Notes On James' Life Journey

(The angel said) “Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen.”-Luke 24:5-6 “Christianity has died many times and risen again; for it has a God who knows the way out of the grave.”-G.K. Chesterton (1) Whether adorning a majestic church spire or dangling from a necklace, the Cross is the universally recognized symbol of the Christian faith, and for good reason. We look back on the cross with awe and reverence, recalling the unmeasurable depths of God’s love paying the ultimate price to reconcile us to Him (2). The great preacher Charles Spurgeon puts it beautifully: “We will by faith put ourselves at the foot of the little knoll of Calvary. There we see in the center between two thieves the Son of God made flesh, nailed by His hands and feet, and dying in an anguish that words cannot portray. Look steadfastly and devoutly, gazing through your tears…I will ask you first to smite your breasts, as you remember that you see in Him your own sins…Then see the g...

A number of years ago, I saw a sign on a church marquee which read “Salvation is free, because God paid so dearly for it.” This central truth, although believed by all Christians, is one which we all too often take for granted. When you think of the Cross, what comes to your mind? In our contemporary society, this most sacred symbol is often regarded as a trinket or a good luck charm. Even much of our great Christian art paints a very “sterilized” picture of what Jesus went through for us. In this study, I would like for us to examine the events of Jesus’ sacrifice for us, including a detailed look at His crucifixion. I warn you that what you are about to read is very graphic, even gory. However, once you have finished reading it, I hope that you will be able to say along with the Apostle Paul: “…God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Galatians 6:14). Everything about Jesus’ death was very deliberate. He did not die as a victim. No one took Hi...