The apostle Paul said, “May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Galatians 6:4). Today we celebrate that Christ did indeed overcome death on the cross, enabling and guaranteeing the resurrection of all the saints (1 Corinthians 15:20).

The late bishop J.C. Ryle explains that Christ’s atonement for sinners on the cross is the central truth in the entire Bible,

“This is the truth we begin with when we open Genesis. The seed of the woman bruising the serpent’s head is nothing but a prophecy of Christ crucified.

 This is the truth that shines out, though veiled, all through the law of Moses and the history of the Jews. The daily sacrifice, the Passover lamb, the continual shedding of blood in the tabernacle and temple – all were emblems of Christ crucified.

 This is the truth that we see honored in the vision of heaven before we close the book of Revelation. In the midst of the throne and of the four animals, we are told, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain (Revelation 5:6). Even in the midst of heavenly glory we get a view of Christ crucified.

Take away the cross of Christ, and the Bible is a dark book. It is like the Egyptian hieroglyphics without the key that interprets their meaning – curious and wonderful but of no real use.”

Join us in celebrating the centrality of Easter Sunday: “For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive” (1 Corinthians 15:22).

As we commemorate Good Friday, there is great theological significance contained in often overlooked events of that historical day. Sinclair B Ferguson notes two such incidents in his book To Seek and to Save: Daily Reflections on the Road to the Cross.

First, the three hours of darkness that shrouded the land at noon in which creation itself appeared to be thrown into reverse gear and God said, Let there NOT be light (in contrast to Genesis 1:3). Ferguson explains that nature itself put on the dark clothes of mourning as Christ the Creator was put to death by sinful men, and on the cross came under the curse of God (Galatians 3:13).

Second, the massive curtain of the temple was torn in two (Luke 23:45) as God Himself de-consecrated the Jerusalem temple, removing the barrier between God and man. Ferguson emphasizes that it was not merely the temple veil that was rent, but the flesh of Christ had been torn to create the new and living way into God’s presence (Hebrews 10:20).

Join us in celebrating the fact that “Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit” (1 Peter 3:18).

Take heart….for Sunday is coming!