God Takes Care of Me (First Steps Devotions) (12 page)

When was the last time you cried? Why did you cry?

What does it take to make you cry?

Jesus was God’s Son. He was there when most of the people of
Israel followed God. Jesus was also there when many of the people of Israel
disobeyed God.

The Israelites were God’s chosen ones. Jerusalem was the
capital city of Israel. It was the holy city. Just before Jesus was to be
crucified. He talked about the city of Jerusalem. Then He cried. Jesus thought
of how much God loved the people.

“Jerusalem, Jerusalem!” Jesus cried. “I have often wanted to
gather your people, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings.” Jesus loved
the people of Israel.

Do you think you ever make Jesus cry? How?

What could you do to make Jesus stop crying

Dear God, please forgive me for the times I have made You
sad. Help me to love You and obey You.

Have you ever been served?

Who served you?

How did they serve you?

How did it make you feel?

It was time for Jesus and the disciples to share the
Passover meal. The meal had been prepared. The disciples and Jesus were going
to share it together in the Upper Room.

It was the end of the day by the time Jesus and the
disciples met together to eat. Their feet were dirty from being on the roads
all day. Everyone’s feet needed to be washed. Usually a servant did that. But
that night was different.

Jesus got up from the table. Then He took off His outer
clothes and put a towel around Himself. Jesus took a bowl and poured water into
it. Jesus then walked up to Peter.

“Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” Peter asked Him.

“You don’t really know what I am doing,” Jesus said, “but
later you will understand it.”

Jesus was giving the disciples an example. Just as He served
them, they were to serve each other.

Did God ever serve you? How?

What did He do? Have you ever served others? How?

Dear God, thank You for serving me. Help me to serve You.
Help me to serve others, too.

Do you know someone who would do anything to help you?

What would that person do?

How does that make you feel? Why?

Jesus knew He would soon be arrested. Then He would be in a
long trial. And the next day He would be crucified. Jesus did not want to die.
But He knew that was what God wanted.

Jesus wanted to pray. But Jesus did not pray for Himself. He
prayed for the disciples.

“I am praying for them,” Jesus said. “Father, keep them safe
by the power of the name that you have given me. I don’t ask you to take my
followers out of the world, but keep them safe from the evil one.”

Jesus had a lot on His mind. But He still prayed for us. He
took care of us even at the end of His life on earth.

Do you think Jesus is still watching over us?

What does He do to help us?

Dear God, thank You for watching over me. Thank You for
being concerned about everything in my life and for taking care of me.

Have you ever been saved by someone?

What did that person do for you?

Have you ever had someone sacrifice himself or herself to
help you?

Sin entered the world a long time ago. Everyone deserved to
be punished. But God sent Jesus to be punished in our place.

Some people wanted Jesus to die. They took Him outside
Jerusalem. They nailed Jesus to a cross and left Him there to die. Many people
were there. They were all making fun of Jesus. “He saved others,” they said,
“but he can’t save himself. If he is the Messiah, let him come down from the
cross!” But Jesus just prayed for them.

“Father, forgive these people!” He said. “They don’t know
what they’re doing.” One of the thieves dying with Jesus believed in Him. He
turned to Jesus and said, “Remember me when you come into power!”

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

Then it was over. Jesus paid the punishment for everyone’s
sin. Jesus gave us all a way to heaven.

What do you need to do to allow Jesus to save you?

Have you done that?

Have you thanked Jesus for saving you?

Dear God, thank You for sending Jesus to pay the punishment
for me. Help me to always remember that You saved me.

Have you ever been to a funeral? What happened?

What would you think if the dead person became alive again?

Do you think that could ever happen? Why? Why not?

Jesus’ disciples were sad. Jesus had died. Many people
believed in Jesus. They were sad, too. What would everyone do without Him?

It was Sunday. Jesus had been dead two days. Mary, the
sister of Lazarus, and Mary Magdalene went to the tomb where Jesus was buried.
Suddenly there was a great earthquake. An angel came down from heaven and
rolled the stone away from the tomb.

Mary and Mary Magdalene were scared. “Don't be afraid!” the
angel said. He told them that Jesus was risen. And he added, “Go and tell his
disciples.”

The women became excited! Mary Magdalene told Peter and John
first. Peter and John started running toward the tomb. They had to see for
themselves. They believed, too. Jesus had defeated death. We can live with Him
forever!

What would your life be like if Jesus had never risen from
the dead? Why?

Because Jesus rose from the dead, what can you learn about
God's power?

What can you learn about death

Dear God, thank You for defeating death. Thank You for
giving me life. I want to spend it with You forever.

Have you ever asked someone to forgive you?

What happened?

What did the person say?

How did it make you feel?

Peter was sad. He had told Jesus he would never be ashamed
of Him. But then Jesus was arrested. And Peter was asked if he knew Jesus.
Three times Peter said that he never knew Jesus.

Jesus was alive again. And He and Peter were together. What
do you think Jesus said to him? Jesus asked Peter a question: “Do you love
me?”

“Yes, Lord,” Peter answered, “you know I do!”

Then Jesus asked Peter again, “Do you love me?”

“Yes, Lord, you know I love you!” Peter answered.

Jesus asked him a third time: “Do you love me?”

Peter was sad that Jesus had to ask him three times. “Lord,
you know everything,” Peter said. “You know I love you.”

Follow me!” Jesus answered.

Do you think there is anything God cannot forgive you for?
Why?

Is there something you need to ask God to forgive you for
right now?

Dear God, thank You for forgiving me. Thank You for loving
me. Help me to obey You more