The four gospels do not tell us much about what happened on the Saturday between Good Friday and Easter Sunday. We know that after Jesus died, the disciples stayed behind locked doors for fear of the Jewish leaders (John 20:19). Their fear was well-founded because on that Saturday, the chief priests and the Pharisees met with Pilate and asked him t…
Today I will be on WMBI-FM in Chicago from 10-11 AM (CDT) talking with Nancy Turner about “Six Hours That Changed the World.” On this very special Good Friday broadcast, we will use the spoken word interspersed with music to relive the six hours when our Lord hung on the cross. We will focus on the seven sayings of Christ on the Cross. …
“Jesus called out with a loud voice, ’Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.’ When he had said this, he breathed his last” (Luke 23:46).Luke is the only writer to record the last words of the Son of God. Every word tells us something important:Father—This was Jesus’ favorite title for God. It spoke of the in…
“When he had received the drink, Jesus said, ’It is finished’” (John 19:30). All of us have unfinished things cluttering up the highway of life.
“Later, knowing that all was now completed and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, ’I am thirsty’” (John 19:28).It is one of the ultimate ironies of the biblical story that Jesus cried out “I thirst.” He who is the water of life now dies of thirst. Jesus has not complained at all about his physi…
“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Mark 15:34).All eyes focus on the center cross. It is clear the end is near. Jesus is at the point of death. Whatever happened in those three hours of darkness has brought him to death’s door. His strength is nearly gone, the struggle almost over. His chest heaves with every breath, his…
It is 10:31 PM in Manila as I write these words. In just a few hours we get up, check out of the hotel, grab a cab, make our way to the airport, and check in for the long journey home. If I have figured it right, we should be back in Tupelo in about 36 hours. But before we leave the Philippines . . . I wanted to share with all my readers the introd…
“When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, ’Dear woman, here is your son,’ and to the disciple, ’’Here is your mother’” (John 19:26-27).Only those who have watched a loved one die can understand what it means for Mary to be near the cross on that…
These pictures tell the story of a very important part of our trip. In late December we learned that the pastors’ conference at Bukidnon Seminary was about to be canceled because the organizers lacked the $2000 necessary to feed the pastors, many of whom live on very small incomes (averaging $40-70 per month). When we heard the news, we commi…
This is Holy Week, and around the world Christians are celebrating the momentous events that took place 2000 years ago. Although there are many things that separate us, here is one thing about which all Christians agree. Holy Week is at the center of the Christian faith. For one glorious week, differences of language, culture, rac…