"being in an agony he prayed more earnestly". Jesus sets an example we should follow. More difficulty calls for more prayer. When things are running smoothly, prayer becomes smooth and easy - a sort of good habit that calls for little energy. It is when faced with mounting problems, with difficulties that will not resolve ... Read more

"And the people stood beholding". The execution of Jesus was in public. God ordained it so. All and sundry gathered to witness the awful scene - soldiers, religious leaders, commoners and men of rank and even the two malefactors whom He predeceased by a few hours. Jesus was atoning for the sins of the whole ... Read more

"they kept watch over him there". We are not told why the soldiers felt it necessary to watch Jesus as he died on the cross. They had done their job, shared the spoils just as they had done many times before. But they specifically sat down so as to watch Jesus as he died. Perhaps ... Read more

"rolled back the stone and sat on it". This is a wonderful moment in the gospel narrative. The rolling back of the stone was not to let Christ out, He had already gone, but to let the women and disciples in. Then having done the job the angel sat on the stone. Just as Christ ... Read more

"spices which they had prepared". God rewards diligence in preparation as much as success in putting to good use. The spices that the women prepared to anoint the body of Jesus illustrate this. Nobody says they wasted their time, though it is most likely the spices were never used for anointing Jesus. Rather we see ... Read more

"walked along with them". In their sadness and despair, the two disciples did not recognise Jesus walking along with them. They must have been pretty downcast to have the best travelling companion and the best Bible study ever, yet not appreciate either! But Jesus stayed with them. He walked along with them, at their pace ... Read more

"torn in two from top to bottom". The veil separating the Holy Place from the Holiest place in the temple was torn, not cut. The same word is used to describe the earthquake that also happened when Christ died. The death of Jesus had a violent impact on man's relationship with God. That which had ... Read more

"I will lift up the cup of salvation". The Psalmist teaches us a true lesson and shows us what we may all do. We can add nothing to the treasury of God for all is His already. When we take the cup of salvation we accept God's bounteous mercy with a thankful heart. This life ... Read more

"why has all this happened to us? ". This was Gideon's question when the angel told him that the Lord was with him. He wanted to know why he needed to thresh his wheat in the winepress because of the invading Midianites. He asked where all the wonders he heard about had gone: why had ... Read more

"Better a little with righteousness than much gain with injustice". So it is not how much you have, but how you came by it. All too often this world's assessors look at the end and ignore the means whereby it was reached. You can reach the top by treading on other people - but the ... Read more