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At the crucial moment of Jesus' trial, the Roman Governor Pontius Pilate proclaims Jesus’ innocence, but Luke tells us that “with one voice they cried out” (Luke 23 v 18) for Jesus to be crucified. Who are the “they”? It’s the chief priests, the rulers and the people—everyone else.
They all cry out together. This is a universal, unanimous verdict from people of every walk of life and social class. Everyone cries out: “Get rid of Him!” Five days previously, crowds had hailed Jesus as a king; now, crowds are calling for His blood.
In Acts 3 v 13-15, Peter places the blame squarely on the crowd. Speaking to the men of Israel, he says:
The God of our fathers has glorified his servant Jesus. You handed him over to be killed, and you disowned him before Pilate, though he had decided to let him go. You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you. You killed the author of life.... continue reading
More than an Example
When we think about what Jesus endured in the Garden of Gethsemane for us, we see a wonderful (and challenging) example of how we ought to live. We see that we should pray when we are facing difficulties. We see that we should obey even when we are facing a great cost. As we see Jesus waking up His disciples and encouraging them to pray instead of blasting them for failing to keep Him company, we see that we need to be patient with those who let us down.
Jesus is a fantastic example for us, in fact the best example ever. But if that’s all we take away from this passage, we have completely missed the point—because Jesus doesn’t kneel there in that garden primarily as your example. If you walk away from these verses thinking that you just need to try harder so that you live like Jesus, you will be absolutely crushed. You cannot do it.... continue reading
Find out more about Is forgiveness really free? by Michael Jensen, and other books in the Questions Christians Ask series.
Some people see Jesus' death as a historical footnote, buried in the past. Christians understand it is much more than that and know it has transformed their future. But often we don't realise how much Jesus' last day should change our present too.
Passion by Mike McKinley wipes the dust off the familiar events of Christ's final day, showing just what a difference the cross makes to everyday life.
McKinley writes with a warm, easy style, explaining Luke’s account of the Passion clearly and showing us how, so often, our hearts are the same as those who Jesus met on that day. The questions at the end of each chapter help us to think through where the book really needs to impact our day-to-day thinking and living.
Read more and get the ebook HERE for just £2.99 until midday on Thursday. Use code pass0414 at the checkout.
Children are full of questions. Sometimes their questions are endearing; often they’re annoying. But when it comes to the Bible, our children’s questions should encourage us; it shows they’re thinking. Maybe Easter is a time of year that gets children you know asking: How do we know Jesus really rose from the dead? It’s an important question. After all, Paul wrote that “if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith” (1 Corinthians 15:14).
It’s a question that Inspector Smart, detective with the Jerusalem Bureau of Investigation, sets out to answer in two exciting new storybooks for children, written by Tim Chester and Michael Tinker.
Inspector Smart and the case of the Empty Tomb by Michael J Tinker is a colourful illustrated book for 4-7 year-olds. Inspector Smart is given a puzzling new case; Jesus has died and been buried in a cave, but now his body has gone. Smart sets out to find out what’s happened by interviewing Bible characters such as the Roman Centurion, Mary Magdalene and Thomas.... continue reading
Lent and the run-up to Easter is typically a period in which lots of churches ramp up their evangelistic work. This might be through events, getting out in to the community a bit more, or just being more "vocal" in what we are doing already.
There is a danger sometimes, however, that we can allow evangelism to become a duty rather than a privilege. Compelled by Joy is a book to provoke, stimulate and inspire, but above all fire-up every Christian for the urgent task of evangelism. It will refresh your thinking as you reach out to those around you this Easter.
Michael Green shares his passion, reflections, convictions and suggestions from a lifetime of church and university missions, not to mention numerous informal encounters.
Read more HERE and get the ebook for just £5 until midday on Thursday. Use code cbj0414 at the checkout.
Do you want to get your church reading more? Do people pass by your bookstall (if you have one) without a second glance? Do your brothers and sisters struggle to find the time or motivation to read?
The Good Book Company is here to help…
I am a member of a church that wouldn’t consider itself a reading church. Yes we have had a bookstall for many, many years, but it isn’t in a prominent position and can be easily overlooked. Once upon a time we also did regular book reviews from the front but that too dropped off.
So how do you get a non-reading church like that to a place where books and resources are of interest? Well, this is how my church did it.... continue reading
How can ordinary Christians live the truly extraordinary life to which God calls us? By focusing our attention on the grace of God shown to us in the gospel! Have you ever noticed how everyday problems and experiences can be transformed when the cross of Christ becomes the motive and measure of everything we do?
The Gospel Centred Life shows how every Christian can follow the way of the cross while experiencing the grace of God in Christ. This is a great resource for individuals, small groups or whole churches and is sympathetic to the struggles we all encounter.
Read more and get the ebook HERE for just £1. Simply use code gcl0414 at the checkout.
The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few (Matthew 9:38)... There's so much to do, so many people who need to hear about Jesus. So why not take a moment this Spring to refresh, reorientate and get equipped for the mission ahead? There are a load of great conferences coming up in April and May. Go on, treat yourself to a great day out that will help you serve ever more faithfully in the Kingdom ...
For Everyone:
May 2-5 - Bible by the Beach at the Congress Theatre, Eastbourne
For Men:
April 26 - London Men's Convention at Westminster Central Hall, London
May 10 - Northern Men's Convention at The Armitage Centre, Manchester
For Women:
May 17 - South Central Women's Day at St Mary's Maidenhead
For Everyone Excited by Church Planting:
May 17 - Deep (looking at the life of Jonathan Edwards) at Union Hall Evangelical, Manchester
May 21 - Planting for Christ at Dundonald Church, SW London
For Musicians:
May 17 - Music Ministry Conference, Sheffield
For Young People (11-14):
May 17 - Sorted Nano, at St Helen's Bishopsgate
