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In Pursuit of JesusSample

In Pursuit of Jesus

DAY 28 OF 30

Of Saints and Sinners

Before she followed in the footsteps of John the Baptist by living in the desert, Mary of Egypt (c. ad 344–421) spent her youth pursuing illicit pleasures and seducing men. At the height of her sordid career, she journeyed to Jerusalem in an attempt to corrupt pilgrims. Instead, she experienced deep conviction of her sins and thereafter lived a life of repentance and solitude in the wilderness. Mary’s radical transformation illustrates the magnitude of God’s grace and the restoring power of the cross.

The disciple Peter denied Jesus three times. Only hours before the denials, Peter had declared his willingness to die for Jesus (Luke 22:33), so the realization of his failure was a crushing blow (vv. 61–62). After Jesus’ death and resurrection, Peter was fishing with some of the disciples when Jesus appeared to them. Jesus gave Peter a chance to declare his love for Him three times—one for each of his denials (John 21:1–3). Then, with each declaration, Jesus charged Peter to care for His people (vv. 15–17). The result of this stunning display of grace was that Peter played a key role in building the church and ultimately gave his life for Christ.

A biography of any one of us could begin with a litany of our failures and defeats. But God’s grace always allows for a different ending. By His grace, He redeems and transforms us. —Remi Oyedele

In what ways have you experienced God’s transforming grace? How can you express His grace to others?

Thank You, Lord, for entering into my story and giving it a new direction and ending!

Day 27Day 29

About this Plan

In Pursuit of Jesus

Jesus is one of the most talked about figures in history. Some love Him. Some hate Him. Many are indifferent. No matter where you stand on that spectrum, He’s notable enough that it’s worth looking into His teachings, promises, and resurrection. This reading plan explores who Jesus is, with reflections from Scripture and links to video stories from people telling how He has influenced their lives.

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