mary!’ She turned and said to him in Hebrew, ‘Rabbouni!’ (which means Teacher). 17Jesus said to her, ‘Do not hold on to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and say to them, “I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.”’ 18Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, ‘I have seen the Lord’; and she told them that he had said these things to her.

Prayerfully Wonder
Jesus’ first question in John was to two disciples of John. He asked them, “What are you looking for?” They were invited to “Come and see.” His first question at the empty tomb after his resurrection to Mary Magdalene was: “For whom are you looking?”

Left alone at the tomb, Mary looked again into it and saw two angels in white. She ignored them, didn’t even respond to their question about why she was weeping. She turned away and was face to face with Jesus, but didn’t recognize him. He too asked why she was weeping, and also, “For whom [not what] are you looking?”

She might have answered, ‘A dead body.’ But that’s not what she was truly looking for. Did she remember Jesus’ promise to rise again on the third day? She wanted him—alive. Her joy overflowed when she heard him call her by name, “Mary!” Recognition was instant. She’d found what she was looking for—her living and much-loved Lord. Unlike the first disciples, she wasn’t given an invitation. Instead, she was commanded to go back and proclaim the good news to his disciples: “I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.”

Instead, she proclaimed, “I have seen the Lord.” Later, they too would see him and would tell the absent Thomas, “We have seen the Lord” (Jn 20:25). The fact that Jesus didn’t stick around didn’t matter. They had seen what they were looking for. It was enough.

Perhaps the most important question we face is this: For whom (or what) are you looking? What’s your answer? And if you don’t know, hear Jesus’ invitation: Come and see.

Prayerfully Respond
Lord, may I see you today in the people I meet, the events of the day, the places I go to. Amen.

Live obediently. I have seen the Lord.

]]><![CDATA[Holy Saturday (April 4). If you were there]]>Sat, 04 Apr 2026 03:30:00 GMThttps://www.storymakerlife.com/lent-and-easter-2026/holy-saturday-april-4-if-you-were-there

Prepare to Listen. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.

Prayerfully Read John 19:38-42
38After these things, Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, though a secret one because of his fear of the Jews, asked Pilate to let him take away the body of Jesus. Pilate gave him permission, so he came and removed his body. 39Nicodemus, who had at first come to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, weighing about a hundred pounds. 40They took the body of Jesus and wrapped it with the spices in linen cloths, according to the burial custom of the Jews. 41Now there was a garden in the place where he was crucified, and in the garden there was a new tomb in which no one had ever been laid. 42And so, because it was the Jewish day of Preparation and the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.

Prayerfully Wonder
“Were you there when they laid him in the tomb?” According to John’s account, only Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus could say, Yes. Although John doesn’t mention them, we know many women disciples would also say, Yes. The Twelve? No!

Neither Joseph nor Nicodemus knew Jesus well. Joseph was a “secret disciple” and Nicodemus came to Jesus only once, at the beginning of his ministry. Neither followed him while he was alive. But they were at his tomb; they laid him there. They gave Jesus a burial fit for a king, embalming his body with 100 pounds worth of spices. Mary anointed him with one pound and some protested the extravagant waste. I wonder what they’d say about 100 pounds! They wanted to be sure the body would last a long, long time. They probably never knew that Jesus said he’d rise again on the third day. Why did they spend so much time and money on Jesus? What did they think about him?

If, as some suggest, we’ll be remembered, not so much for what we owned or even did, but for who we were, what our behavior revealed about our character, I wonder what Joseph and Nicodemus were remembering about Jesus’ character as they laid him in the tomb. Perhaps they would say he was everything they’d hoped for and expected of their Messiah, the fulfillment of what they’d learned from the prophets, that he’d restore Israel. But he died, and with him their hopes. They laid him in the tomb, never dreaming they’d hear from him again. But they would remember him.

What if you were there? What would you be remembering about Jesus, something that most affected your llife?

Prayerfully Respond
Lord, help me remember you, think about you often for who you were then and still are today and help me grow more like you, bit by bit. Amen.

Live obediently. Be there and remember.

]]><![CDATA[Good Friday (April 3). We have no king but …]]>Fri, 03 Apr 2026 03:30:00 GMThttps://www.storymakerlife.com/lent-and-easter-2026/good-friday-april-3-we-have-no-king-but

Prepare to Listen. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.

Prayerfully Read John 19:5-16a
5So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, ‘Here is the man!’ 6When the chief priests and the police saw him, they shouted, ‘Crucify him! Crucify him!’ Pilate said to them, ‘Take him yourselves and crucify him; I find no case against him.’ 7The Jews answered him, ‘We have a law, and according to that law he ought to die because he has claimed to be the Son of God.’ 8Now when Pilate heard this, he was more afraid than ever. 9He entered his headquarters again and asked Jesus, ‘Where are you from?’ But Jesus gave him no answer. 10Pilate therefore said to him, ‘Do you refuse to speak to me? Do you not know that I have power to release you, and power to crucify you?’ 11Jesus answered him, ‘You would have no power over me unless it had been given you from above; therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin.’ 12From then on Pilate tried to release him, but the Jews cried out, ‘If you release this man, you are no friend of the emperor. Everyone who claims to be a king sets himself against the emperor.’ 13When Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus outside and sat on the judge’s bench at a place called The Stone Pavement, or in Hebrew Gabbatha. 14Now it was the day of Preparation for the Passover; and it was about noon. He said to the Jews, ‘Here is your King!’ 15They cried out, ‘Away with him! Away with him! Crucify him!’ Pilate asked them, ‘Shall I crucify your King?’ The chief priests answered, ‘We have no king but the emperor.’ 16Then he handed him over to them to be crucified.

Prayerfully Wonder
“We have no king but the emperor,” the Jews told Pilate. It’s a shocking denial of their usual daily chant: “We have no king, but the Lord.” If you’re living in the U.S. today, your cry might simply be: “No king.” Period. But if you’re a Christian, following Jesus, your daily chant should be: “No king but Jesus, the King of kings.”

It’s easy to be blinded by lies and distortions and unwittingly live, if not actually chant, “We have no king but the President.” Lies are one thing. Believing them is another. Those who believe the lies will, like the Jewish priests, reject faith in God’s Sovereign Rule, for faith in a human ruler.

The Jews believed they controlled the narrative of Jesus’ end. Their rejection of God as their only king proved they’d lost control. But neither was Pilate in control. He too thought there was no king but Caesar and that Caesar’s power rested on him. Imagine his shock when Jesus said, “You would have no power over me unless it had been given you from above.” God, the Supreme Power, was in control. Therefore, despite finding Jesus innocent, despite his boast to have power to release him, Pilate was forced to hand “him over to them to be crucified.”

The Jews got what they wanted. But at what a cost. When they celebrated Passover later that day, did they dare claim as usual, “We have no king, but the Lord”? I wonder. For the Christian, there is no king, but Jesus. We must resist all humans who aspire to that role.

How will you complete: We have no king but…? How is that made obvious in your life?

Prayerfully Respond
Lord, you are our King and Lord, ruling over all things, fully in control. Help me truly say, and truly live: I have no king but Jesus. Amen.

Live obediently. Have no king but Jesus.

]]><![CDATA[Maundy Thursday (April 2). Love, as Jesus loves you]]>Thu, 02 Apr 2026 03:30:00 GMThttps://www.storymakerlife.com/lent-and-easter-2026/maundy-thursday-april-2-love-as-jesus-loves-you

Prepare to Listen. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.

Prayerfully Read John 13:1-11
Now before the festival of the Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart from this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. 2The devil had already decided that Judas son of Simon Iscariot would betray Jesus. And during supper 3Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands and that he had come from God and was going to God, 4got up from supper, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself. 5Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him. 6He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” 7Jesus answered, “You do not know now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” 8Peter said to him, “You will never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no share with me.” 9Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head.” 10Jesus said to him, “One who has bathed does not need to wash, except for the feet, but is entirely clean. And you are clean, though not all of you.” 11For he knew who was to betray him; for this reason he said, “Not all of you are clean.”

Prayerfully Wonder
John’s account of Jesus’ last Passover with his disciples is distinct. There’s no breaking of bread or passing the cup. Instead, there’s a story of Jesus taking up the role of slave, washing his disciples’ feet. Liturgical churches reenact this story on the Thursday before Good Friday. Which is why we interrupt the story of Jesus’ trial to think about Jesus’ command (the meaning of maundy), given verbally and in Jesus’ action of washing the disciples’ feet.

The story begins: “Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.” The command comes near the end. “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another” (13:34). Maundy Thursday is an in-your-face reminder of this new command. Washing the disciples’ feet helps us understand what Jesus meant when he said, love just as I loved you.

There’s nothing pleasant about washing people’s dirty, smelly feet. It was an unpleasant task, relegated to slaves and disciples. But Jesus’ disciples didn’t do it. Without a word of rebuke, Jesus set the example, becoming their slave by washing their grubby, smelly feet. Then he commanded, ‘Love one another in this way.’ Take on menial, unpleasant tasks, ones that help the other feel refreshed and loved.

Washing feet isn’t necessary today. There’re other not-so-nice tasks we can do. Like the friend who sacrifices her time to buy and deliver groceries to home-bound immigrants. She’s loving them as Jesus loves her. What can you do to love, in this basic, not-very-pleasant way that Jesus loves you?

Prayerfully Respond
Lord, give me the courage, the stamina, the humility to love as you love me. Amen.

Live obediently. Love, as Jesus loves you.

]]><![CDATA[Holy Wednesday (April 1). Who’s in control?]]>Wed, 01 Apr 2026 03:30:00 GMThttps://www.storymakerlife.com/lent-and-easter-2026/holy-wednesday-april-1-whos-in-control

Prepare to Listen. I am the light of the world.

Prayerfully Read John 18:28-32
28Then they took Jesus from Caiaphas to Pilate’s headquarters. It was early in the morning. They themselves did not enter the headquarters, so as to avoid ritual defilement and to be able to eat the Passover. 29So Pilate went out to them and said, “What accusation do you bring against this man?” 30They answered, “If this man were not a criminal, we would not have handed him over to you.” 31Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and judge him according to your law.” The Jews replied, “We are not permitted to put anyone to death.” 32(This was to fulfill what Jesus had said when he indicated the kind of death he was to die.)

Prayerfully Wonder
The Jews (the religious rulers), thought they were in charge. They would manipulate Pilate into doing what they wanted—crucifying Jesus. They took him to Pilate’s headquarters, whom they disrespected when they refused to go inside, making Pilate come outside. They wanted to avoid ritual defilement so they could eat Passover that night.

It was the first of seven times that Pilate went outside for Jesus’ trial. He immediately asked for the accusation. Thinking they controlled the narrative, the Jews didn’t give one, insisting that Pilate submit to their judgment that Jesus deserved to die. Pilate tried to refuse, but the Jews persisted, reminding Pilate they had no power to condemn a person to death by crucifixion.

John ended this first scene with a parenthetical statement: “(This was to fulfill what Jesus had said when he indicated the kind of death he was to die.)” Three times Jesus had said that he would be “lifted up,”[1] indicating his both his death on a cross and his glorification. The men who believed they controlled the narrative failed to realize they were powerless. They were doing what Jesus said would happen to him.

I think about this scene today as wealthy, powerful men think they control the narrative of what happens in the U.S., and the world. Like the Jews who thought they were in control, today’s powerful fail to see the Greater Power, God, behind them inexorably bringing the narrative to the fulfillment of God’s plan. Trust that Power.

Life may be messy and ugly, tempting us to take control of the narrative of our nation, our personal lives, the church. Who are you trusting to control the narrative of what you’re now living?

Prayerfully Respond
Lord Jesus, help me today to look to you, trust you alone to control the narrative, even when things seem to get worse and not better. Amen.

Live obediently. Trust Jesus, who controls the narrative of the world.
[1] John 3:14, 8:28; 12:32.

]]><![CDATA[Holy Tuesday (March 31). I am not]]>Tue, 31 Mar 2026 03:30:00 GMThttps://www.storymakerlife.com/lent-and-easter-2026/holy-tuesday-march-31-i-am-not

Prepare to Listen. I am the light of the world.

Prayerfully Read John 18:15-27
15Simon Peter and another disciple followed Jesus. Since that disciple was known to the high priest, he went with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest, 16but Peter was standing outside at the gate. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out, spoke to the woman who guarded the gate, and brought Peter in. 17The woman said to Peter, “You are not also one of this man’s disciples, are you?” He said, “I am not.” 18Now the slaves and the police had made a charcoal fire because it was cold, and they were standing around it and warming themselves. Peter also was standing with them and warming himself. 19Then the high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and about his teaching. 20Jesus answered, “I have spoken openly to the world; I have always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all the Jews come together. I have said nothing in secret. 21Why do you ask me? Ask those who heard what I said to them; they know what I said.” 22When he had said this, one of the police standing nearby struck Jesus on the face, saying, “Is that how you answer the high priest?” 23Jesus answered, “If I have spoken wrongly, testify to the wrong. But if I have spoken rightly, why do you strike me?” 24Then Annas sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest. 25Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. They asked him, “You are not also one of his disciples, are you?” He denied it and said, “I am not.” 26One of the slaves of the high priest, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, “Did I not see you in the garden with him?” 27Again Peter denied it, and at that moment the cock crowed.

Prayerfully Wonder
Three times Jesus identified himself with I am. Three times Peter identified himself with I am not. Not only did Peter deny his identity as a disciple of Jesus, he also denied his identity, period. He slipped back into the old Peter, living out of the false self. He denied his true self, the person Jesus helped him discover and own.

Only hours earlier in his prayer, Jesus had described the disciples, including Peter. They were given to him by the Father; had kept God’s word; alone knew that everything Jesus gave them came from the Father. These disciples, he said, knew and believed this truth (17:6-8). But on that dark and frightening night, standing around a charcoal fire with slaves and police, Peter disowned all that. I am not, he said, three times.

Meanwhile, Jesus was inside on trial. When asked about his teaching, he told his accusers he’d always spoken openly and they could ask those who’d heard him because “they know what I said.” But outside, the one who knew what he said, denied him and all he said.

And then the cock crowed. Peters is no longer in the scene. John doesn’t state his reaction to the cock crow. After the resurrection, around another charcoal fire, Jesus will reinstate him. Not by asking him whether he is a disciple or not. But asking the more critical question, three times: Do you love me?

Jesus warned Peter that he could not follow where he was going. Peter defied him and followed. He got into trouble. In what ways do you see yourself in Peter?

Prayerfully Respond
Lord, help me obey you at all times so that I never say I am not. Amen.

Live obediently. Be your true self.

]]><![CDATA[Holy Monday (March 30). I am]]>Mon, 30 Mar 2026 03:30:00 GMThttps://www.storymakerlife.com/lent-and-easter-2026/holy-monday-march-30-i-am

Prepare to Listen. I am the light of the world.

Prayerfully Read John 18:1-11
After Jesus had spoken these words, he went out with his disciples across the Kidron valley to a place where there was a garden, which he and his disciples entered. 2Now Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place, because Jesus often met there with his disciples. 3So Judas brought a detachment of soldiers together with police from the chief priests and the Pharisees, and they came there with lanterns and torches and weapons. 4Then Jesus, knowing all that was to happen to him, came forward and asked them, ‘For whom are you looking?’ 5They answered, ‘Jesus of Nazareth.’ Jesus replied, ‘I am he.’ Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them. 6When Jesus said to them, ‘I am he’, they stepped back and fell to the ground. 7Again he asked them, ‘For whom are you looking?’ And they said, ‘Jesus of Nazareth.’ 8Jesus answered, ‘I told you that I am he. So if you are looking for me, let these men go.’ 9This was to fulfil the word that he had spoken, ‘I did not lose a single one of those whom you gave me.’ 10Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it, struck the high priest’s slave, and cut off his right ear. The slave’s name was Malchus. 11Jesus said to Peter, ‘Put your sword back into its sheath. Am I not to drink the cup that the Father has given me?’

Prayerfully Wonder
Jesus, the Good Shepherd said, “I have power to lay [my life] down, and I have power to take it up again” (Jn 10:18). He spoke the truth. Judas arrived with temple police and an attachment of Roman soldiers (about 600 [1]), who came “with lanterns and torches and weapons.” Six hundred armed men to arrest one unarmed man! It seems a bit excessive; it suggests the Jewish authorities were afraid of Jesus.

They thought they were in control, but John’s narrative shows Jesus was fully in control, with power to lay down and take up his life. Thus, knowing what was to happen, he voluntarily stepped forward to meet them. Unlike the thief who runs from danger, the Good Shepherd was willing to face it (Jn 10:11f). He boldly asked twice, “For whom are you looking?” When they told him, he fearlessly said, three times, “I am.”[2] On hearing him, the soldiers did what armed soldiers don’t usually do, certainly not before one unarmed man, “they stepped back and fell to the ground.” They weren’t in control.

John doesn’t explain why they fell to the ground. Was it Jesus’ claim to deity (I am is God’s name) or, was it his boldness before armed soldiers? Did they sense that Jesus possessed a power over them that they couldn’t control because it wasn’t the power of physical force? Jesus rejected violence, severely rebuked Peter’s pathetic attempt—one sword against 600! He embraced powerlessness and willingly gave himself up, choosing to lay down his life for his sheep. He asked only for the safety of his followers, guarding them to the end (Jn 17:12).

Imagine yourself in this scene. How would you respond to Jesus’ act of powerlessness?

Prayerfully Respond
Thank you, Jesus, my Good Shepherd for laying down your life for your sheep, of whom I’m one. Amen.

Live obediently. Rejecting violence, he willingly laid down his life. Follow this Jesus.
[1] An attachment was between 200 and 300 soldiers. Brodie, Thomas L. The Gospel According to John. New York, NY: Oxford University Press. 1993, p. 524.
[2] The he in the text is implied.

]]><![CDATA[Palm Sunday (March 29). Hosanna. Come and save us]]>Sun, 29 Mar 2026 03:30:00 GMThttps://www.storymakerlife.com/lent-and-easter-2026/palm-sunday-march-29-hosanna-come-and-save-us

Prepare to Listen. I am the light of the world. (Jn 8:12)

Prayerfully Read John 12:12-19
12The next day the great crowd that had come to the festival heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. 13So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, shouting, ‘Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord—the King of Israel!’ 14Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it; as it is written: 15‘Do not be afraid, daughter of Zion. Look, your king is coming, sitting on a donkey’s colt!’ 16His disciples did not understand these things at first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written of him and had been done to him. 17So the crowd that had been with him when he called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to testify. 18It was also because they heard that he had performed this sign that the crowd went to meet him. 19The Pharisees then said to one another, ‘You see, you can do nothing. Look, the world has gone after him!’

Prayerfully Wonder
As Jesus rode into Jerusalem a great crowd gathered, waved palm branches and shouted: “Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord—the King of Israel!”

Hosanna is a word we often sing. It’s in old and new hymns of praise and often used as another way to say hallelujah. And that’s what we think hosanna means—praise the Lord. But we got that wrong! It’s not a word of praise. It’s an urgent petition for salvation. The Hebrew literally means, “Oh, save us now!” [1] And that’s what the crowd going with Jesus into Jerusalem were pleading for that day. Salvation.

Not a future salvation, ‘heaven when I die.’ But a present one. They wanted salvation from the Roman occupiers. It took courage to shout out that Jesus was king. It was a protest against Pilate and they risked his anger and punishment by his army. They pleaded for regime change, for salvation from brutal and cruel Roman rule. They wanted Jesus to be king and save them from Pilate, Caesar, Rome. It was a daring protest march.

As I write these words today, I think of immigrant families in this country being torn apart by a regime that wants to expel them; I think of protesters treated with cruelty by a government desperate to hold onto power; I think of people the world over being attacked, oppressed by a bully dictator, or a brutal marriage, or violent care-takers. I think of them and urgently plead, Hosanna, Lord! Save them now.

Who do you know who might need to use the word hosanna today? Pray for them.

Prayerfully Respond
I cry, Hosanna Lord, for all those being oppressed today. Depose and scatter their oppressors and set the let the oppressed go free. Amen.

Live obediently. Shout hosanna for those who need saving from oppression today.
[1] Butler Bass, Diana. A Beautiful Year. New York, NY: St. Marin’s Essentials. 2025, p. 154.

]]><![CDATA[5th Saturday of Lent (March 28). Protection and unity]]>Sat, 28 Mar 2026 03:30:00 GMThttps://www.storymakerlife.com/lent-and-easter-2026/5th-saturday-of-lent-march-28-protection-and-unity

Prepare to Listen. You are the light of the world.

Prayerfully Read John 17:6-12
6“I have made your name known to those whom you gave me from the world. They were yours, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. 7Now they know that everything you have given me is from you, 8for the words that you gave to me I have given to them, and they have received them and know in truth that I came from you, and they have believed that you sent me. 9I am asking on their behalf; I am not asking on behalf of the world but on behalf of those whom you gave me, because they are yours. 10All mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I have been glorified in them. 11And now I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one. 12While I was with them, I protected them in your name that you have given me. I guarded them, and not one of them was lost except the one destined to be lost, so that the scripture might be fulfilled.

Prayerfully Wonder
“I am not asking on behalf of the world.” Did that surprise you? Jesus not praying for the world? But there it is. His longest prayer isn’t for the world. It is for his disciples who daily live surrounded by “the world.”

“The world” isn’t the physical universe, an earthly space. It refers to what’s in rebellion against God, distorting God’s ways, choosing darkness over light, hatred over love, lies over truth. This is the world Jesus left his disciples, including you and I, to live in every day. You’d think he’d pray for it to change so that we’d be safe and secure. Instead, he prays on behalf of his disciples, those whom God gave him, for protection and oneness. “Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one.”

Protection and oneness with each other are serious requests, ones the church, Christians, today urgently needs. We’re bombarded through a variety of means with attractive yet subtle distortions of Christianity. Daily we hear more bad news, losses to lament. We need protection to avoid becoming overwhelmed with discouragement that we close ourselves off from the suffering in the world. We need unity to support each other instead of cutting ourselves off from others. Holy Father, protect us. Jesus left his church in a messy world, trusting it to the Father’s safe keeping.

What specifically do you think you, or those you know need protection from today?

Prayerfully Respond
Jesus, I pray with you, ‘Holy Father, protect us and make us one.’ Amen.

Live obediently. Pray with Jesus for protection and oneness.

]]><![CDATA[5th Friday of Lent (March 27). In Jesus’ name]]>Fri, 27 Mar 2026 03:30:00 GMThttps://www.storymakerlife.com/lent-and-easter-2026/5th-friday-of-lent-march-27-in-jesus-name

Prepare to Listen. You are the light of the world.

Prayerfully Read John 16:16-24
16“A little while, and you will no longer see me, and again a little while, and you will see me.” 17Then some of his disciples said to one another, “What does he mean by saying to us, ‘A little while, and you will no longer see me, and again a little while, and you will see me,’ and ‘because I am going to the Father’?” 18They said, “What does he mean by this ‘a little while’? We do not know what he is talking about.” 19Jesus knew that they wanted to ask him, so he said to them, “Are you discussing among yourselves what I meant when I said, ‘A little while, and you will no longer see me, and again a little while, and you will see me’? 20Very truly, I tell you, you will weep and mourn, but the world will rejoice; you will have pain, but your pain will turn into joy. 21When a woman is in labor, she has pain because her hour has come. But when her child is born, she no longer remembers the anguish because of the joy of having brought a human being into the world. 22So you have pain now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you. 23On that day you will ask nothing of me. Very truly, I tell you, if you ask anything of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. 24Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete.

Prayerfully Wonder
“A little while, and you will no longer see me, and again a little while, and you will see me.” Which is it? We’re not surprised the disciples complained, “We do not know what he is talking about.” Jesus saw their confusion and patiently explained.

“You will no longer see me” was for them, not us. Jesus was about to be arrested and crucified. They would experience his loss. Jesus warned them it would be painful, comparable to the pain of a woman in labor. But, once a healthy baby arrives, her suffering turns to joy. So too would they know joy because, in a little while they would see him again. Whatever he meant, the rejoicing they’d experience wouldn’t be transient, but permanent. He promised, “no one will take your joy from you.”

In a little while, they would see him again. He didn’t only mean in his post-resurrection appearances, nor one day, in a distant future when he returned. This is a seeing that we too can experience now because it’s about the promise of a permanent relationship, “the continued experience of his presence in the Christian,” through the indwelling of his Spirit. [1] We see him with spiritual sight.

“On that day you will ask nothing of me.” That’s for us too. Because of his death and resurrection, a new order came into being, one in which direct access to the Father is possible. We can ask anything in Jesus’ name. In my name means our asking aligns with all that the name of Jesus stands for. It’s not license for greed. “Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete.” It’s an amazing privilege, and also an awesome responsibility.

What do you think it means for you to ask in Jesus’ name?

Prayerfully Respond
Sometimes, Lord your words are confusing. Help me live with them so that I come to a deeper understanding of you and live more faithfully. Amen.

Live obediently. Ask in Jesus’ name.
[1] Brodie, Thomas L. The Gospel According to John. New York, NY: Oxford University Press. 1993, p. 500.

]]>