Easter Week Devotional - They crucified Him

Jesus was innocent. But it didn’t matter. They did what they came to do. They mocked Him. And ridiculed Him. And insulted Him. We hear the story and we are shocked at their behavior. “How could they do this to Him?” we wonder. “How could they not see how wrong they were?” Good questions. And questions we should turn and ask ourselves. We mock Jesus too. We ridicule Him. We insult Him. We know the scriptures. We’ve seen our own miracles. We’ve felt His goodness in our hearts. But we still rush to watch those evil movies. We still run to read those scandalous books. We still make excuses for our behaviors. We justify our weaknesses instead of working to change them. We tell ourselves we deserve those moments. Even when those moments don’t honor God. Jesus came to give us life. And we live it as if it’s all about us. The very sins He came to save us from, we brag about. We celebrate. We publicize and promote. His death should have changed us. His sacrifice should have meant more to us than it does. We talk about Easter but spend more time on the bunny. And the presents. And the eggs. Jesus is an afterthought. We squeeze Him in between brunch and family pictures. We see Him on the Cross. We acknowledge what He did. And it doesn’t change us. Not lasting change. Not change that makes people wonder about the Jesus we talk about. Today is the day we remember that Jesus was crucified as payment for OUR sins. May this remembrance be more than a casting glance at the Cross. May it be more than just a social media post. May we look at our lives. May we consider His cost. And may we make a permanent change for Him.

REFLECTION:

What are things I do that mock Jesus?

Is there a habit I need to get rid of because it doesn't honor God?

Will I commit to spending more time with Him this year?

PRAYER:

Dear Lord,

Thank you for this day and another opportunity to do Your will. Forgive us our sins, Lord. We know they are many. Thank you Lord, for Your sacrifice. Thank you for Your willingness to save us. Thank you for loving us enough to know we needed a Savior. Thank you for seeing beyond what we could see and making a way where there was no way. Thank you for the gift of Jesus. Help us Lord to have the boldness and courage to walk away from people and things that do not honor You. Help us to have the determination and conviction to live lives that give You glory. May we not live and breathe as if Jesus' death meant nothing to us. May You see us and know that it meant everything. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen.

Colleen LaQuay Urbaniuk

www.thegiftofmondays.

2026