LUKE 23:39–43 Few scenes in Scripture show Christ’s saving power more vividly than the conversion of the dying thief. At the very moment of Jesus’ greatest weakness, He was hanging in agony on the cross. He still had divine power to hear a sinner’s cry. He grants saving mercy. The thief had nothing to offer. … Continue reading The Grace That Saves to the Uttermost
Holy Week
The Marks of Real Repentance
LUKE 23:39–43 — The Cross and the Two Thieves Two criminals hung beside Jesus—equally near to Christ, equally guilty, equally dying. Yet their responses could not be more different. One hardened his heart to the end. The other turned in repentance and faith. He was saved by the Savior hanging beside him. This contrast humbles … Continue reading The Marks of Real Repentance
Three Ways People Relate to the Cross
“As they led him away, they seized Simon of Cyrene… and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus.” — Luke 23:26 Jesus was exhausted—beaten, tried, mocked, and now forced to carry the heavy crossbeam toward Golgotha. At some point, His strength gave way. The soldiers grabbed a passerby, Simon of … Continue reading Three Ways People Relate to the Cross
To What End Does God Love You?
I've been studying recently John 13-17 which is called Jesus' Upper Room Discourse. John 13:1 says: Now before the Feast of the Passover, Jesus knowing that His hour had come that He would depart out of this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the … Continue reading To What End Does God Love You?
A Prayer for Good Friday
O Father, at Calvary’s cross, Your grace removes my burdens and heaps them on your Son, who is made a transgressor, a curse, and sin for me. There Christ was all anguish that I might have joy, cast off that I might be brought in, trodden down as an enemy that I might be welcomed … Continue reading A Prayer for Good Friday
Maundy Thursday and the Mark of a Christian
The Mark of the Christian (John 13:31-38) The text upon which this teaching outline is based is normally assigned to Maundy Thursday. The Latin word for commandment is mandatum. This commandment that Jesus gave was the old commandment with which Moses himself summarized the whole law, but Jesus made it new by highlighting three things: … Continue reading Maundy Thursday and the Mark of a Christian
Prepare Your Heart for Palm Sunday
No matter where you are tomorrow, Jesus continues to ride on in majesty and mercy to the door of people's hearts, and he wants to come and reign unrivaled and supreme on the throne of your heart. Our celebration of Palm Sunday, which is the beginning of Holy Week, helps us to do just that. … Continue reading Prepare Your Heart for Palm Sunday
Prayers of Confession for Palm Sunday
Prayer Sample #1:Holy Father,long ago the crowds with incessant hallelujahsgreeted Your dearly loved Son,but how quickly they mockedas He went lonely to the cross.Forgive us for the ways that we, too,have welcomed Him only in wordsand resisted His kingship.Subdue our restless and rebellious heartsso that we might serve You faithfullythrough Jesus Christ our Lord,who is … Continue reading Prayers of Confession for Palm Sunday
What the death of Christ accomplished – J.C. Ryle
That death discharged in full the mighty debt which sinners owe to God and threw open the door of life to every believer. That death satisfied the righteous claims of God's holy law, and enabled God to be just, and yet the justifier of the ungodly. That death was no mere example of self-sacrifice, but … Continue reading What the death of Christ accomplished – J.C. Ryle
The Silent Sufferings of the Judge of the Whole World
"What then shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?" They all said to him, "Let Him be crucified!" He who will one day judge the world allowed himself to be judged and condemned, though "he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth." (Isaiah 53:9.) He from whose lips Pilate … Continue reading The Silent Sufferings of the Judge of the Whole World
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