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Easter

Holy Week Reflections – Silent Saturday

Today is traditionally called Holy Saturday, Joyous Saturday, Great Saturday or Black Saturday.

Jesus is dead, buried, gone. God is mute, as Pete Greig said in his book. There is silence. Confusion. Fear.

A strange sense of nothingness permeates those who were close to Jesus and put their hope in Him. The disciples must be asking, “What happened?” Nothing made sense. No answers to their countless questions. According to the Gospel of Matthew, even Judas had killed himself before they could interrogate him.

For those who followed Jesus, there was no activity in the temple, in the courts, or on …

Random Thoughts,

Holy Week Reflections – Good Friday – The Cross

Today is Good Friday (or Great Friday, in the Orthodox tradition). Jesus is tried, executed, buried, and descends into hell. It’s a sham trial, of course. And a brutal death on the cross. I wrote more here about the descent into hell if you are interested.

The cross has always been inconvenient. Every skeptic has asked, “Why did Jesus have to die?” The truth is that every believer has asked the same question. There are answers to this question, of course. Some deeply theological, some simplistic answers you might offer a child. My favorite is from Hebrews 2, which says …

Random Thoughts,

Easter Hymn

This is one of my favorite Easter passages, though few associate it with the season. It’s actually a hymn with a short opening line to set the stage. I can imagine the early followers of Jesus singing this…and it makes me feel strong in my faith as I contemplate the depth of our ancient roots. My faith is built on many who loved, worshiped and served before me.

I love the depth of meaning in the simplicity of the words. How much depth? My friend Walter Hansen, Seminary Professor for Global Theological Education at Fuller Theological Seminary, has written a …