Lent – What is it? Lent is the 40 period (less Sundays) before Easter and is based on Jesus’s forty days in the wilderness. Some Christians fast, think soberly about their faith, and focus on repenting of their sins during this period. Does…
The Seven Last Words of Christ
The Seven Last Words of Christ reference Jesus’s final statements on the cross, not individual words per se. These seven final statements include: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” Luke 23:34 “I tell you…
Maundy Thursday: What’s “New” About the New Commandment?
Given the Old Testament’s explicit instruction to love our neighbors as ourselves (Leviticus 19:18), what’s new about the New Commandment? Churches celebrate Maundy Thursday on the Holy Week in commemoration of the Last Supper and Jesus’ issuance of a new…
Why Psalm 22 is THE Psalm of the Cross
Charles Spurgeon believed Jesus may have repeated Psalm 22 word for word on the Cross. If you review the New Testament usage of Psalm 22, you will understand why Spurgeon thought so. Psalm 22 is a psalm with application in…
Holy Week Links of Interest
The following links will help you review what happened during Holy Week and why it is important. What Happened Each Day of Holy Week : This post gives a summary of what happened each day of Holy Week. The people…
Summary & Select Quotes on Isaiah’s Servant Songs
Isaiah’s servant songs (Isaiah 42:1-4, 49:1-6, 50:4-9, 52:13-53:12) are four passages in Isaiah that uniquely prophesy Christ and are of central importance as we remember the death, burial, and resurrection. Select quotes below show the importance of Isaiah’s Servant Songs. Eugene…
Sing Psalm 118 In Anticipation of Palm Sunday and Holy Week
Psalm 118, with its repeated hopeful refrain that the LORD’s steadfast love endures forever, is important during Holy Week because: The crowds quoted Psalm 118 during the Triumphal Entry when they cried “hosanna” (Matthew 21:9, Mark 11:9-10). Jesus infuriated the…
7 Reasons I Recommend the Final Days of Jesus By Taylor and Kostenberger
The Final Days of Jesus: The Most Important Week of the Most Important Person Who Ever Lived by Andreas Kostenberger and Justin Taylor offers an accessible overview of Holy Week. This book would make a useful resource for families and…
Our Good Friday Service in Stillman Valley Was Not a Reenactment
We were blessed with a wonderful community service tonight at the Red Brick Church. We were joined by our brothers and sisters from Valley Evangelical Covenant and Kishwaukee Evangelical Presbyterian. We were blessed to remember the cross together. I preached…