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Words of Hope Daily Devotional

The Words of Hope Devotional is a non-profit, donor-supported publication whose goal is to encourage readers to grow in faith through the practice of daily Bible reading and prayer. The devotional is available in your email and in print.

Curtain Torn in Two

Read: Mark 15:33-39

The curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. (v. 38)

During the Covid-19 pandemic, as an American living in Canada, I could not go home. The border was closed. After several years of being unable to travel, I was finally able to visit my family in the United States. Emotions flooded me as I went through customs. The barrier was gone and I could finally go home.

Jesus made a way where there was no way. The temple curtain was a barrier between God and his people. When God gave directions to build the tabernacle (and later the temple), he commanded there be a curtain separating the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place. Only once a year could one person, the high priest, enter the Most Holy Place where the Lord dwelled. Even then, the high priest had to be purified by sacrifices. Ritually and spiritually impure, the people could not come into the presence of a holy God.

At the death of Jesus Christ, that curtain was torn in two. Through his crucifixion, as the perfect sacrifice once for all, Jesus opened “a new and living way” for us into the presence of God (Heb. 10:19-20). God’s holiness does not change, but we’re now enabled, by the saving blood of Christ, to enter into God’s presence. He has broken down the barrier by his shed blood. Significantly, the curtain was torn “from top to bottom” (Mark 15:38). God has torn the curtain. He has made the way. Jesus has God making a way for us into the Father’s presence.

As you pray, thank Jesus for making a way for us into God’s presence.

About the Author

Stephen Shaffer is the pastor at Bethel Reformed Church in Brantford, Ontario.

Gethsemane

Read: Matthew 26:36-56 Remain here, and stay awake with me. (v. 38 NRSV) A lot of time as a parent involves being with your kids—making lunches, cleaning clothes, stopping fights, helping with homework. All of that is good and even a

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Whole and Holy

Read: John 17:6-17 Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. (v. 17) What is Jesus’s desire for the church? On his last night, he took time to pray for his band of disciples—the future fledgling church—that they’d be whole

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Glorify Your Name

Read: John 17:1-5 Glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you. (v. 1) If you knew this was your last day on earth, what would you do? You might try to accomplish everything that you have put off for years.

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Blood Poured Out

Read: Matthew 26:26-29 . . . poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. (v. 28) Centuries before that Last Supper, God’s people had lived under oppressive slavery in Egypt. God sent Moses and did mighty wonders to break the power of

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Body Broken for You

Read: Mark 14:17-25 Take; this is my body. (v. 22) Growing up I always wanted to be like one of the disciples—until I started to read the Gospels more. The disciples were a mess most of the time. They squabbled and

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I Am the Vine

Read: John 15:1-11 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. (v. 5) A windstorm left tree branches

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