Holy Week Devotional Plan from New Life ChurchSample

DAY TWO | Wholehearted Love

We can learn a lot about our hearts and deepest-held values by how we respond to confrontation. The message Jesus is teaching about who would be recognized by God and enter heaven packs a heavy punch. The religious leaders are offended by this message. They were working around the clock to follow the law, trying to maintain righteousness through their own efforts. But Jesus makes it clear that there was more to knowing God than rule-following—knowing God requires the full engagement of our hearts. The beauty of this message is that it offers clear direction in how to follow the Lord! 

The religious leaders are threatened by Jesus’ teaching and afraid of losing their societal standing. It’s evident their hearts aren’t fully surrendered to God by how hard they strive to maintain security through keeping His law. But Christ makes it clear that they need more of God. When we really understand God’s heart, His love overflows to every facet of our lives. Yet, rather than leaning in closer to the Father to have their fears removed, the religious leaders lash out and begin devising plans to have Jesus taken out of their well-constructed picture. 

In direct contrast to the religious leaders, we meet a woman who brings a precious gift to anoint Jesus. She recognizes the Son of God and her need for forgiveness. So she embraces the freedom that grace gives her to bring honor to Jesus. She brings a costly gift to carefully wash her Savior’s feet and head. Her humble yet extravagant gift shows us a lot about her heart. 

From where you choose to feed your thoughts and heart will determine how you respond to situations. The religious leaders stay focused on their own understanding and abilities. This dictates their response of hatefulness towards Jesus. On the other hand, the woman who anoints Jesus realized the gift of forgiveness she had received from Christ. Rather than taking offense because He recognizes her sin, she accepts the grace they both know she needs. 

When we live wholeheartedly from the love of God,  we let Him define right and wrong for us rather than holding onto man’s ideas and expectations. We are then able to experience all that God has for us—His purpose, His plans, and best of all, His presence.

Application: Take a few minutes to ask God to search your heart. Is there any part of you that believes you have to secure your salvation apart from Jesus, or is closed off to God in some way? Bring your heart to the Lord and ask Him to show you the truth in this. If you can, find time to talk through this with a leader or wise friend.