“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Of all the words from the cross, this is the most painful to hear. It is a completely honest cry of lament, lifted from the opening phrases of Psalm 22. In this moment of extraordinary agony, Jesus enters fully into the darkest places of human experience, … Continue reading
“Woman, behold your son; son, behold your mother” Among Jesus’ words from the cross are words of provision for his mother and a disciple whom he loves dearly. As he dies, he models a sacrificial concern for his mother and a tremendously close friend. When we listen to Jesus speak these words, we are called … Continue reading
By Paul Baxley We are at the beginning of a most unusual Holy Week. Even in the midst of the global coronavirus pandemic, we Christians are called to remember the final hours of Jesus’ life, so that the Holy Spirit may bring those events powerfully into our present circumstances so that we can experience grace, … Continue reading
“This day, you are with me in paradise” Jesus’ second words, spoken to a thief on another cross, are spoken across a terrible boundary of physical separation and social distance. Jesus and this thief cannot touch each other. We cannot even be certain that by position they can see each other. But the thief reaches … Continue reading
The following post comes from Jonathan Davis of Wildewood Baptist Church in Spring, Texas. Houston’s Ad Deum Dance Company performed in Easter worship services, depicting Christ’s death, burial and resurrection through the art of dance Wildewood Baptist Church danced on Easter. On Easter Sunday, the church celebrated through the arts and Ad Deum, one of … Continue reading
While enjoying my church’s Easter service this past Sunday, I must confess I began to daydream. Now let me be clear, I wasn’t bored with the service or hoping I was somewhere else, I just began to think about my personal understanding of Easter. With most religious celebrations, I want to make them personal and … Continue reading
I have recently been reminded of the violent world in which we live. As hard as I try to live in the “right parts of town” or avoid watching the news all the time, I just can’t seem to escape all of the pain and suffering. How appropriate that this reminder comes during Holy Week. … Continue reading
Most people cannot stand an open-ended story. Hollywood has for years made millions of dollars off of movies with a predictable yet happy ending. We love our stories to be wrapped up and presented to us with a neat and perfect bow. The thought of having to discern a plot or to live in some … Continue reading