Listen to or download this week’s radio program:

© 2017 Don Pinson / To Download, right-click here: [Download]

The three days after Jesus was crucified were days of painful reflection for His disciples, both personally and as a group.  They were desperately trying to make sense of the recent events which had ended in Jesus’ death.  They were now afraid they may have been wrong about Him being the Promised One.  All the while, they were fearful of what the next opening of the door might bring.  They were afraid to go out, but afraid to stay in.  They were simply—afraid!  Each day passed in tearful grief and painful questionings.  As the weekly Sabbath day came to a close, their questions were no more answered than they had been three days ago when they watched Him die.  Oh, why had He died?

One of their group, Mary Magdalene, was just as uncertain as the rest.  However, the love in her grateful heart would not be denied:  Not by questionings or by fears.  Jesus had set her free from a wretched life of bondage to sexual sin and the torture of evil spirits (Luke 8:2).  He had changed her!  She had never been the same since that day she met Him, and her gratitude of duty now compelled her to go to the tomb and anoint His body with spices, which time had not allowed on the day He died.

Though it was still mostly dark, she gathered her spices and started to make her way to the tomb.  Some of the other women fell into step with her, but Mary was Continue reading →

Listen to or download this week’s radio program:

© 2016 Don Pinson / To Download, right-click here: [Download]

Now the end was near.  Jesus’ breathing on the Cross was so labored those watching expected death to come at any moment.  But then, in an unmistakable voice of triumph, Jesus cried out, “It…is…finished!” (John 19:30)  The words rang with victory, with accomplishment!  It was as if His perspective on this whole ordeal was that a work was being done.  The tone of His voice spoke of completing something that had been planned from eternity past.  The books were now balanced!  He had paid man’s debt to God:  That debt of one perfect life which man had incurred in Eden when he used, for selfish purposes, the perfect life God had loaned him.  Jesus’ perfect life had been offered up as a sacrifice to God to pay man’s debt.  The work was now accomplished!  (Colossians 2:13-15)

A few moments later, Jesus uttered His last words from the cross.  Focused on the Father, He was heard to say, “Father, into Your hands, I commit My spirit.”  (Luke 23:46)  Though His body was weakened beyond exhaustion, the words rung distinctly with inexhaustible faith!  He was entering death, but He was believing the promise recorded in Psalm 22 that God would not leave Him in death.  The vision of God would be accomplished in Him!  With these last words Continue reading →