He did not answer

Several times the Scriptures point to the silence of Christ during His trial. The prophet Isaiah said it would be this way: “Like a lamb that is lead to slaughter, and like a sheep that is silent before its shearers, so He did not open His mouth” (53:7). It was indeed that way, as Matthew […]

The Easter story

One of the things I have done intermittently for many years is to read chronologically through the events of the Passion week. The goal is to contemplate and meditate on the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ and anticipate the celebratory worship of Easter morning. One way you can do that is to purchase a Harmony […]

Sunday Leftovers (3/28/10)

It is tempting to look at the crucifixion of Christ simply as the result of the unchecked sin of unredeemed men and the unbelief of the nation of Israel. Considering only the responses of the crowds can lead one to think, “well, if they had believed, then this would never have happened — Christ would […]

Christmas Eve and Good Friday

There is a clear, unmistakable, and critical link between Christmas and Good Friday (Christ’s death). Celebrate Christmas without meditating on the cross, and you will have a Christmas devoid of meaning — all pretty paper, bows, lights, and tinsel, without any real treasure and joy. Christmas without the cross is a meal without the food, […]

Today’s Quote – Resurrection (Anderson)

J. N. D. Anderson: Jesus Christ: the Witness of History: All the references to the empty tomb come in the Gospels, which were written for Christians who wanted to know the facts. In the public preaching, to those who were not yet convinced, as recorded in the Acts of the Apostles, there was an insistent […]

Today’s Quote – Cross (Piper)

John Piper, The Passion of Jesus Christ: We are not as Christ-centered and cross-cherishing as we should be, because we do not ponder the truth that everything good, and everything bad that God turns for the good, was purchased by the sufferings of Christ.

The crucifixion

The New Testament writers almost deal with the crucifixion of Christ itself as an afterthought. The details surrounding the crucifixion are explicit and lengthy; the details about the crucifixion itself are sparse: Matt. 27:35 And when they had crucified Him, they divided up His garments among themselves by casting lots. Mark 15:25 It was the […]

Today’s Quote – Good Friday (Mahaney)

C. J. Mahaney, Living the Cross Centered Life: I identify most with the angry mob screaming, “Crucify Him!” That’s who we should all identify with. Because apart from God’s grace, this is where we would all be standing, and we’re only flattering ourselves to think otherwise. Unless you see yourself standing there with the shrieking […]

What Mary might have said at the cross

We do not know what Mary said at the cross. But we do know that she was there. And we do know other truths that had been spoken about Christ in the Old Testament, at His birth (anticipating His redeeming work) and during His life. One writer has compiled a number of these statements and […]

Easter and pagan deities

Many years ago I was counseling a woman whose husband was adamantly opposed to the gospel. One item in particular bothered him — Easter, he said, was nothing more than the Christianization of a pagan celebration. So he himself did not recognize the remembrance and forbade his wife and family from recognizing it as well. […]

What are you giving up for Lent?

As today is Ash Wednesday, this is a common question — “what are you giving up for Lent?” I’ve heard a variety of answers — from the sublime to the ridiculous (but mostly ridiculous) — cole slaw, eye-liner, premarital sex with a fiancé, running yellow lights among them. Even giving up Lent. Hmmm. I am […]

Preparing for Passion Week Worship

A simple thing to do to prepare your mind and heart for worship during the Passion week is to read the gospel accounts of the story on a daily basis. Event by event, word by word, confrontation by confrontation, day by day, you will be presented with the essential character and purpose of Christ. The […]