Nicodemus, who had first come to Jesus at night, came now in broad daylight carrying a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds. They took Jesus’ body and, following the Jewish burial custom, wrapped it in linen with the spices. (John 19:39-40 MSG) When we're first introduced to Nicodemus, he is afraid to beContinue reading "Die to Self"

On the way they were asking each other, "Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?" (Mark 16:3 NLT) Isn’t it interesting how we can spend our time worrying about something, only to discover that God has already taken care of it for us? When the women set outContinue reading "Who Will Roll Away the Stone?"

But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. (1 Corinthians 15:20 NIV) It was all over the news: Jesus’ tomb had been found. But I wasn’t at all taken aback by this new “discovery.” It wasn’t the first time that someone had attempted to shake theContinue reading "He is Alive!"

Jesus entered, stood among them, and said, “Peace to you.” Then he showed them his hands and side. (John 20:19-20) I find it fascinating that although Jesus had a new, resurrection body, He still carried the nail scars from the crucifixion on His body. Couldn't He just as easily get rid of them? After all,Continue reading "Incurable Wounds"

Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give. (Matthew 10:8 NIV) I was reading Matthew 10, when the Lord brought the above Scripture to my attention, especially the part about raising the dead to life. So many around us are dying mentally, emotionally,Continue reading "Speak Life!"

The risen Christ spent 40 more days on earth after His resurrection instead of ascending straight to Heaven to strengthen the faith of His followers in His resurrection. But even after His ascension, He appeared to the ones who weren't looking for Him. Listen to what Paul wrote over two decades later: And last ofContinue reading "An Encounter with the Risen Lord"

So although Jesus loved Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, he stayed where he was for the next two days. Finally, he said to his disciples, “Let’s go back to Judea.” (John 11:5-7 NLT) When Lazarus got sick, his sisters Martha and Mary sent word to Jesus, asking Him to come. Jesus, however, purposefully chose to stayContinue reading "Worth the Wait"

I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead. (Philippians 3:10-11 NIV) I believe that the resurrection referred to here isn't just something physical that will take place when Jesus comesContinue reading "The Power of His Resurrection"

While touring the stations of the cross in the old city of Jerusalem, I wanted to take a picture of the cross you see in the photo below, but was told that I could actually carry it and was shown the proper way to do it. Here was a practical lesson on how we, asContinue reading "Taking Up Your Cross"