Deadly Consequences
Mark 15:16-20 Mark 15 offers some oft-overlooked insights into the roles that non-Jewish political and military actors played in Christ’s trial and execution. The soldiers mentioned were probably...
View ArticlePresumption, Prophecy, and Power
Mark 15:21-26 Was Simon of Cyrene Jewish, African, a Greek, or some combination of all three? We cannot be sure. Did he carry Christ’s entire cross, as tradition holds; or just the crossbeam (Latin,...
View ArticleMisunderstood Messiah
Mark 15:27-32 To the very end, Christ’s enemies misunderstood His identity and purpose. He was crucified between two violent, criminal insurrectionists (Greek, lestas)—simple robbery was not...
View ArticleDarkness, Death, Despair
Mark 15:33-41 Mark tells us that “darkness came over the whole land,” (v. 33). Christ called out desperately: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (v. 34). No one could have more heartbroken...
View ArticleStrength and Solace
Psalm 22:1-8 Psalm 22 is a Davidic psalm. Over the course of history, the themes in this psalm have been variously attributed to King David, Queen Esther, the people of Israel generally, and of course...
View ArticleIt Is Finished
Psalm 22:25-31 Psalm 22 affirms some of historic Judaism’s most important claims about the person and nature of God: God cares for the poor and marginalized (not just the wealthy and powerful); God’s...
View ArticleRighteousness and Justice
Isaiah 51:1-6 Chapter 51 of Isaiah invites the Judahites to recall their lowly origins: from one father (Abraham, the rock from which they were cut) and mother (Sarah, the quarry from which they were...
View ArticleSurprised By Jesus
Mark 15:42-47 Roman crucifixion was street theater of the most cruel and sadistic sort. It was all to protect the Pax Romana, the brutal way Rome kept the peace. A thief or murderer, even a purported...
View ArticleHe Has Risen!
Mark 16:1-8 Just after sunrise the cemetery was still. Footsteps crunched on the stone pathway. Three women carrying bundles approached a tomb, the one where Mary saw Jesus’ body placed Friday...
View ArticleJoy Will Come
John 16:16-22 To the disciples this was incomprehensible. This One whom they had followed for three years in “a little while” would be taken from them. He was “going to the Father.” They would see Him...
View ArticleBelieving Is Seeing
John 20:11-18 Pilate was surprised. The crowd mocked. A centurion wondered. The disciples were confused. And Mary Magdalene, all she could do was cry. Each reacted to the death of Jesus in different...
View ArticleConvincing Proof
Acts 1:1-11 “I only believe what I can see!” He shouted. His hands and feet were shackled to a bolt in the interview room floor. He turned as best he could away from me. “So do I,” I replied. He...
View ArticleMonuments of Grace
1 Corinthians 15:50-58 Oak Ridge Cemetery in Springfield, Illinois is a beautiful place. While there are many notable monuments none draws more interest than that of the sixteenth president of the...
View ArticleStill By Faith
Hebrews 11:39—12:3 The writer to the Hebrews spends an entire chapter commending the faith of Old Testament heroes. Yet sums up noting “none of them received what had been promised” (11:39b). All...
View ArticleQuick to Listen, Slow to Speak
James 1:16-21 The people of God would be wise to follow the advice of James. Especially when James writes, “be quick to listen, slow to speak” (1:19). Perhaps this is something you can write on a...
View ArticleTaking Action
James 1:22-27 Something I appreciate about the book of James is the lack of “sugarcoating” in these words. James likes to tell it like it is. Don’t just listen to the word, do what it says. A...
View ArticleFaith and Good Works
James 2:14-19 James is an author who cares deeply about the connection between what we believe and what we say. For James, faith cannot be separated from good works, and good works cannot be separated...
View ArticleTeach Me Thy Way Lord
James 2:20-26 Think of someone you know who you feel exemplifies the characteristics of Christ. Perhaps this person is a mentor, friend, or pastor you know. Think about or take some time to write down...
View ArticleOur Response to God’s Activity
1 Peter 1:17-25 Your value and worth are immeasurable. As the people of God, we have an understanding that our creator God is working in all things. This means that God is continuously redeeming all...
View ArticleI Want to be Like Jesus
1 Peter 1:17-25 Thanks be to God that He has given us everything we need to live a godly life. Our God not only calls us, affirms us, and desires a relationship with us, but walks alongside us in the...
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