But Mary stood outside the tomb, crying. As she was crying, she stooped to look into the tomb. She saw two angels in white sitting where Jesus’s body had been lying, one at the head and the other at the feet. They said to her, “Woman, why are you crying?” “Because they’ve taken away my Lord,” she told them, “and I don’t know where they’ve put him.” – John 20:11-13The story of the resurrection begi...  Read More

And he said to him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” – Luke 23:43Jesus’ response to the criminal on the cross is immediate and decisive. He does not hesitate. He does not delay. He does not require proof. He makes a promise.“Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”That single sentence rewrote a lifetime of failure.The criminal could not save himself. He c...  Read More

Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” – Luke 23:42This statement by the second criminal in today’s key verse may be one of the most remarkable statements of faith in all of Scripture. Hanging on a cross, gasping for breath, staring at his own death, he turns to Jesus and says, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”Do not rush past that sentence.Jesus di...  Read More

But the other answered, rebuking him: “Don’t you even fear God, since you are undergoing the same punishment? We are punished justly, because we’re getting back what we deserve for the things we did, but this man has done nothing wrong.” – Luke 23:40-41The second criminal responded very differently from the first criminal, as we discussed yesterday. Instead of mocking Jesus, he rebuked the other m...  Read More

Then one of the criminals hanging there began to yell insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” – Luke 23:39The words of the crucified criminal recorded in today's key verse were loud, demanding, and revealing. “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” This man was not asking for forgiveness. He was not confessing sin. He was demanding rescue.What he wanted was relief w...  Read More

Two others—criminals—were also led away to be executed with him. When they arrived at the place called The Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals, one on the right and one on the left. – Luke 23:32-33Crucifixion was never meant to be hidden. The Romans intentionally carried out executions in public places so that as many people as possible would see them. These were not quiet de...  Read More

There was also an inscription above him: This is the King of the Jews. – Luke 23:38Crucifixion was not accidental. It was intentional humiliation. Romans chose public places near major roadways so everyone could see what happened to those who challenged their authority. The goal was fear. Obedience through terror.Jesus was crucified at Golgotha, the Place of the Skull, outside the city walls of Je...  Read More

Two others—criminals—were also led away to be executed with him. When they arrived at the place called The Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals, one on the right and one on the left. – Luke 23:32-33In 2009, a man named James Washington was nearing the end of a 15-year prison sentence when he suffered a massive heart attack behind bars. Lying on what he believed was his deathbe...  Read More

Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks, he gave it to them and said, “Drink from it, all of you. For this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” – Matthew 26:27-28The Last Supper was more than a meal. Jesus made it clear that night that the table was not just about remembering the past. It was about responding to the present.When Jesus spoke of...  Read More

According to the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness. – Hebrews 9:22The entire Passover story hinges on one critical detail: the blood of the lamb. In Exodus 12, God instructed each Jewish family to sacrifice a lamb and smear its blood on the doorposts of their home. When the angel of death passed through Egypt, if he saw the bloo...  Read More

As they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take and eat it; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks, he gave it to them and said, “Drink from it, all of you. For this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” – Matthew 26:26-28Every year, the Jewish people celebrated Passover ...  Read More

Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my concerns. See if there is any offensive way in me; lead me in the everlasting way. – Psalm 139:23-24Encountering Jesus always involves an examination of the heart. When the disciples heard that one of them would betray Him, their assumptions crumbled, and fear surfaced. This was not just about Judas. It was about every heart at the table.We of...  Read More