Central to the Christian faith is the cross. However it seems to have lost its appeal as the symbol of our belief. Over the years musician Michael Card has written and recorded songs focusing on the cross, the suffering of Jesus, and His death for our life. Listen as we talk with Michael about the events of Holy Week, and meet our Savior with a new and fresh perspective as we talk about A Violent Grace.
How do the different gospels handle the life and death of Jesus? These gospels, in Michael’s words, are a testimony for the rest of us.
“A testimony is meant to tell you everything you need to know to believe and have faith in Jesus.”
Michael points out that each author chooses to emphasize a different aspect of His life – Matthew, for example, focuses on the fact that Jesus fulfilled all the Old Testament prophecies in being the Jewish Messiah. He was also the only gospel write to include the ‘slaughter of the innocents’ in Bethlehem.
When can we learn from the men and women who followed Jesus during His earthly life? Michael points out that they were flawed people who were frequently confused. The common thread in their lives, and in ours, is a recognition of deep sin and need of a Savior.
Neil and Michael unpack several more aspects of the Passion narrative, including the denial and restoration of Peter, the prophecy of Caiaphas, the process of crucifixion, and the scars on Jesus’ hands and feet that point to the truth, “It is finished.”
