Only a couple of days prior, Peter denied Jesus three times and John helplessly watched Jesus die a bloody death on a cross. Both now heard an impossible story from Mary Magdalene and sprinted to see for themselves.

Peter went out with the other disciple, and they were going toward the tomb. Both of them were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first…Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there, and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed.

Stomachs-churning, hoping-against-hope, Peter and John rushed toward the tomb. Finding it empty, they saw and believed. So it was true—Jesus had risen from the dead. Later these disciples, along with many others, would meet the resurrected Jesus. They would in turn spread the news far and wide, all the way to us today.

The painting above is entitled: The Disciples Peter and John Running to the Sepulchre on the Morning of the Resurrection, by Eugène Burnand. I love the depiction of Peter and John, sunrise on their faces, filled with the unbelievable anticipation of what they might find. I’m reminded of who I might find as well.

He is risen—He is risen indeed!

John 20:1-10

Good Friday seems a misnomer for the day that Jesus was crucified. Doesn’t seem so good to me. But the title refers to an older usage of the word good, which also meant holy. Holy Friday does sound more appropriate.

Yet this day is also good. Jesus established a a clear path to the Lord. Today is good for you and me, and this day was especially good for one young man—a thief dying next to Jesus.

Grasping who hung one cross over, the man turned and said, Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom. Jesus replied, Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.

Jesus ushered this most undeserving man into his kingdom, one who did nothing but appeal to Jesus right before he died. But why did Jesus come into this world? To seek and to save the lost. He rescued one more on his way out.

As we celebrate Easter week, let’s remember that we are all thieves on a cross, and that’s why this day is good.

Luke 23:39-43

Painting by Titian via Wikimedia Commons

Resurrection Sunday overshadows the events leading up to the empty tomb. But a few days prior to going to the cross, Jesus retreated for a time of intense prayer. More than the physical torture, Jesus struggled with taking on the sins of the world. Perfect God deluged with every deed and nuance of every sinful human—past, present and future.

Jesus suffered all alone. His closest disciples fell asleep. Only he recognized the profound significance of the coming events. Anguish so intense he sweat blood, with no one to lean on for comfort.

And they went to a place called Gethsemane…he began to be greatly distressed and troubled. And he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death. Remain here and watch.” And going a little farther, he fell on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. And he said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” 

I came across the above painting recently that depicts the intense loneliness and emotional pain Jesus Christ endured as He prayed before his arrest and crucifixion. The artist (Nikolai Ge) depicts our Savior in distress, asking God the Father to remove the cup. Yet from the garden Jesus moved willingly to his humiliation and death. May this haunting portrayal remind us of the lengths Jesus took to secure our souls in him. We truly serve an amazing God.

Luke 14:32-42

See the book Come…meet Jesus for more paintings depicting the life of Christ

When I was in college, I always tried to study for major exams with guys from fraternities. At Mizzou most fraternities kept a large “test file.” Past members left their graded papers for the aid of future students. Professors often reused questions when teaching the same class semester after semester. An ecology professor added only one new question per test, the rest being repeats. The file for his course proved invaluable. Needless to say, my buddy and I scored well.

After days in the wilderness, hungry and alone, Jesus faced a tripartite test of temptation. Fortunately, Jesus knew where to find answers to the exam.

Every time Satan made an offer, Jesus hit back with a line of Scripture. For instance, realizing Jesus was hungry, Satan challenged him to turn stones into bread. Simple for the creator of the world, right? Jesus argued, man shall not live by bread alone, a quote from the book of Deuteronomy.

Jesus could have swatted Satan away. But he faced temptations in his human body to help us see what’s possible. We too can overcome attacks from the evil one, if we know the Scriptures and apply them properly. The Word of God parries the thrusts of our enemies—the world, the flesh and the devil.

When temptations arrive, you and I may feel unprepared or blindsided. But rest assured, we have answers to every test. They’re in that file we label the Bible. Let the Word of God defend and sustain you, and you’ll score well as life goes on.

Luke 4:1-13; Deuteronomy 8:3

Photo by Museums Victoria