Daily Devotion: The Life of Jesus - Jesus Prays in Gethsemane by J.E. Smith

Bible Reading: Luke 22:39-46 KJV 

Key Verse:  "Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done."
- Luke 22:42 KJV

In the Garden of Gethsemane, we see one of the most intimate and powerful moments in the life of Jesus. Just hours before His arrest, He withdraws to pray. Here, the weight of what lies ahead presses heavily upon Him. Jesus is “sorrowful… even unto death.” He knows the suffering of the cross is coming, not only physical pain, but the burden of bearing the sins of the world. In His humanity, He cries out: “If it be possible, let this cup pass from me…”

Daily Devotion: The Life of Jesus - The Last Supper by J.E. Smith

Bible Reading: Luke 22:19-26 KJV 

Key Verse:  "And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me." - Luke 22:19 KJV

On the night before the cross, Jesus gathers with His disciples for a final meal. What should have been a simple Passover becomes one of the most profound moments in Scripture. Jesus knows what lies ahead, betrayal, suffering, and death,yet His focus is on love, service, and sacrifice.

Daily Devotion: The Life of Jesus - The Olivet Discourse by J.E. Smith

Bible Reading: Matthew 24:1-8 KJV 

Key Verse:  "And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?"
- Matthew 24:3 KJV

As Jesus sits on the Mount of Olives overlooking Jerusalem, His disciples ask a question that has echoed through the centuries: “When will these things be, and what will be the sign of Your coming?” Jesus responds with both warning and encouragement.

Daily Devotion: The Life of Jesus - Jesus Cleanses the Temple by J.E. Smith

Bible Reading: Matthew 21:8-13 KJV 

Key Verse:  "And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves."
- Matthew 21:13 KJV

After His triumphant entry into Jerusalem, Jesus goes straight to the temple, the very center of worship. But instead of finding reverence and prayer, He finds corruption. Merchants and money changers had turned a sacred place into a marketplace. What was meant to be a house of prayer had become a place of profit and exploitation.

Daily Devotion: The Life of Jesus - Jesus Heals Blind Bartimaeus by J.E. Smith

Bible Reading: Mark 10:46-52 KJV 

Key Verse:  "And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way."
- Mark 10:52 KJV

As Jesus leaves Jericho, surrounded by a large crowd, one voice rises above the noise, a blind beggar named Bartimaeus. Though he cannot see Jesus, he recognizes who He is and cries out, “Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me.” The crowd tries to silence him, but Bartimaeus refuses to be quiet. In fact, he cries out even louder. His persistence reveals a deep, desperate faith, he believes Jesus is his only hope.

Daily Devotion: The Life of Jesus - The Request of James and John by J.E. Smith

Bible Reading: Mark 10:35-45 KJV

Key Verse:  "And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, come unto him, saying, Master, we would that thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall desire."
- Mark 10:35 KJV

Just after Jesus speaks about His coming suffering, James and John make a bold request: they want positions of honor in His glory. Their desire reveals a misunderstanding, they are still thinking in terms of earthly status and recognition. Jesus responds with patience and truth. He asks if they are willing to share in His “cup,” a symbol of suffering and sacrifice. Though they confidently say yes, they do not yet fully grasp what that means.

Daily Devotion: The Acts of the Apostles - The Jerusalem Council by J.E. Smith

Bible Reading: Acts 15:1-10 KJV 

Key Verse:  "But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they." - Acts 15:11 KJV

The early church had reached an important crossroads. The gospel was spreading rapidly among the Gentiles, but a disagreement arose over a fundamental question: Did Gentile believers have to follow the Law of Moses in order to be saved?Some believers insisted that circumcision and obedience to the Jewish law were necessary for salvation. The apostles and elders gathered in Jerusalem to consider the matter. This gathering became known as the Jerusalem Council.