04/09/2026
Friday:
Blood on the Temple Steps and Mercy’s Cost
Pilgrims climb Jerusalem’s hill with unblemished lambs, their guilt transferred to innocent creatures. The temple’s bloody altar foreshadows Christ’s cross, where judgment and mercy collide. Amos’ call to true worship finds its fulfillment here: not in rituals or wealth, but in the Lamb who takes away sin. To follow Jesus is to carry our own “cross,” exchanging temporary security for eternal surrender. [45:47]
Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.”
(Matthew 16:24-25, ESV)
Reflection: What innocent “lambs” (habits, excuses, or substitutes) have you relied on instead of embracing the cross? Where is Jesus asking you to trade comfort for costly obedience today?