So Great a Cloud of Witnesses

Was the three day resurrection merely an inconsequential detail or does it have theological significance all the way back to Genesis 1? We are going to consider why three days matter.  

Jesus predicted his death and resurrection but the disciples were unable to recognize the fulfillment occurring in real time. 

Maundy Thursday is a commemoration of Jesus washing the disciples feet. Much is happening for Jesus this day. It concludes with Jesus being taken to the house of the Chief Priest. This is the last mile of the journey before the cross. 

While Jesus and his disciples were resting after the busy days of teaching and the confrontation with the religious leaders, Judas conspires with the enemy to betray Jesus for 30 pieces of silver. 

If Monday's arrival in the Temple was marked by Jesus' all-inclusive, living parable of cleansing God's house, Tuesday's entrance is marked by a direct, verbal confrontation with the appointed leadership. 

Tensions increase on Monday. The religious leaders want to destroy Jesus but he has the support of the people. 

Phoebe Ensminger King Burn who was called “Febb.” 

We value much a self-made man, but when it comes to true disciples of Christ, we are all God made. God used the circumstances of Augustine’s life to prepare him to become the great theologian of Grace.

I think it is fair to say, that Luther was the match that lit the Reformation, Wycliff added the fuel, and Gutenberg was the carrier of the message to the whole world.

I think it is fair to say that Luther was the match that lit the Reformation but John Wycliffe gathered the fuel. Make no mistake, without the WORD in common English the Reformation would have found no footing.

Martin Luther was a key figure in the reformation of the church. He attributes his contribution to his coming to understand both justice and mercy while teaching his students the book of Romans. He is famous for nailing the 95 Theses (complaints) to the Castle Church door of Wittenberg, Luther said he only started to have impact for change when he had his "Tower Experience."   

Jim and Elisabeth Elliot are two of the most influential people in the history of missions. Their lives reflect total devotion to Christ and to the message of the gospel. Their stories of perseverance, suffering, and even death have inspired many to go reach unreached peoples.

Today’s subject is C.S. Lewis, a very well-known Christian apologist and author. He lived between 1898 and 1963. Clive Staples Lewis was a popular British writer who authored over 40 books. A former atheist, C.S. Lewis became a Christian after many debates and conversations with his Oxford colleague and friend, J.R.R. Tokien (author of the Lord of the Rings trilogy). C.S. Lewis’ religious conversion greatly influenced his writing, as one can see in some of his best-known works like The Chronicles of Narnia, Mere Christianity, The Screwtape Letters, The Four Loves, and more.

Rutherford's letter written to a friend on August 8, 1637 will inspire your love for Christ--and perhaps encourage more creative English usage and a deeper vocabulary.