Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. He had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified. (Mark 15:15) Who could ever write a devotional for Good Friday? The horror and majesty of the cross defy expression in simple words, forbid shallow reflection. The words are stamped indelibly across all of human history―and our own lives as well: “And they crucified him.” My King. My Savior. The Light of the…
Some of the most difficult verses in all of Scripture come in Paul’s second letter to Corinth: “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all” (4:16-17, NIV). One wonders how Paul can so cavalierly dismiss the very real suffering he experienced. As he…