Jesus and Doubting Thomas

A good Easter Sunday study would on doubting Thomas. Thomas himself was the skeptic. It’s only natural for Thomas to have his doubts. A good question to ask anyone is, “Would you believe me if I told you, that someone who died three days ago, just rose again?” Let’s say that person was a very close friend. I don’t think any normal person would believe it. That’s what we read in John 20:24-29. In verses 24-25, Thomas declares his skepticism as a loyal but pessimistic follower of Jesus. I believe that Thomas was exhausted for the past few days. Thomas may not be able to think properly at even the slightest bit.

The Account of Jesus’ Graveclothes Defend the Resurrection

I don’t care if people refuse to believe the evidence. The important thing is I believe the evidence. This Easter Sunday, a good reading would be from John 20:1-18. We have redemption given such as how Mary Magdalene, a woman formerly of ill repute, was given not just a chance but a change. Mary Magdalene wanted to anoint the body (Luke 24:1). However, they didn’t anticipate the resurrection of the Savior. One thing that may be easily dismissed is the strips of linen lying there in the tomb. That’s a crucial detail to provide evidence that the robbery theory is false. It’s not just soldiers who were made to guard the tomb and termination meant their lives. It’s stricter than security guards being dismissed from their work. It meant the loss of lives as well!

Jesus’ Honorable Burial Initiated by Two Secret Disciples Who Finally Revealed Themselves

It can be difficult for anyone to declare their faith openly, especially in danger. Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus were both secret followers of Jesus. This Black Saturday, we can do a topical study on Matthew 27:57-61, Mark 15:42-47, Luke 23:50-56, and John 19:38-42. In the four accounts, we read Nicodemus in John, who brought in a mixture of myrrh and aloes. Please take note that this aloe here isn’t the aloe vera plant used for skin moisturizing. Instead, this aloe here is some kind of gum that’s used for embalming the dead.

Catholics Have Been Singing Good Friday Hymns BUT Do They Even Understand What They’re Singing?

It’s Good Friday and I’m saddened at how Catholics sing worship songs but their hearts are far away from God (Isaiah 29:13). They keep saying that they’re the “true Church founded in 33 A.D.” However, actions speak louder than words. I’ve heard Catholics sing “Amazing Grace” during funerals. Should it be a surprise to hear Catholics play the song “Lord I Lift Your Name on High” during mass? I’m not a bit surprised anymore when they’ll be singing songs like “The Old Rugged Cross”, “Nothing But the Blood”, “Are You Washed in the Blood?”, “Jesus Paid it All”, “There is a Fountain” and other hymns that talk about the Lord Jesus Christ’s blood sacrifice. They have the Passion plays but do they understand the meaning of “It is finished!”? Jesus cried out in a loud voice, declaring the sacrifice was finished, once and for all (Hebrews 10:12).

Isaiah 53 Fulfilled in the Lord Jesus’ Penal Substitution

It’s easy for me to mention Isaiah 7:14 on Christmas. There’s the statement “This the season, this the reason!” The picture has a wreath on one side and a crown of thorns on the other. One way for me to keep calm during the worldliness of Christmas is to think that God so loved the world that He gave His only Son. The purpose of Jesus’ birth was so He could also die for sin. Isaiah 7:14 prophecies the virgin birth. Isaiah 53 highlights the suffering of Christ, prophesied, 700 years (most likely an estimate) before Jesus was born. Isaiah prophesied not only the birth but also the redemptive death of Jesus. Psalm 22 also has David seeing the crucifixion of Jesus. David was in a very bad situation and he saw that the greater David would suffer even worse.

Jesus Refused the Sour Wine Mixed with Myrrh, Before His Crucifixion, for OUR Sake

Matthew 27:34 and Mark 15:23 talk of Jesus’ account that He was offered mixed with myrrh to deaden the pain. The response of Jesus was not to receive it. Why did Jesus not receive it? The event fulfilled Psalm 69:21, in which the ESV uses poison instead of gall in the KJV. I was looking at what this gall was. It would be important to look into the commentaries and other sources to find out what it was. That’s why trying to read the Bible from Genesis to Revelation in a whole year, is a terrible idea.

Psalm 22 Pointing to Christ’s Crucifixion

The crucifixion of the Lord Jesus is something not to be viewed for one’s amusement. I confess that I seldom use images (under fair use) from the movie The Passion of the Christ to grab one’s attention. This Good Friday, one should also look at Psalm 22 which was probably written by David under the most distressful situation. Was this when Saul was after his life? Was it when Absalom rebelled against him? Psalm 22 brilliantly shows the redemptive work of the Messiah. Since the Messiah was to come from the line of David, it’s only normal that David should have a glimpse of the sufferings of the Messiah.