Margarita & Stace Crews – Page 78

September 28, 2026

I AM WITH YOU / MATTHEW 28:20

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) Matthew 28:20

and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Standing on the Promise: The Comfort and Challenge of “I Am with You”

The final words of Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew contain one of the most powerful declarations in all of Scripture: “And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20).

This isn’t just a passive sentiment to make us feel good; it is a profound, active reality. When Jesus gave the Great Commission, He wasn’t sending His disciples out on a solo mission. This promise is Christ’s assurance to His followers who are actively involved in reaching and winning those who are spiritually lost—gaining them for Christ’s kingdom—and teaching them to obey His standards of truth.

Because Jesus has risen from the dead, He is alive and active in our lives today. We are never left to navigate this world, or our faith, in our own strength.

A Personal Presence for Every Season

God is personally interested in each one of His children. He hasn’t left us to fend for ourselves; rather, He has promised to be with us in the person of the Holy Spirit (John 14:16, 26). We also experience His abiding presence through His written Word, which anchors our hearts in truth (John 14:23).

No matter what your status or condition—whether you are rich or poor, weak or humble, famous or relatively unknown—He cares for you. He watches every single detail of your life with deep, loving care.

He knows your struggles: He understands your difficulties, your quiet heartaches, and your daily pressures.
He provides sufficient grace: When you feel inadequate, He gives you the strength to endure anything with His help, reminding us that His grace is sufficient and His power is made perfect in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).
He gives supernatural joy: God’s presence can fill every believer with joy in any and all circumstances (Psalms 16:11; 21:6).

The Living Answer to Our Fears

There is an incredible depth to this reality. It is both challenging and comforting to know that we cannot escape God’s presence (Psalms 139:7). He sees us at our best and at our worst, and He refuses to walk away.

Ultimately, Jesus’ promise to be “with you” is the Christian’s answer to every fear, every doubt, every trouble, every heartache, and every discouragement. When the world feels overwhelming, we can rest securely in the truth that the Creator of the universe is walking right beside us.

A Closing Prayer for His Presence

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for the beautiful and unchanging promise that You are with us always. Forgive us for the moments we allow fear, doubt, or discouragement to blind us to Your near presence. We thank You that You are intimately acquainted with every detail of our lives, watching over us with perfect, loving care.

Fill us afresh with Your Holy Spirit today. Give us the courage to share Your love and truth with those who are spiritually lost, and the strength to endure whatever trials come our way. Let Your presence fill our hearts with a joy that transcends our circumstances. We rest in the comfort that we are never alone, never abandoned, and always held in Your hands.

In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.

Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Bible Study Tools I Use

NIV Bible
King James Bible
www. biblegateway.com
www.biblestudytools.com
Map Pencils
Strong’s Concordance
College Ruled Spiral Notebook
Ballpoint Pens
Some links may be affiliated. By purchasing an item from an affiliate link, I receive a small commission – but you are not charged more or less by clicking or purchasing through the link. Thank you for supporting me!

Some of our Post That Might Interest You, All Out of the Current Book / Chapter

Thanks for stopping by the blog today! I love having you here. If this post resonated with you, please drop a comment below and share your thoughts. See you in the next post!

Blessings, Margarita & Stace

September 28, 2026

GO MAKE DISCIPLES BAPTIZING / MATTHEW 28:19

Start Your Day Right Devotion

(KJV) Matthew 28:19

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

Go and Make Disciples: Living Out the True Weight of the Great Commission

When we read Matthew 28:19, we are looking at what history calls Christ’s Great Commission. This is not a casual suggestion or a secondary project for the church. It is His primary command, instruction, and task—given to all His followers across every single generation, with the divine authority to back it up.

In His final moments on earth, Jesus laid out the ultimate goal for His church. Whether we look at our lives individually, as local congregations, or as a worldwide community, our marching orders are clear: take His message to people of all nations and cultures.

Beyond Conversion: The Depth of True Discipleship

Many people hear the Great Commission and immediately think of evangelism—sharing the message of forgiveness and new life so that people will accept Christ. While evangelism is essential, Jesus’ words actually call us into something much deeper: discipleship.

In the original Greek, the word for make disciples is matheteusate, which means to form disciplined “learners.” Interestingly, the word “go” in this passage can be translated as “as you are going.” The only direct command in the verse is to make disciples.

Jesus does not want the church to focus merely on enlarging church membership or collecting superficial conversions. If an individual accepts Christ but never grows past that starting point, they risk abandoning their faith entirely. True discipleship requires solid teaching, continual spiritual nurturing, and a commitment to mentorship. We are called to train others by both teaching and example, producing lifelong followers of Christ who pursue His purposes with all their heart, mind, and will.

The Message We Carry

According to the pattern laid out by the apostles in the New Testament, the preaching of the gospel must center on a few non-negotiable pillars:

Repentance and Forgiveness: A acknowledging of sin and turning toward God’s grace.
The Gift of the Holy Spirit: Receiving the divine presence to empower our transformation.
Holy Distinction: A challenge to live a life uniquely different from a spiritually corrupt world, while eagerly expecting Jesus’ return.

We must remember that our call is to reach the spiritually lost with hope, not to expect that the entire world system will become Christianized. The world will remain defiant toward God until He returns to judge evil. Until then, believers must separate themselves from corrupt cultural lifestyles, devoting themselves wholeheartedly to God and exposing evil to encourage others to avoid it.

Baptism: The Public Pledge of New Life

For those who accept this message by faith, Jesus gives a specific next step: water baptism.

The word “baptized” literally means to be immersed or put completely under water. This act of obedience is a profound public statement. It is a visual identification with Jesus in His death, burial (going under the water), and resurrection (coming up out of the water).

Baptism represents a spiritual pledge. It shows the world that you are dying to your sinful nature and, by God’s grace, being raised up to live a brand-new life completely committed to Christ.

Empowered for the Mission

We cannot fulfill this monumental task in our own strength. Jesus promised that He would be with His obedient followers until the very end of the age. But notice the timing: the disciples were only able to take this message to the nations after they were “clothed with power from on high” through the Holy Spirit.

As you go about your week, remember that you carry the ultimate message of hope, backed by the very authority of Christ and fueled by the power of the Holy Spirit inside you. Let’s move beyond the surface and commit to the deep, life-changing work of making true disciples.

A Closing Prayer for the Mission

Heavenly Father,

We thank You for the incredible privilege of being called into Your kingdom. Lord Jesus, You have given us a clear and weighty charge to go and make disciples of all nations. We admit that we cannot do this in our own strength. Fill us afresh with the power of Your Holy Spirit so that we may be bold witnesses of Your truth.

Give us the wisdom and patience to mentor others, moving past superficial numbers to build deeply rooted, lifelong learners of Your Word. Help us to live holy lives, distinctly set apart from the corruption of this world, as we eagerly await Your return. May our lives, our words, and our obedience bring glory to Your name. Wrap us in Your presence as we go out into our communities and the world.

In Jesus’ mighty name we pray, Amen.

Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Bible Study Tools I Use

NIV Bible
King James Bible
www. biblegateway.com
www.biblestudytools.com
Map Pencils
Strong’s Concordance
College Ruled Spiral Notebook
Ballpoint Pens
Some links may be affiliated. By purchasing an item from an affiliate link, I receive a small commission – but you are not charged more or less by clicking or purchasing through the link. Thank you for supporting me!

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Blessings, Margarita & Stace

September 28, 2026

ALL AUTHORITY / MATTHEW 28:18

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) Matthew 28:18

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.

The Source of Our Sending: Authority, Power, and the Prerequisite of Waiting

When Jesus stood before His disciples on the mountain in Galilee, He began His final instructions not with a strategy, but with a declaration of His status. In Matthew 28:18, He said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me.” This foundational truth changes everything about how we approach the call to reach the world.

Because Jesus holds absolute authority over creation, His subsequent command to “go and make disciples of all nations” carries the full weight of heaven. We do not go out in our own strength, nor do we preach a message built on human philosophy. As followers of Christ, we serve as His official ambassadors and representatives on earth. He has entrusted us with His authority to proclaim the good news, but He never intended for us to carry out this monumental task using only our natural talents or sheer willpower.

There is a divine pattern to the mission, and it requires a blending of absolute obedience and total dependence. Right after receiving the Great Commission, the disciples were not told to run immediately into the streets of Jerusalem or board ships for distant lands. Instead, Jesus gave them a surprising command: they had to wait.

In Luke 24:47-49 and Acts 1:4, Jesus instructed them to stay in the city until they were clothed with power from on high. They had to wait for the Father to fulfill His ancient promise to send the Holy Spirit. We see the magnificent fulfillment of this at Pentecost in Acts 2, where the Holy Spirit descended and empowered the early Church to speak with boldness and conviction.

This reveals a vital spiritual principle that modern believers often overlook. We cannot expect the supernatural power described in Acts 1:8 to accompany our efforts to take Christ’s message to our neighborhoods and nations if we skip the waiting and surrender outlined in Acts 1:4. Trying to do the work of God without the Spirit of God is an exercise in fruitlessness.

Before we can effectively go, we must learn to tarry. We must seek the Lord, align our hearts with His, and rely completely on the Holy Spirit’s empowerment. True gospel impact happens when authorized messengers operate under divine power. When we follow this biblical pattern, our words carry weight, our ministries bear lasting fruit, and the message of the cross goes forth with transforming strength.

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father, we stand in awe of the absolute authority that belongs to Your Son, Jesus Christ. Thank You for calling us to be His representatives and for trusting us to carry the beautiful message of the gospel to a broken world. Lord, forgive us for the times we have tried to do Your work in our own strength. We confess our need for Your Holy Spirit. Fill us anew today with Your divine power. Help us to wait on You in prayer and dependence so that when we move forward, we do so under Your guidance and anointing. May Your name be made great among the nations through our obedience. In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.

Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Bible Study Tools I Use

NIV Bible
King James Bible
www. biblegateway.com
www.biblestudytools.com
Map Pencils
Strong’s Concordance
College Ruled Spiral Notebook
Ballpoint Pens
Some links may be affiliated. By purchasing an item from an affiliate link, I receive a small commission – but you are not charged more or less by clicking or purchasing through the link. Thank you for supporting me!

Some of our Post That Might Interest You, All Out of the Current Book / Chapter

Thanks for stopping by the blog today! I love having you here. If this post resonated with you, please drop a comment below and share your thoughts. See you in the next post!

Blessings, Margarita & Stace

September 28, 2026

DO NOT BE AFRAID / MATTHEW 28:10

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) Matthew 28:10

Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”

Walking Unashamed: Why Followers of Christ Have No Reason to Fear

In a world filled with shifting headlines and constant uncertainty, fear can easily become our default setting. But if you open to the final chapter of Matthew, you will find a message that radically shifts our perspective from terror to triumphs.

On that glorious resurrection morning, the women who went to visit Jesus’ tomb were met with a scene that shook the Roman guards to the core. Yet, amidst the supernatural trembling and the appearance of a heavenly messenger, the angel offers these comforting words: “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified” (Matthew 28:5). Later, in Matthew 28:10, Jesus Himself meets them and echoes this divine command: “Do not be afraid.”

The Loyalty of the Lost and Found

The angel’s response tells us exactly why these women did not need to be afraid: they were looking for Jesus.

Think about the context of that moment. These women had remained loyal friends of Jesus, even though some of His closest followers abandoned Him in His darkest hour of trial. The world at large had despised, mocked, and crucified Him. Yet, love and loyalty drew them to the tomb.

Their focus wasn’t on the power of the Roman Empire or the chaos of the cultural moment. Their hearts were fixed entirely on Christ. Because they were seeking Him, the terrifying environment around them lost its power to destroy their peace.

Standing Confident in a World that Rejects Truth

This truth stretches far beyond the empty tomb; it bridges directly to our lives today and the future promise of Christ’s return.

When Christ returns, His faithful followers will have no reason to fear. Just like those women, modern believers are called to remain loyal to Him in a world that largely rejects His love, sees no need for His salvation, and openly defies the standards of His Word. Standing firm in your faith today might feel lonely, but it is the very thing that secures your peace for tomorrow.

The apostle John beautifully expresses this reality in 1 John 2:28: “And now, dear children, continue in Him, so that when He appears we may be confident and unashamed before Him at His coming.”

When our lives are deeply rooted and continuing in Him, fear evaporates. We don’t have to shrink back in shame or worry about the judgment of the world. Because we look for Jesus today, we can look forward to His return with radical confidence.

Whatever is making your heart anxious today, remember the angel’s reminder and Jesus’ command: Do not be afraid. Keep seeking Him, keep staying loyal to His Word, and walk boldly in His resurrection power.

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for the life-giving truth of the empty tomb. In moments when the world feels overwhelming and fear knocks at my door, remind me of Your words: “Do not be afraid.” Give me the courage and loyalty of the women at the resurrection, that I may seek You wholeheartedly even when it is costly. Grant me the grace to continue abiding in You daily, so that I may stand confident and unashamed when You return in glory. Fix my eyes on Jesus, my risen Lord. In His mighty and holy name, Amen.

Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Bible Study Tools I Use

NIV Bible
King James Bible
www. biblegateway.com
www.biblestudytools.com
Map Pencils
Strong’s Concordance
College Ruled Spiral Notebook
Ballpoint Pens
Some links may be affiliated. By purchasing an item from an affiliate link, I receive a small commission – but you are not charged more or less by clicking or purchasing through the link. Thank you for supporting me!

Some of our Post That Might Interest You, All Out of the Current Book / Chapter

Thanks for stopping by the blog today! I love having you here. If this post resonated with you, please drop a comment below and share your thoughts. See you in the next post!

Blessings, Margarita & Stace

September 28, 2026

JESUS MET THEM / MATTHEW 28:9

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) Matthew 28:9

Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him.

The Certainty of the Risen King: Reflecting on Matthew 28:9

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is not a beautifully crafted myth or a metaphor for spring; it is an unshakeable, foundational reality of history. For forty days after His victory over the grave, Christ walked the earth, appearing to His closest friends and hundreds of others to establish what the Bible calls “many infallible proofs.”

Among these powerful encounters, one brief moment shines with incredible tenderness: Jesus meeting the women returning from the tomb.

“And as they went to tell His disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, ‘Rejoice!’ So they came and held Him by the feet and worshiped Him.” — Matthew 28:9

Joy in the Midst of Obedience

The women were rushing to share the angel’s news with the mourning disciples when Jesus interrupted their journey. Notice that Jesus met them as they went. In their willingness to obey and carry the message, they were met by the Message Himself.

When Jesus stood before them, His first words were not complicated or filled with structural theological lecturing. In the original language, His greeting literally meant “Rejoice!” or “All hail!” It was an invitation to swap their heavy grief for an overflowing, radical joy.

The Response of True Faith

Faced with the undeniable reality of the living Christ, the women didn’t analyze the moment from a safe distance. Their immediate reaction gives us a timeless blueprint for how we should respond to the Risen Lord:

They drew near: They ran directly to Him, breaking through the barriers of fear.
They held His feet: This physical act verified the concrete reality of His body. He wasn’t a ghost or a figment of their imagination; He was flesh, bone, and gloriously alive.
They worshiped Him: Recognizing His divine authority, they fell to their knees. Humble worship is the only logical response when you encounter the living Savior.

A History Built on Eye-Witness Ground

This intimate moment was just the beginning of a forty-day period where Jesus solidified the reality of His resurrection to change the world forever. The historical reliability of the gospel rests on a massive cloud of witnesses who saw, touched, and ate with Him. His documented post-resurrection appearances include:

Mary Magdalene (John 20:11-18)
The women returning from the tomb (Matthew 28:9-10)
Peter (Luke 24:34)
Two travelers on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35)
The disciples in the locked room (minus Thomas) (Luke 24:36-43)
All the disciples one week later (including Thomas) (John 20:26-31)
Seven disciples by the Sea of Galilee (John 21:1-25)
Five hundred people at once in Galilee (1 Corinthians 15:6)
James, the half-brother of Jesus (1 Corinthians 15:7)
The disciples receiving the Great Commission (Matthew 28:16-20)
Those who watched Him ascend into heaven (Acts 1:3-11)
The Apostle Paul, a former persecutor turned pioneer missionary (1 Corinthians 15:8)

Meeting Jesus Today

Just as He met the women on the dirt road, Jesus still meets us in the middle of our ordinary lives, our doubts, and our duties. Because the tomb is empty, we don’t serve a dead historical figure—we serve a living Savior who promises to be with us “always, even to the end of the age.” When life causes you to tremble, remember His words to the women: “Do not be afraid.” Drop to your knees, take hold of His promises, and rejoice!

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father, we praise You for the glorious reality of the resurrection. Thank You that our faith is built on the solid, historical truth of the empty tomb and the living Christ. Lord Jesus, just as You met the women on the road, we ask that You meet us afresh today. Forgive us for the times we let fear paralyze us. Help us to drop at Your feet in absolute surrender and worship. Fill our hearts with the radical joy of Your resurrection, and give us the courage to go and tell others that You are alive. We cast away fear and choose to rejoice in Your victory over death. In Your holy and mighty name, Amen.

Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Bible Study Tools I Use

NIV Bible
King James Bible
www. biblegateway.com
www.biblestudytools.com
Map Pencils
Strong’s Concordance
College Ruled Spiral Notebook
Ballpoint Pens
Some links may be affiliated. By purchasing an item from an affiliate link, I receive a small commission – but you are not charged more or less by clicking or purchasing through the link. Thank you for supporting me!

Some of our Post That Might Interest You, All Out of the Current Book / Chapter

Thanks for stopping by the blog today! I love having you here. If this post resonated with you, please drop a comment below and share your thoughts. See you in the next post!

Blessings, Margarita & Stace

September 28, 2026

HE HAS RISEN / MATTHEW 28:6

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) Matthew 28:6

He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.

He Is Not Here: The Power and Promise of the Resurrection

It is the defining moment of human history. When the women arrived at the tomb early on the first day of the week, they were met not with a corpse, but with a heavenly declaration that changed everything: “He is not here; for He is risen, as He said” (Matthew 28:6).

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is not just a comforting story or a footnote in history—it is the central truth of the gospel. As the Apostle Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 15, apart from the resurrection, our faith would be entirely useless. Jesus’ enemies knew the explosive power of this message. They sealed the tomb, set a guard, and later bribed soldiers to spread lies to suppress the truth (Matthew 27:62-66; 28:11-15). But human plans cannot stop a divine miracle. The grave is empty, and the message of His triumph has outlived every empire that tried to crush it.

Why does the resurrection matter so deeply for us today? Here is what the empty tomb secures for every believer:

It proves His divine identity: The resurrection declares with absolute power that Jesus is exactly who He said He is—the Son of God (Romans 1:4).
It guarantees our forgiveness: Because Jesus conquered death, we know His sacrifice for our sins was fully accepted by God, providing a restored relationship with our Creator (Romans 6:4; 1 Corinthians 15:17).
It verifies the truth of Scripture: From ancient prophecies in the Psalms to Jesus’ own words, the empty tomb proves that God’s Word is completely reliable (Luke 24:44-47).
It unleashes spiritual life and power: Christ’s resurrection is the foundation for the gift of the Holy Spirit. Today, He lives to intercede for us in heaven and makes His power over sin available in our everyday lives (Ephesians 1:18-20).
It assures our future inheritance: Death no longer has the final say. We are given a living hope and the absolute assurance of our own future resurrection when the Lord returns (1 Peter 1:3-4; 1 Thessalonians 4:14).

The reality of Matthew 28:6 shifts our perspective from despair to hope. We do not serve a dead prophet; we serve a living Savior. Because He lives, we can face today with confidence and eternity with joy.

A Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father,

We praise You today for the glorious truth of the empty tomb. Thank You that the grave could not hold Your Son, and that the plans of men could not suppress Your miraculous power. Thank You, Jesus, that You are risen, just as You said.

We thank You that because You live, we have the ultimate assurance of forgiven sins, a restored relationship with You, and the promise of eternal life. Forgive us for the times we live in fear or doubt, forgetting the resurrection power that is available to us today. Let the same power that raised Christ from the dead work in our hearts, giving us victory over sin and strength for our daily lives.

Anchor our hope in Your unchanging Word. May we live as people of the resurrection—bold in our testimony, joyful in our trials, and eagerly looking forward to our future inheritance in heaven.

In the mighty and victorious name of Jesus, Amen.

Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Bible Study Tools I Use

NIV Bible
King James Bible
www. biblegateway.com
www.biblestudytools.com
Map Pencils
Strong’s Concordance
College Ruled Spiral Notebook
Ballpoint Pens
Some links may be affiliated. By purchasing an item from an affiliate link, I receive a small commission – but you are not charged more or less by clicking or purchasing through the link. Thank you for supporting me!

Some of our Post That Might Interest You, All Out of the Current Book / Chapter

Thanks for stopping by the blog today! I love having you here. If this post resonated with you, please drop a comment below and share your thoughts. See you in the next post!

Blessings, Margarita & Stace

September 28, 2026

MANY HOLY PEOPLE WERE RAISED / MATTHEW 27:52

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) Matthew 24:52

and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life.

The Earth Shook, the Graves Opened: The Ultimate Defeat of Death

When we read the account of Christ’s crucifixion, our eyes naturally and rightfully stay fixed on the cross. We witness the agony, we hear His final cry, and we watch the Savior of the world yield up His spirit. But the Gospel of Matthew records a staggering, supernatural sequence of events that happened the exact moment Jesus died—events that reveal the immediate, cosmic ripple effects of His sacrifice.

Among the tearing of the temple veil and the splitting of rocks, Matthew drops a detail that is as mysterious as it is breathtaking:

“The tombs were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; and coming out of the tombs after His resurrection they entered the holy city and appeared to many.” — Matthew 27:52-53

It is an astonishing scene. Many holy people who had died were suddenly raised to life. While this passage has sparked much curiosity over the centuries, its primary purpose is not to provoke speculation, but to serve as a divine guarantee.

The Firstfruits of Victory

In Jewish tradition, the “firstfruits” represented the initial harvest that guaranteed a greater harvest was still to come. When Jesus breathed His last, the power of death didn’t just bend; it completely broke.

The opening of these graves was a physical, visual demonstration of what Christ’s sacrifice achieved in the spiritual realm. The significance of this miraculous event indicates that Christ’s death and resurrection guarantee the bodily resurrection of His followers who have already passed from this life by the time He returns.

When these saints walked out of their tombs and into the holy city, they were living proof that graves are no longer permanent holding cells. They were a preview of the coming attraction—the final day when all who belong to Christ will be called forward into incorruptible, eternal life.

Death is Swallowed Up in Victory

Before the cross, death was a cruel tyrant with an undefeated record. But Jesus changed the narrative entirely. His resurrection marked the absolute defeat of death.

As the Apostle Paul later wrote in his letters, this mortal reality is not the end of our story. We find this glorious truth echoed across the New Testament:

1 Corinthians 15:54-55: “When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come to pass: ‘Death has been swallowed up in victory.’ ‘Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?'”
1 Thessalonians 4:14: “For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.”

Because Jesus conquered the grave, the sting of death is removed for the believer. When we lay loved ones to rest, or when we contemplate our own mortality, we do not grieve as those who have no hope. We know that the same power that cracked open the tombs in Matthew 27 is the power that secures our eternal future.

The Promise for Us Today

The account of the resurrected saints reminds us that our faith is not built on wishful thinking, but on historical, miraculous breakthroughs. The cross wasn’t a defeat; it was the ultimate rescue mission.

If you are carrying grief today, or if the fear of death feels heavy, look back to Matthew 27. Let the image of opened graves and living saints remind you that Jesus holds the keys to death and Hades. Your future is secure, your bodily resurrection is guaranteed, and the grave is nothing more than a temporary rest before waking up in glory.

Closing Prayer

Lord God, Almighty Father,

We stand in awe of the sheer magnitude of the cross. We thank You that the moment Your Son yielded His spirit, the earth shook, the veil was torn, and the absolute power of death was shattered forever. Thank You for the profound reminder in Matthew 27 that graves could not hold Your holy ones once the price for sin was paid.

We praise You, Jesus, because Your victory is our victory. Thank You for guaranteeing the bodily resurrection of all who sleep in You. Comfort our hearts with this eternal hope today. Remove any lingering fear of the grave, and remind us daily that because You live, we will live also. Strengthen our faith, anchor our souls in Your promises, and help us live boldly for Your kingdom.

In the mighty and matchless name of Jesus Christ, our risen Lord, Amen.

Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Bible Study Tools I Use

NIV Bible
King James Bible
www. biblegateway.com
www.biblestudytools.com
Map Pencils
Strong’s Concordance
College Ruled Spiral Notebook
Ballpoint Pens
Some links may be affiliated. By purchasing an item from an affiliate link, I receive a small commission – but you are not charged more or less by clicking or purchasing through the link. Thank you for supporting me!

Some of our Post That Might Interest You, All Out of the Current Book / Chapter

Thanks for stopping by the blog today! I love having you here. If this post resonated with you, please drop a comment below and share your thoughts. See you in the next post!

Blessings, Margarita & Stace

September 28, 2026

THE CURTAIN WAS TORN / MATTHEW 27:51

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) Matthew 27:51

At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split

The Curtain Was Torn: Ultimate Access to the Presence of God

When Jesus breathed His last breath on the cross, the world shook. Rocks split, the earth trembled, and at that very moment, something extraordinary happened in the heart of the temple. Matthew 27:51 records: “At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.”

This was not a minor detail or a random coincidence. It was a cosmic shift in how humanity relates to the Living God.

The Barrier of Separation

To understand the weight of this moment, we have to look back at the design of the temple (Exodus 26:33). For centuries, a thick, heavy curtain separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place—the literal dwelling place of God’s presence on earth.

This curtain stood as a constant visual reminder of a painful reality: sinful humanity was separated from a holy God.

Access to the Most Holy Place was strictly restricted. Regular people could never enter. Only the high priest could pass through the veil, and even then, only once a year on the Day of Atonement under strict conditions and with the blood of sacrifices. One wrong move meant death. The message was clear: God is holy, we are not, and the gap between us is impassable on our own.

The Ultimate High Priest

But where we were powerless, Jesus stepped in. As the book of Hebrews beautifully explains, Jesus came as our ultimate High Priest (Hebrews 4:14-16; 6:20; 8:1). He didn’t just offer temporary animal sacrifices; He offered Himself.

Through His death on the cross, Jesus made the final, perfect sacrifice for our sins. When He cried out, “It is finished,” the heavy veil of the temple didn’t tear from the bottom up—as if done by human hands—but from top to bottom. God Himself ripped the barrier apart.

By tearing back the curtain, Jesus opened permanent, unfiltered access to God for everyone who surrenders their life to Him (Hebrews 9:1-14; 10:19-22). We no longer need an earthly priest or a physical temple to speak to our Creator. Because of the blood of Christ, we can boldly approach the throne of grace at any time, from anywhere.

The barrier is gone. The way is open. You are invited into His presence.

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father,

We stand in awe of Your perfect holiness and Your immense love for us. Thank You for sending Your Son, Jesus, to bridge the gap that our sin had created. Thank You, Lord Jesus, for being our ultimate High Priest, for enduring the cross, and for making the ultimate sacrifice.

We praise You that the curtain has been torn. Thank You that we no longer have to stand far off in fear, but that we can walk boldly into Your presence today. Help us never to take this incredible access for granted. We surrender our lives afresh to You today. May we dwell in Your presence, hear Your voice, and live in the freedom that Your sacrifice purchased for us.

In Jesus’ mighty name we pray, Amen.

Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Bible Study Tools I Use

NIV Bible
King James Bible
www. biblegateway.com
www.biblestudytools.com
Map Pencils
Strong’s Concordance
College Ruled Spiral Notebook
Ballpoint Pens
Some links may be affiliated. By purchasing an item from an affiliate link, I receive a small commission – but you are not charged more or less by clicking or purchasing through the link. Thank you for supporting me!

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Blessings, Margarita & Stace

September 28, 2026

JESUS CRIED OUT AGAIN / MATTHEW 27:50

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) Matthew 27:50

And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.

The Triumph of the Final Cry: Understanding Matthew 27:50

In the narrative of the crucifixion, every moment carries monumental weight, but few verses hold as much hidden depth as Matthew 27:50: “And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit.”

To the casual observer standing at the foot of the cross that dark afternoon, this final cry might have sounded like the ultimate defeat—the last gasp of a dying man yielding to the agony of Roman crucifixion. But when we look closer at the full context of Scripture, we discover that this was not a whimper of exhaustion. It was a shout of ultimate victory.

This moment represents the tenth and final stage of the immense sufferings surrounding Christ’s death and sacrifice for our sins. Throughout the day, Jesus endured betrayal, abandonment, mocking, beating, and the agonizing weight of carrying our transgressions. Yet, before He drew His final breath, He chose to cry out in a loud voice.

What did He say in that moment? The Gospel of John fills in the beautiful detail of this triumphant shout: “It is finished” (John 19:30).

These final words mark the absolute end of His physical and spiritual sufferings. They signify the glorious completion of His earthly mission. Jesus did not merely die; He accomplished what He came to do. He paid the ultimate price for our sins, tearing down the barrier of guilt and shame that separated us from our Creator, and completely restoring our opportunity for a deep, personal relationship with God. The debt was paid in full.

Only after He had entirely established God’s plan of salvation did Jesus offer His final prayer. As recorded in Luke 23:46, He spoke with perfect peace and authority: “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.”

Jesus was not having His life taken from Him against His will. He willingly gave it up. He surrendered His spirit into the hands of the Father because the work was perfectly done. Today, we can live with assurance, knowing that our salvation is secure, our past is forgiven, and our future is held by the very same Father who received the spirit of Christ on that historic day.

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father, we look to the cross today with hearts full of profound gratitude. Thank You for sending Your Son, Jesus Christ, to endure the ultimate suffering on our behalf. We thank You for that final, victorious cry that echoes through history, assuring us that the work of our salvation is completely finished. Thank You for paying our debt in full and opening the way for us to know You intimately. We ask that You help us live each day in the freedom of Your grace, confidently committing our own lives, trials, and futures into Your secure hands. In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.

Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Bible Study Tools I Use

NIV Bible
King James Bible
www. biblegateway.com
www.biblestudytools.com
Map Pencils
Strong’s Concordance
College Ruled Spiral Notebook
Ballpoint Pens
Some links may be affiliated. By purchasing an item from an affiliate link, I receive a small commission – but you are not charged more or less by clicking or purchasing through the link. Thank you for supporting me!

Some of our Post That Might Interest You, All Out of the Current Book / Chapter

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Blessings, Margarita & Stace

September 27, 2026

WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME? / MATTHEW 27:46

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) Matthew 27:46

About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).

The Climax of the Cross: Understanding Jesus’ Cry of Abandonment

There is no moment in human history more heavy, more jarring, or more deeply profound than the one captured in Matthew 27:46. As darkness covered the land, Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

To read these words is to step onto holy, heartbreaking ground. This cry marks the very climax of Christ’s sufferings for a spiritually lost world. While the physical torture of the crucifixion was brutal beyond measure, this moment represents an even greater agony: the unimaginable spiritual anguish of separation from God.

The Weight of Our Substitute

We often look at the cross and see physical pain, but Jesus was enduring something far deeper. He was experiencing the ultimate consequence of sin—complete isolation from the Father.

This sense of separation was intensified because Jesus hung there as our substitute. As 2 Corinthians 5:21 reminds us, God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us. In those dark hours, Jesus took upon Himself the full, crushing weight of guilt and punishment for every sin ever committed.

The Creator Rejected: Here we see God’s Son, the very Creator of the universe, not only rejected by His own creation but isolated from the One who is everywhere.
The Ultimate Judgment: No human being has ever endured, or will ever have to endure, such a profound sense of judgment and isolation. He was truly “pierced for our transgressions” and “crushed for our iniquities” (Isaiah 53:5).

Forsaken So We Wouldn’t Be

Why did Jesus have to feel completely abandoned? He died forsaken so that you and I would never have to be forsaken.

By willingly taking on the punishment of our sins and absorbing the judgment we deserved, Jesus paid the ultimate ransom. Through His perfect sacrifice and immense suffering, He broke down the wall of division. For everyone who places their trust in Him, a right relationship with God is completely restored.

Because He was cast into the dark, we are brought forever into the light.

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father,

We come before You with humbled and broken hearts, overwhelmed by the depth of Your love. Lord Jesus, we can never fully comprehend the weight of the abandonment You felt on the cross, or the agony of crying out to the Father in total isolation. Thank You for bearing our shame, carrying our guilt, and taking the punishment that was rightfully ours.

Thank You that because You were forsaken in that dark hour, we have the beautiful, unchanging promise that You will never leave us nor forsake us. Help us to live every day in the light of this incredible grace. May our lives be a living sacrifice of gratitude for the right relationship You died to give us.

In Your holy and precious name, we pray, Amen.

Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Bible Study Tools I Use

NIV Bible
King James Bible
www. biblegateway.com
www.biblestudytools.com
Map Pencils
Strong’s Concordance
College Ruled Spiral Notebook
Ballpoint Pens
Some links may be affiliated. By purchasing an item from an affiliate link, I receive a small commission – but you are not charged more or less by clicking or purchasing through the link. Thank you for supporting me!

Some of our Post That Might Interest You, All Out of the Current Book / Chapter

Thanks for stopping by the blog today! I love having you here. If this post resonated with you, please drop a comment below and share your thoughts. See you in the next post!

Blessings, Margarita & Stace