Posted by Ray Pritchard on 4.11.09 in Devotional, Lent
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…
Posted by Ray Pritchard on 4.10.09 in Devotional, Lent
“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…
Posted by Ray Pritchard on 4.9.09 in Devotional, Lent
“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.
Posted by Ray Pritchard on 4.8.09 in Devotional, Lent
“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…
Posted by Ray Pritchard on 4.7.09 in Devotional, Lent
“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…
Posted by Ray Pritchard on 4.6.09 in Devotional, Lent
“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…
Posted by Ray Pritchard on 4.5.09 in Devotional, Lent
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…
Posted by Ray Pritchard on 4.4.09 in Devotional, Lent
“I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43). This is the story of the dying thief who believed in Jesus and was saved at the very last second.Was any man ever in a more desperate situation? Brutally crucified, the is dying in agony for sins he had committed, crimes he had done. He is a guilty man jus…
Posted by Ray Pritchard on 4.3.09 in Devotional, Lent
“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34). It is enormously significant that the first word from the cross is a word of forgiveness. These words teach us that Jesus came to establish a religion of forgiveness. He is at heart a man of forgiveness. He came into t…
Posted by Ray Pritchard on 4.2.09 in Devotional, Lent
There are two things that perplex us about Judas. First, why did he do what he did? Second, after he had done it, why did he feel so guilty? He was so evil that he sold the Lord Jesus for thirty pieces of silver. Later he felt such remorse that he committed suicide.Over the centuries there have been many different reactions to his story. Many peopl…
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