Encounter the Truth

Jesus’ death and resurrection achieve the ultimate victory over the grave. Because he died and rose again, we who believe in him share in his victory.

Sin bars us from God’s holy presence. But when Jesus died, the curtain of the temple was torn in two—indicating that sinners may now enter God’s presence through Jesus.

The Old Testament ceremonial system tells us that sin has a defiling effect. The blood of the animal sacrifices pointed to God’s intention to cleanse, but did not provide true cleansing themselves. But the blood of Jesus really does make defiled sinners clean.

The Old Testament ceremonial system tells us that sin has a defiling effect. The blood of the animal sacrifices pointed to God’s intention to cleanse, but did not provide true cleansing themselves. But the blood of Jesus really does make defiled sinners clean.

The cross is the place where God is able to justify sinners without violating his standards of justice—because Jesus bears the judgment of God in our place as our substitute.

The cross is the place where God is able to justify sinners without violating his standards of justice—because Jesus bears the judgment of God in our place as our substitute.

Jesus now appears to the Eleven, shows the truth of the resurrection, and opens their minds to see the whole sweep of God's salvation plan. He then returns to heaven to complete his journey. So we see the completion of Jesus’ return to paradise, as well as the completion of the journey of the disciples in understanding who Jesus is and what he came to do.

Jesus now appears to the Eleven, shows the truth of the resurrection, and opens their minds to see the whole sweep of God's salvation plan. He then returns to heaven to complete his journey. So we see the completion of Jesus’ return to paradise, as well as the completion of the journey of the disciples in understanding who Jesus is and what he came to do.

The followers of Jesus do not yet understand all that has taken place, but the risen Jesus shows them from the Scriptures the greater plan of God concerning himself. Their hearts burn as he opens the Scriptures, but only through the miraculous work of Jesus are their eyes opened to recognize him.

The followers of Jesus do not yet understand all that has taken place, but the risen Jesus shows them from the Scriptures the greater plan of God concerning himself. Their hearts burn as he opens the Scriptures, but only through the miraculous work of Jesus are their eyes opened to recognize him.

Just as he promised, Jesus has died and risen again. And because his word has been fulfilled, his invitation to paradise has been validated as true. And now we trust and serve a risen Lord. Our challenge is not to write off this miracle (as the apostles did initially), but simply to believe that it is true.

Jesus bears the judgment of God (symbolised by darkness) to open the way to his presence (symbolized by the tearing of the curtain). We look on in quietness and wonder (as the women did)—and we respond with grateful and costly devotion (as Joseph did).

Here we finally begin to see more appropriate responses to Jesus, mixed with continued mocking. Women mourn for him, and the criminal asks to be remembered by him. Ultimately, we must approach Jesus as he did—with nothing to offer, only humbly asking for his kindness toward us—that we too may have his welcome in paradise.

Here we finally begin to see more appropriate responses to Jesus, mixed with continued mocking. Women mourn for him, and the criminal asks to be remembered by him. Ultimately, we must approach Jesus as he did—with nothing to offer, only humbly asking for his kindness toward us—that we too may have his welcome in paradise.

The whole process of the trial is shown to be an act of great injustice as the Righteous Lord submits himself to the judgment of unrighteous men. Again, we are to marvel at what Jesus endured for us, the guilty. And we are to take warning from the crowds who called for his death rather than falling before him in worship.

The whole process of the trial is shown to be an act of great injustice as the Righteous Lord submits himself to the judgment of unrighteous men. Again, we are to marvel at what Jesus endured for us, the guilty. And we are to take warning from the crowds who called for his death rather than falling before him in worship.

On his way to the cross, Jesus faces abandonment by his closest allies. He alone can atone for sin—and he faces the cross alone. Our response is to marvel at what he underwent for us—and then to learn from the failings of his disciples and never desert our Saviour.

On his way to the cross, Jesus faces abandonment by his closest allies. He alone can atone for sin—and he faces the cross alone. Our response is to marvel at what he underwent for us—and then to learn from the failings of his disciples and never desert our Saviour.

There is no escaping it: we will all be disappointed at times by politicians, teachers, bosses, and community leaders—people who hold the responsibility of directing us and promoting our best interests, but who turn out to be unable to carry it through. This psalmist admonishes us not to put our trust in human leaders. And then he draws our hearts to put our hope in the right place—in the Lord him...

There is no escaping it: we will all be disappointed at times by politicians, teachers, bosses, and community leaders—people who hold the responsibility of directing us and promoting our best interests, but who turn out to be unable to carry it through. This psalmist admonishes us not to put our trust in human leaders. And then he draws our hearts to put our hope in the right place—in the Lord him...

The Psalms of ascents speak of the journey of the people of God as they go up to Jerusalem to enjoy the Lord’s presence in his temple. You and I are not on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, of course, but you and I today know what it is to be on a journey to the place of God’s presence—we know what it is to be pilgrims and travellers, longing for our final destination—weary from the journey, anxious to a...

The Psalms of ascents speak of the journey of the people of God as they go up to Jerusalem to enjoy the Lord’s presence in his temple. You and I are not on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, of course, but you and I today know what it is to be on a journey to the place of God’s presence—we know what it is to be pilgrims and travellers, longing for our final destination—weary from the journey, anxious to a...

In many ways, the prayer of Psalm 72 was fulfilled in the life of King Solomon. But like his father, David, Solomon did not live up to all the hopes invested in him. He was not the perfect king—he was not the ultimate hope of Israel. And because no Old Testament king ever fulfilled all the hopes and promises set out in God’s Word for that perfect king, the people of Israel continued to wait and lo...

In many ways, the prayer of Psalm 72 was fulfilled in the life of King Solomon. But like his father, David, Solomon did not live up to all the hopes invested in him. He was not the perfect king—he was not the ultimate hope of Israel. And because no Old Testament king ever fulfilled all the hopes and promises set out in God’s Word for that perfect king, the people of Israel continued to wait and lo...

The psalmist who wrote Psalm 42 is far from home—he feels far from the people and the Lord he loves—and he is facing opposition in a hostile land. He is homesick in every way—socially, geographically, spiritually. If we have our sights set on our heavenly home—if we are longing for the day when we will see the Lord face-to-face—if we are a people who know the pressures of this world and the opposi...