Was Jesus in the grave three days?

‘As with many other so-called Bible contradictions, a bit of reflection and some understanding of cultural differences help us see that there is no inconsistency at all. We are once again reminded that the Bible is truth (John 17:17). We can trust it. The facts it records really happened, even if they were detailed in a way foreign to our modern sensibilities.’

The world doesn’t need more grumpy Christians moaning about Easter

This one is about right.

Jesus Became a Curse for Us

‘One image, one aspect, of the atonement has receded in our day almost into obscurity. We have been made aware of present-day attempts to preach a more gentle and kind gospel. In our effort to communicate the work of Christ more kindly we flee from any mention of a curse inflicted by God upon His Son. We shrink in horror from the words of the prophet Isaiah (Isa. 53) that describe the ministry of the Suffering Servant of Israel and tells us that it pleased the Lord to bruise Him. Can you take that in? Somehow the Father took pleasure in bruising the Son when He set before Him that awful cup of divine wrath. How could the Father be pleased by bruising His Son were it not for His eternal purpose through that bruising to restore us as His children?’

Cracking the Easter Code

‘With the arrival of spring and the renewal of nature around us, Easter brings hope and joy along with its festivities. Yet Easter eggs and bunnies continue to overshadow the true giver of the promise of abundance, renewal and joy: Jesus Christ. Can we crack the Easter code and make the biblical Easter story be the focus of Easter among the youth? Let’s find out!’

Hell to pay: What truly happened to Jesus on the cross?

‘Eighteen years ago, I heard a sermon on Matthew 27:46—Jesus’ cry of dereliction on the cross, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” At one point, the minister who was preaching this message said, “Jesus wasn’t really forsaken; he just felt forsaken by his Father in his soul.” I remember sensing anger welling up within me at those words. I thought to myself, “That’s a denial of the Gospel. If Jesus wasn’t really forsaken, then I have no grounds to believe that I will never be forsaken.”’

What happened during holy week?

This is a brief day-to-day synopsis of what Jesus did each day as he moved ever more closely during the cross and the resurrection.

From the archive: Opportunities at Easter may not arise where you think

‘Our Muslim friends are always happy to speak about their understanding of the Qur’an and we are always happy to speak about our understanding of the Bible. Where the two conflict, we are glad to have conversations with our neighbours about which one of us believes what is true. Easter presents an excellent opportunity to do this. Our respective texts say very different things about Jesus’ death and resurrection.’