SINGLE — Jesus predicts his death.

Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.” John 12:23–24 (emphasis added)

DOUBLE — Jesus is crucified with two others, one who would reject him and one who would accept him as Savior through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Two robbers were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left. Matthew 27:38

TRIPLE — Three days after Jesus’ death, he would rise. He is our living Savior.

He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again. Mark 8:31

WALK — Jesus walked to his own death on the cross. His walk encourages us as we follow in his steps.

Carrying his own cross, he went out to the place of the Skull (which in Aramaic is called Golgotha). John 19:17

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrews 12:2–3

STEAL — The leaders feared Jesus’ followers would steal his body from the grave. Rather, Jesus stole our hearts and stole us from Satan’s grip by rising from the dead for our salvation. As we look toward home plate—heaven—we know we have an abundant, forgiven, and eternal life through him.

[The chief priests and the Pharisees urged Pilate,] “So give the order for the tomb to be made secure until the third day. Otherwise, his disciples may come and steal the body and tell the people that he has been raised from the dead. This last deception will be worse than the first.” Matthew 27:64

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10:10

HOME RUN — Jesus made our run toward our heavenly home possible by his grace, through faith, and he is the only way home!

[Jesus said,] “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.”

Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:1–6

VICTORY CELEBRATION — Victory over sin and death is ours through Jesus’ death and resurrection.

When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.”

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:54–57

SACRIFICE — He sacrificed his life for our salvation. His sacrifice was motivated by love.

This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 1 John 4:9–11

The Bible points us to the sacrifice and resurrection of our Savior, Jesus Christ, for our sins and salvation. Because of his sacrifice, we can live victoriously, knowing he went to bat for us, making sure we’d be safe at home!

- Tim Wesemann

Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.

Used with permission grant #041008. © 2008 CTA, Inc. No duplication of this devotion is allowed without the express written consent of CTA, PO Box 1205, Fenton, MO 63026. www.CTAinc.com.

While it’s on my mind, I wanted to alert you to the fact that Tim Wesemann wrote the cover article for the February issue, focusing on the topic of clinical depression. If you are a pastor or serve in some other care ministry, I encourage you to read Tim’s insightful comments. He shares his own personal story from the heart. It includes priceless insights for those who minister. (Since pastors and other church professionals are not exempt from this malady, it may help you on a personal level, too.)

Oh, and don’t miss this month’s Smiles as You Serve. Also written by Tim, these are among the best we’ve published in recent months.

Not yet a Grab & Go subscriber? Find CTA’s home page and scroll down until you see the E-mail Sign Up field in the far left-hand margin.

Many blessings on your continued service for Jesus and his people!

Past issues of our ministry newsletter articles are available here.

But when presenting a new product to a large group, I welcome feedback–not the screechy kind, but helpful, honest, constructive feedback. It’s important.

CTA appreciates getting feedback from its customers. That feedback helps our product development team. Feedback makes us think. It reminds us of our mission and vision. It encourages. It glorifies God because we all want to do our best work for the sake of his kingdom and building up the body of Christ. Email, comment here on the blog entries, comment on Facebook, leave a remark on our youtube videos, tweet on Twitter, respond on our Share.CTAinc.com site, or simply sit down and take up the seemingly ancient art of letter writing (CTA, Inc. PO Box 1205 Fenton, MO 63026)!

It will only take a couple minutes. It’s important. It’s helpful. It doesn’t have to be long. You don’t even have to use complete sentences. u don’t even have to punctuate if u dnt want 2

And the best part is that it doesn’t screech!