Holy Week Devotion and Prayer Guide West Jackson Baptist Church

“He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, so that, having died to sins, we might live for righteousness; you have been healed by His wounds.” 1 Peter 2:24

Church Family,

We miss gathering together and know it is going to be especially tough as we miss being with our

Gospel Community on Easter Sunday. Our pastoral team has put together a daily devotion, worship,

and prayer guide for you to spend time with the Lord each day of the Holy Week. Feel free to use this

as a family worship guide or as a personal tool in your private time with the Lord.

We will spend this week journeying through the “Suffering Servant” song in Isaiah 52:13-53:12. This is

a Messianic prophesy about the Lord Jesus about 700 years prior to His life, death, burial, and

resurrection. The text will teach us the faithfulness of God throughout the ages and also show us the

faithfulness of God in Christ for the ages to come!

Each day we will study a small passage of Scripture, read a short devotion from a Pastor, listen to/sing

a worship song (click on each song title to access the link), think through some application questions,

and then be guided to pray. Our desire is for this guide to personally draw you into a deeper

relationship with Christ and for our church to be corporately drawn together, even though we are

forced to be separated. We are praying for you and deeply miss you!

In Christ,

Your Pastors at West Jackson

Day 1 - “The Exaltation of the Servant”

“See, My Servant will act wisely; He will be raised and lifted up and greatly exalted. Just as many were appalled at You - His

appearance was so disfigured that He did not look like a man, and His form did not resemble a human being - so He will

sprinkle many nations. Kings will shut their mouths because of Him, for they will see what had not been told them, and they

will understand what they had not heard.” Isaiah 52:13-15

The book of Isaiah has been historically referred to as the “fifth gospel” due to its well-known messianic prophecies. Our text for Holy Week is one of four Messianic Servant Songs (42:1-9, 49:1-13, 50:4-11, & 52:13-53:12). This book is not only historically relevant for the history of our faith, but it is practically relevant for our lives today. The first three verses of this song layout a summary of the entire song that begin and end with the Servant’s exaltation and victory. As we begin Holy Week, I think it is important for us to refocus our hearts on the mission of the Messiah. Jesus came as the Suffering Servant and His motivation was obedience to His Father. His mission was to provide salvation for all nations, and the result is “He will be raised and lifted up and greatly exalted.” Don’t misunderstand the emphasis of this text: the exaltation of Jesus! The goal of this life is to exalt Jesus in all things. His obedience leads to our salvation. Our salvation leads to our obedience.

“O praise the name of the Lord our God O praise His name forever more

For endless days we will sing Your praise Oh Lord, oh Lord our God”

As we look forward to Resurrection Sunday my prayer is that we will never forget the sacrifice of Christ, which demands that we worship and obey Him. I want to draw your attention to the last sentence of our text. Paul quotes this in Romans 15:21 as his motivation to share Christ with those who do not know Him. My prayer is that you would use this unique time in life to exalt Christ by proclaiming Him to someone who does not know Him!

Questions to consider: How does the sacrifice of Christ motivate you to worship and obey Him? What can you do this week to share Jesus with a non-believer? What ways can you exalt Jesus this week?

Prayer Prompts: Pray for Christ to be exalted across the world this week. Pray for an opportunity to share Jesus with someone. Pray for you church family to obey Christ in all things. Pray that God’s mission to redeem people from all nations will be the focus of the church this Easter.

Worship in Song: O Praise the Name

Written by Pastor Ryan Guzouskis

Day 2 - “The Rejection of the Servant”

“Who has believed what we have heard? And who has the arm of the Lord been revealed to? He grew up before Him like a

young plant and like a root out of dry ground. He didn’t have an impressive form or majesty that we should look at Him, no

appearance that we should desire Him. He was despised and rejected by men, a man of suffering who knew what sickness

was. He was like someone people turned away from; He was despised, and we didn’t value Him. “ Isaiah 53:1-3

Who has believed…? At His first coming, and for the centuries that followed, people have so easily failed to see who Jesus really is. Isaiah prophesied that Israel would not recognize the incarnate power of God in the person of their Deliverer. Though we know He is mighty and has all power and authority, Jesus was first exalted through humiliation. God’s Son was never described with an attractive physical appearance. And he never wore any of the finest clothes that would be deserving of royalty. He chose to sacrifice 33 years on this earth, rejected and humiliated. But Jesus was not simply ignored and dismissed, He was despised and rejected. The Son of God endured hatred and rejection from the people He came to save.

"Sent of heaven God’s own Son to purchase and redeem And reconcile the very ones who nailed Him to that tree

Oh that rugged cross my salvation where Your love poured out over me Now my soul cries out, “Hallelujah! Praise and honor unto Thee!”

Ultimately, Jesus chose to endure this lack of respect, this hatred and disdain, this suffering. He did all this to become last of all and a servant of all (Mark 9:35). As Paul wrote in Philippians 2, Jesus “emptied Himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, He humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross”.

Not only did He suffer the excruciating pain from the beatings and eventual torture on the cross, but Jesus also grieved in His heart for the people whom He came to save. He knew their denial and rejection had a consequence. One day every knee will bow and every tongue confess the name of Jesus. But even now, centuries later, He waits, He endures the rejection a little while longer. Still, we’re reminded in the Scriptures that the Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise, but is patient, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance (2 Peter 3:9). What a gracious King we serve.

Questions to consider: Jesus embraced and embodied the life of a servant. Would friends and family say the same about you? Why or why not? Is there someone in your life that has rejected Jesus and has yet to reach repentance? Is it possible Jesus is waiting on them, and intends to use you to share about who He really is?

Prayer Prompts: Spend a few moments to thank Jesus for his humility and patience. Confess pride. Ask God to give you an undivided heart, not set on your own glory but on His. Pray for a sense of urgency to share the Gospel, and a specific opportunity to share Jesus with someone. Pray that God’s mission to redeem people from all nations will be the focus of our church family this Easter.

Worship in Song: Man of Sorrows

Written by Pastor Steve Moore

Day 3 - “The Sacrifice of the Servant”

“Yet He Himself bore our sicknesses, and He carried our pains; but we in turn regarded Him stricken, struck down by God, and

afflicted. But He was pierced because of our transgressions, crushed because of our iniquities; punishment for our peace was

on Him, and we are healed by His wounds. We all went astray like sheep; we all have turned to our own way; and the Lord

has punished Him for the iniquity of us all.” Isaiah 53:4-6

In Isaiah 53:4-6, which might be some of the most familiar verses in this particular passage, we see an account of the sufferings of Christ. The passage is referred to as “The Suffering Servant,” as Isaiah prophecies the extent of suffering that Christ would endure. We also ultimately see the reason that Christ had to suffer: our brokenness. As the Scriptures tell us in Romans 3:23, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” we can see how we stray away from the Father, and how our sinful condition led us to a point of desperation. In spite of the fact that we all have turned our own way, Jesus Christ, in His grace and mercy, went to the cross to atone for our sins. This was the only way that we could be rescued from the certain death and hell that we deserved because of our trespasses and transgressions.

“Till on that cross as Jesus died, The wrath of God was satisfied For every sin on Him was laid

Here in the death of Christ I live.”

Too often, when I read this passage during Holy Week, I am filled with shame and guilt because of my sin. My own transgressions and iniquities were the reasons that Jesus suffered. While personal conviction is beneficial to my awareness of personal faults, I encourage you to have a posture of worship towards Jesus, the sacrificial lamb and healer of sins. Take the time to worship Him in prayer and song this week as we mindfully give thanks for His sacrifice on our behalf. Praise Him for the gift of grace we receive through the suffering and punishment that Christ endured for us.

Questions to consider: As we are mindful of Christ’s sacrifice to save us from our own sin, how we can intentionally turn from immorality to pursue righteousness? What safeguards can you put in place in your own life to continue the process of sanctification, which is to live holy as Christ is holy? How does reading the account of Christ’s suffering cause you to respond?

Prayer Prompts: As you spend time in prayer, give thanks to the Lord and worship Him for Jesus’ atonement of our sins. Take a moment to examine your own heart and life so that you might confess your sins to Him. Ask the Lord to put people in your path that you can tell about the grace and forgiveness that is now available to them because of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. Pray that you would live obediently because of the salvation that you have received. Finally, pray that God’s mission to redeem people from all nations will be the focus of our church family this Easter.

Worship in Song: In Christ Alone

Written by Pastor Josh Ward

Day 4 - “The Obedience of the Servant”

"He was oppressed and afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth. Like a lamb led to the slaughter and like a sheep silent

before her shearers, He did not open His mouth. He was taken away because of oppression and judgment; and who considered His fate?For He was cut off from the land of the living; He was struck because of my people’s rebellion. They made

His grave with the wicked and with a rich man at His death, although He had done no violence and had not spoken

deceitfully.” Isaiah 53:7-9

These verses present a picture of the forth-telling of the passion of Jesus. Though depicted here as a lamb, we can now clearly see that the references are to Jesus, the Lamb of God. We can identify in this passage His arrest, crucifixion, death and burial. Yet to properly appreciate and value the meaning of this picture, we need to understand it properly framed. This frame can be called obedience.

“What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus

What can make me whole again? Nothing but the blood of Jesus”

Today, we know that this picture is framed to the left by Jesus praying in the Garden of Gethsemane and to the right by the discovery of His miraculous resurrection and the empty borrowed tomb from a rich man of Arimathea named Joseph. It is in the garden that Jesus prays these words to His Shepherd, His Father, “Abba, Father! All things are possible for you. Take this cup away from me. Nevertheless, not what I will, but what you will.” (Mark 14:36). It is at this point Jesus makes very clear that what is about to happen is not just an act of sacrifice. His actions are to be understood as an act of sacrifice, as a result of complete obedience. He knew “to obey is better than sacrifice” or to state it another way, the reward and ultimate result of obedience is much better than sacrifice alone.

To obey is better than sacrifice, yet no true obedience comes without it. Jesus modeled true obedience by surrendering His will to that of The Father’s and then sacrificially laying down His life – like a lamb to the slaughter. Thus, we can see that Biblical obedience is rooted in the surrendering of our will to the will of Our Heavenly Father and then acting in accordance to it.

Questions to consider: As our model of an obedient servant, Jesus surrendered His will in order to accomplish the Father’s will. Is there an opportunity of obedience that Our Father has presented to you that have you have not yet

surrendered your will (control) to Him? How does your obedience to God’s commands reveal your faith in God? Your

trust in God? Your love for God?

Prayer Prompts: Spend a few minutes reflecting on the passion of Jesus by reading and meditating over the prayer of Jesus found in Mark 14:36. Allow the Spirit of God to reveal to you the will of God through The Word of God in a real and personal way. Allow His love to fill you and dispel any fear associated with any sacrifice you might need to make in order to trust and obey!

Worship in Song: Nothing but the Blood Written by Pastor Lonnie Sanders

Day 5 - “The Satisfaction of the Servant”

“Yet the Lord was pleased to crush Him severely. When You make Him a restitution offering, He will see His seed, He will

prolong His days, and by His hand, the Lord’s pleasure will be accomplished. He will see it out of His anguish, and He will be

satisfied with His knowledge. My righteous Servant will justify many, and He will carry their iniquities. Therefore, I will give

Him the many as a portion, and He will receive the mighty as spoil, because He submitted Himself to death, and was counted

among the rebels; yet He bore the sin of many and interceded for the rebels.” Isaiah 53:10-12

Good Friday is a paradox. How can we call the most dreadful day in all of history, the day that Jesus was brutally murdered, good? And what does Jesus think about that day? How does Jesus feel about being severely crushed, carrying the iniquities of the many, and paying the cost for our sin?

“I will not boast in anything No gifts, no power, no wisdom But I will boast in Jesus Christ His death and resurrection”

The answer can be found in Isaiah 53. Isaiah writes, “He will see it out of His anguish, and He will be satisfied with His knowledge” (v11). The measure of whether something is worth the cost is weighed in the eyes of the buyer. The death

of Jesus was not just a demonstration of God’s love, it paid an actual cost. Our sins demanded restitution. At the cross, Jesus was the buyer who purchased us with His blood. How does Jesus feel about this exchange? On the resurrection side of the cross, Jesus’ final emotion was not sadness, anger, or regret. Out of the anguish of his suffering, Jesus was satisfied. Jesus drank the cup of divine wrath bearing the sins of many and saw what it achieved and was full (satisfied). He saw the pleasure of the Father as His will was accomplished. He saw the justification of sinful

rebels. Now, Jesus is receiving the “many as a portion,” which will be fully seen on that day when there will be people from every nation, tribe, and tongue gathered around the throne saying, “Blessing and honor and glory and power be to the one seated on the throne, and to the Lamb, forever and ever” (Rev 5:13). Good Friday was indeed good as the Father was pleased, Jesus was satisfied, and we were saved!

Questions to consider: Even though the cross brought Jesus great anguish, seeing all that it accomplished brought Him satisfaction. How does this make you feel? What does this mean for us as we seek to be satisfied in this life?

Prayer Prompts: Take a few minutes and give thanks to Jesus for the cross and all that He accomplished for you. Pray that He will fill you heart with gratitude and your mouth with praise. Pray that others may personally come to know why we call Good Friday, good.

Worship in Song: How Deep the Father’s Love

Written by Pastor Andy Neely