Jesus Rode for You!

Posted on April 3, 2026 by Jennifer Grace

Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion!
Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem!
Behold, your King is coming to you;
He is just and having salvation,
Lowly and riding on a donkey,
A colt, the foal of a donkey. Zechariah 9:9 (NKJV)

Dear one,

I hope you are having a blessed Holy Week! As we began on Palm Sunday, waving palm branches, I pondered what to share with you today. The Gospels are packed with blessings and promises from this week of eternal significance.

Just one week before Jesus would rise from the grave, He rode into Jerusalem on a donkey as the prophet Zechariah had foretold. The people laid down their coats and waved their palm branches, praising the Coming King. When Jesus majestically rode into Jerusalem that day, He looked down eternity and saw you. He rode for you, sister; He rode for you, brother; He rode for me (see Matthew 21:1–11).

Then Jesus went to the temple and overturned the tables of the money-changers. When Jesus cleansed the temple, He cleaned it for you, sister; He cleaned it for you, brother; He cleaned it for me. He knocks over our tables and prunes us for His glory and kingdom. What clutter and sin do we need overturned and washed away by our Savior today? (see Mark 11:15–19)

When Jesus sat at the Last Supper with His disciples, He took the Bread and Wine, saying, “Do this in remembrance of Me.” He meant that for His disciples; for all believers; for You, sister; for You, brother; for me. He wants us always to remember His sacrificial death and resurrection until He comes (see Luke 22:14–23, 1 Corinthians 11:26).

When Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, He prayed to the Father, He prayed for His disciples, and He prayed for all who would one day believe in Him (John 17) – that’s you, sister; that’s you, brother; that’s me. Just think, when He prayed for us in the Garden, He was praying so hard that He sweat drops of blood – Yes, that drop was for you, sister; that drop was for you, brother; that drop was for me (see Luke 22:39–46).

When Jesus took the stripes, even though He was the Spotless Lamb who had never sinned, He bore those stripes for you, sister; He bore those stripes for you, brother; He bore those stripes for me. Each of the 39 lashes was a whip that should have been upon us. The scourge left raw wounds on Jesus’ back, and it is by Those Stripes we are healed (see John, 19:1–3, 1 Peter 2:24).

…He poured out His soul unto death,
And He was numbered with the transgressors,
And He bore the sin of many,
And made intercession for the transgressors. Isaiah 53:12 (NKJV)

When Jesus went to the cross, He took those nail holes for you, sister; for you brother; for me. Those nails were for the sins, sickness, family troubles, government squabbles, and every evil in this world. He bore all our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sin, might live for righteousness (1 Peter 2:24).

When Jesus cried, “I thirst,” from the cross, He was thirsting for you, sister; for you, brother; and for me (see John 19:28). He still thirsts today for all the world to be saved. Just as the Lord needed the donkey to ride, He needs us to take the Gospel and the message of His salvation to all the nations. The Lord needs you, sister; the Lord needs you, brother; the Lord needs me.

And if anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord has need of them,’ and immediately he will send them.” Matthew 21:3 (NKJV)

When Jesus said, “It is finished,” He had completed the work the Father had sent Him to do, the plan the Father had set in motion from before time began to save His children (see John 19:30). He paid our debt in full with HIs precious blood – your debt, sister; your debt, brother; my debt. Jesus purchased us with His blood (see Acts 20:28).

When Jesus rose on Sunday morning, He rose for you, sister! He rose for you, brother! He rose for me! Because He conquered sin, death, and the devil, we also have victory and the promise of eternal like through Jesus Christ. HalleluYAH! We will see our loved ones again!

He is not here, but is risen!… Luke 24:6 (NKJV)

Today’s TEA CUPP: And still today Jesus calls us to “Tell the daughter of Zion, ‘Behold, your King is coming to you…” He’s calling you, sister, He’s calling you, brother, He’s calling me. Keep telling the story of Jesus, dear sister, dear brother. Read the Gospel story. Tell a friend or stranger that King Jesus is coming soon, this time not on a donkey, but on a horse. He is coming in victory for all who believe in HIm.

Tell the daughter of Zion,
‘Behold, your King is coming to you,
Lowly, and sitting on a donkey,
A colt, the foal of a donkey. Matthew 21:5 (NKJV)

I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death. Revelation 1:18

It is Finished!

Posted on April 7, 2023 by Jennifer Grace

So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit. John 19:30 (NKJV)

But He was wounded for our transgressions,
He was bruised for our iniquities;
The chastisement for our peace was upon Him,
And by His stripes we are healed. Isaiah 53:5 (NKJV)

But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him. Mark 16:6 (NKJV)

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 1 Corinthians 1:18 (NKJV)

That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death. Philippians 3:10 (NKJV)

And to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come. 1 Thessalonians 1:10 (NKJV)

The Ladies at the Cross

Posted on April 15, 2022 by Jennifer Grace

And a great multitude of the people followed Him, and women who also mourned and lamented Him. Luke 23:27 (NKJV)

This week, people from around the world remember the death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Two of the most Holy celebrations come together in one, as the Jewish people celebrate the Feast of Passover and Unleavened Bread, recalling when our Yehovah God set them free from Egypt. And Christians remember the death of the Passover Lamb, Yeshua Messiah, who died on the cross for all the world. In my previous devotion, I encouraged you to get together with other ladies to pray for our world. Will you consider there was also such a ladies’ gathering around the cross? It was a group of broken-hearted ladies, just like you and me. Let’s meet these dear ladies:

And many women who followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering to Him, were there looking on from afar, among whom were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee’s sons. Matthew 27:55-56 (NKJV)

Mary Magdalene

And certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities—Mary called Magdalene, out of whom had come seven demons. Luke 8:2

Mary Magdalene was at the cross. Mary Magdalene was one of the devoted ladies who followed Jesus during His earthly ministry. She had great love for Jesus since He had cast out the seven demons from her. Mary followed Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus when they laid Jesus in the tomb and rolled the stone to cover the entrance. Then she went home for the Sabbath. But early Sunday morning, she came again to the tomb, hoping to anoint Jesus’ body with oil, only to find the stone rolled away and the tomb empty. Mary cried out to the “gardener,” “Where have you put Him?” And the “gardener” replied, “Mary.” Then she knew that Jesus is alive and ran to tell the disciples! Mary Magdalene was the first witness of our Risen Lord! (Mark 16:9).

Mary the mother of James the Less and Joses

There were also women looking on from afar, among whom were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the Less and of Joses, and Salome. Mark 15:40 (NKJV)

Mary, the mother of the disciple Little James, was also known as “The Other Mary” and “Wife of Clopas.” After witnessing Jesus’ crucifixion, she was found again at the tomb with Mary Magdalene where Joseph of Aramathea and Nicodemus buried Jesus’ body (Matthew 27:61, Mark 15:47). These devoted ladies came again on the first day of the week to visit the tomb and anoint Jesus’ body (Matthew 28:1), only to find the stone rolled away and the tomb was empty! Jesus is alive!

Salome, the wife of Zebedee, and mother of James and John

Now when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, that they might come and anoint Him. Mark 16:1 (NKJV)

Salome, mother of James and John, also known as Jesus’ aunt, was at the cross. When I think of Salome, the story that comes to mind is when she brought James and John to Jesus and asked that they sit on His right and left sides in His Kingdom (Matthew 20:21). Imagine how James and John felt when the other disciples were upset about this request. Yet Salome asked because she believed in Jesus and His Kingdom. And someday she will receive her petition, for her sons James and John will be sitting on two of the twenty-four thrones around God the Father and Jesus the Son, where we all will be worshipping the Lord (Revelation 4:4,10).

Mary, the mother of Jesus

Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. John 19:25 (NKJV)

Of all the Mary(s) at the cross, perhaps this one is most memorable, Mary, the mother of Jesus. Oh, what a journey this dear lady had, from trusting God with His divine conception and birth, to fleeing to Egypt, to searching for 12-year-old Jesus in Jerusalem, to bringing up a perfect Son in an imperfect world, to seeing His miracles and knowing He was fulfilling God’s plan, and yet, now, to witnessing His willing sacrifice on the cross, dying for the sins of all the world (John 3:16-17). Oh, what a life this blessed Mary lived, being mother of our Savior.

When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold your son!” Then He said to the disciple, “Behold your mother!” And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home. John 19:26-27(NKJV)

Other Women

But all His acquaintances, and the women who followed Him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things. Luke 23:49 (NKJV)

And there were many other women, too. Perhaps Joanna was there and Susanna (Luke 8:3, 24:10) . They ministered to Him in Galilee and came up with Him to Jerusalem, observing the tomb and how His body was laid (Luke 23:55, Mark 15:41). Other women were there, too, just like YOU and me.

“I have loved you,” says the Lord… Malachi 1:2 (NKJV)

Yes, YOU were at the cross! As Jesus hung on the cross, shedding His blood for the sins of all humankind, He thought of YOU! He planned to die on the cross for YOU since before time began (Ephesians 1:4-5, 2 Timothy 1:9, Titus 1:2). With eyes that could look down the halls of eternity, He saw YOU and He died for YOU! He saw your broken heart, He saw your sick body, He saw your hurting soul, He saw your fractured family and your dashed dreams, and He bore it all on the cross. He took the nails for your sins. He was bruised for your iniquities. And by His stripes YOU are healed. He poured out His life and blood and water for YOU (John 19:34), because He loves YOU and wants to be your Savior. But He didn’t stay dead, on the third day, Jesus rose again, conquering sin, death, and the devil forever, giving all who believe the promise of eternal life with Him.

…Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures… 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 (NKJV)

Today’s TEA CUPP: Dear One, say as the centurions guarding the cross, “Truly this was the Son of God!” (Matthew 27:54). Find these Bible verses and read them again today. Choose one of the Gospel crucifixions to read each day this coming week: Matthew 27-28, Mark 15-16, Luke 23-24, John 19-20. Imagine standing with all these women before the cross. When Jesus said, “It is finished,” He looked right at YOU with love in His eyes, waiting for you to accept His sacrificial death. Say as the thief did beside Jesus on the cross, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom” (Luke 23:42)

Thank you for stopping by My Tea Cupp Prayers! If you enjoyed today’s devotion, you might also like to read The Blessed Easter Tree and Every Knee Shall Bow and The Torn Curtain. I pray you and your family have a blessed Passover and Resurrection Sunday this weekend. HalleluYAH! Christ is Risen indeed!

Were You There (Traditional Spiritual)

Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross (Fanny J. Crosby, 1869)

And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. John 3:14-17 (NKJV)❤️

Surely He has borne our griefs
And carried our sorrows;
Yet we esteemed Him stricken,
Smitten by God, and afflicted.
But He was wounded for our transgressions,
He was bruised for our iniquities;
The chastisement for our peace was upon Him,
And by His stripes we are healed. Isaiah 53:4-5 (NKJV)

And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh,
Justified in the Spirit,
Seen by angels,
Preached among the Gentiles,
Believed on in the world,
Received up in glory. 1 Timothy 3:16 (NKJV)

To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. Revelation 1:5-6 (NKJV)