"He is not here, He is risen, as He said."

It's Only Friday...Sunday is a Coming!

Jesus Put Death in His Grave!

Treasuring Jesus this Easter: Suggested Reading

Let me encourage you to be intentional to prepare to treasure Jesus as Resurrection Sunday approaches. Survey the wondrous cross on which the Prince of Glory died. Linger on the road to Calvary. Be amazed by the empty tomb.

Here is a book that will help you: Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross. Read one its short chapters every morning or evening. It is pure gold.

Don't Waste This Easter

Every year, Easter comes and goes. Most of the time, we just rush past it. Don't do that this year. Slow down. Think of what we miss out on when we rush past the Cross and Resurrection. The person and work of Jesus Christ should be our constant focus every day of the year. However, there is something unique about this season. The weeks leading up to Easter are an opportunity to re-focus ourselves on the great realities of the gospel.
We've got a few weeks. How will you spend them?

Here are a few suggestions for making the most of this season:
1. Read slowly through the passion narratives in the gospels (here is a summary of Jesus' final week).
2. Pick one or two Cross-focused songs/hymns that you can sing daily.
3. Read or re-read a book about the Cross of Jesus Christ (my suggestions).
4. Plan to take full advantage of any special Palm Sunday, Good Friday, or Easter gatherings your church is planning.

Have any suggestions of your own?

Very Good Friday

Here are some suggestions for Good Friday:

1. Read through one of the passion narratives in the gospels.
2. Read Isaiah 53 slowly.
3. Watch "The Passion of The Christ"
4. Read sections of a Cross-Centered book.

• The Cross of Christ by Stott
• Living the Cross-Centered Life by Mahaney
• The Great Exchange by Bridges
• The Truth of the Cross by Sproul

5. Listen to a few Cross-Centered sermons.

• CJ Mahaney Sermons
• Dever's Sermons on The Atonement

6. Listen to some Cross-Centered Music.

The Cross Too Violent

I was shocked to read about a popular children's Sunday School curriculum that leaves out the cross and resurrection from its lessons, deliberately. Here is part of the letter that accompanies the curriculum:

In order to be sensitive to the physical, intellectual, and emotional development of preschoolers, First Look has chosen not to include the Easter story in our curriculum...We have made this choice because the crucifixion is simply too violent for preschoolers. And if we were to skip the crucifixion and go straight to the resurrection, then preschoolers would be confused. Additionally, preschoolers, as concrete thinkers, are simply unable to truly grasp what it means to die and then be raised again through the power of God.

The inability to grasp the crucifixion and resurrection is not simply a preschool problem, it is a problem for every person on this globe. Apart from the regenerating work of the Spirit, I do not grasp the significance of the Easter story. The solution is not to leave it out; the solution is to preach it more.

(HT: Tom Ascol)