Narrative Lectionary Key Verse for Today
“And so, because it was the Jewish day of Preparation, and the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.”
NL Daily Devotion for Friday, April 3, 2026
by Dr. Kimberly Leetch, Clergy Stuff
Main Idea: While readers of John sought evidence of Jesus’ divinity in the prophecies of their scriptures, we can find evidence in the things that we ourselves witness because we follow Christ.
The gospel of John, especially when it comes to the story of Jesus’ crucifixion (and resurrection), is intentional in pointing out that at every step, the outcomes of all that happened were consistent with the prophecies of their scriptures. It is as if the gospel writer wanted to make sure hearers of the testimony had ample evidence that Jesus was the promised one, the son of God, even God himself.
We have several benefits that can bolster the testimony of those who witnessed the death and resurrection of Jesus. We have the luxury of time to witness the power of Christ working in the world throughout centuries. We have the gift of the written word—the Bible that can testify to the truth as many times as we are willing to read or hear it. But we are not only hearers of a testimony given two centuries ago of a long-finished event. We also have the privilege of being witnesses ourselves of the power of Christ working in the world. The events of Jesus were not only then, but they are also now.
Every time we pray and have the blessing of seeing the outcome of that effort, we are witness to the divinity of an active God. Each time we see a newborn baby, we are witness to the miracle of creation. When we weep over the death of a loved one, we are witness to rebirth and the fulfillment of God’s promise of eternal life. All around us is evidence of the active work of Christ.
On this Good Friday, as we grieve the loss of Jesus, notice that the grief is not strictly historical, but timely, present. Notice the many ways in which the work of Christ is ongoing in our world. Notice that even in death there is blessing and the promise of eternal life fulfilled.
