From: January 31, 2026
“It was a night of watching by the LORD, to bring them out of the land of Egypt; so this same night is a night of watching kept to the LORD by all the people of Israel throughout their generations” (Exodus 12:42 ESV).
Moses wrote to the people of Israel to explain the meaning of the Passover night. He described it as “a night of watching by the LORD.” While Egypt experienced judgment, the LORD was actively guarding, protecting, and delivering His covenant people. He watched over the homes marked by the blood of the lamb and brought Israel safely out of slavery. This was a night of divine vigilance and faithful intervention. Yet Moses also showed that this night would carry ongoing significance. Just as the LORD had watched over Israel, Israel was to keep watch for the LORD. Future generations were commanded to observe this night as a sacred memorial. Their annual Passover would be a watch-night of remembrance, gratitude, and worship, honoring the God who had saved them. Thus, the night of watching BY the LORD became a night of watching kept TO the LORD. God’s saving action became a lasting pattern of devoted observance by His people.
We remember that our salvation also came through a night of watching. On another dark night, Jesus shared a Passover meal and then went to the cross as our true Passover Lamb. That night, He called to His disciples saying, “Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Matt. 26:41). However, the disciples were weak and kept falling asleep. But the Father does not sleep. He watched over His redemptive plan, ensuring that the blood of Christ would secure our deliverance from sin and death.
Now we are called to keep watch in a different way. We are to stay spiritually awake, remembering the price of our redemption and honoring the Savior who brought us out of sin’s bondage. When we gather at the Lord’s Table, we proclaim His death and resurrection, remembering and proclaiming Christ’s sacrifice. We refuse to drift into spiritual sleep or forgetfulness. Instead, we live as people marked by gratitude, alert faith, and joyful obedience. Because God kept watch over our salvation, we are called to keep watch in worship.
PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You for watching over Your people with saving power and covenant love. Thank You for sending Jesus, our Passover Lamb, to deliver us from sin and death. Keep our hearts awake in gratitude and faith. Help us to remember Your salvation and to honor You with lives of obedience and worship. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: January 31, 2025
‘And seeing a fig tree by the wayside, he went to it and found nothing on it but only leaves. And he said to it, “May no fruit ever come from you again!” And the fig tree withered at once’ (Matthew 21:19 ESV).
The morning after Jesus had overturned the tables of the money changers in the Temple, reminding them that God’s house was to be a house of prayer, he was hungry and saw a fig tree along the way. Yet, even though it was green with leaves, it had no fruit. So, Jesus cursed the tree because of its lack of fruit.
Was this the action of impatience or frustration because of His hunger? No. The fig tree was a symbol of fruitless Israel. They had the Law and the Prophets and the beautiful Temple with all of its sacrifices, yet they had filled the outer court, which was meant for the Gentiles’ prayer, with booths for commerce. And more than that, they had rejected the very Messiah for Whom all of these were given. Their leaves were green, but they did not bear fruit. By the end of the week, they would crucify Jesus. And before that generation passed, the Temple would be destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD.
Yet Jesus was raised and the gospel has gone out to the nations. One day, the fig tree, which is Israel, will recognize Christ as Lord and will be withered and fruitless no more.
PRAYER: Dear Father, we want to always abide in Jesus and He in us, so that we bear fruit. We want our lives to glorify Jesus in every way. Strengthen us by Your Spirit to live for You this day. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: January 31, 2024
‘And stopping, Jesus called them and said, “What do you want me to do for you?”’ (Matthew 20:32 ESV).
Jesus was on his way up to Jerusalem for the Passover, headed for his preordained appointment with the cross. With all the weight of what lay before him, he still stopped to heal two blind men sitting by the Jericho roadside. Who stops at a time like this? Jesus does.
Are you willing to stop when you see a need? Or does your busy schedule overrule your willingness to pause and help? Or perhaps you fear not being able to meet the need or doubt the reality of the need?
There are always voices crying out with need. When should we stop? The best voice to listen to is the Spirit’s. Ask yourself, “Is the Spirit of Jesus leading me to stop?” Of course, we have to pause at least long enough to ask the question. The Lord might not always lead us to stop and help, but he will probably move us to stop more than we’re apt to do on our own.
I’m glad the Lord Jesus stopped for us.
PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You for the love You have shown us through Jesus. Fill us afresh with Your Spirit and give us a willingness to stop and help those whom You have put before us. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: January 31, 2023
“Each Passover lamb must be eaten in one house. Do not carry any of its meat outside, and do not break any of its bones” (Exodus 12:46 NLT).
Among the many instructions God gave Moses concerning the Passover Lamb was that it must be a male without blemish and that they were not to “break one of its bones” in sacrificing it. God was preparing the Israelites not only for their deliverance from slavery in Egypt, but ultimately for redemption from their slavery to sin. For by establishing the Passover as an annual memorial, He was preparing them to recognize the true Lamb of God when He came.
Jesus is the fulfillment of the Passover Lamb. He was the male without blemish, the sinless Son of God. And although it was Roman practice to break the legs of those they crucified, which they did to the two criminals on either side of Jesus, not one of His bones was broken.
As John reflected in his gospel, “For these things took place that the Scripture might be fulfilled: ‘Not one of his bones will be broken’” (John 19:36).
PRAYER: Dear Father, we are in awe of the inexpressible gift that You have given us in Jesus. So great a salvation is beyond words. We repent and believe. We trust Your Word, both written and incarnate. Strengthen us to proclaim Your gospel and Your praises to the nations. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: January 31, 2016
Jesus stopped. That’s the first thing. He was willing to stop. He was on his way up to Jerusalem for the Passover, headed for his preordained appointment with the cross, and he stopped to heal two blind men sitting by the Jericho roadside. Who stops at a time like this? Jesus.
Then, who asks two obviously blind men what they want? Anyone can see that they are blind. Plus, Jesus knows their thoughts. So, why ask what they want? I think it’s because Jesus is calling them to faith. Asking them to specifically name their need to him, he is also causing them to express their faith in him. Hearing their faith, Jesus touched them and healed them.
I’m glad that Jesus stops for those in need.