Blog: October 2017

Christian writer Philip Yancey wrote a piece for the Washing­ton Post entitled, “The death of reading is threatening the soul” (July 21, 2017).  He’s the author of many works, including The Jesus I Never Knew, The Bible Jesus Read, and What’s So Amazing About Grace? Yancey begins by saying, “I am going through a personal crisis.  I used to love reading.”  And he’s been a very avid reader:  “I am writing this blog in my office, surrounded by 27 tall bookcases laden with 5,000 books.  Over the years I have read them, marked them up, and ...

One of the things I love about Goshen is our Sunday School minis­try.  Are you involved?  Every week we gather at 10:00 a.m. in an array of groups to connect with one another and explore the Word of God. Certain kinds of vital spiritual experiences take place in the larger worship gatherings—for sure.  And other kinds of vital heart work happen as you, personally and regularly, open the Bible and spend time with God in prayer—indeed.  But a mid-size to smaller setting is also vital for the spiritual health of every follower of Jesus. How ...

Jesus’ death and resurrection should not have surprised the disciples. Sometimes Jesus spoke metaphorically about His death and resurrection. (See Matt. 12:39; Mark 14:58; John 2:19; 3:14-15.) Other times, Jesus plainly told the disciples that He would be betrayed, crucified, buried, and resurrected on the third day. (Matt. 17:12; Mark 8:31; Luke 9:22) In fact, Jesus had spoken so frequently of His death and resurrection, the chief priests and Pharisees asked Pilate to place guards at the tomb in case the disciples stole Jesus’ body. (See ...

The time between Friday afternoon and Sunday morning must have been dark hours for Jesus’ disciples. Fear, doubt, and confusion certainly overwhelmed their thoughts. Jesus, their Lord, was dead. He had been unjustly arrested, falsely accused, and severely beaten. Even worse, He had been killed in a horrible manner: by crucifixion. The story doesn’t end there. Jesus’ body was laid in a tomb. The tomb was sealed and guards watched over it. The Jews remembered Jesus’ claim that He would rise from the dead (John 2:19-21), and they made sure no ...

Last Monday I visited Longwood Gardens and watched the newly revitalized fountains put on a spectacular show to music—including Louis Armstrong’s song, “What a Wonderful World.”  And it was wonderful:  that voice, those fountains, the warm sun and blue sky. I see trees of green, red roses too.  I see them bloom, for me and you. And I think to myself, what a wonderful world. And yet, I couldn’t help thinking about the day’s breaking news—the horrendous shooting in Las Vegas:  58 dead, nearly 500 wounded, and all because of one man’s ...

Jesus’ crucifixion, burial, and resurrection are the center of the gospel. Jesus accomplished the plan God had been working out throughout the Old Testament to bring salvation to sinners, and it happened in such an unlikely way.  In the Book of Acts, Peter testified to the Israelites about Jesus’ death: “Though He was delivered up according to God’s determined plan and foreknowledge, you used lawless people to nail Him to a cross and kill Him” (Acts 2:23). Crucifixion was a horrific way to die. As you share with your kids, rather than focus ...