Jamie Mullins

"Now there was a good and righteous man named Joseph. He was a member of the Jewish high council, but he had not agreed with the decision and actions of the other religious leaders. He was from the town of Arimathea in Judea, and he was waiting for the Kingdom of God to come. He went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. Then he took the body down from the cross and wrapped it in a long sheet of linen cloth and laid it in a new tomb that had been carved out of rock. This was done late on Friday afternoon, the day of preparation, as the Sabbath was about to begin. As his body was taken away, the women from Galilee followed and saw the tomb where his body was placed. Then they went home and prepared spices and ointments to anoint his body. But by the time they were finished the Sabbath had begun, so they rested as required by the law." (Luke‬ ‭23‬:‭50-56‬ NLT) That Saturday so long ago must've brought utter confusion and disbelief to those who followed Jesus and believed t...

"Now Judas, who betrayed him, knew the place, because Jesus had often met there with his disciples. So Judas came to the garden, guiding a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and the Pharisees. They were carrying torches, lanterns and weapons. Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, “Who is it you want?” “Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. I am he,” Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.) When Jesus said, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground. Again he asked them, “Who is it you want?” “Jesus of Nazareth,” they said. Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. If you are looking for me, then let these men go.” This happened so that the words he had spoken would be fulfilled: “I have not lost one of those you gave me.” Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, cutting off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.) Jesus commanded Peter, “P...

"Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. On reaching the place, he said to them, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.” He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground." Luke 22:39-44 The coming of the Kingdom of God required Jesus, who was 100% God but also 100% man, to willingly lay down His life. Jesus felt every emotion that we have ever felt. Hebrews 4:15 says that "we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are--yet he did not sin." There are many moments that we get to see Jesus humanness on display, but this is the one that brings me to my kn...

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.” John 14:1-4 Don't be "troubled." Sounds easy enough, but quite possibly the most difficult thing in the world. How can we not be troubled when facing huge trials, loss, illness, uncertainty? The only answer lies in Jesus, and it's how He ends this passage. Jesus had just informed the disciples that His time with them was nearing the end and they jumped to full blown q & a mode. They questioned Him over and over about where He was going and why they weren't able to go with Him. Their hearts were surely feeling troubled knowing that their teacher and leader would no longer walk among them. Don...

"When he(Judas) was gone, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man is glorified and God is glorified in him. If God is glorified in him, God will glorify the Son in himself, and will glorify him at once. My children, I will be with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: Where I am going, you cannot come. A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:31-35 Jesus was always looking for opportunities to teach those around Him. This night in John 13 with His disciples was no exception. Jesus had gathered with them around a table for the Feast of the Passover. It was a night, like many others, for conversation and communion among friends who had journeyed together for 3 years. Only this night was markedly different than the rest. Jesus knew that Judas, one of His closest companions, was only minutes aw...

"The next day the great crowd that had come for the festival heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the king of Israel!” Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, as it is written: “Do not be afraid, Daughter Zion; see, your king is coming, seated on a donkey’s colt.” At first his disciples did not understand all this. Only after Jesus was glorified did they realize that these things had been written about him and that these things had been done to him. Now the crowd that was with him when he called Lazarus from the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to spread the word. Many people, because they had heard that he had performed this sign, went out to meet him. So the Pharisees said to one another, “See, this is getting us nowhere. Look how the whole world has gone after him!” John 12:12-19 This was it! The moment they had all been waiti...

Several years ago, I felt myself getting caught up in the hustle and bustle of the Easter Season…in church service planning, egg hunts, family plans, Easter dresses, and ham(can’t forget the ham). One morning as I was making a mad dash to Target for a few more dollar spot items for the kids baskets, I heard that still, small voice beckoning me to something more. The Holy Spirit invited me to slow down the activity and join Him for a journey through the Easter story. Over the days that followed, He guided me through scripture to show me the steps my Savior took to guarantee my salvation. Every year since, He has invited me to take the journey through the Easter story again. Each time, the intimacy in my relationship with Jesus deepens as my understanding of how MUCH He loves me grows. This week as I began to prepare my heart for the journey to the cross and beyond the grave, God reminded me that trips are always better with friends. With that in mind, I would love to invite you to ...